Donahue Academy celebrates the beginning of its campus growth
On February 10, on the Feast Day of St. Scholastica, Patron Saint of Education, Donahue Academy celebrated the beginning of its multi-phase campus expansion project. The commemoration began with Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Bishop Frank Dewane. Bishop Dewane’s homily connected the Genesis creation story with the unique creative moment the school finds itself in. Bishop Dewane stressed the importance of expanding our campus so more students can encounter Christ through an authentic Catholic education, “recognizing Jesus’ presence in our daily lives and in one another.”
After Mass, the celebration moved outdoors. Guest and the entire student body heard remarks from the school’s principal, Dr. Marc Snyder and Father John Belmonte, Diocese of Venice Superintendent for Catholic Education. Dr. Snyder highlighted two important numbers: 175 and 615; the former representing how many students have been on Donahue’s waiting list and the latter how many students will form its student body come Fall. Fr. Belmonte highlighted the numbers 44, 100, and 1. He said 44 “represents the 44% growth rate of Catholic schools in the Diocese over the last five years,” and “100 represents the fact that all our schools, all 16 of them, are at 100% capacity.” And lastly, he said “one represents the fact that the Diocese of Venice takes the number one spot as the fastest-growing Diocesan school system in the country.” Fr. Belmonte’s speech emphasized the real and widespread need to support Catholic schools in their growth. Amid cheers from benefactors, families, faculty, staff, and students, the speeches concluded with Bishop Dewane’s blessing of the modular units.
Student representatives from each grade then joined Diocesan and school leaders for a ceremonial “dig” to mark this momentous occasion in Donahue Academy’s history. As Dr. Snyder reminded all present, though, the work has just begun and the school needs continued financial support to make an authentic Catholic education accessible to all who want it; the expansion plans include a second modular classroom unit, an airnasium, gym expansion, as well as a new brick and mortar wing and chapel.
