MARYVILLE — Father McGivney Catholic High School, the newest Catholic high school in the Springfield diocese, more than doubled its enrollment in its second year of operation. The 19 students, who made up last year’s first class at Father McGivney, have all returned for their sophomore year, and 32 students have joined them as freshmen.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki celebrated Mass for the students and faculty on Aug. 26, at the school, which is housed in a remodeled wing of St. John Neumann Catholic School in Maryville.  Bishop Paprocki called upon the Holy Spirit to fill the students with wisdom at the beginning of the new school year.

Based on a U.S. bishop’s document on ministry to youth entitled Renewing the Vision, McGivney has incorporated youth ministry concepts into a House Faith Formation model where students will meet with their “house” — a group made up of a cross-section of students from each class. This model allows for friendly competition, as well as the opportunity for mentoring one another in an environment that breaks down barriers between cliques and stereotypes.