Holy Spirit Academy Gives Birth to Catholic Education in Different Sites

Following consultation with his parish pastoral and finance councils, parishioners, parents, and the diocesan Department for Catholic Schools, Father Joseph McCaffrey, pastor, Holy Spirit Parish (New Castle), submitted his request to Bishop David Zubik to close Holy Spirit Academy.  There has been continuing concern over declining enrollment, financial difficulties and rising tuition costs. 

Noting the collaboration that contributed to Father McCaffrey’s request, Bishop Zubik responded: “I grant permission of your request to close Holy Spirit Academy effective at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.  In doing so, I also want to recognize the wonderful contributions of teachers and staff at Holy Spirit Academy who dedicated themselves to educating our children in the Catholic faith and of the many school families and parishioners who have worked diligently over the past number of years in support of the school.”  

Bishop Zubik also stressed that his approval comes with the clear understanding that the children of parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish will be encouraged and assisted in every way possible to attend another available Catholic schools, including Saint John Paul II Elementary School in Hermitage, Diocese of Erie, as well as other neighboring Catholic elementary schools within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 

Over the last couple of years, Father McCaffrey has worked closely with the parish and school communities in support of Holy Spirit Academy.   

“Being a strong proponent of Catholic education, I pledged to do all I could to revitalize the school. I hired a new principal, established a new Advisory Board comprised of key community professionals and mounted a finance campaign which raised over $365,000 dollars. Even with all these efforts, the school still struggles,” said Father McCaffrey. 

“The school has a 113-year legacy in New Castle, and it is the last Catholic school in Lawrence County,” said Michelle Peduto, Diocese of Pittsburgh director of schools.  “This decision is truly bittersweet for all involved.  Father McCaffrey and many in his faith community tried very hard to keep the building open.  I applaud their hard work and creative thinking to support the children.” 

Holy Spirit Parish will continue to support Catholic schools by adhering to the diocesan policies for financing elementary schools and by participating in the regional elementary schools governance structure to be established in the northwest region. 

Besides pointing families to exploring other Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Father McCaffrey will assist those parents wishing to send their children to Saint John Paul II Elementary School in Hermitage.  There are already 40 students from Holy Spirt Parish boundaries attending Kennedy Catholic schools, of which Saint John Paul II Elementary School is a part.