Feb 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Harrisburg returned to his alma mater yesterday to mark Catholic Schools Week and to unveil a sum of $62,000, which the school recently received in donations.
Since Bishop Rhoades’ ordination to the episcopate, Lebanon Catholic High School has received much-needed funding, including one donation for $25,000. Funds collected to date have been earmarked for scholarships and improvements to the curriculum.
A few years ago, all Catholic schools in Lebanon County were consolidated under one roof, due to a lack of funding and declining enrollment. As a result, Lebanon Catholic High School now offers K through Grade 12.
The school has also had difficulty raising money to upgrade the building, but school officials hope this will become a little easier with the bishop’s backing. During his visit, the bishop approved a $2.5 million capital campaign.
Bishop Rhoades led the student body in morning mass and then took a tour of the school.
He is the second Harrisburg bishop to come from Lebanon Catholic. William Cardinal Keeler is the first.
Bishop Rhoades said the school’s recent success in fundraising has filled him with a lot of hope for the future. He said he is committed to making the school work.