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Courtney Weatherburne reporting
The first Palloti High School classes were held in the lower flat of this 3 story building during the 1950's. It wasn't the conventional school setting but it was all they had at the time.

Sister Josefina Alamilla, Convent Resident
"In 1953 they started to build the convent and the convent was finish in 1955 and from here the sisters, they didn't have a school at the time, so they started the high school in Palloti convent on the first floor we had 3 classrooms. They had 3 rooms that they gave to the school and they use the attic."

But this building was more than a school. For all these years it has served as a place of comfort, a place of worship and sanctity for these Pallotine sisters - but it won't be for much longer because it is finally giving in.

Stephen Franco, Convent Resident
"The roof has completely dislodge itself from the main building and 2 incidents that has I would say added to this is the earthquake between Guatemala and Mexico, really I think shook the building that made us become aware that this was very serious. Because the cracks got wider and wider and also after Hurricane Earl we saw movements of the cracks and so we began to realize that something drastic is happening and we called in some contractors. We called in some friends, we called in some people to see what could be done. But we realize from their observations and from their knowledge that this was far beyond repair and lately they feel that it has become very dangerous even to stay here."

So dangerous that the sisters are now packing up and moving into the rooms below the infirmary -adjacent to the building. It is a cramped space for 11 sisters but it surely is better than living in a crumbling house.

Stephen Franco, Convent Resident
"Thank God we have that place along with the infirmary upstairs where it will be tight living, but at least we have a shelter."

Now there is no hope of ever returning to this building - the place is just breaking apart and the only option they have is to tear down and re-build. Just the demolition will cost $104,000 and the Pallotine sisters are pleading for help through a telethon.

Stephen Franco, Convent Resident
"The first thing we have planned is a telethon for August 26th. Miss Marleni Lizama, she is organizing the Facebook for contacting all past students and everybody else. So we are sending out letters. There is a pledge form and Holy Redeemer Credit Union savings 6 is the place to directly lodge your contributions, or if you want to send it here it's okay too."

So in the name of Patron Saint Vincent Palloti these sisters say they can't give up on the convent- it is the only true connection they have to their people.

Sister Josefina Alamilla, Convent Resident
"We try to save it because our ministries come from here and that's where we interact with the people as sister mentioned. Like every Wednesday, other Wednesdays we have at our door sometimes up to 70 elderly persons coming for food. It's not much but its basic provision for them and then we have counseling going on here. We have students that want to do a little work around, they ask please let them come to the convent to work. So we work with the youths also and like people just come here, they gravitate here because on Sundays we feed the elderly displace people, like the homeless. We give them breakfast in the morning and lunch during the day."

As you heard, a telethon will be held on August 26th and if you would like to contribute you can send your donations to their Holy Redeemer Account Savings Account; the number is 74447 or you can email friends.of.pallotti@gmail.com.

Again the $104,000 is just for the demolition. They haven't even started looking at the cost to rebuild. In the meantime , the sisters will have to stay in the 7 room space below the infirmary.