Comments on: Holy Redeemer and St. James schools combining to survive

By: prospective parent

prospective parent — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:01:36 +0000

I have been reading the posts for the last few weeks and I must say, if my son attends Holy Redeemer next year or even the year after, I hope I meet “Amazed Parent” and I hope my child is friends with his/her child. That is the kind of community I want to be in, one that realizes life is 10% what happens and 90% attitude. Obviously merging schools is nobody’s first choice, but hearing someone willing to adjust and make the best out of it is inspiring.

By: Disappointed

Disappointed — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:15:40 +0000

I too agree with Julie that all this name calling, ill will between schools and sending false emails need to stop, we need to all work together to make both schools survive, either on seperate campus’s or one campus. Yes change is inevitable and by no means do I harbor any ill will towards Fr. Ed, I know this is a trying time for him also. I just feel that this is a rash decision that should be throughly thought out and in the end if seperating to two campus’s is the best thing moving forward, my family will wish both schools success and move on to a school that better fits our families needs of a K-8 structure.

By: Amazed Parent

Amazed Parent — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:08:52 +0000

What a pleasant surprise to log in this morning and read Julie Reif’s post. No hurling of insults, no sarcasm . . . and I’m pretty sure it was the “real” Julie Reif! My family too, has been a part of Holy Redeemer for many years, about 48 of them. Absolutely everyone is entitled to their opinion – and mine is this: As difficult and painful and challenging as this change may be, I do believe that change is inevitable. If there is one constant in life, it is change. How we respond to that change is the true measure of ourselves. We can stomp our feet and yell, call names, and play the victim, (and believe me I’ve been there in my life) or we can take a deep breath, and decide how we can best be part of the solution. We cannot change the past – what has happened is done. We need to move forward. We may not like the way these decisions were made, but now we need to shape our future as best we can by working together. You bet I’ll be back next year – and the year after that, and the year after that . . . It would take a lot more than the restructuring of our schools to push me out! I try to put it all in perspective – I am able to send my children to a private, Catholic school of my choice. If I am not happy there, I am fortunate that there are several other private, Catholic schools all in our area. There are people in the world that can only dream of having our “problems”, (I might have to drive 2 miles down the street to another nice, private school) instead of their own (I don’t have enough food to feed my family) so I count my blessings. Life is messy – just when I think I have it all figured out – the rules change, and I have to adjust. This is just the latest adjustment. A year from now, when all the dust has settled, and we have made our decisions and all our adjustments . . . something else in our lives will change, and we will all have to adjust – again.

By: Mark Rousseau

Mark Rousseau — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:39:41 +0000

Ok, this fake name thing is getting super confusing. The above post from a fake Mark Rousseau is not me, the real Mark Rousseau. I do not agree with anything Nigel or the “fake” Mark Rousseau have been saying. I although do agree with what Nigel wrote on Jan 14th. I think there was a lot of good points brought up by him on that day and I am sad of his recent change of heart. You CAN tell this is the real Mark Rousseau BECAUSE i like to put certain WORDS in all CAPS to make my points. I am also very interested in peoples names, I still do not believe Anne is a real name. and i urge the real nigel burns to put down his true christian name because nigel burns is obviously just a fake name he got from a english butler SOMEWHERE.

By: Mark Rousseau

Mark Rousseau — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:08:18 +0000

Sadly, the person who wrote the false post above (Jan. 14, 9:17PM), which paints Nigel Burns as having a change of heart, has clearly illustrated the deception, dishonesty, and cowardice that has fueled this merger. The fake “Nigel” wrote, ” the whole lesson taught by Jesus was to treat everyone LIKE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED and welcome everyone with open arms.” I guess the fake Nigel figures this only applies to others, since he/she maliciously put Nigel Burns’ name on the post to push an agenda. The “Christian thing to do” would have been to use Christian concepts such as “honesty,” “integrity,” and “truth” to write a rebuttal to Nigel Burns post using your real “Christian” name.

