Efforts to keep a 150 year-old Catholic School open in Owego have come up short and its doors will close come June.

The Rochester Diocese sent out letters to parents March 20 informing them of the closure of St. Patrick School, citing an unfortunate pattern of declining enrollment and increased financial burdens.

The Most Reverend Salvatore Matano said in the letter that it pains him to have to close any Catholic school, but that he understands the reality of the situation and of the fiscal responsibility of the Diocese.  Reverend Matano says he hopes that the sadness of the closing can be a catalyst for other Catholic schools to encourage them to seek ways to make known what Catholic schools have to offer.  He says that enrollment is a critical concern for all Catholic schools.

Supporters of the school fought to keep it open by launching a fundraising campaign back in January.  The campaign fell short of its $500,000 goal.

School officials made the recommendation to shutter the school which was accepted by Reverend Matano after consultation with the Diocesan School Board and the Presbyteral Council.

The school will officially close its doors at the end of the current school year.

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