New Catholic School in Rockaway in Fall

My Dear Parishioners,

We join Catholics throughout our nation celebrating CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK which begins today. For over fifty years our community has been blessed to be served by two wonderful Catholic schools, Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Cecilia. Looking back on our shared history we can be grateful to the religious sisters who lovingly staffed our schools and to the parishioners who had built our schools to provide a Catholic education for our children.

As you well know, many things have changed in fifty years. Catholic schools have been affected by many changes and challenges, just as American families have been. These changing times call for a new model for Catholic education in Rockaway. No longer can we sustain two schools. We have neither the student enrollment nor the financial resources to continue as in the past. The diocesan schools office has worked with me and my advisors to investigate our unique situation and to plan for the future.

I felt the only viable option to keep Catholic education in Rockaway was to merge Saint Cecilia and Sacred Heart of Jesus into one building thus becoming a new school with a new identity. This consolidation will provide us with more resources and students. Beginning this fall, Catholic education will continue in the Saint Cecilia building, which will be given a new name, and will be able to serve school families. The diocese supported my decision as pastor of both schools to continue Catholic education in the town of Rockaway with this merger.

This merger will bring with it, I am sure, a new vitality which will benefit the children and families we serve. New models bring with it opportunities and possibilities which did not exist previously. I am confident that as we embark on this new journey together the Lord will be at our side assisting us with His grace and the Light of the Holy Spirit.

Let me remind you, WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN ROCKAWAY. You, the Catholics of our community, are to be commended for helping to support Catholic education through your good words and sacrifices. I ask that you continue to help me in the efforts to maintain and sustain our new Catholic school.

May Christ our Savior strengthen us and bless us in our work of handing down the faith as well as educating our precious children.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Zig