The “Mary Lead Us” Campaign Continues with a Commitment Weekend This Weekend
In the spring of 2019, The Basilica of Saint Mary and The Basilica School of Saint Mary embarked on a history fundraising campaign, called “Mary Lead Us,” to support a $13-million campus and facilities expansion and restoration effort for The School.
The reason why this campaign is so important is articulated by Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, who said that making sure our parish children receive religious education dates back to the beginning of the parish. Today, the Basilica has a robust CCD program, an excellent youth ministry outreach and an award-winning school that has a current enrollment of 720 students in grades pre-K through 8.
“Children who have participated in these programs and graduated from our school have gone on to be exemplary and productive citizens of our community and country,” Father Hathaway said. “They possess strong morals and values and have carried forward their early Christian formation to their children and their children’s children. Now, in these challenging yet hopeful times, we must remain united in our commitment to provide an extraordinary Catholic education for our children and the generations to come. … Visionary and faith-filled parish families supported the establishment of our parochial school in 1869 and our new school in 1950. It is now our turn. Together, we can elevate our school from its ‘industrial-revolution’ campus layout and classroom functionality to a vibrant, secure and inclusive 21st century school for Christ-centered learning. We invest in our school as an ever-growing center of parish life. And, most importantly, we affirm our responsibility as disciples of Christ to educate and evangelize.”
The “Mary Lead Us” campaign continues with an In-Pew Commitment Weekend scheduled at the Basilica during the weekend of November 20-21. Father Hathaway will be speaking at all the Masses to formally ask parishioners to fill out a pledge card. Thank you for your generosity in making a sacrificial and impactful gift.
Here is a snapshot of the vision for the future:
A Re-Envisioned School Campus & New Connector Building will:
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Create a new drivable sports plaza with convenient access to the School’s gymnasium.
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Lead to a re-configuration of the faculty parking and traffic flow, which will alleviate student drop off and pick-up car congestion while also re-locating student recreational activities to more protected areas of the School campus.
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Incorporate the pre-K/Kindergarten play space into the School’s overall recreational areas.
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Upgrade and fortify perimeter wrought iron and brick fence installation around the School campus, which will greatly enhance the physical safety of our students and faculty.
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Allow School faculty to better monitor and engage with students during outside recreational periods.
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Lead to the ability to leverage three sides of the school campus in service to student recreation, engagement, and spiritual reflection
A New Welcome Lobby & Vestibule will allow:
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For formal reception desk check-in/credentials review.
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For a double pane glass wall separating school community from walk-in traffic.
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For the highlighting of a strong Catholic identify aesthetic of the school.
The Mary Seat of Wisdom Library Media Center & Gateway will:
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Become the intellectual heart of the school; unifying the lower and middle school student and faculty communities.
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House a new state-of-the art Library Media Center.
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Eliminate the need for students to go outside in order to get to the library, cafeteria, and main school offices.
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Allow for better organization for the grades/classrooms.
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Bring the current pre-K class out from the basement.
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Establish a multi-use school and parish conference and meeting center.
- In short, upgrading the school facilities will ensure safety and accessibility for all, including special needs’ students (elevator, state-of-the-art learning center, enhanced security, improved outdoor space for play).
