By: By Tom Dermody

CAPTION: Father William Miller, IC, opens the door to Costa Catholic Academy’s new computer lab as Bishop Jenky tours and blesses each room of the school’s new addition on Sept. 3. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

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GALESBURG — Saying the greatest lesson that any Catholic school teaches is “to listen to Jesus,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, blessed a $2.1 million addition to Costa Catholic Academy here on Sept. 3.

Bishop Jenky was principal celebrant of a Mass in the school’s Brophy Auditorium prior to officiating at dedication ceremonies for the addition. The nearly yearlong construction project — the first in more than 50 years at Costa — added a technology room, a music/band room, a multi-purpose room including cafeteria, and a commercial kitchen to the existing facility at 2726 Costa Drive.

“Make it become a center where students and teachers, imbued with the words of truth, will search for the wisdom that guides the Christian life and strive wholeheartedly to stand by Christ as their teacher,” prayed Bishop Jenky moments before blessing each new room with holy water.

A reception followed in the new cafeteria.

“It’s an exciting time,” said Steve Eisemann, principal, as benefactors and friends of the school mingled with Bishop Jenky and one another during the reception. The addition, he said, provides much needed room and “gives us state-of-the-art facilities for the arts and for technology.”

The new computer lab has laptops and a smartboard, and the dedicated space will allow LEGO robotics competition to return to the school. “The sky’s the limit,” regarding future technology direction, said Eisemann.

The new addition was made possible by a successful capital campaign titled, “Treasuring Our Past, Securing Our Future.” Donors were acknowledged in a dedication booklet, and during the Mass prayers were offered that benefactors “will be richly rewarded in this life and the next.”

Concelebrating the Dedication Mass were Msgr. Ernest Pizzamiglio, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish; Father William Miller, IC, pastor of Corpus Christi and St. Patrick parishes in Galesburg and Sacred Heart, Abingdon; and Father Deus-Dedit Byabato, chaplain of OSF St. Mary Medical Center and pastor of St. Aloysius Parish, Wataga. Deacon Robert Rodriguez of Corpus Christi Parish served as deacon.

Prelude violin music was offered by four Costa students from the Edwards family, accompanied by their mother, Mrs. Ayano Edwards. Costa’s Jubilee Choir and Singing Friars, directed by Jill Marasa with Minda Rodriguez as cantor, provided music for the Mass.

Costa opened the 2015-2016 school year with 219 children in preschool through eighth grade.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: More photos from the event have been posted to an album on The Catholic Post’s Facebook site.