‘Our Faith, Our Future, Our Time’ will offer funds for renovations, teacher pay
HASTINGS – Hastings Catholic Schools (HCS) officially kicked off the school campaign “Our Faith, Our Future, Our Time” Oct. 27 during a special event in the Francis Consbruck Chapman Gymnasium.
The event offered a briefing of the campaign background, reasons for the campaign, project details, financial projections and ways to support the campaign. Dollars raised through the campaign will go to renovations at St. Cecilia High School and increasing teacher compensation for all HCS faculty through an endowed teacher fund; two priorities identified during the 2020-21 feasibility study. Money raised will also be used for upgrades at St. Michael Elementary and general funds for both St. Michael and St. Cecilia parishes.
The five-year campaign goal is to raise $10 million, $8 million of which is specific to the renovation project slated to break ground summer of 2022.
The kick-off event began with a short performance by the St. Michael Spirit Singers. The hour-long program included a variety of speakers.
Father Thomas Brouillette, chief administrative officer and a graduate of Hastings Catholic Schools himself, discussed the overall campaign and shared “Phase One” of the project with guests. “Phase One” will specifically include raising funds for the endowed teacher fund; renovation of the high school’s north and south wings; preparation of grounds for a four-block campus; construction of a new addition providing ADA compliance; increasing quality and size of student learning spaces; and building a secured main entrance.
Subsequent presentations were presented by campaign chair families; St. Cecilia Middle and High School Principal, Father Cyrus Rowan; St. Michael Elementary Principal Chelsey Mangers; St. Cecilia teacher and coach, Ryan Ohnoutka; and Hauli Sabatka executive director of the HCS Foundation and Advancement. Each shared personal experiences at Hastings Catholic Schools and why they believe the project is important.
“We are incredibly excited to move into the next phase of this project; a process that began over 12 years ago and has seen the efforts of many volunteers,” Father Brouillette said. “Over the past decade, the timing was just not right. With growing momentum, continued support from our families and financial stability, we feel, now more than ever, that this is our time.”
St. Cecilia High School is the original building from 1957 (north wing) and 1961 (south wing), and has seen no renovations. The last new construction was added to the St. Cecilia campus in 1988 when the middle school and gymnasium/fine arts center were built. The last facilities campaign at HCS was in 1996 when St. Michael Elementary was constructed.
“Improving our school communicates to everyone that education in Christian virtues and values has a strong future in Hastings,” Father Brouillette said. “This work is important now more than ever so that our students, cared for by their parents, our church and our school community, can navigate this world and lead others on the path to eternal life.”
Preparation for this campaign began in 2008. Many volunteers have worked to make this campaign a reality over the last decade.
One of those volunteers includes Andrew Wang, a sophomore at St. Cecilia who was a sixth-grader when he became involved as a student representative on the School & Family Committee during the 2017-18 school year.
“When I first saw this plan in sixth grade, I got excited for what it could be,” Wang said. “Seeing that it might soon be a reality, I believe the future of Hastings Catholic Schools is something to be both proud and amazed of. I believe that the remodel will not only be a great way to better our facilities, but a better way to enhance student life and extracurricular activities.”
The event concluded with a social and tours of St. Cecilia High School.
