Parents have hope for future of Hoffman Estates Catholic school as Vatican agrees to review closure

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (WLS) -- After 65 years, St. Hubert Catholic school officially closed for good last week when the school year ended. However, thanks to intervention from the Vatican, some parents have renewed hope that this is not the end for the school.

Parents gathered in prayer outside the school Thursday afternoon, full of optimism, less than a week after the school they have fought to keep open closed theoretically for good.

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The reason for optimism is a letter from the Vatican, saying the Dicastery has begun its study of the case and will respond. Many of the parents believe Pope Leo XIV's Chicago-area roots played a role in the decision.

"Pope Leo heard our cry," school parent Angel Garcia said. "This is great news. The parents have been saying for months something's wrong here. The Vatican agreed."

Parents first learned the school was slated to close because of budget issues earlier this year. They had a number of fundraising campaigns that raised nearly the amount the they say the Archdiocese told them they needed. But it was not enough. So, the school went through the process of closing last week.

"It was very sad last week," parent Jillian Bernas Garcia said. "We were not able to too celebrate our school's legacy, not permitted to host events in the gym."

In the meantime however, a number of parents appealed to Rome to overturn the Chicago Archdiocese. Dr. Michelle Flowers is an alum of the school, whose kids also go there.

"I am hoping the leadership in Rome will stand up and do the right thing, and someone there will look at the case and say, this is not just," Flowers said.

The Chicago Archdiocese acknowledges the letter from the Vatican, but said in a statement "The Office of Catholic Schools works closely with our schools to ensure they are vibrant places of faith and learning for all students. We also work closely with them to ensure they remain on solid foundations well into the future."

Some parents, however, believe the Archdiocese has made a mistake that they hope will be corrected in Rome.

"The bottom line is we want St. Hubert open," Angel Garcia said.

The parents say most would be able to change their plans and come back next year if the school reopens, but they say it may be more difficult for teachers, administrators and other employees who have had to look for other jobs.