By Michael F. Flach
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 10/16/03)

The spirit of St. Francis De Sales was on display Oct. 12 at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax as Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde dedicated the school’s new student activity center.

PVI was staffed by the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales from its opening in 1983 until Phil V. Robey, the school’s first lay principal, replaced Oblate Father John Lyle on July 1, 2000.

The school’s new two-story addition was built at a cost of $6.5 million. It features a gymnasium, locker rooms, computer lab, coaches’ offices and wrestling room. The gym’s seating capacity of 1,200 will allow the entire student body to assemble together on school property for the first time in its history.

Bishop Loverde was the celebrant and homilist at the dedication Mass. Concelebrating with the bishop were former PVI principals Father Donald J. Heet, O.S.F.S., and Father Robert Mulligan, O.S.F.S.; Father Robert J. Rippy, diocesan chancellor; Father Frank Ready, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale; Father Gerry Weymes, pastor of St. Timothy Parish, Chantilly; Father Terry Specht, PVI chaplain; and Father Robert A. Mancini, O.S.F.S., former PVI religion teacher.

The bishop was among the honorees receiving the DeSales Award during the gala dinner. Others recognized included: Father Heet, Leo and Betty Alonso, the McGlone Family, Tom and Mary Moore, John and Cathy Muha, Jerry and Pam Pelano and Tom and Nancy Woodley.

The Woodleys also donated the bronze bust of Pope Paul VI which is displayed in the foyer outside the new gym.

Virginia Congressman Tom Davis was among the honored guests in attendance.

Leo Alonso, who was recognized for his work with PVI’s Options Program for special needs students, surprised the crowd after receiving his award by presenting Robey and the bishop with a $25,000 check for the Options Program on behalf of the International Order of Alhambra. It is the second straight year that the Alhambrans have donated $25,000 to PVI.

Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools, announced that architectural drawings of the two new diocesan high schools being planned for Prince William and Loudoun Counties include space for the Options Program.

PVI student scholars recognized at the dinner were Ryan Donnelly (St. Mark Parish), Lauren Knotts (St. Andrew Parish, Clifton), Erin Flynn (St. John Neumann Parish, Reston), Joseph Kurtenbach (St. Timothy Parish, Chantilly), Michael Geraghty (St. Mary of Sorrows Parish, Fairfax), John Mich (St. Joseph Parish, Herndon), Andrew James (Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Vienna) and Marie Zapolski (St. Leo the Great Parish, Fairfax).