Trinity needs 170 pupils to stay open

Diocesan officials are saying that registration at Trinity Catholic School here will have to reach 170 students by March 25 in order to keep the school open for the 2015-16 academic year.
In a statement released last Wednesday, March 4, diocesan officials conceded that the school, whose history dates back to 1881, has experienced a “serious decrease in enrollment over the last several years.”
“This Catholic elementary school is operated by St. Martin de Tours and Notre Dame Catholic parishes,” the release continued, (and) “Bishop Michael Jarrell has instructed that every effort and avenue is to be explored to keep the school open ... The spiritual, moral and financial support of the local community will be necessary to accomplish our goal. We estimate the budget shortfall to be approximately $250,000 or more. Candidly, registration of at least 170 students by March 25 is necessary. Current enrollment is 172 which has resulted in a significant deficit. As of now, only 106 students have registered.
“Emergency measures are being implemented in addition to fund raising and a possible loan from the Diocese of Lafayette. Success is also contingent on having a sufficient number of qualified teachers. We appeal to the local community to encourage registration and financial support.”
A letter from Bishop Jarrell, containing basically the same information, was read at all weekend Masses at both St. Martin de Tours and Notre Dame.
The bishop reportedly met with the pastors of the two local churches and several lay representatives last Thursday afternoon (March 5), but no statement has been issued regarding what was discussed.
And no details regarding what “emergency measures” might be implemented to attract more students have been released.
The March 4 release also stated that all media enquiries are to be made through Msgr. Richard Greene, diocesan spokesman, who is pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Iberia.

165 Registered?
An article in yesterday’s (Tuesday) edition of The Advocate cited Msgr. Greene as reporting that the school was only five students short of reaching the 170 registered target. But attempts by the Teche News to reach Msgr. Greene on Tuesday were unsuccessful. And Dr. Carolyn O’Connell, TCS principal; Fr. Augustin Seran, SVD, pastor of Notre Dame; Fr. Rusty Richard, pastor of St. Martin de Tours; and Anna Larriviere, diocesan superintendent of schools, were all either in meetings or out of their offices when called Tuesday morning.