‘An Opportunity to Succeed, Not a Guarantee’ at Venango Catholic High School

Ron Wilshire

Ron Wilshire

Published May 6, 2016 4:45 am
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OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — Bishop Lawrence T. Persico’s decision Wednesday night to allow Venango Catholic High School in Oil City to remain in operation for the 2016-2017 academic year was enthusiastically received by the crowd assembled in the VCHS cafeteria, and local people are ready to meet the benchmarks requested by the Bishop.

“What the bishop is giving us is an opportunity to succeed, not a guarantee that we will,” said Greg Merkel, one of the “Save VCHS” organizers.  “It’s going to take continued efforts of this great community so that the doors here will remain open.  If we work together, I have no doubt we will shape a successful path for Venango Catholic.”

Over $300,000.00 has been raised for next year and more than $800,000.00 over the next five years.  Merkel and his wife have two young children and hopes that they can one day attend VCHS.

Benchmarks of finance and enrollment will also be set be a new local board being formed.  Father Nicholas Rouch, Vicar of Education, said the benchmarks must be reasonable and clearly established.

“We’re not planning on being obtrusive or take over decisions that rightfully belong in the community, but we really need to work closely with the local folks,” said Father Rouch.  “We’re ready to do that with Father Shane Mathews (Headmaster) and with the board that will be established shortly.  We want to make sure that board understands well the parameters within which it works, and we have great confidence in that.”

Bishop Persico established a number of requirements for the plan, including that Father Mathew remain as headmaster and that two new full-time positions in advancement be included in the budget. Enrollment, fundraising, constituent relations, and marketing will be among the responsibilities of those positions.
 

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