Closure of decades-old Catholic schools mourned

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former students of the Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Ellwood City frequently share memories of the time they spent there.

Overall, student enrollment in Pittsburgh diocesan schools has dropped by about 50 percent since 2000, prompting the diocese to make moves to stem the plummeting enrollment, stabilize tuition and reignite growth in Catholic education.

St. Ursula Catholic School in Hampton will be absorbed into a new school formed as part of the "regionalization" of Catholic elementary schools in the North Hills.

St. Ursula was founded in a two-room school house in 1911, two years after the parish was established, according to the diocese.

[...] 1953, St. Ursula's was run by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Baltimore, and later the Vincentian Sisters of Charity.

Earlier this month, the school put on a final musical performance at a retirement community and after the show, a 94-year-old woman shared memories of her time as a student at St. Ursula, Ruefle said.

The Rev. Edward Wichman, parish administrator at St. Bartholomew, said he became aware of the school's dire financial situation when he took up the position in December.

To make ends meet, about 120 students would have to enroll -— and pay a $2,000 tuition increase — by April 28.

Enrollment figures at the end of April fell short, Father Wichman said, and parents' proposals for fund raisers wouldn't have raised enough money in time.

While it is hard to see these schools close, the responsibility of forming our youth will continue as the diocese works to strengthen Catholic education through regionalization of our elementary schools.