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LUBBOCK Most Rev. Robert Coerver, Bishop of Lubbock, announced changes for the Catholic Community of Slaton.
The changes include a new pastor for the Slaton parishes and the closing of Saint Joseph Catholic School.
Bishop Coerver announced the appointment of Father Angelo Consemino as the new pastor of both Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Joseph Parishes in Slaton.
Father Chacko Thadathil was appointed as pastor of St. Ann in Stamford and St. George in Haskell. “I express my gratitude to Father Chacko for his service to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Joseph Parishes and to the Slaton Catholic Community,” Bishop Coerver said. “And I thank him for his reception of his appointment to ministry in Stamford and Haskell.”
Bishop Coerver announced the changes during a town hall meeting in Slaton on Sunday, April 30, 2017. “In this diocese, we are in a time of change, and I hope this is a time of renewal and revitalization. We must continue changing to help the Catholic Church on the South Plains mature,” Bishop Coerver said. “The Catholic Community of Slaton is ripe for a new beginning.”
Saint Joseph Catholic School — which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy — served the Slaton community since 1920. Surviving depressions, a tornado, fire and a short closure due to violence against a priest — the school served 100s of children and families from across the Diocese of Lubbock. However, in the past several years, the school struggled with a diminishing student population.
The Saint Joseph Home and School Association hosted a dinner on May 19 to commemorate its many years of Christian education, growth and fellowship. Former students shared memories, and the Knights of Columbus provided a meal.
Principal Karen Hybner ended her last weekly column in the Slatonite newspaper with the invitation to “Come help us usher in a new season of hope with excitement, for we are always ‘called to beChrist’s witnesses!’ (Acts 1:8)
A final School Mass was celebrated May 26, at Saint Joseph Church. Sister of Mercy Cleo Heinrich, RSM, accompanied by Sister Donna Mary Lynch, RSM, traveled from Arkansas to attend the Mass. The Mercy Sisters taught almost 48 years in the early years of the school. Sister Cleo reflected that the school was a “staple in the City of Slaton — awonderful help for all of our lives.”
Sister Cleo also reflected on many of those that taught there, especially Sister Angelita Heinrich, who served as principal.
The final Mass included awards and recognition of students and teachers, anda ‘sending off’ of the last group of Saint Joseph School students.
A transition plan includes transportation and financial support for students to help parents continue to provide Catholic education for their children.
Saint Joseph Parish and the Diocese of Lubbock extend heartfelt gratitude to the religious communities and the lay teachers who served the school community.
“Extreme gratitude is expressed toSisters of Notre Dame, school principal,Karen Hybner and the current faculty andstaff for their unwavering dedication to Saint Joseph Catholic School,” Bishop Coerver said.