I am writing this column a week early because Memorial Day demands an earlier deadline for the bulletin. As I write, I see outside my window the demolition of the former St. Michael’s Grammar School. When I came out of church on Monday morning (May 18) I was shocked to see that the whole middle part of the school was already in ruins. We didn’t have any foreknowledge of when the demolition was beginning. Hence, why I was so shocked!

It is one thing to know it will happen, but it is a totally different experience to watch. As the day progressed, more and more of the structure came down. I couldn’t help but think of all the memories that school building held. So many parishioners have shared their own memories and sadness at seeing the building gone. It truly is a loss but one that was forced by a lack of enrollment.

One of our parishioners, Anthony Mollica, who is a lector, is working on his Eagle Scout project. He has plans to make a St. Michael’s memorial garden on our property. The construction company has promised to save the cornerstone and hopefully other significant items from the structure that can be incorporated into that garden. We are grateful to him for his creative work!

Although the building is now gone, those memories and the fine education so many, many children received, will live on longer than we will. May all the good works begun find completion in God’s time.