Catholic Teachers in CT Accept a Wage Freeze

Demonstrating their commitment to the students they teach and the schools they serve, the teachers in the four high schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford have overwhelmingly voted to freeze their salaries for the next school year, 2009 – 2010.

Their vote means that teachers at East Catholic High School in Manchester, Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, and Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury will not have their salaries increased at all in the next school year. Also taking a wage freeze are all administrators and staff at the four schools.


The schools sent out a statement saying: "The salary freeze reflects our concern, commitment and partnership with our students and their families during these uncertain economic times. Together, we remain committed to every student who desires a quality Catholic education.”

Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dale R. Hoyt, expressed the appreciation of the Archdiocese for the Association’s vote for a salary freeze, saying, “We are extremely grateful that the high school administrators, faculty and staff have chosen to share in the necessary sacrifices required by the current economy. I am equally proud of these fine people who have placed the fiscal health of their schools and the needs of the students and parents above their own. They are tremendous examples of the commitment our faculty and staff have to our schools, and we are blessed to have them in our schools.”

Crossroads reporter Stephanie Valickis examined the reasons behind the wage freeze and its results. Click here for the full story.

Manchester Parishes to Consolidate Pastors

In Manchester, parishioners and their pastors have come up with a way to improve efficiency and cut costs without closing any of their four churches.

Starting on July 30th, the four parishes in Manchester will be served by two pastors. Five priests in total will serve the needs of the Catholic community there.

Father Steven Sledesky will preside over St. Bridget’s Church and St. Bartholomew’s Church, while Father Kevin Cavanaugh will take charge of St. James’ Church and Assumption Church. Father Tom Sievel will be relocated to East Haven.

Plans for this restructuring have been in the works for more than 5 years. Church officials are stressing that the parishes are not merging. They are simply sharing a pastor.