Marquette Catholic Groundbreaking

BELLEVUE, Iowa — Surrounded by at least 300 people — including more than 200 students from Marquette Catholic Schools — Principal Geoffrey Kaiser was all smiles Wednesday morning.

“It’s a day where it’s impossible not to smile and be happy because we are a part of history here today, and it’s just one day that’s a special day in our school’s tradition and our parishes’ tradition of having great days,” he said.

School and church officials, students and community members gathered to celebrate a groundbreaking for a $3 million project to construct a building that will serve both Marquette Catholic Schools and the community.

It will include a multipurpose space to be used as a cafeteria, practice gym and reception hall. Another part of the building will house a community center where community and parish members can gather.

When it is completed, Marquette Catholic Schools’ buildings will be connected, making them more safe and secure, Kaiser said.

The addition will provide for school needs in many ways, he said, noting that current school facilities only house one gym and that students eat lunch in the nearby St. Joseph Church basement. The project also will include the paving of a parking lot where the old middle school building used to be.

Of the $3 million needed for the project, $2.7 million has been raised so far via a capital campaign, said the Rev. Phillip Kruse, pastor of St. Joseph Parish and pastoral coordinator for Marquette Catholic Schools. (full article...)

BY ALLIE HINGA , Dubuque Telegraph Herald, October 20, 2016

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