Bishop Dedicates Education Center at St. Anthony Church

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/9/03)

The newly expanded education facility at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church was dedicated Jan. 5 by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde following the 11 a.m. Mass. The ceremony marked the closing of the parish’s 50^th anniversary celebration.

The new building and renovation of existing structures at Corpus Christi School are the result of "Project 2000," a $4 million fundraising campaign conducted under the leadership of Father Horace H. Grinnell, pastor. Parishioner Andy Doyle served as campaign chairman.

Father Grinnell said the new building will be a valuable year-round asset for the parish, school and Culmore community. In addition to administration offices and a gymnasium for the school, the renovations provide additional classroom space for a wide variety of community activities sponsored by the parish, including: English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, computer education programs, lecture series and immigration and insurance workshops.

The new multipurpose room is designed and equipped to host plays, pageants and social events. It also will be utilized by the school for physical education classes, basketball games and practices. The room was named in memory of Margaret A. Hofbauer, the wife of parishioner John Hofbauer.

Additional renovations to the existing school facility through "Project 2000" included new windows, air conditioning, an elevator, science lab and new tile in the cafeteria.

Father Grinnell welcomed Fairfax County supervisor Penny Gross, who he said has been helpful in various stages of the construction project. Also on hand for the ceremony were George Chiplock, Corpus Christi School principal; Martha Evans, chair of the parish pastoral council; Dr. Timothy McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools; and Moon Kim, diocesan supervisor of construction.

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