School heroes are families who persevered
By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES –– A frigid rainy afternoon did not dampen the spirits of nearly 300 students, faculty, alumni, clergy, and officials who enthusiastically turned out for the groundbreaking of St. Louis Catholic High School on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Catholic High School is turned with ceremonial gold
shovels during the official groundbreaking of the
school on Sunday, January 12, 2025. From right,
are Principal Kelly DeMolle, Bishop Glen John Provost,
Very Rev. Ruben J. Buller, Rector; and Superintendent
Kimberlee Gazzolo.
“All I can say is WOW! We were not expecting such an amazing turnout today with this weather,” said Principal Kelly DeMolle in response to the tremendous attendance.
The groundbreaking coincided with the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the close of the Christmas season.
“I thought it was most fitting that our groundbreaking was today as our last gift during the Christmas season. I am very thankful for this gift today,” DeMolle expressed.
In a span of 36 hours, plans for the ceremony shifted across the street from the 4301 Corbina Road school site to an enclosed heated tent at The Village of Morganfield. DeMolle praised several for pivoting so quickly to ensure a successful celebration.
“Rob (Acord) and Jason (Garcille) went to the site, got dirt from the property and put it in planters so that we could have a true groundbreaking,” DeMolle said. “We will be bringing this exact dirt back to our property, so it is legit,” drawing laughter from the crowd.
“It is a true honor to gather here today as we mark the beginning of a new chapter in this storied history of our school,” the principal remarked. “This milestone has been four years in the making, and we are filled with excitement as we witness the fruits of our collective efforts.”
The former campus was destroyed by Hurricane Laura on August 27, 2020. The high school has been operating in modular buildings in the time since.
The January 12 groundbreaking was made even more special with several personal touches, including St. Louis Catholic High School coffee made by FBLA students; a huge pot of pastalaya cooked by Chef Randall Edwards, a member of the SLCHS faculty; and a scrumptious strawberry cake provided by Pronia’s Deli.
People were also invited to fill out prayer cards to be placed in a box and later buried beneath the foundation of the new school symbolizing collective hopes and prayers for the new campus.
Heroes of St. Louis
“The rebuilding of St. Louis Catholic High School is a story of survival, resilience, and faith,” said Mary Ann Moses, Chair of the New Campus Committee, in her remarks to those gathered. “Future students and faculties will forever walk in the footsteps that you leave behind.”
the land where the new campus of St. Louis Catholic High School
will be built. He is joined by the current rector, Very Rev. Ruben
Buller, left, and the school’s previous rector, Rev. Nathan Long, right.
Assisting as Master of Ceremonies is Very Rev. Joseph Caraway,
Chancellor for the Diocese of Lake Charles.
Directing comments to His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost, Moses said, “I have seen your unwavering support of our schools and your vision for the new campus. Figuratively and literally, we will see your hand in the design. Today, we are delighted to put a shovel in that hand!”
Moses emphasized the importance of Catholic education to so many families who stayed with St. Louis throughout these past four years.
“St. Louis was the most damaged high school in Southwest Louisiana and yet it was the first to reopen after Hurricane Laura. Even though the students and the faculty not once re-entered their brick-and-mortar buildings, they never took a step back, only forward,” said Moses. “The true heroes are the families, the students, and the faculty that have stayed with St. Louis and have kept it a thriving school.”
Moses also conveyed her gratitude for the FEMA response that got St. Louis Catholic back on its feet as well as their presence on the day of the groundbreaking.
Rona Marshall, FEMA’s Louisiana Integration and Recovery Office Chief of Staff, said that the federal agency is “proud to be a part in the rebuilding of the high school as well as several other rebuilding, elevation and historical preservation projects in partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles.”
“The word resilience really emanates seeing all of you here today with the weather being as bad as it is,” Marshall continued. “I am so very touched. Today is an exciting start to a new beginning for St. Louis Catholic High School.”
The groundbreaking was also an exuberant day for Sheryl Pedersen who lives near the site of the future campus with her husband Leif.
“The Village of Morganfield is so excited that St. Louis Catholic High school will soon be our neighbor,” said Sheryl. “I thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony!”
Acknowledgments
Rob Acord, Director of Advancement, took a few moments to express gratitude to a few key individuals, beginning with Bishop Provost for his support and guidance.
“Your leadership has been instrumental, and we are deeply grateful to your commitment to St. Louis Catholic High School,” he said. Acord also thanked Governor Jeff Landry, state Senator Mark Abraham, Mayor Nic Hunter; and Stephanie Rodrigue, Director of Temporal Goods, noting that their support has been “invaluable” to move this project forward.
Catholic High School on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Frigid rainy weather
forced a slight change in plans but did not dampen the spirits of so many
who have waited for this day for several years since Hurricane Laura
destroyed the former campus in August 2020.
"We are profoundly grateful to our Board of Pastors; our Rector, Father Ruben Buller, and our dedicated principal Kelly DeMolle for your tireless leadership and commitment in this vision,” Acord continued.
A special thank you was extended to architects Champeaux Evans Hotard + RHH Architects, APAC, A Joint Venture; Superintendent Kimberlee Gazzolo; Father Whitney Miller and Mike Veron, chairmen of the “Spreading Roots, Growing Saints” Capital Campaign; and past principal Mia Touchet.
The efforts of past Director of Advancement Matt Fontenot; past Rector, Father Nathan Long; members of various committees, and the St. Louis Catholic High School Foundation were also acknowledged.
Extending a special thank you to Mrs. Moses for her dedication of countless hours behind the scenes, Acord said, “Her commitment and tireless efforts have been pivotal to making this day possible.”
Following a Prayer of Blessing by Bishop Provost and music led by Colette Tanner and Father Whitney Miller, the first of several ceremonial groundbreaking photos took place as all sang, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
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To continue marching forward with St. Louis Catholic High School, visit their website at www.slchs.org for information on the “Spreading Roots, Growing Saints” Capital Campaign.