By: Nigel Burns

Nigel Burns — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:07:39 +0000

I must admit that the fake posting by someone saying they were me was pretty entertaining although I have always been a little bothered when people use the bible and religion as a weapon, i.e., if you read the bible more, you would open your heart more-I can truly say that some of the nicest people in the world I have ever met have never read the bible but they have purity of spirit, you cannot get that from a book, even a book as powerful as the Bible.
The points raised about how it would be great if all of this energy could be used to make things work are well put, the problem is that we have tried to have improvements and fundraisers, including carnivals and bingo at Holy Redeemer and our pastor has blocked all efforts. Trying to help someone who refuses help can be frustrating. And with all this talk of division, there should be no division, this is not an us versus them thing and the comments that I have made and the parents that I have been involved with have never put it as such, this is a problem of our leadership not involving us previously and still not involving us and trying to make it collaborative.
Lastly to talk about evangelizing to people at public schools to convince them to come to a private school in this economy os somewhat myopic. I note that Mr. Carney is critical of the nastiness but not above calling everyone children, tossing out jibes at lawyers, etc., and telling everyone to be better Christians. I know parents who convinced their friends to enroll in HR this year and now have egg on their faces because the school they extolled will no longer exist. Everyone has a right to their opinion but instead of telling others what to do, maybe the critics should take action themselves. Physician heal thyself. A quote from the bible, I believe???
The Real Nigel Burns

By: Julie Reif

Julie Reif — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:02:18 +0000

Holy Redeemer and Saint James have both been long and great traditions in the Crescenta Valley. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and to make the best choice for the family . I dont think they are entitled to hurt what we have all loved for many years, my family for over fifty years. In response to Not Anne I would only say that injury to the spirit, families, and fiber of Holy Redeemer School and Church is the last thing that Monsignor Jack would want. I hope members of the same community will , no matter the outcome, know that we have all worked side by side with each other for years . I will also confirm that Mr. Burns has dedicated hours and hours of service to HRS for the benefit of our children and we thank him for that service. His family, as well, has an extremely long and committed tradition with Holy Redeemer.
I wish the CV Weekly would take down all the posts. Whether written with emotion, or sarcasm they hurt the reputations of the schools. What new parent would read them and think that’s what they want for their child’s school. But yes, I know free speech and all. I agree with Mr Carney about telling everyone the advantages of Catholic education and to Amazed( I cant keep these aliases straight) I hope since you are offering to sell shirts after mass , you will be back next year.

Julie Reif

By: Amazed Parent

Amazed Parent — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:20:28 +0000

Although I somewhat blasted “My Name is Not Anne” in my last comment, I must give credit where credit is due – she has given me a brilliant idea for a fundraiser! We could print up T-shirts – some with “yes Ed girls”, and some with “Ed” inside of a red circle with a slash through it! We could sell them after masses, and all proudly display where our sentiments lie! Lay? I never can get that one straight. Anyway, all the proceeds could go to the schools, and we could move forward. And the real beauty of this idea . . . it looks like Nigel Burns could buy one of each!

By: Amazed Parent

Amazed Parent — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:56:53 +0000

In response to “My Name is Not Anne” . . . “yes ed girls which we will all despise forever!”? What are you, twelve?! It’s people like you that make me consider not returning next year – much more so than the difficult situation at hand.

I don’t even know how to respond to such immaturity except with . . . I’m going to take my ball and go home!

By: James Roger Carney

James Roger Carney — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:47:36 +0000

Hello everyone, I will make this as concise as possible.

As opposed to taking sides or blaming others, why not use the time and energy it has clearly taken most of you to post these remarks and use it to improve the situation? If you are dedicated to your church and school, make it your mission to see them succeed.

Evangelize to friends, relatives, co-workers and otherwise about the advantages of attending private school, regardless of whether it is Holy Redeemer or St. James. As some of you claim to be lawyers, you should be able to afford the 6 cents per copy that Kinkos charges to make some fliers to be handed out around the public schools that express the advantages of enrolling your children into the private school system. Better yet, take that one sheet of paper and divide it into fourths, and now you are spending just over a penny per flier to potentially recruit enough new students to never have this debate ever again.

I said I would make this concise, so I am ready to close. I have attended both parishes and although the community within each is unique, the faith should be the same. It is a shame to see this imaginary political divide and you should all be ashamed of yourselves for turning this into a small yet damaging circus. Be adults, set your differences aside and use the power of faith and prayer to guide you.

God’s will is a powerful thing. If this “merger” is his will or not, the evidence will be clear soon enough. Stop the hate speech and do something productive to help your cause.

Sincerely,

James Roger Carney