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Catholic Education in the Archdiocese:
‘We’ll continue assisting our youth’
The closing of Mount Carmel High School won’t stop archdiocese from assisting its students in continuing their Catholic education

A letter by DANIEL CARDINAL DINARDO, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, and SR. KEVINA KEATING, CCVI, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

The Mount Carmel High School community and its friends are understandably disappointed and dismayed by the school’s closing scheduled for the end of this academic year.  This painful decision is a recognition of sad realities, not a withdrawal from Mount Carmel’s mission of providing youth with an integrated, faith based education. In particular, we want the 132 remaining Mount Carmel students and incoming freshmen to continue their Catholic education and are providing them the opportunity through financial assistance to do so in one of eight other Catholic High Schools in the Archdiocese.  Students have until May 9 to apply to our high schools.

Mount Carmel High school opened under the direction of the Carmelite Order in 1956 and was designed to house seven hundred students.  In the mid 1980s, the Carmelites found it necessary to turn the school over to the diocese.  For over twenty years the Archdiocese has funded Mt. Carmel generously, including paying its teachers’ health benefits, and has otherwise extended it preferential options.

Nonetheless, for well over ten years, the Archdiocese has had concerns about Mount Carmel’s future. Each year’s hope of increasing enrollment has failed to materialize, as changing demographics permanently reduced the school’s future prospects. Its widely discussed low tuition rates did not sufficiently increase enrollment and professional studies of the school further dampened our hopes. Indeed, the decision to close Mt. Carmel High School came following the results of two such studies, and an additional outside consultation. The results of the first study seriously questioned the viability of the school. We responded with vigorous and creative efforts to increase enrollment and reposition the school. These included investment in renovations and research into revised academic program and facility master plans.  Additional monies continued to be sent to the school as recently as April 3rd.

A second study, our own, conducted in March and early April, reinforced earlier pessimism about possibly increasing enrollment. Finally, an additional outside consultation reported on continued maintenance needs.  These results came together at a meeting on April 22nd. Ultimately, the severe difficulty of delivering a quality education to students in an environment marked by decreases in enrollment and increases in costs dictated our decision. The physical plant requires an investment of close to seven million dollars, marketing and development efforts had not produced adequate results and nothing in our studies suggested any improvement in the foreseeable future. For instance, Mount Carmel’s administration reported that enrollment for next year might decrease by over fifteen percent, to 160 students. A much greater enrollment is necessary for the school to be viable. Moreover, this year’s quarter million dollar budget deficit was expected to grow to nearly half a million dollars next year.  School administration sought Archdiocesan advice about offering contracts for the next school year.

After discussion of all the issues, the painful and difficult decision was made to close the school at the end of this academic year. In making this decision, we focused on the future of the students as a primary concern, but with consideration also for the needs of faculty and staff.

Representatives from our office followed up with the Mount Carmel High School Board Chair and another board member.  The Board Chair, who has served in that capacity for some time and has known the school’s challenges, indicated full understanding of the decision.

Students are being encouraged to continue their Catholic education by attending one of our other high schools.  Admissions Directors from all eight Catholic high schools went to Mount Carmel this past Tuesday to allow students and parents time to visit with them and to apply.  The application process was simplified and application and registration fees waived.  In addition the Archdiocese plans to work with receiving Catholic High schools to reduce the financial consequences for families.

Likewise, faculty and staff have been provided with information on openings in our other Catholic schools.  They have been given the option to sign up for a “Priority in Hiring” list where they will be given primary consideration by hiring Principals from our other schools.

We remain solidly committed to Catholic education. That does not mean that we can continue delivering it endlessly in every facility and regardless of circumstances.  We have encouraged and invested in the growth of the Mount Carmel community and we acknowledge the difficulty and pain its members suffer in confronting the need to let go of the places and the relationships that comprise it; but we see no prudent alternative to the decision we are implementing.  

We intend to look at new areas where we need Catholic schools. Two years ago, a study was conducted to assess the feasibility of a Catholic High School further South. The results at that time were not positive, but we do believe we need to look again in the not too distant future at having another high school somewhere central, between the Mt. Carmel area and Galveston.  

We can never express adequately our debt of gratitude for all that Mount Carmel has given to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and to the City of Houston. Despite the pain now, we know that Mount Carmel’s mission will continue to be lived by all who have participated in and honor the school’s legacy of 52 years. We ask that, despite differences, we express the richness of that legacy in renewed charity and reconciliation, and in supporting our students  transition to other Catholic high schools.

While the school year comes to a close, Mount Carmel High School will deliver full instruction daily.  We ask all to continue their support of Catholic education, as it faces national trends that embody both great challenges and great opportunities.

