School’s entry project enhances safety, reflects spirit of community
By Father Mark Cyza
for the Register
At St. Patrick School in Lincoln, safety is more than a priority—it’s a mission rooted in love, stewardship, and community spirit. That mission found tangible form recently in the construction of a new, highly secure entry system, a project that both fortifies the campus and beautifully reflects the parish’s roll-up-your-sleeves mentality.
For Father Troy Schweiger, pastor of St. Patrick Parish, the west entry upgrade wasn’t just about replacing glass doors—it was about answering a call to protect the children entrusted to the care of the parish.
“We’re a blue-collar community, not necessarily in occupation, but in mindset,” Father Schweiger explained. “When we see a need, we figure out a way to get it done.”
A community built on action
St. Patrick Parish, home to approximately 800 families and a thriving pre-K through 8th-grade school, is no stranger to hands-on problem-solving. From handcrafting pews for the new church building to installing the school’s playground and renovating restrooms, parishioners have consistently stepped up—physically and financially—to meet needs with faith and teamwork.
“Literally every family did something to help build the playground,” Father Schweiger said. “Not just donating, but unloading trucks and assembling equipment.”
That same spirit drove the push to improve the school’s west entry—a large, single-pane glass wall and door system that had long posed a safety concern.
From vulnerability to vitality
The previous glass entry, while functional, offered minimal resistance to forced entry—a fact that weighed heavily on Father Schweiger and the school’s principal. A safety assessment by the Lincoln Police Department confirmed their concerns, identifying the west entry as a major vulnerability.
Providentially, Nebraska’s School Safety & Security Infrastructure Grant became available just as the need became urgent. With help from the diocesan office and a committed contractor, St. Patrick’s leadership pulled together a proposal—and were awarded a generous grant to begin the transformation.
Working closely with experts, the parish chose a sophisticated multi-layered door and window system designed not only to resist impact, but to delay entry in the event of a threat. The installation features reinforced glass with a polycarbonate inner layer, designed to absorb force without shattering, and steel-reinforced lower panels that are virtually impenetrable.
“It’s not about stopping a bullet,” said Father Schweiger. “It’s about buying time—time for students and staff to respond, and for first responders to arrive.”
The new system also includes surveillance and emergency alert capabilities, further strengthening the school’s safety posture.
Quiet gratitude
While the new entry system may not draw the “oohs and aahs” of a freshly painted chapel or brand-new playground, its significance is not lost on the community.
“It’s not flashy,” Father Schweiger admitted, “but when we tell parents about it, their reaction is always, ‘Thank you. I’m glad we have this.’”
Faith in the future
This west entry improvement is only one piece of a broader strategic plan for the parish and school. Goals include upgrading interior classroom doors and windows, installing better locking systems, and enhancing the ability to secure different areas of the building in emergency scenarios.
Father Schweiger emphasized that the planning and execution of these upgrades have been guided by experts and grounded in prayerful discernment. But what gives him the most hope isn’t the technology or even the funding—it’s the parishioners.
“The people here have such a sense of ownership and responsibility,” he said. “This is their church, their school. They’re going to take care of it.”
In a time when safety and security are top of mind for Catholic schools across the nation, St. Patrick Parish offers a shining example of how faith, community, and good old-fashioned elbow grease can come together for the good of God’s children.
