Brighton, MA – Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and several leaders from the Brockton 2010 Initiative welcomed students, parents, teachers and staff on this first day of school as Trinity Catholic Academy opened its doors to a new era in Catholic education in Brockton. This new school demonstrates the successful results of the first phase of the 2010 Initiative, an effort to improve, strengthen and revitalize the Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic schools.
The Cardinal was joined by John Fish (President of Suffolk Construction and a member of the 2010 Committee), Matt George (Chair of the Board of Trustees of Trinity Catholic Academy), Anthony Luizzi (Regional Director of Trinity Catholic Academy), Fr. David O'Donnell (Pastor of Christ the King Parish), and Fr. Jim Flavin (Pastor of St. Edith Stein Parish).
“Today we celebrate a new beginning for Catholic education in Brockton,” said Cardinal Seán. “Catholic education is a very important ministry in the life of the Church. Generations of Catholics have been educated in our schools contributing greatly to our communities and to the Church in ways that make society a better place. Catholic schools are an important way for us to evangelize, to give a spiritual formation to our young people, to mentor them in the faith as well as prepare them to be good and productive members of our society. We extend our sincere thanks to all those who have worked on the Brockton 2010 Initiative. We thank the many volunteers who shared their time and talents and we extend our deep gratitude to some very generous benefactors who have helped to make this effort a reality.
Suffolk Construction President and CEO John Fish, a member of the Archdiocese's 2010 Strategic Planning Committee and the Brockton Implementation committee said, "This is a wonderful day for Catholic education. Many people have worked tirelessly over many months to deliver an exceptional educational environment and experience to students and families in Brockton. I am proud to be part of something that will open the doors to a new and exciting world of opportunity for Catholic school children in Brockton.”
Manthala "Matt" George, Jr. Chair of the Board of Trustees of Trinity Catholic Academy said, “Students excel when they have an enriching and vibrant environment to learn, dedicated and caring teachers, and the commitment of those who support excellence in education. Without question we are on the threshold of an exciting new era in Catholic education here in Brockton, which we feel will serve as a beacon of hope for not only our local students, but for those across the entire Commonwealth.”
Anthony M. Luizzi, Regional Director of Trinity Catholic Academy, said, “Today we open wide the doors of opportunity to school children in Brockton. I want to thank our principals Ms. Susan Holm and Mrs. Pauline A. Labouliere, our teachers and our staff, all who have gone above and beyond to prepare for today. We look forward to the many achievements our students will realize over the next months and years.”
Brockton's Catholic schools have been realigned under a new management structure consisting of a regional board and a regional director. This new management will provide greater resources in the areas of curriculum, staff, technology, and finances, which will ensure the long-term viability of these schools while maintaining their Catholic identity.
In Brockton, the effort has realized the creation of one school located on two campuses with the addition of Pre-K. The lower campus is located at a newly upgraded and expanded St. Edward's, serving Pre K-Grade 3. The upper campus is located at a newly renovated St. Colman School and serves Grades 4-8.
Sr. Kathleen Fitz Simons, CND, Interim Superintendent of the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Schools, said, “We thank the many people who have shared of their time and talent in helping Trinity Catholic Academy open today. Catholic education provides wonderful opportunities to thousands of school children in the Archdiocese preparing them for a lifetime of learning and success. We are blessed to have so many people all working together to see that our children here in Brockton have the resources they need to excel.”
This new school region will maintain an integral relationship with the parishes in Brockton. Pastors and local Catholic clergy will continue to play a critical role in ensuring that the Catholic identity and mission are maintained and that spiritual formation remains a central priority in our Catholic schools.
In a joint statement, Fr. O’Donnell and Fr. Flavin said, “Our students and their families are truly blessed to be the recipients of this enormous outpouring of kindness, care and dedication to Catholic education in Brockton. We pray that the achievements we are witnessing today inspires our students to excel in their studies and to continue to experience the blessings of the Lord in all they do. We pray for their families, our principals, teachers, staff, volunteers and all those who helped to make today possible. You have shown witness to your faith by the work you have undertaken on behalf of Catholic education and for that we give thanks.”
For more information on Trinity Catholic Academy, please visit www.trinitycatholicacademybrockton.org.
2010 Initiative
About The Archdiocese of Boston
The Archdiocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of approximately 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 295 parishes, across 144 communities, educating nearly 50,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156, 000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of more than one million patients annually in its hospitals and 200,000 individuals through its social service outreach. Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit www.rcab.org.
Copyright © 2007 Archdiocese of Boston; all rights reserved
September 10, 2007 - Trinity Catholic Academy Opens
First Phase of the 2010 Initiative Unveiled in Brockton
When the 2010 Initiative was announced in August 2005 the Archdiocese stated that it believed that the most effective plan will be one developed by drawing upon the collective experience of principals, pastors and local stakeholders working with professional education experts, consultants and practitioners in the community. The Archdiocese is committed to developing a sustainable plan that will meet the needs of students and local communities now and in the future.