On Oct. 4, Bishop George J. Lucas, lower right, blesses the campaign office for the Father McGivney Catholic High School, scheduled to open in the fall of 2011 in Madison County.

EDWARDSVILLE - A group promoting a new Catholic high school for southern   Madison County has opened a campaign office at 1043 Century Drive in Edwardsville. Bishop George J. Lucas blessed the premises Oct. 4, as more than 40 well-wishers, local priests and elementary school principals looked on.

Catholic Schools 4 Me, the organizing group, has announced the new high school will be called Father McGivney Catholic High School. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011 with two classes and will add two additional classes over the next two years.

Father Michael McGivney was the Connecticut parish priest who founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882. His cause for sainthood was approved by Pope Benedict XVI in March 2008.

PR/marketing chair Luke Harris said the board is currently developing its capital campaign plans and is working on securing land and architects for the project. He said the office location is large enough to provide space for board and committee meetings as well as the campaign development company.

"With the great storefront location, we will also show renderings of the school as well as building progress," Harris said. "At this time, it appears that little is being accomplished but I can assure you that many milestones are being reached at or ahead of schedule. We continue to be on track for the fall 2011 opening."

During a meeting in September with officials from the city of Glen Carbon, site committee members revealed that the group has an option on 80 acres of property near Bouse Road and Old Troy Road. Glen Carbon officials have indicated a willingness to annex the property in order to provide services such as water and sewer.

Harris said a public meeting will be conducted in the spring to kick off the capital campaign, which is expected to be a multi-step, three-year process.