BERLIN — Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison recently dedicated the new All Saints Regional Catholic School and Religious Education Center in Berlin.
Bishop Hying celebrated Mass at All Saints and then dedicated the new school shortly after the Mass.
Nearly 1,000 people were on hand to witness this historic event.
“This new building is about Jesus Christ and spreading his truth and love to our little ones,” said All Saints Parochial Administrator Fr. John Silva.
“May we bring these little saints to be big saints in the heavenly city with this new school.”
The new school sits atop the hill of State Rd. 49 in Berlin.
As Bishop Hying said, the location of the new school on the hill serves as a light for everyone to see.
“We know when we read the Scriptures that light is a primary symbol of God because it’s in the light of God that we can see things clearly . . . this bright light here on this hill will give light to all people who come here and come to know Christ,” said the bishop.
The new 41,000-square-foot facility was constructed by Ganther Construction and contains a science room, art room, library and media center, administrative offices, sick room, and gymnasium.
Beyond benefiting the over 240 school children, the space is also used for the religious education program, welcoming students from All Saints Parish and surrounding parishes.
“Our new building will continue to provide a Catholic education that is built around prayer and strong academics,” said Principal Jana Dahms.
“Our new library will give our students a place to fall in love with books, and our middle school science lab will help to create hands-on curriculum for our students. What is most exciting is being so close to church. We can now easily pray with the students, go into church to light a candle, and attend Mass.”
All Saints School is the last remaining Catholic school option in Green Lake, Marquette, and Waushara Counties.
“For more than 170 years there has been a Catholic presence in Berlin and it brings me great excitement and joy to serve and anticipate the future needs of the Catholic community,” said Dahms.