tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670547542156136826.post295809577839958560..comments2024-03-10T03:08:26.496-05:00Comments on The Sixth Ward: An Open Letter to the Community about St. Clotilde SchoolLevoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738239742618133212noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670547542156136826.post-17463379609448167202017-12-02T19:02:13.790-06:002017-12-02T19:02:13.790-06:00St. Clotilde thrived as a predominantly African Am...St. Clotilde thrived as a predominantly African American congregation and school for many decades. Elders members of the congregation either moved or passed away. Many St. Clotilde alumi still reside in the area, but equal numbers have moved away. While some alumni did send their children to St. Clotilde, for many it was cost prohibitive. It was within the range of affordability for many when the ucompensated Sisters of Mercy comprised most of the teaching staff. For many years the Archdiocese afforded St. Clotilde excellence in clerical leadership (Msgr. Cantrell, Fr. Kenneth Brigham, Fr. Dennis O'Neill), who energized the community, but that too declined. I returned to St. Clotilde in 2004 to arrange my mother's funeral only to encounter a callous coldness from the priest that would drive anyone away. As an alumni, I see many reasons for the decline of a once prosperous congregation. I do, however believe that a resurrection could occur given the introduction of more positive and engaged leadership and support from the Archdiocese. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00135612336354753527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670547542156136826.post-32377132019099076882016-02-13T15:27:00.151-06:002016-02-13T15:27:00.151-06:00Every time I drive by 8430 South Calumet (Saint Cl...Every time I drive by 8430 South Calumet (Saint Clotilde) I get goose bumps. This is due to the fact that I am a 1983 Graduate of Saint Clotilde (1975-1983). It amazes me that the property to this day is well maintained. My Catholic faith began at Saint Clotilde and was a proud altar boy in the church. The church parking lot was actually our playground (we played softball). Still recall those old white nuns coming to that parking lot and ringing a huge bell to end our softball games. During the 1981-1983 years, fund raising called "Four Corners" were hugely popular. The 3rd floor was our rec room (career days and science fairs) were held. When the property opened in 1930 until about 1975, the whole area was white and strongly catholic. However even during the years I was on attendance (blacks were attending both church/school), the "older blacks such as Rev. Wilbur Daniel who lived across the street from the property) the whole area was still like it was since that property was built. However, like many things it came to an end. My family moved away in 1985 as well as many others. Unfair or not, a criminal element moved into the area, especially in Cole Park (down the street) with a murder of a former Chicago Police Officer. Its truly sad that this has occurred today, as like anything it wasn't always that way. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670547542156136826.post-75106833683726503172016-01-23T19:44:48.809-06:002016-01-23T19:44:48.809-06:00I attended St Clotilde in the sixties. The only di...I attended St Clotilde in the sixties. The only difference between then and now is our parents had hush money available. Most of us kids moved away from the fairy tale family community. Beautiful charming and corrupt. Think back St. Clotilde community elders. Now's your chance to give time to kids in need seniors. Teach them love. It will renew you.<br />NoahAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16244013279784033656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670547542156136826.post-47620940720474612932011-09-27T13:28:15.739-05:002011-09-27T13:28:15.739-05:00I live in the immmediate community surrounding St ...I live in the immmediate community surrounding St Clotile. I am aware of only one other school attempting to move into the St Clotilde space. It was an alternative school that serviced students who had been removed from the Chicago Public School system. The community did object.<br />The community was concerned with these students and the problems that they had experienced and the high senior citizen population in the neighborhood.<br />The next school that wanted in was the Christian School. The community did not object. There were no problems with this school. I personally know of several community residents who went to their public meeting before they opened and offered their assistance.<br /><br />Barbara GardnerBarbara Gardnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670547542156136826.post-77548170288599687872011-09-21T14:53:38.358-05:002011-09-21T14:53:38.358-05:00St. Clotilde went the way most Catholic educationa...St. Clotilde went the way most Catholic educational institutions went on the South and West sides. When the communities racially changed and African Americans became more prevalent in those parishes, the white suburban parishoners left physically and financially. <br /><br />The board there has been aggressively marketing the property since they closed the school. Several alternative schools have pitched proposals to the community and were met with resistance. So it is no surprise that they did the back door move this time.Worlee Gloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15377083807046416048noreply@blogger.com