Continuing scrolling for: Who are we? What happened? What can we do? Previous updates.
Building UPDATE - 6/22/2020
Please see the article about LC Family Tom and Joya Morrissey placing a bid for the Lebanon Catholic property
Click here to read the article.
We ask you to please contact your priests and respectfully speak to them about this. The school is owned by a trust in the each of the seven parishes name. The school was closed in part due to the Diocese calling in the debt from the school. This repayment is due on a 5 year plan. The repayment amount for each parish is about half of what their subsidy was. The current bid is not an attempt to get the school for free or even some deep discount but instead a reasonable offer which would allow the new school to start on some important maintenance and upgrades. Kindly speak to your priests and ask them to support Catholic education and help us re-open our school. Have them keep in mind that the sale of the property - for any price - along with the removal of their yearly subsidy will dramatically help their own budgets. Also this would help them rebuild the relationship with all of their LC parishioners who were painfully shaken by the abrupt news. Also completing the sale now would allow the staff and parents to properly plan for September.
We ask you to please contact your priests and respectfully speak to them about this. The school is owned by a trust in the each of the seven parishes name. The school was closed in part due to the Diocese calling in the debt from the school. This repayment is due on a 5 year plan. The repayment amount for each parish is about half of what their subsidy was. The current bid is not an attempt to get the school for free or even some deep discount but instead a reasonable offer which would allow the new school to start on some important maintenance and upgrades. Kindly speak to your priests and ask them to support Catholic education and help us re-open our school. Have them keep in mind that the sale of the property - for any price - along with the removal of their yearly subsidy will dramatically help their own budgets. Also this would help them rebuild the relationship with all of their LC parishioners who were painfully shaken by the abrupt news. Also completing the sale now would allow the staff and parents to properly plan for September.
Volunteers Needed to move boxes/contents of school to trucks and storage.
Regardless of what happens with the sale of the property, the school must be empty by end of June. Items being saved for Lebanon Catholic are going to storage and the remaining staff needs help carrying boxes. They are asking for any volunteers to come on Saturday between 9-3 PM. The limited staff that is remaining and some volunteers are currently gathering and organizing to be ready for this major effort on Saturday. They are also asking if you know of or have storage units or box trucks to please contact us. While there is a plan for storage and trucks, it is unknown how much will be needed, or you may have better options.
Letter from Administration/Committee UPDATE - Hopes, prayers, plans 6/1/2020
Dear Lebanon Catholic community....(letter sent to families via email 6/1/2020)
It has been 33 days since (feels much longer than that!) the Diocese of Harrisburg announced that it would close Lebanon Catholic School at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. That news has been devastating for all of us. It has also been unexpectedly motivating.
Since the announcement, the LC community has gathered, prayed, hoped, worked for, and been faithful to our school and our kids. The LCStrong community has emerged as an amazing support system, organizing prayer, volunteer efforts, rallies, and technology platforms for communication. A committee formed, made up of educators, alumni, parents, board members, and professionals to develop a plan to preserve and renew Catholic education in Lebanon. This energy is inspiring.
Thanks to the survey and all the voices of support, we know that our community is ready to support a renewal in Catholic education that continues the legacy of LC, is rooted in our Catholic identity, and provides for a classroom model of instruction.
We believe that an independent school instructing in the Catholic tradition is the answer, and we are actively working towards that goal.
An independent school would operate separate from diocesan or parish finances. Financially, such a school would be supported by tuition and advancement efforts, incorporating a new business model, community support and sustained donor involvement. Our community has consistently indicated that maintaining Catholic identity is essential. Such an endeavor would require the blessing of the Bishop to operate in the Catholic tradition and the encouragement of our local Church.
A vital first step is securing diocesan recognition to operate in the Catholic tradition. We are working on this. The committee is also working to register articles of incorporation, apply for nonprofit status, register as a nonpublic school, develop a budget and capital campaign, and acquire a physical location.
