"It feels like a funeral...it's hard," Palomino said.

School leadership says the decision all came down to a declining enrollment over decades. The school served 179 students five years ago. Next year, the parish predicts a school enrollment of 32.

"This was built over 100 years with the mindset of educating this community which was thriving of Catholic families, and over the years, that's changed," said Andrew Nowak, a parish Trustee.

At one point, Nowak said St. Mark's had the largest Catholic grade school west of Chicago. Now in 2018, 17 jobs will have to be eliminated.



"Which was really the entire K through eight staff, so it was a really hard decision," said Nowak.

RELATED: St. Mark's Catholic School to close K-8th Grade school, focus on preschool



Patrick Shrake graduated from St. Mark's 39 years ago. His three children followed in his footsteps.



"It's been the heart of my life. It has been the center of my life, and I am just really saddened that we are at this stage," said Shrake.



The school will now turn its focus to its growing pre-school classes with the hope of a promising future.

Father Palomino is asking for prayers as the parish tries to find new jobs for the impacted teachers. Leadership will also work together to find other Catholic schools for students to attend.

"The church is still open. The pre-school is still open as a sign of hope and we are going to pray hard to continue with Catholic education."