‘A light shining in the increasing darkness’
HENDERSONVILLE — Rain could not put a damper on everyone’s enthusiasm Friday as students, teachers and supporters of Immaculata Catholic School officially celebrated the end of a major renovation effort.
The Oct. 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony began in front of the school, with students and staff safely distanced around the parking lot, but a brief rain shower forced everyone back into their classrooms to watch the celebration on a video streamed live from the school’s gym.
The livestreaming was actually made possible thanks to the $900,000 renovation of the school in downtown Hendersonville.
Immaculata students made the most of the festivities, waving paper stars they had colored and cut out as they sat at their desks and watched the ribbon-cutting ceremony on their classrooms’ state-of-the-art smartboards. They cheered and clapped along as school leaders and supporters cut the ceremonial red ribbon.
“From the playground to the covered walkway, we are thankful for the new changes at our school,” said eighth-grader Annie Thompson. “One of the things which makes ICS so special is that no matter your race, gender or where you’re from, you will always feel a sense of welcome and safety here.”
The Immaculata Catholic School remodeling project also included a new security vestibule and visitor check-in system, upgrades to the school’s technology infrastructure and the addition of an intercom system. Restrooms were remodeled, and a prominent canopy was added to the length of the front entrance and sidewalk.
Cely Construction of Greenville, S.C., was the general contractor.
“Being an Immaculata star means being a hard-working student who is part of a family growing together in harmony,” said eighth-grader Luz Casimiro. “This school is like a beautiful blossoming flower, and with every year it becomes more and more dazzling even during the toughest storms.”
Principal Margaret Beale continued the star theme in her remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “An Immaculata star is a light that shines before others and gives hope and inspiration,” she said.
Addressing her students through a laptop computer for the video livestream, Beale cheered them on: “Immaculata, lift your stars, raise them high, and together as a school, let’s shine for all to see. Let’s shine like stars, let us forever be Immaculata stars!”
Funding for the school ‘s renovation came from a successful capital campaign by the school’s home parish, Immaculate Conception, and a $475,000 grant from the Diocese of Charlotte’s
“Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign.
“Immaculata Catholic School is a light shining in the increasing darkness of the culture which surrounds us,” said Father W. Christian Cook, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hendersonville. He thanked everyone who took part in the project to “show our support for our dear students and teachers who are the true Immaculata stars which shine brightly in this world.”
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle and Tara Hackman, Catholic News Herald
Collaborative effort makes renovation a reality
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Collaborative effort makes renovation a reality
HENDERSONVILLE — When the Immaculata community cut the ribbon Oct. 16 to celebrate its renovated school, it signaled the culmination of efforts by many people to bring the $900,000 project to fruition.
Besides key financial support through a successful capital campaign by Immaculate Conception Parish and a grant from the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign, four diocesan offices pitched in to help plan, fund and execute the renovations. The Catholic Schools, Development, Finance and Properties offices all partnered with the
Hendersonville school and parish to help raise the money, arrange the financing, coordinate the contractors and stay within their budget.
One of the many responsibilities of the Development Office is to help parishes organize and conduct capital campaigns.
“Over the course of six months in 2018, we met to help them plan, organize and train parishioners to encourage broad involvement in giving to the capital campaign,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. “They ran a very effective campaign.”
The Finance Office worked with the parish to build a funding plan, which typically includes savings or a building fund, a capital campaign, funds from other sources such as FFHL, and financing for the remainder of the project’s cost.
“Our office works with the parishes to come up with a plan that will meet the needs of the parish yet in a financially responsible manner,” said Bill Weldon, the diocese’s chief financial officer and chief administrative officer.
The Properties Office “assisted the school with development of the project budget based on inputs from outside vendors and experience with other schools in the diocese that had previously completed capital projects – both new construction and renovations,” said Emmett Sapp, diocesan construction manager.
The Properties Office also helped the school get the most “bang for the buck” by watching the budget closely and managing vendors to complete and furnish the renovated spaces.“This project was a good example of effective collaboration among the departments and entities,” Sapp said.
Diocesan schools staff met on site several times with Immaculata’s principal, Margaret Beale, to contribute ideas and input on the renovation plans to help meet the school’s educational goals and keep open the lines of communication.
“This project is an excellent example of what we as Catholic Schools are about: Many parts of one Body, the Church, working together for the good of our students,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, diocesan superintendent of schools.
Father W. Christian Cook, pastor, noted, “The support of the diocese was instrumental to our school construction project being completed on time and on budget. With support from the four diocesan offices, we were able to bring this project home.”
It is important for the parish, the diocese and the Church as a whole to provide schools that support parents as the primary educators of their children, Father Cook said. “We all worked together – Immaculata, the parish of Immaculate Conception, and the diocese – to provide this choice for parents.”
“If people ever wonder if the parishes benefit from funds they give to the diocese, they should look no further than this project,” he said. “I am so thankful for not only the dollars coming back to this project by way of a diocesan FFHL grant, but in the support of employees from many different diocesan departments giving of their time and competence without hesitation. I am grateful for the way so many gave of themselves in abundance, all in support of our parish and the mission of our Catholic school.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
The Properties Office also helped the school get the most “bang for the buck” by watching the budget closely and managing vendors to complete and furnish the renovated spaces.