We, the undersigned, do hereby respectfully request the Most Reverend, David R. Choby, Bishop of the Nashville Diocese, to approve plans for the construction of a Catholic High School in the Rutherford County area. The necessity for a Catholic high school located south of Nashville has been an ongoing need for several years. With the increased population and growth in Rutherford County alone, as reported by national publications and the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce, the need continues to grow in intensity. The steady increase of family enrollment in the Rutherford and Coffee County parishes further justifies the need for a Catholic high school. For as Pope John Paul II said, "The future starts today...not tomorrow." Although there are several good public high schools available in Rutherford County, those families who wish to see their children educated in a Catholic setting have been relegated to send their children to Father Ryan High School in Nashville, thereby placing stress on the family. This effort requires that children must commute by car both morning and afternoon, traveling one hour each way. In addition, families are asked to drive their children to activities and events that require them to travel an hour each way to meet the school's expectations, as well as allow for socilization. These efforts take away significant quality family time, which is already being stressed in our fast-paced society. While families are trying to meet the needs of their older children, younger children are being neglected. A high school located in Rutherford County would allow families to have their children educated in a Catholic setting closer to home, thereby reinforcing the Christ-centered family environment that the Catholic Church advocates. In fact, Pope John Paul II reminded us often that in today's society "the nuclear family has lost its identity and function." Additionally, we simply wish to build the integrity of the Christian family through this effort. Jesus tells us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, received; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened.� [Matthew 7: 7-8] Please, we prayerfully ask, open the doors to a Catholic high school located in Rutherford County. This decision would afford more students the opportunity to receive a Catholic education closer to home. We pray that God blesses our efforts here and our children�s future. NOTE: You do NOT have to donate money to sign this petition. If you get a page asking for payment, simply ignore. Your signature will be recorded. Simply go back to petition and click "signatures" to see your name.