Make it a reality!

Dear brothers and sisters: Four years ago this month, in his first message as Pope, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the College of Cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel with these challenging words:

"The Church today must revive within herself an awareness of the task to present the world again with the voice of the One Who said: 'I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'"

Today, we respond to his challenge with the task of making the regional Catholic high school in Columbia a reality - to burn brightly as the light of Christ. Our task is to create a Catholic educational community committed to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to providing students with a well-rounded academic program that prepares them to go out into the world and spread His light in their careers, homes and communities.

As we began this high school campaign, many faithful families in Columbia came to me asking for my support. I promised them my full support as bishop of this Diocese of Jefferson City, and I reiterate that promise today.

Yes, our task has taken longer than we thought. Yes, some children have since missed the opportunity to attend the high school. And, yes, our efforts have been a bigger challenge than any of us expected.

But the flame those families carried for their children and grandchildren to be educated in the fullness of the Catholic faith, continues to burn brightly. Because of their perseverance, today we are very close to making the regional Catholic high school in Columbia a reality!

Consider what has been accomplished thus far:

*An inter-parish committee from Sacred Heart, St. Thomas More Newman Center and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes commissioned a study that confirmed there is interest enough and a student body large enough in Columbia and six surrounding communities to support a regional Catholic high school.

*A second feasibility study gauged the financial capability within Columbia's Catholic community to build and support the high school. With positive indications, a separate capital campaign for the high school was initiated in Columbia in conjunction with the diocesan campaign, Grateful Memories . Faithful Future. That first campaign raised $6.7 million.

*Working with a volunteer building committee, Peckham and Wright architects has designed a beautiful and functional school that complements the site on Gans Road (a site that was generously sold to us at well-below market value).

*Phase II of the campaign, Make It A Reality, was launched in September 2008 with solid leadership from volunteers Ray Beck as project director overseeing construction, and Dr. Jerry Brouder and Bo Fraser leading the fundraising. Despite the economic downturn, this winter major donors have generously pledged over $2.3 million to the high school.

*Altogether, more than 1,500 individuals, families and corporations from throughout our diocese of  have pledged $8 million - from commitments of $20 to $1 million.

We are now concentrating on hiring an interim administrator.

Why hire now when we still need another $5 million before construction can begin? The interim administrator will lead the ongoing development and promotion of the high school through construction. He or she will be responsible for coordinating the continued fundraising, regional marketing, and educational areas.

All projects of this magnitude have challenges.

Let us remember that the regional Catholic high school in Columbia is a commitment we make to our youth today and to all future generations - a commitment that excellent academics and faith formation will be readily available to them.

Let us keep our sleeves rolled up until the high school doors are opened. And when we join together in the ceremonial blessing and open the doors to the first student, let us all look upward to give thanks as the light of Christ floods in.

Holy Week

As Holy Week arrives this Sunday and we prepare to complete our Lenten journey, I ask you to join me in praying for all the people who are preparing to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil and throughout the Easter Season.

I also urge you to make time to attend your parish's observances of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. These observances are a great gift to us and draw us into a deeper awareness of the mystery of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. I assure you that it will be time well spent.