Students, chaplain bless Helias Catholic H.S. construction site
Construction well under way on final phase of school’s master plan — Pledges and contributions are still needed
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Men in work vests and hardhats paused to pray with students and administrators outside Helias Catholic High School.
Father Paul Clark, the school’s chaplain, raised his arms in a blessing over the landscape being vastly transformed before their eyes.
Invoking the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, he asked God to “look kindly on this project within this new year. Bless the workers and all involved in the planning and operations. May they be protected in their work, guided in their labors, and gladly witness the completion of their projects.”
The priest then sprinkled holy water liberally onto the ground and the structures rising above it.
Members of the school’s peer ministry team, representing the entire student body, joined in the prayers and the proclaiming of Scripture.
Nearby, large earth-moving machines continued reshaping the terrain and workers fashioned a basement wall for the building addition.
The blessing of the construction site was the latest milestone in Helias Catholic’s Spirit of Excellence Campaign, which includes a state-of-the-art performing arts center, a combination baseball-softball complex, and an addition to the James Rackers Fieldhouse, including necessary updates to its athletic and strength and conditioning facilities, and additional space for parking.
Helias Catholic President Ron Vossen said the fieldhouse addition is on track to be completed this fall, with the performing arts center and baseball/softball complex being slated for completion in late 2026.
These are the final phases of the long-term master plan for updating the school’s facilities.
“Part of our mission for our Catholic schools and our Catholic identity is to have a place where we can offer a full-rounded education to our students,” Mr. Vossen stated.
Fr. Clark spoke of building and labor as a gift from God, a chance to participate in his wonderful work of creation.
“Sometimes, we may see it as a chore or a burden, but our God models work when he creates everything, thereby showing us the importance of productive labor,” said Fr. Clark.
“And if God tells us work is good, then it’s important for us as a Catholic institution that proclaims this God, that follows this God, that has faith in this God — that we would be blessing this work regularly, and seeing good work as a blessing,” the priest stated.
“When we participate with him in what he’s doing, our lives will prosper, and the lives of our neighbors, our brothers and sisters will prosper through good work,” he said.
Mr. Vossen also spoke of appreciation for the talented construction workers and planners who are bringing the project to fruition.
“It’s not just about dollars and cents to them,” he said. “We’re grateful that so many of them really want to be here doing this.”
Previous improvements under the master plan included a building addition containing a chapel, science center and administrative offices, and the construction of the impressive Crusader Athletic Complex.
Mr. Vossen said the current project will allow Helias Catholic to host events with partner parishes, diocesan schools, and members of the broader community.
The Spirit of Excellence Campaign, which began a year ago to raise the full $14 million needed for the project, continues.
For more information and to support the Spirit of Excellence campaign, please visit heliascatholic.com/spiritofexcellence or contact Mr. Vossen at rvossen@heliascatholic.com or 573-635-6139.
