Despite fundraising and enrollment efforts, team of priests says its decision is based on concerns over school's long-term viability
ST. CLAIR SHORES — St. Germaine Catholic School will proceed with its planned closure at the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year, the team of priests overseeing the school announced March 25.
The priests in solidum serving the Gaudium et Spes Family of Parishes — which includes St. Germaine’s sponsoring parish, Our Lady of Hope in St. Clair Shores — said its final decision to close the K-8 school comes after a “difficult several weeks” of uncertainty over the school’s future.
“The Team of Priests In Solidum serving the Gaudium et Spes Family of Parishes has spent this time in prayerful discernment and in close consultation with community members and the Archdiocese of Detroit,” the priests said in a letter to the parish and school communities. “As a result of this process, it is with heavy hearts that we share our final decision to proceed with the planned closure of St. Germaine Catholic School at the end of this academic year.”
In January, parish and school leaders announced initial plans to close St. Germaine School, citing an unsustainable annual operating deficit of approximately $150,000 that had been subsidized by Our Lady of Hope Parish “for many years.”
Until recently, the deficit had been covered by proceeds from the sale of the former St. Gertrude Church, but those funds had been depleted, leaders said at the time. The site of the former St. Gertrude Parish, which merged with St. Germaine Parish to create Our Lady of Hope, was closed in 2014.
After the initial announcement of the school’s closure, a group of St. Germaine parents and alumni received permission to launch a fundraising and enrollment campaign in an effort to keep the school open for another year. As last reported on St. Germaine’s website, the group had raised at least $250,000, with another $180,000 pledged and 148 students registered for the following year.
When the fundraising and enrollment campaign was launched, parish and school leaders stressed it was not a guarantee that the school would remain open, but “an openness from all parties to explore the possibility together.”
While the efforts were laudable, the team of priests said, they were not enough to overcome concerns related to the school’s long-term viability.
“While we commend and praise the efforts of St. Germaine families and supporters to promote enrollment and raise significant funds over a short period of time, we remain deeply concerned about the long-term operational viability of the school and our ability to provide adequate spiritual care to the community,” the priests said. “These considerations ultimately led to our decision, with support from Archbishop Vigneron and the Archdiocese’s College of Consultors.”
Any funds raised as part of the effort will be returned to donors, the priests said, in addition to enrollment deposit fees paid by families for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We will re-extend our offer to assist any family that wants to learn more about other Catholic school options in the Archdiocese and will work closely with all St. Germaine staff wishing to secure new employment in other Catholic schools,” the team of priests said.
In a statement, the Archdiocese of Detroit said it supported the Gaudium et Spes team of priests in their decision, which it acknowledged wasn’t easy.
“While it is never the Archdiocese of Detroit’s desire to close a Catholic school, we recognize that circumstances at times require such difficult decisions,” the archdiocese’s statement said. “We join them in thanking all who have shown their support over these last few weeks and offer our assistance and prayers to the community during this difficult time.”
St. Germaine School first opened in 1954 under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph as the parish school of St. Germaine Parish. It received accreditation from the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools in 1993, and a preschool was added that same year. In 1998, the Fr. Jim Bjorum Activity Center opened, which included a gymnasium, music room, computer lab and second library.
In 2009, St. Germaine Parish merged with nearby St. Gertrude Parish to create Our Lady of Hope Parish, which took over responsibility for the parish school.
In 2022, Our Lady of Hope Parish became part of the Gaudium et Spes Family of Parishes, which also includes Holy Innocents-St. Barnabas Parish in Roseville, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Roseville, St. Isaac Jogues Parish in St. Clair Shores, and St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in St. Clair Shores.
The Gaudium et Spes team of priests commended the community for its many years of support of St. Germaine School, encouraging prayers as the Church enters Holy Week.
“We are grateful for your patience, prayers, and tireless efforts to discern the best path forward,” they said. “Over many years, this community has shown great resilience amid hardship and dedication to Catholic education.”
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