The Diocese of Memphis yesterday announced an anonymous donation of $1 million to Bishop Byrne High School.
The donation, according to Dr. Mary McDonald, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, comes in response to a feature article in The Memphis Flyer in its October 26-November 1 issue. The article, titled “To Save a School: Bishop Byrne High School Takes a Stand,” covered the 33 year-old institution’s recent decline in enrollment, subsequent debt, and efforts to rebuild and stabilize itself in the Whitehaven area.
The donation will create a permanent endowment for the school to support scholarships and financial assistance. In addition, the school is using this donation to challenge other members of the community to take part of its newly established annual giving fund, which has a goal of an additional $50 thousand.
Says Bishop Byrne principal Albert Langston, Jr. “God’s mighty hand is guiding the destiny of Bishop Byrne. He has sent an angel of mercy to ensure our continued existence.”
The Most Reverend Terry Steib, S.V.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Memphis, agrees. “Our commitment to making Catholic education available in the under-served areas of our diocese has always remained a priority for us. It is a blessing to us that others see the sincerity of our commitment and want to help make a difference for the children. These students [at Bishop Byrne] now share in the hope of being future leaders.”
