St. Bridget of Kildare Church in Parma was filled with students from St. Bridget of Kildare Elementary School on June 2 as Father Rob Wisniewski, the parish pastor, celebrated the closing Mass of the school year. It coincided with the annual Spirit Day. Mass had been planned for outside, but moved into the church because of overcast skies and light rain.
The liturgy had extra significance because not only was it the first time this school year that all students were together in person for Mass, but it also was the last time. St. Bridget School is closing its doors on June 4 at the end of the school year.
Students were decked out in T-shirts, with each grade wearing a different color: gray, royal blue, light blue, neon green, kelly green, purple, pink, red and turquoise. The school logo and Spirit Day 2021 were on the front. The first name of each student in the school was listed by grade on the back along with the following quote: “Don’t be sad because you’re saying goodbye. Be happy with all the memories that you made," as well as the years the school existed: 1957-2021.
Father Wisniewski reinforced the idea of holding onto memories, but reminded the students that they still have many more memories to make and much to be thankful for.
He talked briefly about the history of the parish and school, which was established in 1956 with the purchase of 15 acres of land on Hauserman Road. Father Theodore Blair was the founding pastor and Sister Maurice Messner, CSJ was the first school principal.
“When the parish was founded, the first building was a school – not the church. That shows how important Catholic education was,” Father Wisniewski said. At one time, there were 1,000 students in the school. That number has dwindled to 144 in grades K-8, with another 22 in the preschool program. Families are much smaller and school enrollments in general are declining, Father Wisniewski said, so the parish made the difficult decision earlier this year to cease operations in June.
“We want to do the best we can for you,” he said, and since that was no longer possible, they decided to close the school.
“But your memories are important,” Father told the students. He asked them to share some of their most special memories from St. Bridget School. Answers included having friends and teachers by their side, making friends, learning about their faith, family, friends and faith, studying, making first Communion and being baptized at St. Bridget, helping friends, preschool feeling like home, caring for each other, technology in the school and Spirit Day.
When asked to share their memories of the most challenging things from school, answers included math testing, remote hybrid teaching, a test, back and forth between online and in-person learning, multiplication, homework and remembering things.
“We all have special memories, more memories to be made and challenges,” Father Wisniewski reminded the students. He told them when he went to high school, his friends all went to another school but he made new friends. “We can expand our circle of friends,” he said.
The day’s Scripture readings reinforce that, he said, referring to the Gospel which said to seek a relationship with God first and anything you need will be provided.
“We may have an uncertain future, but Scripture today tells us not to worry. That’s where our faith comes in and helps us to be at peace,” Father Wisniewski said.
The main message for the day is thanksgiving, he added, mentioning the many people who played a role in the success of St. Bridget School including the Sisters of St. Joseph who first staffed the school, teachers, principals, parish priests, secretarial staff, maintenance staff, extended day staff, parent volunteers who assisted in the library, lunchroom, at recess, as chaperones and oversaw the athletics programs.
“They all helped us make memories,” he added.
Matt Falk, St. Bridget principal, said the nine eighth-graders would graduate in a ceremony at the church on June 3. The final school bell will ring on June 4.
Although the St. Bridget School community will be scattering, Father Wisniewski and Falk reminded them to cherish their memories and continue to make new ones.
After Mass, the students returned to the school building for Spirit Day activities.