Well over one hundred years ago, St. Patrick’s School in Memphis, TN opened its doors to welcome the children of the newly instituted St. Patrick parish, the third Catholic church built in Memphis. Almost a century later, the school closed as a result of the populations shift.

Now, in what is probably a modern miracle, St. Patrick and six other urban schools which had yielded to economic and demographic pressures have once again risen from the ashes of inner-city devastation. St. Patrick Church, located in the third poorest zip code in the United States, is one block south of Beale Street, well known as the cradle of the Blues.

The leader of our diocese, Very Rev. J. Terry Steib, S.V.D., D.D., with the help of generous donors, has initiated a renewal of affordable Catholic Education for all children in Memphis. It is a mammoth undertaking which promises to be successful in helping to break the cycle of poverty for families whose choices for the future of their children are non-existent.

Sr. Betteann, who worked at St. Patrick for thirteen years, became the Principal of the school last year when the doors were opened for forty-seven (47) three, four and five year olds. Her delight knew no bounds as a school had long been a dream of the Paulist priests and the staff of the parish. This year, the First Grade was added. Eventually the school will expand to include classes up through Grade Six.