Other independent schools exist and are thriving. They require support and creative thinking in order to remain affordable, accessible and sustainable.
While there is crisis all around us- it is hopeful to remember that our Catholic schools were originally born out of crisis. Our schools were a response from the faithful to meet the circumstances of the day- building, creating and sacrificing for the sake of families, young people, and the future of the Church.
We respond again for the sake of our children...in hope and in faith.
What is next? What can you do?
Please continue to pray for these efforts.
Pray for the work of the committee, for those making decisions, and for those making financial choices to support us.
As we move forward, we will continue to inform you of developments and new ways for you to engage and support the process. Continue to stay engaged with the LC Strong website and Facebook page. Encourage and support one another.
We are in a season of holding both reality and hope.
We are hopeful that Catholic education in Lebanon can and will be renewed.
We are praying that the legacy and tradition of 161 years of Catholic education is preserved.
May the Holy Spirit descend upon us and renew the face of education as it renews the face of the earth!
Mary, Beacon on the Hill, pray for us!
Peace & blessings,
Mrs. Waters
Survey Results & Latest Update 5/17/2020
Dear LC Strong community,
In the last weeks, a committee including the Board and other experienced community members formed to develop a plan to renew Catholic education in Lebanon. A survey was created and released last week to gather information from the community.
Thank you for your quick responses!
Your feedback is helping to shape the direction the committee is taking to renew Catholic education in Lebanon.
The results are being posted (here) so that you can hear what others are saying.
Please know that the survey was conducted and collated quickly and represents only a small sampling of alumni and donors.
Things are moving quickly and your voices as the LC Strong Community are at the heart of those efforts.
Receiving them so quickly enables the committee to form next steps with more clarity and focus.
The survey results make several things clear:
Our community wants Catholic education in Lebanon.
A physical location is imperative.
LC is a family.
One important development is establishing a way to receive donations.
This is a vital move forward and your enthusiasm to participate has been heard!
In order for that process to be transparent and responsible, a non-profit needs to be established.
That takes some time, but is in progress.
In addition to the survey responses, many questions have been asked via Facebook and the website.
The committee continues to develop a cohesive plan; hopefully it will clarify some of the uncertainties.
A mailer is also being prepared to update alumni and donors of the situation (it will be posted here as well.)
Please continue to watch the LC Strong website for the most current updates.
It's a complex, uncertain, and difficult time for all involved.
Let us continue to be empowered by the HOPE we create as a community!
Mary, Beacon on the Hill, pray for us.
5/17/20 UPDATE to the "What can we do?" section below:
In order to maintain our energy and momentum, we emphasize two things.
In the last weeks, a committee including the Board and other experienced community members formed to develop a plan to renew Catholic education in Lebanon. A survey was created and released last week to gather information from the community.
Thank you for your quick responses!
Your feedback is helping to shape the direction the committee is taking to renew Catholic education in Lebanon.
The results are being posted (here) so that you can hear what others are saying.
Please know that the survey was conducted and collated quickly and represents only a small sampling of alumni and donors.
Things are moving quickly and your voices as the LC Strong Community are at the heart of those efforts.
Receiving them so quickly enables the committee to form next steps with more clarity and focus.
The survey results make several things clear:
Our community wants Catholic education in Lebanon.
A physical location is imperative.
LC is a family.
One important development is establishing a way to receive donations.
This is a vital move forward and your enthusiasm to participate has been heard!
In order for that process to be transparent and responsible, a non-profit needs to be established.
That takes some time, but is in progress.
In addition to the survey responses, many questions have been asked via Facebook and the website.
The committee continues to develop a cohesive plan; hopefully it will clarify some of the uncertainties.
A mailer is also being prepared to update alumni and donors of the situation (it will be posted here as well.)
Please continue to watch the LC Strong website for the most current updates.
It's a complex, uncertain, and difficult time for all involved.
Let us continue to be empowered by the HOPE we create as a community!
Mary, Beacon on the Hill, pray for us.
5/17/20 UPDATE to the "What can we do?" section below:
In order to maintain our energy and momentum, we emphasize two things.
- Please visit the donation/pledge page (here) and let us know if you are able and willing to pledge towards our goal. The developing plan will include a campaign goal for fundraising. Your early pledges help gauge the level of financial support that will be available. The committee is exploring new pathways for financial sustainability. While we aren't certain what it will look like, what we do know is that a financially independent school will rely more fully on donor support. As Lebanon Catholic has proven, we are small but mighty; there is strength in numbers. Let's come together - together, we are LC Strong!
- We continue to pray! One way is to maintain our Perpetual Rosary (link coming). After such a strong initial response, time slots are starting to open up again. Even if you can only pray at home, please sign-up so we know the rosary is kept strong during this time.
Who are we? We are LC Strong!
We are a group of students, teachers, staff, parents, grandparents, community members, and alumni who believe in the importance of Lebanon Catholic School in our community. First and foremost, we are a family who loves and values the long legacy of our school. In response to recent news from the Diocese of Harrisburg, we are a community-driven effort to show our love and support for LC and to one another. We believe in keeping Catholic education in Lebanon County.
We invite you to join us in our hopes, efforts, and prayers to discover a path forward to renew Catholic Education in our Lebanon community.
What happened?
On Tuesday, April 28th, Bishop Gainer and the Diocese of Harrisburg issued a press release about the closure of Lebanon Catholic School at the end of this 2019-2020 school year. The Bishop cited financial debt and the poor enrollment as precipitating reasons, as well as the letter from the Deanery priests requesting that the school be closed.
Principal Deb Waters issued a letter and an initial video response to the closing.
The Lebanon Catholic Board of Directors also released a statement, including a detailed timeline of events. Click here to read statement
BREAKING NEW UPDATE: 5/8/2020 - From Principal Deb Waters in a letter to families 5/8/2020
A committee including the Board and experienced community members formed this week to create a plan to move Lebanon Catholic forward....A request from this committee was sent to the Diocese to review a proposal that would have allowed us to remain open as a diocesan school, address the many financial concerns, and continue to explore sustainability models. Despite our best efforts, this proposal was denied last evening...In walking the path toward keeping Catholic education in Lebanon, we now know that this avenue, of a diocesan school, is closed. Remaining a diocesan school would have required the continued financial commitment from the diocese and the parishes. The alternative is to simply stop or to seek financial independence...creating a different school model. It is my belief that preserving Catholic in any next step is essential, and it would require the blessing of the [Diocese].
While I am heartbroken at this denial, as it dismisses our staff and puts the building and property up for sale, I remain committed to continuing the conversation. I ask for your continued support and urge you to remain together. We are LC. We are LC Strong.
Principal Deb Waters issued a letter and an initial video response to the closing.
The Lebanon Catholic Board of Directors also released a statement, including a detailed timeline of events. Click here to read statement
BREAKING NEW UPDATE: 5/8/2020 - From Principal Deb Waters in a letter to families 5/8/2020
A committee including the Board and experienced community members formed this week to create a plan to move Lebanon Catholic forward....A request from this committee was sent to the Diocese to review a proposal that would have allowed us to remain open as a diocesan school, address the many financial concerns, and continue to explore sustainability models. Despite our best efforts, this proposal was denied last evening...In walking the path toward keeping Catholic education in Lebanon, we now know that this avenue, of a diocesan school, is closed. Remaining a diocesan school would have required the continued financial commitment from the diocese and the parishes. The alternative is to simply stop or to seek financial independence...creating a different school model. It is my belief that preserving Catholic in any next step is essential, and it would require the blessing of the [Diocese].
While I am heartbroken at this denial, as it dismisses our staff and puts the building and property up for sale, I remain committed to continuing the conversation. I ask for your continued support and urge you to remain together. We are LC. We are LC Strong.
