SSPX NEWS: A New Academy Library in Phoenix
A new academy library in Phoenix
PHOENIX, AZ
9-19-2012
The ever-growing campus of Our Lady of Sorrows Academy now boasts an official library and office building structure following the largest expansion project in the academy’s ten-year history.
The new structure, which was completed in less than three months by a dedicated team of men and boys from the academy and parish, was funded entirely by the revenue from the school’s annual jog-a-thon. Although there were only 78 students in the academy last year, they still managed to bring in more than $60,000 under the loving patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows.
The kick-off for the library building project took place on Memorial Day 2012, and in keeping with the usual spirit, it was made into an Our Lady of Sorrows family affair. The men worked long hours together and then joined their wives and children for a lively picnic/barbeque and volleyball game on the academy grounds with their priests and religious.
Those in leadership took care to ensure that the burden of the project did not fall too heavily on the families. Though there were sacrifices made on both sides of the project, the wives and children often took lunch with the husbands and fathers and visited over cold drinks throughout the day to ease the burden for both.
The project was born in theory by the fundamental idea that good reading is essential to the formation and education of youth.
“Without good books and spiritual reading, it will be morally impossible to save …souls,” said St. Alphonsus Liguori.
In keeping with this thought, more than two years of hot lunches were held to raise money for the purchase of good books. Although it was not certain when the library would become a reality, the superiors and families knew this was a dream worthy of working through to completion.
“Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book,” said St. John Bosco.
And so it was most fitting that on August 27th, following the Solemn Votive Mass of the Holy Ghost on the first day of classes, prior and headmaster Fr. Frank Riccomini blessed the building and opened the library to the faculty and students.
This library serves as another proof that Our Lady will not be outdone in generosity, especially where the good of her children is concerned.
A very special thank you to Fr. Frank Riccomini, Mr. Dominic DeMark and his family, The Kory Carman Family and the fathers and families of the academy for their tireless support.
Details of the project and new structure include:
Library
Teacher's lounge
New office bathroom
New principal's and secretary's rooms
New PA system
Picnic table area for lunches during Fall/Winter months
2,000 sq ft of grass
Fire sprinklers and fire alarms
Write-up by Megan Henry and photos courtesy of Mr. Dominic DeMark
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