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Future Closure of Mount Carmel High School

April 25, 2008

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston announced today its intention to close Mount Carmel High School, 6700 Mount Carmel Drive, Houston, Texas 77087, at the end of the current school year. School personnel will be considered for assignment to other locations within the Archdiocesan School System. All underclass students will receive help in relocating to their new schools.

School officials expressed the desire that the 140 currently enrolled underclass students will continue their Catholic education at other Catholic High Schools. To that end, the Archdiocese plans to make arrangements with other Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese to reduce the financial consequences of Mount Carmel’s closure for families which elect to continue their children’s education in the Catholic School System.

“Our main concern is the future of the students,” said Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. “It was a painful decision to make, but we felt that the education of students at Mount Carmel High School cannot continue to be the vital, life giving enterprise that truly Catholic education must be.”

The Mount Carmel physical plant, opened in 1956, was designed to accommodate 700 students. The enrollment in recent years, however, has averaged 190 and has been declining. Historically, the school has experienced significant operating losses and currently confronts renovation and maintenance needs involving at least $6.6 million. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has subsidized Mount Carmel with $1.15 million in direct grants since 2001 and has extended other moneys and credits in at least the same amount.

“The difficulty of delivering quality education to Mount Carmel students increases with every decline in enrollment and every increase in repair and maintenance costs,” said Sister Kevina Keating, Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools; “Vigorous and creative efforts over the past few years to reposition the school and turn around enrollment have not produced adequate results.” The school’s location contributed to the difficulty of repositioning it.

In the current school year, separately from the multi-million dollar budgets of the 62 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese, most of which are owned and operated by the Church itself, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, has spent $3.7 million on Catholic schooling. Its system of Catholic schools is the largest in the Southwest.

“Through financial assistance for those students wishing to continue their Catholic education, and by working to place staff at other diocesan schools, we hope to make this transition as seamless as possible for those involved,” Cardinal DiNardo said. “We especially ask Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s intercessions for everyone affected by this difficult decision.”

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Holy See Names Houston Priest Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio

April 10, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI has named Bishop-Elect Oscar Cantú of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and pastor of Holy Name Church, the new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The Vatican made the announcement at 5 a.m. Central Time, this morning. He will be ordained a bishop in San Antonio on June 2 by Archbishop José H. Gomez. At 41, Bishop-elect Cantú will be the youngest bishop in the United States. Born and raised in Houston, TX, Bishop-elect Cantú is a product of Houston’s Catholic Schools and was ordained a priest in May of 1994. Since his ordination, he served in a number of parishes in the Houston metropolitan area. He currently is the pastor of Holy Name Parish in Houston, which was his childhood parish. He has also taught at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology and the University of St. Thomas at St. Mary’s Seminary.

“It is a great honor and responsibility for Bishop-elect Cantú,” Daniel Cardinal DiNardo expressed, “and it is a great joy for this local Church that one of our own priests has been elevated to the Office of Bishop. Fr. Cantú’s gifts, his loyalty and service to the Church, and his wise and compassionate pastoral care have shown him to be a priest of great maturity.”

While appointing Bishop Cantú San Antonio’s auxiliary bishop, Pope Benedict also named him Titular Bishop of Dardano. A titular bishop is a title given to a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese or archdiocese. These dioceses no longer exist, but centuries ago might have fallen into the hands of conquerors or were absorbed into larger dioceses. These appointments serve to memorialize these dioceses.

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Thousands ‘Step’ up for Catholic education,
raise more than $200,000

By ERIK NORIEGA
Herald Staff Writer

HOUSTON – The third time proved to be the charm as more than 2,000 runners and volunteers gathered at All Saints Church in the Heights to support Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston by participating in the Third Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk, Feb. 23. At press time, more than $200,000 had been raised, almost doubling last year’s amount.

Approximately 2,100 runners along with 221 volunteers ensured that the event would be a total success. Special guests included Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, former Houston Astro Craig Biggio and KHOU anchor Ron Treviño, who served as emcee for the event.

Proceeds from the event will benefit local Catholic schools at two levels. Money raised from event underwriters and unspecified registration fees will go towards benefiting 15 Inner City Catholic Schools.

In addition, individuals and teams were able to earmark their contributions to any specific Catholic school in the archdiocese.

Sister Kevina Keating, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said she was impressed with the turnout for the event.

“It’s fantastic we have at least 45 of our school communities and great participation from the archdiocese and our sponsors,” Sister Kevina said.

In addition to raising much needed funds for Catholic schools, another key goal is building community, according to Sister Kevina.

