An Open Letter to the Families of St. Margaret of Scotland School
For many decades, you have been our friends, neighbors, and fellow Catholic-school champions. You have been our friendly rivals in sports, forensics and a variety of academic competitions. With all of our heart, we don’t want to see that end and we wish you and your school nothing but the best and God’s abundant blessings. But at the same time, please know that if and when we move into the future as a united school community, we genuinely look forward to being on the same team together.
Please know that our objections to this unfortunate situation have never been with you. In fact, we can’t help but admire your pastor’s passion in defending his parishioners and your school. We wish ours was equally committed. At the end of the day, we honestly believe that our interests are yours as well. We know that Fr. Dave Poecking, the president of the SRCES Board, is already on record as having proposed to close both of our schools and send our students to his very own Archangel Gabriel School—even after our respective principals and pastors agreed to a plan that would leave our two schools open. We have no reason to believe that closing both of our schools does not remain the Diocese’s ultimate goal here, and is likely the next step in dissolving our beloved St. Philip Parish.
We’re also keenly aware that there are those in the Diocese who will not hesitate to drive a wedge between our families through any means necessary—including by sowing mistrust and division through vague and unsupported allegations of misconduct and bad behavior. We will not allow half-truths, deliberate mischaracterizations or outright lies to come between us. Please know that we emphatically denounce any unacceptable or disrespectful behavior during this trying ordeal. We are ALL in this together.
Your Friends in Christ,
The Committee to Save St. Philip School
savesps2021@gmail.com