Photo Caption: Among those taking part in groundbreaking ceremonies for the new St. Jude Catholic School in Peoria on June 28 were Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, and Father Patrick Henehan, pastor.

By: By Tom Dermody

Calling it “a great day for St. Jude and also a great day for our diocese,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, blessed the construction site for a new St. Jude Catholic School facility during groundbreaking ceremonies June 28 north of the parish church at 10811 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria.

The new school building — the first totally new Catholic school to be built in the diocese since Central Catholic High School in Bloomington was dedicated in 2003 — will include a gymnasium, eight classrooms, administrative offices, a new kitchen and cafeteria in a 26,000-square-foot facility.

It is part of a $4.5 million project that will also transform the parish’s education wing that had been serving as St. Jude Catholic School since it opened in 2009. Upon completion next summer, that space will house the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society’s food pantry, while several classrooms will be combined into a large meeting room. Two other rooms will be converted into music space for adult and children’s choirs and wind ensemble rehearsals.

A “MONUMENTAL OCCASION”
Father Patrick Henehan, pastor, said the groundbreaking was a “monumental occasion” that had been envisioned for decades.

Speaking beneath a tent that covered assembled dignitaries while earth-moving equipment rested nearby, Father Henehan thanked all whose sacrifices and talents made the day possible, including the “Building God’s Kingdom” capital campaign committee, benefactors, past pastors, principal Winnie Pratt, students and parents.

“This new facility and the redevelopment of our current facility will help us to do the work of God and be better positioned to serve our families and our parish,” said Father Henehan, as more than 100 parishioners and students looked on.

Prior to blessing the grounds (and the pastor) with holy water and grabbing a shovel, Bishop Jenky let the crowd know how pleased he was at the parish’s investment in Catholic education.

“In the lives of our children and our parishes, there is no greater responsibility than to pass on the faith, and Catholic education best helps the parents in that task,” he said. The bishop prayed that “God will bring this construction to successful completion and that his protection will keep those who work on it safe from injury.”

GROWING PARISH, SCHOOL
Taking part in the groundbreaking with the bishop and Father Henehan were Bill and Carolyn Kraft, chairs of the three-year capital campaign now in its second year; George and Barbara Schaefer, honorary chairs; Charlie Laurenti, parish trustee; Adam Lontai, architect with Lontai Design; and Steve Rump, representing general contractor Rump Construction.

At a reception following the groundbreaking, Ron Colgan, chairman of the building committee, said the parish has “endorsed the project wholeheartedly.”

Among them was Lindsey Zopel, who attended the groundbreaking ceremonies with her four young daughters.

“I’m anxious to see how the school grows,” she told The Catholic Post. “It’s such a strong family community,” she said of the parish, “and so invested in its faith.”

St. Jude Parish, located on the far north side of Peoria in an area of new and expanding subdivisions, has grown by more than 30 percent since 2007. It now embraces 1,020 households and averages 10 new families a month.

The school, which opened in 2009 with 49 students in pre-school, kindergarten and first grade, will boast more than 130 students in the fall in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.