Hi!
 

You probably noticed that I am not around this weekend.  I am presently on retreat.  Each priest of the diocese must make a yearly retreat.  Usually I make it later in the year, but schedules and future marriage ceremonies that I must preside at dictate that I take my retreat earlier this year.  I have not run away, although I must admit the temptation is always there.

This past week we dedicated a chapel in our school under the title, St. Francis of Assisi Chapel of Peace.  I believe that chapel makes a commitment of our dedication to make sure that our Catholic school remains in Flint.  We are obviously struggling to find the money to stay open.  But I would not permit the Blessed Sacrament to be placed in our school if I believed that our school was closing.  Lately rumors have been coming into my office saying that we are closing in February and that I am really not interested in keeping our school open.  Where the hell do these rumors come from?  Nothing hurts our school more than negative statements, especially when they are simply not true.  St. John Vianney School is the best evangelical tool that the Catholic Church has in Flint. And I am doing all that I can as your pastor to make sure that we make Catholic education a priority in a city filled with fear.

This community of Flint is filled with negativity! We are on a murder rate out of control. Some say the emergency manager is taking away our control. That our public school budget is out of control. That the gangs and drug trade is out of control. And yes in many ways the closing of Catholic schools and parishes here in Genesee County has contributed to this perception that life is out of control. Fear is winning over knowledge. Our priorities must be realigned. Where is our faith? So I am simply stating that I have faith that St. John Vianney School will remain open. I have faith that the city of Flint will become a better place to live. I will it. Do you?

You are all in my prayers and heart.
Fr. Tom