Trinity Catholic closing

Lafayette Diocese Bishop Michael Jarrell announced last week that Trinity Catholic School here will “be allowed to close” at the end of the current academic year.
The announcement came in a release issued last Friday after the school failed to attract a sufficient number of registrations for the 2015-16 session.
Early registration fell to barely over 100 students in grades pre-K through eight and the diocese set a goal of at least 170 to be registered by March 25 but only 127 had enrolled as of that date.
The release issued by the diocese said, in part, “The status of Trinity Catholic School ... has been an on-going concern for the last several years. Plummeting early enrollment for 2015-16 created an emergency situation (and) Bishop Jarrell urged in the strongest way that every effort and avenue be explored to keep the school open for the 2015-16 academic year ... Emergency cuts were planned and the diocese offered a long term, interest free loan ... Unfortunately, only 127 are enrolled for the Fall. With deepest regret and after prayerful reflection, Bishop Jarrell will allow the school to close at the end of the 2014-15 academic year.
“The long-term viability of the school is simply not demonstrable at this time in measurable and compelling ways.”
The release added, “Pastors and principals of neighboring schools have agreed to give special consideration towards the acceptance of Trinity students for the Fall. The Office of Catholic Schools ... will likewise do its best to help teachers and staff find employment in other Catholic institutions ...”
Faculty members were notified of the decision during a meeting late last Friday morning and soon after an e-mail message was sent to parents.
The decision to close the school, whose roots date back to 1881 and the arrival of a contingent of Mercy sisters, was greeted by disappointment and anger among parishioners of Notre Dame and St. Martin de Tours churches, which own and operate the school.
Trinity School was created in 1971 through the merger of Mercy and Notre Dame school – which was administered by Notre Dame Church and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament _ and has been jointly operated by the two local Catholic Church parishes.
Enrollment had topped 460 in 2003 but has declined over the past five years, falling below 300 in 2010.
“Trinity Catholic School will forever hold a sacred place in the hearts of all those who have benefited by its rich tradition of excellence in Catholic learning and faith formation,” the diocesan release concluded. “Through the intercession of St. Katherine Drexel, we ask the Lord’s compassion, mercy, and blessings upon all impacted by this decision.”