The Benedictine monks of Mary Mother of the Church, Benedictine Abbey, in Goochland, want to further develop the 50 acres they own at 12829 River Road. The plan, still in its early stages, is to build a new monastery and renovate their current building as the new home for Benedictine High School, an all-boys college preparatory high school founded in Richmond in 1911. Benedictine is owned and operated by the Benedictine Society of Virginia, and the high school’s athletic fields are already located at the Goochland abbey.

Post your comments and tell us what you think about this development, and see two videos on Benedictine: one
& two

Anonymous Richmonder,
  From what you say, you know several of alumni/affiliates that are in favor of the move.  I, on the other hand, know of hundreds of alumni/affiliates that are not in favor of the move.  I never once suggested that ALL alumni/affiliates of Benedictine are against the propositions of the exploratory committee, merely the majority.  This would be apparent to you if you actually read what I wrote explaining Drew Bahen’s comment about countless alumni being upset about the moving of the school.  In addition, apparently from the numbers of alumni/affiliates that we know of who either support or deject the propositions, it would seem that I would be correct in stating that the majority of alumni/affiliates are against it, considering the hundreds to several ratio.  Additionally, if you knew of the school functions as well as the school’s relationship to the church, it would make very little sense for you to be so concerned about the students “spiritual lives”.  How much spiritual education and how many monks do the students need to satisfy your worries?  How much is moving the school to the Abbey really going to make that better?  Most importantly, do the benefits of moving the school from it’s nearly 100 year home really outweigh what comes from the breaking of long standing traditions that many people, including myself, deeply cherish?  My answer and (for the sake of satisfying your comment) the majority of alumni/affiliates of the school, feel that it is not.  I apologize, but your comments continue to seem self-contradictory and nonsensical. Furthermore, if you truly think that the correct answer to all of those questions is yes, then I believe you are the one being ignorant.

- John Roberts Class of 2004

hmmm, I guess I do not have to explain myself after those two posts. But in all actuality, there ARE many Benedictine graduates who are opposed to this move. Not only Benedictine graduates, I read a post of objection by an anonymous Richmonder like yourself, as well as a post by a graduate of St. Gertrude. So if you think that my post was ridiculous, fine. But if you were to look into it a little more you would see that there are countless people who object this move. Have a good day.

Not only am I well aware of BHS functions, as well as, its relationships with the Benedictine Abbey and Saint Benedict Catholic Church, but I am also aware of several individuals (both alumni and affiliated) who are for this exploratory committee and a possible move.

It’s ignorant to think that everyone is against this or it wouldn’t be even the smallest of possibilities.

Anonymous Richmonder,
    I’m not sure exactly what you think you know about Benedictine, but your comments would suggest that your connection to the school is next to non-existent.  Clearly by saying countless alumni, Drew Bahen meant a numerous or extensive amount of alumni.  It is simply ignorant to think, as you seem to, that by countless he implied an infinite number.  For your information, there are a great deal of alumni that are speaking out against this proposed move in the form of letters, e-mails, phone calls, and even this blog.  Additionally, in your post, you say that maybe there needs to be some form of “poll” or “count”.  The day this article was released, an online petition was started for people who were against the moving of Benedictine High School from it’s current location on Sheppard Street.  If you would simply go to the webpage http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/304NSheppard/  , you would see that there have been close to 300 signatures protesting the propositions of the exploratory committee.  Also, in response to your disagreement with my statement saying that nothing positive can from moving the school to the Abbey, I am not sure I understand your objection regarding the students spiritual lives.  In case you do not know, Benedictine is a Catholic high school and has been since it’s founding in 1911.  In addition to this, the school has been at the same site on Sheppard street since 1911, sitting right next to Saint Benedicts Catholic Church.  Due to the fact that the school and church are intertwined, students participate in mass and religious days of celebration on a regular basis at St. Benedicts as well as in the school’s chapel.  Confessions are also available to students on a weekly basis.  Regardless of their religious affiliation, students have the opportunity to discuss their issues and thoughts with a priest either anonymously, as you seem to prefer, or face to face. Furthermore, theology is a required and intricate part of the school’s curriculum and there are monks currently teaching at the school.  Resultantly, in regards to the students spiritual lives, I have a difficult time seeing both the lack of guidance and education that you speak of.  In short, to answer the questions you put forth in your post: Yes, many alumni are upset with this situation and you would know that by reading majority of the posts below yours; Yes, a poll or count is needed, that is why we have taken the measures to do so; and to your final objection, No, nothing positive can come from moving the school and if you had any connection or understanding of Benedictine High School, you would know that and hopefully after this brief education you will indeed have some concept.  Also, for future reference it is a good idea to know what you are talking about if you are going to give your opinion or refute what other people have said on a matter.  Additionally, I would like to encourage any alumni or friends of Benedictine to sign the online petition mentioned above.  Once again, the address is http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/304NSheppard/ Thanks for your time,
     
