Save Cathedral High Day Announced - December 16, 2014

For Immediate Release

Massachusetts, Connecticut, National Distribution

November 23, 2014

Springfield, MA

Diocese Threatens to Close Storied Catholic High School

Save Cathedral High Day Announced - December 16, 2014

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts threatens to close one of the most storied Catholic High Schools in the nation. Cathedral High School in Springfield was destroyed by a tornado on June 1, 2011. Since that time students have heroically made due, without complaint, in an old abandoned elementary school in Wilbraham, MA . They anxiously looked forward to a new high school after suffering for 3 years over an insurance dispute. Finally, then Bishop Timothy McDonnell, announced the go ahead to build a new school to a jubilant crowd on March 3, 2014. Then a new Bishop, Mitchell Rozanski, was installed in August 2014 and in November he pulled back the reins on a new school and has placed the school's future in doubt.

The school started in Springfield in 1883 has had a continual stream of notable alumni and is well known for academic excellence as well as being a sports powerhouse. Notables include, but are not limited to, 1943 Heisman Trophy Winner, Angelo Bertelli; Larry O'Brien, Advisor to President John F. Kennedy and later US Postmaster General, then NBA Commissioner; NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti; current US Congressman from Vermont Peter Welch; tennis pro Tim Mayotte; current MLB pitchers Scott Brown and Chris Capuano; NBA player and coach Vinny DelNegro; and current Head Basketball Coach at UMass, Derek Kellogg. The list goes on and on and includes Monsignors in the Catholic faith, vice presidents of banks, judges, CEO's, business owners, prominent lawyers, political and civic leaders, and so many other highly contributing citizens to their communities. There are some 25,000 living alumni.

Cathedral students come from the Greater Springfield area, North Central Connecticut, and include international students. The student body represents a broad diversity. The entire area is in a state of shock that closing such a storied and a historic school like Cathedral is even being considered. Civic leaders, school neighbors, alumni, and a vast majority of Catholics and citizens in the Diocese favor a new Cathedral. More than enough money is available to build a new school from insurance and FEMA monies.

The Diocese cites declining enrollment, financially sustainability and money needed for "other ministries". Yet proponents for a new Cathedral claim that much of this is self caused by the Diocese itself and with a commitment to build, leadership, some simple marketing of the school, and proven fund raising based upon trust that Cathedral could evolve toward bring mostly self funded.

A little over year ago a small grass roots committee was formed called the Committee for Cathedral Action (CCA). The sole mission is to get a new Cathedral High School built and to give students the high school that they deserve, now and in the future. CCA confidently claims that with the proper leadership, clarity of purpose, some basic marketing approaches, and a commitment, that enrollment will increase significantly. That sustainability will come about by this type of positive leadership and creative funding as exhibited by other successful Catholic high schools. On November 20 CCA announced to a jam packed crowd at St. Anthony's Hall in Springfield the launching of Campaign Cathedral aimed at saving Cathedral High School. Attendees enthusiastically offered their support, signed up to serve on committees, and offered financial support.

On December 16, 2014 CCA is declaring this day as SAVE CATHEDRAL HIGH DAY throughout the Greater Springfield area, and North Central Connecticut as further encouragement to Bishop Rozanski to go forward, without further delay, and build the new Cathedral High School. People throughout the area will be encouraged to show their support by Save Cathedral High T-Shirts, bumper stickers, lawn signs, wearing Cathedral jackets, hats etc. or just by wearing the school color, purple on that day...anything to show their support for Cathedral High.

Contact:

Alfredo DiLascia, Chairman

Committee for Cathedral Action