MARY LALLY New Hope Academy leaves lessons in unity

As St. Patrick's School closed after 82 years on Youngstown's South Side, bits of news about a possible ecumenical Christ-centered school in that building were being heard.
At that time, I was parish secretary at St. Patrick's Church. I have been a parishioner there since my grade-school days and had been secretary since early 1971. I recently retired.
I watched the extraordinary happenings that resulted in the birth of New Hope Academy. Let me tell you that story.
First of all, the thought of closing our school was incredible! It couldn't be true! But, sadly, it was. It was happening because of the failing economy, the deterioration of the neighborhood, the exodus of many to the suburbs and our diminishing enrollment.
Denominational dialogue
Simultaneously, the Catholic and Lutheran churches were continuing a dialogue on an international level concerning coming together in Christian unity. They found that our similarities outnumbered our differences. The Vatican's support of a Lutheran-Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was announced in June of 1999. Over time, a local Lutheran-Catholic covenant evolved and was signed at St. Columba Cathedral at a "standing room only" event Oct. 29, 2000.
Local events related to creating a new school in our building occurred before that ecumenical breakthrough. Both Catholic and Lutheran schools were struggling. In their discussions, the Revs. Robert Novak, a local Lutheran pastor, and Edward P. Noga of St. Patrick Church entertained the idea of an ecumenical school. Their bishops, Marcus J. Miller of the Northeastern Ohio Lutheran Synod and Thomas J. Tobin of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese, became aware of the notion of a shared school. Questions surfaced: Was there the possibility of starting a school that would bring Catholics and Lutherans together? Were we willing to risk such a venture? The answer was yes!
Many contributors
Many people became involved in establishing an ecumenical, independent, Christian school. Catholic, Lutheran and Youngstown State University educators, public-school teachers and staff, accountants and investment experts offered input and assistance.
A curriculum was set up and a state license was obtained. An army of skilled workers and volunteers readied the school. Individuals and groups from various organizations put aside their denominational differences because they were passionate in their desire to support a Christ-centered education for area children.
St. Patrick's school closed in June of 1996, and New Hope Academy opened in September of 1996! That was little short of a miracle! Truly God's hand was guiding this dream.
New Hope Academy was successful. The children prospered in a prayerful atmosphere that was fostered by teachers whom they loved and respected -- teachers whose guidance was apparent in the children's progress, their disciplined demeanor and their happiness in their learning and extracurricular activities. The two excellent principals, Dr. Sylvia Imler and Janice Vitullo, were in no small way responsible for New Hope's good years.
This very good and practical experience lasted six years, and the children truly benefited, especially the 44 in the four graduating classes.
The broader impact
But as one local Lutheran pastor noted, the real story is what happened in the process of establishing and governing New Hope Academy. The Lutherans, Catholics and other denominations active in that process would never have gotten to know one another without the joint effort. The Lutheran bishop came here regularly. A Cleveland Lutheran educator became involved, and eventually became his bishop's representative in NHA's workings.
Subsequently, people from all walks of life and various denominations came together. All of this grew out of a wonderful ecumenical spirit of cooperation. And it is our prayer that that spirit will not die even though New Hope is closing.
Financial problems caused by diminishing enrollment and the opening of four charter schools in our vicinity made the NHA closing necessary. The fact that charter schools receive state funding because religious classes are not included in their curriculum certainly had a financial impact on New Hope.
The seed has been sown, and it is our prayer that this coming together across religious, racial and business boundaries will live on. We, and all concerned, should benefit. And as Vitullo said, "The children have a foundation to be successful in whatever school system they attend because they carry the values and mission of New Hope with them."
XMary Lally is the former secretary at St. Patrick's Church.