New church building is 90% complete; dedication planned in 2023
Lincoln (SNR) - In a ceremony marked by solemnity and Eucharistic dignity, a new academic buildout was blessed at St. Michael School in Lincoln Aug. 23.
Father Luke Fleck, assistant pastor of St. Michael Parish, officiated at the ceremony of blessing and dedication. The blessing was a culmination of a Eucharistic procession in which all St. Michael students, teachers and staff participated.
The Eucharistic procession is one of several to be held at St. Michael this academic year as a part of the parish’s efforts at Eucharistic revival and renewal. Other initiatives will include expanded Eucharistic adoration, educational and devotional efforts in the parish and in homes.
The blessing of the nine new classrooms and support rooms is part of the parish expansion project which includes a new 16,000 square-foot church. The $10.5 million construction project began March 1, 2021 after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The classroom expansion is part of an overall site plan that includes classrooms which provide two sections of every grade, K-8.
“When we planned our parish campus, we strategically planned for two sections of every grade,” St. Michael pastor Father Kenneth Borowiak said. “We took into account projected and actual growth patterns within our parish boundaries and planned for future sustainability within our parish demographics,” he added.
He said each classroom is 900 square feet and features technological enhancements such as interactive screens and educational support items, but the school also uses traditional learning methodologies such as penmanship, creative writing, performing arts, memorization of Scripture, prayers and poems, debate, literature, song and dance and fine and performing arts.
“You can feel the excitement in the building,” said Mrs. Ashley Rockey, principal of St. Michael School. “The teachers, staff and students are eager for an amazing year of growing and learning as disciples of Christ.”
Auxiliary rooms include teacher prep rooms, an office for theology chair Sr. Edith Marie C.K., spaces for resource professionals to work with students, and an art kiln. Large crucifixes, statues of saints and other religious imagery adorn the classrooms and hallways.
The academic component of the project was designed by Clark-Enersen partners of Lincoln. The church, designed by RDG Architectural Planning and Design of Omaha is about 90% complete.
The church will be completely scaffolded later this year to allow a 30’ x 30’ mural of the communion of saints to be applied to the ceiling. In addition, stenciling and other artwork will be done at this time. After that, new pews will be installed. The consecration and dedication of the church is scheduled for April 23, 2023.
Photos and progress updates can be found online at stmichaellincoln.org.
