School to remain open in 2022-2023

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
Only a few months after it was announced that Heart of Mary Catholic School in downtown Mobile would close and not reopen for the 2022-23 school year, national and local Heart of Mary alumni have offered to take responsibility of the school and keep it open.
Since 2020, the school has been operated by an independent board of directors. It is not operated by the Archdiocese of Mobile. Citing inadequate funding and decreased enrollment, board officials announced in January plans to close. 
However, according to a statement released by the Archdiocese of Mobile, a new corporation and governing board will be formed independent of the archdiocese and will take responsibility for the continued operations of the school.
The statement read:
“After thoughtful conversation among all responsible parties, with support of the Archdiocese of Mobile, some national and local Heart of Mary School alumni have offered to take responsibility for the continued existence of Heart of Mary Catholic School in Mobile, Ala.  A new corporation and a new governing board are in the process of being formed independent of the Archdiocese of Mobile.  This new board will take responsibility for the continued operation and administration of the school.
"The continuation of Heart of Mary has been made possible through the recent efforts and prayers of national and local alumni, as well as significant corporate and individual supporters who have pledged to provide a continuing financial foundation for the school. Additionally, new requests from parents to send their children to Heart of Mary point to increased enrollment.”  
The archdiocese added that it is supportive of this effort and the new chapter was made possible through private conversations between Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi and national Heart of Mary alumni.
Heart of Mary has operated for about 120 years, has traditionally served African-American families and predominantly been staffed by lay teachers since 2012. It was previously staffed by Religious communities of women, including the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Holy Spirit Sisters of San Antonio and the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa.