RUMFORD – Bishop Richard Malone, leader of the Diocese of Portland, visited St. Athanasius and St. John School, a component of the parish since 1912, as part of the church’s centennial celebration.

Malone celebrated daily Mass with the staff and students, visited the classrooms during the morning and had lunch with staff members in the rectory.

Malone told staff there are no plans to close the school. Parishes across the state are being restructured, as detailed in the bishop’s evangelization plan, “Telling Anew the Story of Jesus.” Malone said he has created a task force to help cluster parishes continue and strengthen existing Catholic schools.

St. Athanasius and St. John School is preparing to register students for school year 2006-2007 for all grades, including preschool, which has seen a marked increase in enrollment this past year.