Painful loss for many

Last week when the news broke of the closing of St. Patrick's School I realized that my pastor and my parish had failed me. As a Catholic I have always believed the priest the shepherd and the parishioners the flock. Like Christ the pastor needs to be a strong leader who stands against the tide and defends all members of his flock.

This is not happening in Phenix City. St. Patrick's parish is being led by a board of people who have no interest promoting Catholicism for all members of the flock but are focused on self centered pursuits. The idea that a school built to house a maximum of 150-200 children and currently with an enrolled student body of 98 is not sustainable is illogical. The current building is only in its second year of operation. Before that the school was housed in a building with poor heating and plumbing, yet managed to see growth.

Most ironic is the fact that there are Catholic schools in the Mobile Archdiocese with only 49 students. My parish and my pastor have not followed the Pope's wishes to see Catholic education grow and to provide Catholic education to all who desire it. The statements that children can attend other Catholic schools in Columbus -- there is one school, which has become wait-listed for many grades.

St. Patrick's has failed the community, it has failed the school and it has failed me.

Sad truths

As a parishioner of Saint Patrick Catholic Church, I think it is time for me to speak out.

When Father Jose entered this Parish he was a breath of fresh air; a true man of God dedicated to his flock. This was not going to be an easy task, given that there is always going to be a struggle when you are doing God’s work.

We are a small parish that is not able to sustain a building that far exceeds the cost ability. The insurance money was used to rebuild the original school. It is not going to just build itself. There was no logical way that this tiny parish could support such a building with such a small number of students, many of whom are not paying full tuition. There are other things being said by the school that are not completely truthful.

We live in a society where everyone thinks they are entitled to something. Nothing is free in this country except for air, and sometimes you have to pay for that. Do I wish everyone could have a free private Catholic education? Yes I do. However, we have to face reality and understand that someone has to pay for this; the parish cannot afford it.

There is no need to attack someone’s personal integrity. Those attacking Father Jose need to truly find the peace of Christ within their hearts and I pray every day that they stop making this such an ugly ordeal.

Sleeping nation

I’ve heard the “quacking” … Millions have found it resonates with their spirit. It comes with humor, stirs anger and promotes hostility. Americans claim to be tired of and disgusted with traditional politics and are calling for change. “Yes We Can,” which began in 2008, has not been change enough.

It’s amazing how a non-politician running for president, often dialoging with the press, comes off the cuff with shocking words laced with hostility, is yet music to its base supporters’ ears. Who could believe that Mr. Donald Trump, a popular billionaire with little political clout, could have such a profound impact on American citizens? He’s been called Lucifer and attacked on every side, even by his own political party. What lengths will some go to in order to stop what they view as a future disaster for their party?

Have President Obama’s struggle and opposition not demonstrated that human tactics and might are helpless against what may very well be part of the universal plan of God for America? Who would have believed that a young black American man with a name like Barack Hussein Obama and liberal to the core could ever become president of the USA?

Now we hear quacking sounds that are upsetting the status quo, and touching the hearts of many Americans. Shakespeare once said all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players … and one man in his time plays many parts. Can any man stop this reality show -- or will Mrs. Hillary Clinton do it? If Mr. Trump makes it to the White House, be assured it will be what sleeping America has reaped.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Painful loss for many."