Catholic schools consolidating in Biloxi Diocese after Katrina damage

Published: 2006-02-03

BILOXI, Miss. (CNS) -- Biloxi Bishop Thomas J. Rodi announced Feb. 1 that six diocesan elementary schools will be consolidated into three schools as part of a plan to rebuild diocesan Catholic elementary schools destroyed by Hurricane Katrina Aug. 29. The plan includes the consolidation of the four elementary parish schools destroyed by Katrina -- St. Clare in Waveland, St. Paul in Pass Christian, St. Peter the Apostle in Pascagoula and St. Thomas the Apostle in Long Beach -- and two other area schools, Bay Catholic School in Bay St. Louis and Resurrection Elementary School in Pascagoula. "This plan reflects the effort to locate Catholic schools in areas accessible to the students," Bishop Rodi said. The diocesan rebuilding plan is a result of consultation with principals, school advisory councils, a diocesan school advisory council, pastors and others, Bishop Rodi explained. He emphasized that enrollment trends, the location of students and financial resources also weighed heavily in the decision to consolidate the schools.

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