St. Francis Xavier Parish and School leadership will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of its School and Faith Education Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 27 on the school playground.

            The parish community recently hit a fundraising milestone and has $7.7 million pledged toward its School and Faith Education Center. The groundbreaking for Phase A will start construction that when complete, will provide a 34,000-square-foot facility on its existing site, at the cost of $6.5 million.

It will consist primarily of a two-story east wing and will contain a student activity center with gym/cafeteria, performance area, kitchen, storage, and classrooms for pre-K and kindergarten on the first floor. On the second floor will be sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms and a science center. Outside will be hard surface play areas, a dedicated play area for Pre-K and kindergarten, and increased parking next to 3rd Street.

            “We are about one year ahead of schedule,” said pastor Daniel Sullivan, SJ. “That is due in large part to our generous community of families, individuals and organizations who have contributed to our project as well as our major donor who stepped forward to allow us to break ground a year ahead of schedule and take advantage of the lower construction costs that are a current reality.”

            In addition to blessing the construction site and burying a time capsule, diocesan representatives, parish and community leaders will recognize the close to 1,000 donors who have contributed to this project.

            Following the completion of the School and Faith Education Center, the parish will continue to build a Parish Center, Parish Hall, Prayer Garden and Plaza and additional parking.