I have pondered on whether to write a letter such as this for many weeks and feel this is the best time to share my thoughts, hopes, and desire to encourage support for Father McGivney Catholic High School, now opened in the center and heart of our deanery and county, here in the southern region of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. (Alton Marquette Catholic High School has for years been a vibrant and successful school on the west end of our deanery. St. Paul High School was at the other (east) end of the deanery for 60 years until its closure in 1986.)
Good folks for many years have invested heart, time, sweat, and financial backing to this endeavor. Doug Villhard, who has chaired this project, has been an inspiration in his leadership. He, along with his wife and many others who have joined him, especially the board, are doing all in their power to help Father McGivney Catholic High School succeed.
The school is opened but the need for continued support is overwhelmingly the greatest factor to the success and growth of the future life and mission of this vital and important Catholic high school in central Madison County.
Make no mistake, this school is Catholic. I have been there many days this year. I can see it is an outstanding state-of-the-art educational opportunity for high school youth. I hope and pray that students and parents who have embraced Catholic education and formation for eight years will see all the more why Father McGivney Catholic High School is the best choice to continue this gift.
Academically, spiritually, and for so many other reasons, this is your best choice. We have the opportunity before us to be a part of a beginning of something "BIG." This unique and advanced school has the potential to become a "jewel" in our area's Catholic identity, and continue to produce great blessings in the lives of our Catholic youth.
How did our parents, grandparents, and their parents, build our churches, schools, and hospitals in Madison County? Vision, faith, sacrifice, hope, and a belief that great blessings would come our way led them to choose to embrace those times to build and begin new parishes, schools, hospitals and Catholic social service agencies.
These were built during two World Wars and other wars, the Great Depression, and I am sure many hard economic times. But the faith of Catholics and others then, who supported these ministries, was always stronger; their sacrifice always rose above any fears and despair to achieve what was best.
I feel we can't sit back and say, "Well if 'they' build it, we will consider going there." Catholics have never held this approach, but rather in faith they created their vision, made their commitment first, then built it, and the blessings of faith and excellent ministry have never ceased.
I would love to be able to seek and find 15 wonderful families or donors who could offer a million dollars each to build and sustain this great opportunity for our church, for our Catholic youth. Some may laugh, but I have no doubt they are out there, and some of them are reading this in Catholic Times. I hope this letter is delivered to not only their homes, but I pray it reaches their hearts as an invitation to consider.
This high school has the power to impact hundreds of youth for a lifetime. If anyone thinks this option is not the best choice over public schools for education and formation as a joint school mission I feel they are sadly mistaken.
Now is our time to rally, support, and make this happen! I, like many, feel we need Father McGivney Catholic High School in central Madison County now more than ever. Let us unite to allow it to rise. Join us in the mission!