By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer
“Thanks to all who in any way had a hand in bringing this new building to fruition. Thank you for enhancing and promoting Catholic education in the Slate Belt,” said Bishop Alfred Schlert, who was on hand Oct. 12 for a red letter day at Immaculate Conception School (ICS), Pen Argyl.
Bishop Schlert was main celebrant of a morning Mass of Thanksgiving with the school community at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Pen Argyl, and blessed the new building for the new Immaculate Conception School Early Learning Center.
Concelebrating were pastors of the school’s feeder parishes: Monsignor Vincent York, pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary; Monsignor James Reichert, pastor emeritus of St. Rocco, Martins Creek, who gave many years of dedicated service to the school; Father Joseph Kweder, pastor of St. Rocco; and Father Stephen Maco, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bangor.
Also, Congregation of the Missions (Vincentian Fathers, C.M.) Father James Prior, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Roseto; and Congregation of the Missions Father Thomas Prior, assistant pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Father Keith Mathur, assistant in the Diocesan Curia and director of the Diocesan Office for Divine Worship, was episcopal master of ceremonies. The Immaculate Conception School Choir enhanced the liturgy with music.
Bishop Schlert also thanked his fellow priests for their presence at the Mass and support of the school.
“The Blessed Virgin Mary – she is our model of thanksgiving,” Bishop Schlert said. “We thank God for all the gifts he has showered upon us.”
As Monsignor York addressed those gathered for the liturgy, he thanked his fellow priests and their supporting parishes.
“Today we begin a new chapter of Catholic education in the Slate Belt with the dedication of this new building, which will provide learning experiences for young students,” Monsignor York said.
“At this Mass of Thanksgiving, a new chapter in the school’s history is coming into being.
“We petition the Lord to bless the work at the school.”
Monsignor York thanked the largest donors of the Early Learning Center by name: The Capobianco Foundation, The Blue and White Scholarship Foundation, The Scott Foundation and A. Scott Enterprises, The Hughes Foundation and Patrick and Maria Sabatino.
The school worked with the Diocese of Allentown to obtain approvals for the project.
“We thank every donor,” Monsignor York said.
He especially highlighted Craig Reduzzi, parishioner of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, “who was a volunteer project manager during the arduous process of the construction of the building. We are most grateful to him for his dedicated service and to those who donated or pledged to make the building a reality,” Monsignor York said.
“Thank you Bishop Schlert for being here as we launch a new chapter in the school’s history, and for all you do for us. Pray for the mission of the Church in these difficult times and in the future.”
“This is a beautiful building,” the Bishop said at the dedication on a sunny and bright but chilly and windswept morning. “Thank you all for being here today for the celebration of this wonderful moment in the history of Immaculate Conception School.”
A large sign with Bishop Schlert’s picture hung outside the school with the words: “Welcome to Immaculate Conception School Bishop Alfred Schlert. You are in our prayers every day. From ICS sisters, students, faculty and staff.”
The new Early Learning Center provides educational experiences for children of preschool age, kindergarten and first grade.
Groundbreaking occurred in November 2017 and was fully erected after the new year. It was completed by the end of the 2017-18 school year, and students began to use the building Oct. 15, just days after the certificate of occupancy was received.
“The Early Learning Center has been over three years in the making. The new building will house preschoolers, kindergarten and first-graders,” said Monsignor York. “This is now the only Catholic school in the Slatebelt area, and educates children from preschool age until eighth grade.
“The school is blest currently to have five Dominican Sisters who come from the Philippines, as well as competent lay teachers. There is a wonderful Christian spirit generated by the sisters and staff, and the students score well in academic testing.”
Dominican Daughters of the Immaculate Mother (O.P.) Sister Maria Luz is principal. The other OP sisters who serve are Sister Maria Kate, first grade teacher; Sister Maria Juveneeth, second grade teacher; Sister Maria Soledad, third grade teacher; and Sister Maria Jane, sixth grade teacher.
“There were many people who helped make this building a reality,” Monsignor York said.
“With the help of our parents, parish community, friends and benefactors, Immaculate Conception School has been able to offer outstanding spiritual, academic and physical education to the children and families in our community for many years,” said Sister Luz.
From prekindergarten through eighth grade, we have a Catholic school of which we can be proud and be grateful to God.”
“Our Early Learning Center will accommodate a more readily effective learning environment for our early elementary students. This new space will provide a home for our preschool, kindergarten and first grade students,” Sister Luz said.
“Each learning level will have their own classroom and will be provided with updated technology and learning materials.”
