GREENVILLE, N.C. — The play kitchens, toys and books they remember made the move to a new space, but the floors, backpack hooks, ceilings, doors and more are brand new. The preschool students at St. Peter Catholic School have a new school building, and Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama blessed the space and celebrated with the community Sept. 24.
The day of celebration began with Mass at 8:30 a.m. Led by Father Jim Magee, pastor of St. Peter Parish, the school community was joined by Bishop Luis, Father Michael Schuetz, director of the diocesan Office of Vocations, Father Fernando Torres, dean of the Tar River Deanery, Father Bill John Acosta, pastor of St. Bernadette in Fuquay-Varina, Father Nsongolo Gaston Baswekundola, C.P., chaplain at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, and Father Joseph Ita Sam, C.M., assistant to the bishop for liturgy. Marcelo Eureste, superintendent of the Office of Catholic Schools, and Anna Bragg, director of marketing and enrollment for the office, joined the school community to celebrate as well.
Teachers and students in preschool to 8th grade walked into the church, many of them with their buddies, who are school friends in a different grade. The older students held hands with younger ones and helped them do things like make the sign of the cross and open the hymnals to the correct page and follow the songs.
From the ambo, students shared a welcome, readings and the responsorial psalm. Father Michael proclaimed the Gospel and Bishop Luis offered a homily focused on thankfulness, love, challenges and growing as individuals.
“Become instruments of God’s mercy and love … a heart that is free to walk with a smile is free to live today,” he said, encouraging them to do seemingly little things such as saying hello first instead of waiting for the other person to address them first.
To conclude Mass, the community sang Immaculate Mary. “I ask us all to ask the Blessed Mother’s intercession … as we sing that closing hymn today. For our new preschool in thanksgiving for all that has occurred to make that happen,” said Father Jim.
After Mass, a student led the congregation in the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Principal Debbie Sommer offered remarks as well.
“It is really a blessing to have everyone with us today as we gather for the dedication of our new preschool building,” she said. “Today is about much more than bricks, walls and classrooms. This building represents a vision for the future of our children and our school. It is a place where our students will learn, grow and discover their God-given gifts and, most importantly, grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.”
She took a moment to express gratitude to many, including donors, benefactors, architect Jimmy Hite, Hudson Brother Construction and “all of the skilled workers who worked so hard to bring that design to life.”
Sommer shared gifts from the community to Hite, Will Blackley, Hudson Brothers’ foreman for the project and Ron Pledger, a special adviser to the project.
Father Jim spoke about their efforts and of the effort of Michael Wengenroth, the diocesan director of the Office of Property, Construction and Rick Management.
St. Peter School’s PreK, or preschool, program started in 2006 and two classrooms were housed in a modular unit. In 2018 the school added a third class. St. Peter students in grades kindergarten – 8th attend class in an adjacent building.
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