“A Testament of Love and Service”: Breaking Ground on the Expansion
Waving pennants with the Center’s four-hearts logo, Board members, parents, donors, staff, students and adults gathered on December 16th to celebrate groundbreaking on the building expansion project at Saint Catherine Center.
It was a rainy day, so the ceremony was held indoors with a wheelbarrow full of excavated dirt. Bishop Frank Caggiano joined the group to bless the project. Other guests included Jose Imery and Michael Ayles from the architectural firm Antinozzi Associates; Richard Jagoe, founder of the building firm Tomlinson Hawley Patterson (THP); and Jeff Price, site manager.
“Are we building a building?” Bishop Caggiano asked the group. “Yes. But we’re really building a testament of love and service for those who come here to be not only educated and formed and accompanied, but to be loved.” He expressed his gratitude to Executive Director Helen Burland for “a steady hand,” and for the generosity of the Center’s families and donors.
Construction is now in fully underway. Trees on the perimeter have been removed to make room for a new playground; a pathway and emergency access road in the back have been completed. Temporary fencing and an alternate entrance have been established and what was a major portion of the parking lot has been excavated and leveled for the addition. The new foundation will be poured soon. (View photos of the ongoing project)
Completion of the expansion is expected in late fall. “The only thing I like more than breaking ground,” said Bishop Caggiano, “is blessing a finished project.”
