GLEN CARBON — As construction of the new Father McGivney Catholic High School (FMCHS) continues, this year's annual appeal is concentrating on funds to furnish and equip the new building when students return for the new school year on Aug. 20, 2015.
"Father McGivney has always done an annual appeal," said Father Jeff Goeckner, pastor of St. Boniface Church in Edwardsville and chaplain at FMCHS. "This year's appeal is the 'housewarming.' We have already collected more than $50,000."
Nine parishes throughout the Alton deanery inserted information about "A McGivney Housewarming" in church bulletins the weekend of April 11-12. Parishioners are urged to visit www.McGivneyGriffins.com/AnnualFund and select one or more items to purchase for the new school. Some of the items listed include TV and technology classrooms ($2,500), teacher desk ($500), student locker ($100 each), chapel chair ($50), and up to one year's tuition for a student in need ($6,500).
"We're seeing a great response from donors to the campaign also giving to the 'housewarming' appeal," said Doug Villhard, FHCHS board president. "I'm getting great feedback that it is fun to pick out a specific item for the school despite the sacrifice they have already made to the larger campaign to build the school."
"Student population is trending in the right direction," Mike Scholz, FMCHS principal said. "If we want to expand our academic offerings, clubs, organizations and expand our athletics, a new facility is critical."
St. John Neumann in Maryville is one of nine schools in the deanery that feeds students to FMCHS and has housed the high school since its first class of 18 students in 2012. With 30 sophomores and 43 freshmen in just six classrooms, it is evident that a larger building was a must.
Discussions about building a new Catholic high school began years ago to tap into the growing Metro East sector of the diocese. The reality has caught on.
"St. John Neumann School board speaks within the context of McGivney a lot," said Father Pat Jakel, canonical administrator of St. John Neumann, where "We want to prepare them [students] for McGivney."
Lisa and Michael Rolves of St. Boniface Catholic Church have two grade school-aged children who will someday attend Father McGivney. They accepted Father Goeckner's call to serve on the building capital campaign in part because of their Catholic school upbringing. As with all Catholic school parents, the Rolves "significantly" fund public schools through their property taxes.
"However the choice for us was to make the financial sacrafice to get our kids into the environment where Catholic beliefs and values are part of their everyday education," said Lisa Rolves.
To make a donation to the FMCHS Housewarming Annual Fund, visit their website at www.gofundme.com/o0440c.