Saying Goodbye to Nativity BVM School

Whether its seen as heartbreak or hope for the future, will graduate its last class on Wednesday and close its doors to Catholic education on Friday.

The final Nativity BVM 8th Grade Class of 2012 will be honored and celebrated on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the . The Class of 2012 will be the last graduating class of Nativity's 100 years.

The School's Closing Mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, also at the church.

to to create in September.

Here is a glimpse of some of the articles Media Patch has posted in celebration of Nativity BVM in the best year or so. Media Patch's mere 18 months of existence could never do Nativity's 100 years full justice however.

Nativity started this with steady enrollment and a new full-day preschool program.

The many teachers, like who has taught at the school for 50 years and who knew teaching was her calling, will surely be missed as they are Nativity's heart and soul. Principal Mary Ann Johnston may be missed the most however.

, raised and went on to high school's like Penncrest, Cardinal O'Hara and Malvern Prep.

The but their voices and prayers were not answered.

Several Delaware County Catholic elementary school communities are feeling the same mixed emotions of closing the doors on their beloved schools but also anticipate the change to be for the better, in the long run.

According to the Delaware County Daily Times, enrollment in Delaware County Catholic grade schools peaked at 39,695 in 48 schools in 1963. Today, combined enrollment is 8,291 for the county's remaining 28 Catholic grade schools. (Read the Times full feature article on the Catholic grade schools saying goodbye here).

Wherever the students, teachers, parents and community of Nativity BVM School end up next year, they will each take a piece of Nativity with them.

Say your goodbyes to Nativity BVM School here.

What is your favorite memory? What will you miss the most next year? Where are you headed next year?