    John Roberts, Class of 2004

Anonymous Richmonder, it seems blatantly clear that you never went to BHS, and if you did it was a long time ago. The current theology program at the school is very good.  It is required for all four years and is excellently run.  There is also a church right next door, and a chapel in the school building itself.  Plus, unless things have drastically changed in 3 years, several monks are already a presence at the school.  The influence is more than close enough, and if a student wants guidance he never has to go farther than Father Adrian’s office.

And about those “countless alumni:”  Like Drew, i have yet to encounter an alum, new or old, who is in favor of the move.  After talking to people who know the older alum, this scheme seems extraordinarily unpopular.  Like you said, a poll of the alumni would be a great idea.  In fact, they should have started by doing that, if anything to see if they can expect donations for the move.

Like i said, no good will come of this scheme, because it will probably kill the school.  Where the building is currently located, it can draw students from all over Richmond.  Moving it into an area where it can no longer attract students from those areas will badly hurt the school…especially since it will be moving to an area that has been dominated by Collegiate for so long.

“Countless alumni are furious over this announcement.”  Really Andrew Bahen of Class of 2004?  “Countless?”  I’m fairly certain you could take a count.

Then again, maybe that’s what is needed?  If there are that many alumni opposing this idea, why not take a poll or count that do not concur with the exploratory committee.

As for “nothing positive can come out of moving the school to the abbey,” I simply don’t agree.  What about the spiritual lives of the boys at BHS?  The monks provide guidance and example they won’t necessarily get anywhere else.  And as it stands now, that influence isn’t close enough… not at all.

I have stayed quiet in this issue for the past week or so for many reasons. One is I am not in Richmond currently so I do not really have a sense or feel for the pulse of the current people there. Also I did not want to come on here and make a quick judgment, but reading the article about the meeting that was held this week was the last straw. For the people of River Road to come out and with almost complete unity saying “No” to the idea really does say something. But, its not even the fact the people said “No” that is why I’m writing it is that they we’re upset with the amount of information provided! How in any way do the monks and the upper ranks of this school go into a meeting like this and not bring enough information. I believe if they were to walk over to 1st. Srg Plumey and Srg Major Branch on the Parade Field they would let them know you never go to war without the right amount of ammon and weapons. So I would just like to call out these Higher Ranks and say way to drop the ball on your own project. Just shows how on a whim this idea really is and gives me hope at least that Benedictine High School and N.Sheppard St. will continue to be friends for a very long time.
Thank you,
Paul Puccinelli ‘04

As a graduate of Benedictine, I find it disgraceful the secrecy behind the move to goochland by the exploratory committee and the abbott.  This school is the students, parents and alumni as much as anyone else.  Without the alumni support the school would be nothing.  If you would like to raise 20 million dollars how about using the money for better pay for the great teachers at Benedictine.  Maybe do more advertising or recruiting to attract more students.  I believe the alumni would support raising 20 million dollars for a new gym for Rut’s court or lights out at Bobby Ross Stadium for Friday night football games.  But moving our school off of Shepard Street is ridulous. 
Class of ‘86.

I think the high school is trying to cash in on the Fan development craze. They will likley sell their current parcel, which will be turned into condos and reap profits.  Why else would they abandon the existing site that they say is “too big” for 15 monks just to relocate out to Goochland to expand that site for up to 25 monks?

So, what are would the parochial high school option be for city kids? Drive to Goochland?
where there are already good high schools. One less option for poor or working class kids from the city.

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