What is next? What can I do? What about donations?
First. We Pray.
Honestly, we aren't sure what happens next. While the recent confirmation that a diocesan school is not an option,
the committee is developing pathways to renew Catholic Education in Lebanon.
Even while we move forward, we grieve and recognize the confusion, sorrow,
and hardship of families and staff making decisions this late in the school year.
We know and feel the frustration of not knowing exactly what to do with our rising emotions and energy.
There are meetings and efforts exploring the option of financial independence.
Even as we anticipate a plan for renewal, we are gathering ourselves, showing support, telling our story,
and collecting ourselves so that when a way forward becomes clear, we will be ready to move together.
It is our sincere hope to keep Catholic education in Lebanon Country.
Next things we can do:
Honestly, we aren't sure what happens next. While the recent confirmation that a diocesan school is not an option,
the committee is developing pathways to renew Catholic Education in Lebanon.
Even while we move forward, we grieve and recognize the confusion, sorrow,
and hardship of families and staff making decisions this late in the school year.
We know and feel the frustration of not knowing exactly what to do with our rising emotions and energy.
There are meetings and efforts exploring the option of financial independence.
Even as we anticipate a plan for renewal, we are gathering ourselves, showing support, telling our story,
and collecting ourselves so that when a way forward becomes clear, we will be ready to move together.
It is our sincere hope to keep Catholic education in Lebanon Country.
Next things we can do:
- Please follow us on LC Strong's Facebook and LC Strong's Twitter. Follow for photos, news, and information as it becomes available.
- What about donations? Yes. The committee is currently creating the necessary infrastructure to accept donations and pay online (see 5/17/20 update.) The developing plan will include a more specific campaign goal for fundraising. Your early pledges help gauge the level of financial support that will be available. The committee is exploring new pathways for financial sustainability. While we aren't certain what it will look like, what we do know is that a financially independent school will rely more fully on donor support. We encourage you to click to the Make a Pledge page to submit your name, information, and a potential amount so we can collect that information. We know that many of us have a lot of energy and emotions - let's make the most of that. Please follow this link to inquire more.
- We continue to pray! One way is to maintain our Perpetual Rosary (link coming). After a strong initial response, time slots are starting to open up again. Even if you can only pray at home, please sign-up so we know the rosary is kept strong during this time.
- We tell our stories. You're invited to share memories and stories about your time at Lebanon Catholic. SHARE YOUR STORY HERE.
Most recent message from the LC Board of Education and Planning Committee - May 5, 2020
It's been a hectic and confusing week for everyone since the school closure announcement came from Bishop Gainer last Tuesday. While we are very much aware and respect that a diocesan decision has been issued, we also acknowledge that there are questions about the future; is there anything that can be done?
Principal Deb Waters has heard from many concerned parents, alumni, and community members that have offered support and assistance. Many have pledged money to help the school to remain open for the 2020-2021 school year. The support has been overwhelming.
We are so very grateful for all your enthusiasm, generosity and prayers. Your support is motivation. The lay board members and a small group of community leaders have been busy exploring the very best next steps and will share more information in the next few days. We thank you for your energy and your prayers.
It's been a hectic and confusing week for everyone since the school closure announcement came from Bishop Gainer last Tuesday. While we are very much aware and respect that a diocesan decision has been issued, we also acknowledge that there are questions about the future; is there anything that can be done?
Principal Deb Waters has heard from many concerned parents, alumni, and community members that have offered support and assistance. Many have pledged money to help the school to remain open for the 2020-2021 school year. The support has been overwhelming.
We are so very grateful for all your enthusiasm, generosity and prayers. Your support is motivation. The lay board members and a small group of community leaders have been busy exploring the very best next steps and will share more information in the next few days. We thank you for your energy and your prayers.
The importance of keeping
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Check out these wonderful photos from the May 2, 2020
LC STRONG Community Rally! |
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Together, We are LC Strong!
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