Future of St. Anthony school building to be focus of Dec. 2 meeting

After closing the school on June 2, 2017, Father Shaji Pazhukkathara said he has been asked constantly from parishioners what the future plan is for the school building.

“Most of them shared also their fond memories of St. Anthony School,” said Pazhukkathara in a press release. “Memories like the wonderful school lunches, the closeness of the parents and students to the teachers, welcome participation of parents in the classrooms, the great quality of education including teaching faith and attending Mass as part of the school day, and up to four generations of families attending the school.”

In addition to providing 95 years of Catholic education to Price County and the neighboring communities, the building has also served several other community events. In recent years that has included Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, the Flambeau 40 bike race and time trial, bingo, smorgasbords with up to 500 people served, spaghetti dinners, and a registration site for the Evergreen races, Turkey Trot, Tuscobia Winter Ultra and so on. Some of these events still take place at the school building.

“It will be an opportunity to share the findings of the Ad Hoc Committee and to listen to feedback and/or different ideas for St. Anthony of Padua School,” said Pazhukkathara. “We want to be open to viable possibilities as we move forward in making our decision of what the future will hold for our St. Anthony of Padua School building.”