In the not-so-distant past, the Panther Valley had a proud tradition of Catholic education.

But the last remnant of that tradition - Our Lady of the Angels Academy - has been identified by the Diocese of Allentown for closure, along with the parish that supported it for more than a century.Parents of students at the K-8 school, and members of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, located in Lansford, say they're frustrated by the situation.More than 40 of them - along with a handful of students - attended a meeting Wednesday night to discuss how they can publicize their concerns, and hopefully get the attention of church officials who they say have ignored them."The local parishioners who raised the funds, who did the work, have no ownership in the church and no say in the church - how it's run, how it's administered, how it's governed," Steve Behun said.In late April, the word went out during Masses that the three remaining parishes in the Panther Valley would be consolidated into one, and that OLOAA would be closed. For many, the memories of the last church consolidation in 2008 are still fresh.Val Horvat said the decision to close OLOAA blindsided her, because a priest and nun at the school had reassured her that OLOAA was in good financial health.So she said she was shocked when she saw a diocese spokesman on TV saying they would have to raise tuition at the school by $1,100 to stay open."Why didn't you tell us that in January? Don't tell us in April with less than six weeks to go that you felt people couldn't afford that - because there were people who would do that and then some," Horvat said.Many of those in attendance at Wednesday's meeting said they had written letters to the Bishop of the Allentown Diocese, imploring him to open a dialogue with them. But they said those pleas have not been heard.Several ideas were considered for how to get the message out. The group is planning a show of solidarity on Saturday before 4 p.m. mass at St. Katharine Drexel.Families will start gathering around 3:15 p.m. Students have been asked to dress in uniform.Behun said he is asking church members to donate their weekly offering to another Catholic charity outside the diocese, and explaining the decision in a letter that they'll put in the offering tray."In lieu of a donation, we need to spread the word, we're providing this letter - I have chosen not to give my donation this week due to the fact that the bishop has chosen not to open up a dialogue with us to discuss the closure of the school and the church," Behun said.Behun said he would like to see a board of directors run the church instead of the Diocese, not unlike the arrangement at King's College in Wilkes-Barre.Other parishioners shared ideas as well. Michael Strucko said he's been in touch with a philanthropist who has a connection to the Panther Valley, and is hoping that he will listen to the group's concerns.People interested in getting involved with the organization can look up

S.O.S. Coal Regions Churches and School on Facebook.