On March 2, a letter from the Catholic Diocese of Jackson was read in Holy Family Catholic Church indicating the closing of the school’s grades one through four at the end of the 2007-2008 school year.

The indicated problems were: decreased enrollment, increased cost of Catholic School education, unpaid tuition, large debt incurred by the school and inadequate tuition and income.

In an effort to satisfy and/or correct the existing problems, the school, Parent Teachers Organization and parishioners propose to do the following: submit a realistic budget, increase tuition, ensure each class has 15-20 students, change tuition payment methods, insure bills are paid on time, create fund raising methods and pay off the indebtedness ($73,211).

We are asking all individuals, organizations, churches, philanthropist, etc., to assist us in our efforts to raise the amount of $73,211.

Please send all donations to: Holy Family Catholic School Fund, Holy Family School, 8 Orange Ave., Natchez, MS 39120, or Holy Family Catholic School Fund, Concordia Bank, 45 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, Natchez, MS 39120.

Donations will be refunded if the diocese denies the opening of grades one and above.

For further information, please contact: Mrs. Rosa Demby, principal at 601-442-3947; Barney Schoby Jr., PTO president at 601-445-6084; Wilbur O. Johnson Sr., parish finance committee at 601-445-5013.

Wilbur O. Johnson Sr.

Chairman of Holy Family Parish Finance Committee

Finance Committee