Senator Rivera Joined Parents of Our Lady of Mercy Call on Archdiocese to Give Schools More Time Community Requests More Time Before Archdiocese Makes Final Decision on Fate of Schools Slated for Closure

Bronx, NY - State Senator Gustavo Rivera (D,WF - Bronx) joined dozens of parents and students of Our Lady of Mercy on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 2:00PM to call on the Archdiocese to give local Catholic schools slated for closure more time to come up with a plan to save the school. The parents of Our Lady of Mercy are asking the Archdiocese to postpone their decision to close local Catholic schools until the end of the school year, so the parents, alumni and communities around these schools slated for closure are able to develop a fundraising plan and have a plan to make the school more financially viable for the future. Our Lady of Mercy is one of four local Catholic schools slated for closure in the 33rd Senate District and one of eight schools slated for closure in the Bronx.

"I am proud to stand with the parents of Our Lady of Mercy and other catholic schools in danger of closure in the Bronx and throughout New York City," said Senator Rivera. "Catholic schools in the Bronx are serving working class Latino and African-American communities, providing young people with a quality education and a safe learning environment. I believe we as a community have to work together with the Archdiocese to try to save as many of our local Catholic schools as possible."

"As a parent of Our Lady of Mercy, I am deeply disappointed that our school has been slated for closure and given only six weeks during the holidays to come up with a plan to save our school." said Marisol Garcia,  "The parents of Our Lady of Mercy are asking the Archdiocese for more time to come up with a plan to save the school that has given our kids a wonderful education and safe learning environment."

Schools Slated for Closure in the Bronx:
Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Angels
Holy Spirit
St. Jerome
Blessed Sacrament
St. Anthony
St. Mary
St. Mary Star of the Sea