Camille Garcia, secretariat director of communications and IT for the Diocese of Austin, said the main reason for concluding the program is to make room for additional office and ministry spaces to address St. Elizabeth's growing parish.
"This was a difficult decision, one that the pastor recognizes may place a burden on some families; however, after much reflection this decision was made in the best interest of the over 3,500 parish families who make St. Elizabeth their neighborhood church," Garcia said in an email.
St. Elizabeth's ECDC program held its first school year in 1997 and has served an estimated 1,900 children, according to ECDC Director Kim Perales.
The church will send refund checks to families who have already paid registration and supply fees for next school year.
