June 1, 2011 // Local

Groundbreaking ceremony to be held June 10:

Todays Catholic

Saint Joseph’s High School announces vision of new state-of-the-art facility will be realized
SOUTH BEND — Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades has given approval for construction to begin on June 1 of a new Saint Joseph’s High School (SJHS) at the former site of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

The official groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Friday, June 10, at 1 p.m. at the site of the new school.

Principal Susan Richter said, “It is with great pride and excitement that this announcement is shared with the Michiana community. And it is with deep gratitude that we thank Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center for the gift of land and their enduring support of our vision for the future of Saint Joseph’s High School. We also thank The Most Reverend John M. D’Arcy, bishop-emeritus of the diocese, for his initial approval of this ambitious campaign.”

“I wish to express my deep appreciation to all who have worked so hard and sacrificed so generously to make this ‘dream’ of a new Saint Joseph’s High School a soon-to-be accomplished reality,” said Bishop Rhoades. “Over a thousand generous donors have made pledges to this important campaign. I am deeply grateful to these donors, alumni and other supporters of the noble and holy mission of Saint Joseph’s High School. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless this project as we continue the capital campaign and begin the construction in June.”

“A project of this magnitude cannot succeed without the dedication and investment of many people,” Richter added. In addition to the medical center and Bishop D’Arcy, thanks also go to the Sisters and Brothers of Holy Cross, the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, Mayor Steve Leucke and the City of South Bend, and the unwavering support of the diocese.

Heading the “Forward in Faith Campaign,” Jeff Boetticher, chief advancement officer at SJHS, assembled a professional and dedicated team to drive the campaign to this day of celebration. Jim Schellinger and CSO Architects, the Chicago-based consulting firm Campbell and Company, the “Forward in Faith” Steering Committee — led by chairs Al and Mary Harding and Kevin and Maryjo Kelly— and School Board President Matt Edmonds have spent the past year committed to the realization of this shared vision.

“It is the tireless efforts of these people who have generated the excitement, contacting countless alumni, present and future Saint Joe families, and friends asking them to join in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Richter said. “We thank all those who invested in the future of Saint Joseph’s High School, from our visionary donors who launched us on this successful path to every person who donated to ‘Forward in Faith.’ We will be forever indebted to you and we all can share in the accomplishments of the past year.”

Tremendous progress recently has been made in the fundraising, allowing construction to start immediately. This will enable Saint Joseph’s High School to open the doors of the new, state-of-the-art high school in August of 2012, thereby limiting maintenance expenses for the current facility to just one school year, Richter explained.

Saint Joseph’s High School will continue to move “Forward in Faith” celebrating what has been accomplished and completing the challenges that still lie ahead. The school will be changing its address, but the spirit and tradition of excellence in faith, service and academics will live on and thrive at 453 Notre Dame Ave. Even the new address speaks to those traditions. The “53” in the new address is to honor the 1953 opening of the current Saint Joseph’s High School.