Blessing and Grand Opening of Pope John Paul the Great High School on Sunday, August 17

 

 

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will bless the newest Diocesan high school, Pope John Paul the Great, which opens its doors to students on August 25: 
 

    Blessing and Grand Opening

    Sunday, August 17, 2 p.m.

    Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School

    17700 Dominican Drive

    Dumfries, Virginia 22026

 

 

    Included in the celebration will be the blessing of the school, remarks by students of the first freshman and sophomore classes, a reception, self-guided tours and a chance to meet the faculty and staff.

 

    “Named for our late Holy Father who upheld the dignity of all human life and who connected so closely with youth, I am thrilled that Pope John Paul the Great joins the ranks of our other three outstanding diocesan high schools.  This building represents the culmination of the efforts of so many faithful,” said Bishop Loverde.

 

    Pope John Paul the Great is distinctive for its integrated and comprehensive bioethics curriculum - the first of its kind in the country. Written by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, faculty members and administrators at the school, this unique 4-year curriculum includes courses such as ‘Bioethical Issues at the End of Life’ and will explore relevant issues including euthanasia, human cloning and stem-cell research.

 

    “It was striking how many students wrote about the Bioethics program in their application essay when asked why they wanted to come to Pope John Paul the Great. That is one of many confirmations that our flagship curriculum comes at an important time. We have also had tremendous interest from schools around the country, the national press, and other organizations about our unique Bioethics curriculum,” said Principal Sister Mary Jordan Hoover, O.P.

 

    The Bioethics program enhances the core accredited college-prep curriculum, which includes rigorous study in the fields of Religion, English, Math, Science, History, World Language, Fine Arts, Business, Technology and Health/Physical Education.

 

    The state-of-the-art facility includes interactive electronic whiteboards and projectors in each classroom, video-conferencing capabilities, eight modern science labs, a collegiate-style library, a professional stage and 500-seat theater, bistro seating in the food-court-style cafeteria, football, soccer/lacrosse and baseball fields, two gyms,  wireless Internet access, weight and wrestling rooms and varsity and junior varsity locker rooms. Pope John Paul the Great will host more than 20 home games this fall, and participate in close to 90 competitive athletic events this coming year. Student leaders will also begin clubs, committees and extracurricular activities including a student newspaper and drama club.

 

    On his recent visit to the U.S., Pope Benedict XVI blessed the school’s tabernacle at the Papal Mass at Nationals Stadium in Washington, DC. This was the only item to be blessed by name at the Papal Mass.

 

    Construction began in September 2006, and photos of the progress can be viewed here.  The project was funded by bonds, ongoing payment of pledges to the diocese’s first-ever capital campaign—Rooted in Faith-Forward in Hope—and additional fundraising efforts.

 

    Over 400,000 registered Catholics belong to the 68 parishes of the Arlington Diocese, which has opened six new parishes, five  new schools, and established three new missions since 1999.  Further information can be found at www.arlingtondiocese.org .

 

Date Published: 2008-08-13 17:50:37

Section: Local Community Announcements,