St Joseph's Church

Inconsiderate, uncompassionate. This ""church"" operates like a corporation. Like a for profit-wall street S corp. My father passed away last winter and as he wished, we arranged for the ceremony and burial service to be at this church's cementary. As you can imagine, the death of a loved one is a very emotional process that requires some humane tact by the service provider. Well, forget that here. They were not willing to give us more than 5 minutes during the ceremony for the family members to express their love and personal experiences about my father's life. The priest, rushed us into the church as the carriage arrived with my father, rushed the ushers to hurry up and started the ceremony abruptly speaking fast and with no connection with the words/prayers he opened with-- nor he was interested in hiding it. Last but not least, during the burial planning, we offered to pay a few hundred dollars extra for 5 more minutes for me to read my brother's words as he was not able to be present during the burial... they were unhappy to agree and did not take our extra money. During the burial, at the grave, they moved us fast and again, the priest spoke fast and with no connection whatsoever to his script. When it was time to read my brother's speech, which was being broadcasted live to outside of the country for him to watch live, I admit that I went over the 5 minute limit no more than 2 minutes. During those 2 full minutes the ""father"", who was standing next to me, kept making noises such as taking deep breaths and clearing his throat. Yes, like a 10 year old waiting for the school bell to ring. more

Unfortunately while searching for school's for my children to attend in the Perry Hall area I visited this school and was surprised to find that Racism was alive and well at this school. My family and I are African American and were made to feel unwanted and honestly I felt that the school does not embrace diversity. My children are extremely well mannered and just moving in the area I hoped to find a school near by that would meet our needs. The staff seemed annoyed by the questions that my children and I asked and at one point stated, ""we don't have free lunch"". Which was a shock to me... My husband and I are business owners and can afford to pay for our children's lunch if needed. That statement and the circus like stares were insulting to us. That comment was made in response to us asking, ""Does the school have a cafe?"" This School is Simple Terrible and needs to train staff not to make assuptions or show there prejudices to others... WE ARE ALL THE SAME! more