Creighton prides itself on being a “good neighbor” for the community. In fact, we received that title last semester from the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities. Well, now is the time to live up to that by acting like the good neighbor that we are.

Holy Name Catholic Grade School may close if they don’t get enough funds to last another year.

This school needs $300,000 for the next year and more than $100,000 for the year after to continue educating its 166 students.

Now is the time for the Creighton community and the administration to step up for our neighbors. We pride ourselves on advocating for others, living in solidarity with the poor and being a beacon of hope in the Omaha community.

While Creighton has helped Holy Name financially in the past, it all comes down to this next month. Will we step up to the challenge?

Being good neighbors in the community extends beyond the times when our endowment is safe and we are financially stable. Creighton’s heroism and the goodness of the Catholic spirit come from helping others when it isn’t easy for us. We need to support the community even when we are in the red.

Similarly, as individuals, we need to reach out to the inner-city Catholic community to prove to them that we are in solidarity with the poor.

If this 93-year old school goes away, an entire branch of the Omaha Catholic community is cut off with it, and the Catholic impact in North Omaha is significantly stinted.

To the university as a whole: Dig deep to help those who value a Catholic education as much as we do. Perhaps buy one less ice sculpture for Christmas at Creighton or run the handful of fountains on campus a few hours less every day; there has to be money somewhere to give.

The Rev. John Schlegel, S.J., mentioned his commitment to the diversity of our campus in the city in his State of the University address. Holy Name is the most diverse Catholic grade school and a role model for Creighton.

Holy Name has a strong commitment to diversity and dedication to providing strong, Catholic educations to those who could otherwise not afford it. We have a lot we can learn from this school if we keep it open long enough to do so.

To the individuals reading this, faculty, staff and student alike: With Lent coming up, think of what this season of sacrifice truly means.

If you give up cappuccinos, fast food or buying fancy clothes, you could give that $100 you would have wasted to people who will use it wisely. Try going to a fish fry at Holy Name any Friday during Lent from 5 to 8 p.m. While filling up on beer and food, you can simultaneously give to the school.

Not only should we all pull together to save Holy Name, it also is our responsibility.

To university officials: Think carefully about the repercussions of losing this school.

While these students may not all come to Creighton one day, they will always be connected to Creighton as part of the Omaha Catholic community.

Let’s prove that community is strong.