“Community is one of the main pillars of Catholic education – building community, promoting community, improving and enhancing community relations,” Sister Kevina said. “Today is a wonderful example of what can happen when you bring people together around a cause and today’s cause couldn’t be more important because it is not just education at its best. It’s no ordinary education but an extraordinary education with faith and values, addressing the whole person.”

St. Rose of Lima School was this year’s big winner with the most pledges – more than $24,000 at press time – and greatest percentage of participants. For their efforts they received The David K. Guite Spirit Award, which is awarded to the Catholic school team with the greatest percentage of participation and pledges raised for their school.

The award is named for the late David Guite, the former principal of Our Lady of Fatima in Galena Park and member of the committee responsible for the first Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk.

Father Clint Ressler, pastor at St. Rose of Lima, was quick to credit parent participation for the feat.

“One of the things I’ve found is that parents care so much. They care about their children, their children’s education, their faith. All you have to do is get out of their way,” Father Ressler said.

“The schools have to survive on a modest tuition, a subsidy from the parish and fundraising,” Father Ressler continued. “Without the fundraising, the burden falls on either the parents or the parish. So this becomes a crucial part of making up the difference between those other two sources.”

“Our parents really came through. We had a goal of $20,000 so this is a real accomplishment,” said Amy Kieschnick, event coordinator for St. Rose of Lima.

Tina Lewis, principal at Holy Name School, explained that funds raised through the event would be pivotal for her school, too. A recent break-in at the Northside school resulted in a brand new computer being stolen.

“Things like these happen and we obviously don’t put things like that in the budget,” Lewis explained. “So the money we raise at this event is key towards our mission.”

While schools such as St. Rose of Lima and Holy Name didn’t have a specific goal in mind, others like Resurrection School and True Cross Catholic School did.

“The main thing is we were hoping to expand our Montessori/Kindergarten center and we are hoping to use funds raised for remodeling,” said Resurrection Principal Danny Brogee.

According to staff member Haley Zuma, True Cross in Dickinson had earmarked any funds raised for improving their track. “It’s fun for us to be together with our school community, but it’s also fun to come out and to participate with other schools especially while benefiting our school,” Zuma said.

In addition to Cardinal DiNardo and Biggio, other special guests included Jean and Kevin Guite, David Guite’s mother and brother respectively, and Oliver Luck and Todd Mason, event co-chairs.

Biggio, who retired last season, wasn’t busy with spring training this year and decided to show his support, along with wife Patty and son Cavan.

“I believe in Catholic education,” Biggio said before the start of the event. While he was raised Lutheran, his experience at Seton Hall University led to his conversion to Catholicism.

Today all three of Biggio’s children attend Catholic school in the archdiocese.

“It’s pretty much a no brainer,” Biggio said of his decision to send his kids to Catholic school.

With regard to getting some well-deserved rest now that he is retired, Biggio said, “I wish. I’m busy; busier now than I’ve ever been.” Along with supporting charitable causes, Biggio is also an assistant coach at St. Thomas High School, where his eldest son is a freshman this year.

“It’s just amazing to see all the hard work that everyone’s put into this. I think David would be honored to have his name associated with such a great event,” Kevin Guite said. “I’m just happy it’s not raining. I’m excited and I know that David would be proud and I’m sure if he were here, he’d be running today!”

Luck and Mason have both served previously as co-chairs.

“I’m a product of Catholic schools…so I believe in Catholic schools and the values that they teach,” Luck said. “When this idea originated, I was asked to be one of the co-chairs; now I’m sort of co-chair emeritus which is nice since I don’t have to do as much work,” he quipped. “Raising money to keep the Catholic schools in the position of offering an education to those who want a Catholic education is great.”

“We are so honored to bring this money to these kids. I hope these kids are the leaders of the future,” Mason added.

Trini Mendenhall Sosa, with husband Frank Sosa, came out to show her support, too.

“This is a good way to incorporate everyone from our Inner City Schools and everyone who wants to support Catholic education in our archdiocese,” said Mendenhall Sosa, a member of the Archdiocesan Development Board.

Not to be forgotten, the 5K Run/Walk was officially sanctioned by the USA Track & Field and brought out hundreds of serious runners as well.

Event winner Juan Flores said he was impressed with the event.

“I liked the course; it was well organized and it’s nice to be able to run for a good cause such as this,” Flores said.

Hunter Wilks, a 16-year-old junior at Mount Carmel High School, placed first in the Men’s 15-19 age group. A member of the school’s cross country team, Wilks said he was surprised at his finish.

“We’ve been practicing all year for several races and we just wanted to come out here and do our best,” Wilks said. “I did better than I thought I’d do.”

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