Freeburg Holy Family School expansion begins
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After 40 days of Lent and 50 days of Easter, the Church was back in Ordinary Time.
A perfect time to start building something extraordinary.
“God often works through ordinary events and moments of our life, through our ordinary prayer, in and out of classrooms, in our friendships and our teachers and our parish families,” observed Father William Debo, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Freeburg and Sacred Heart Parish in Rich Fountain.
The priest stood in front of powerful earth-moving equipment parked next to Holy Family School in Freeburg, surrounded by dignitaries and about 200 people from the parish and larger community.
It was time to break ground for a substantial addition to Holy Family School, the first to be made since 1975.
“This much-needed addition is not simply about bricks and mortar,” Fr. Debo noted. “It’s about creating a place where hearts and minds are formed to grow in greater wisdom, knowledge and the love of Christ.
“The ground that we break today becomes holy ground, where people will encounter Jesus and discover the many gifts that God has placed in each of them,” he said.
Joining Fr. Debo at the podium were Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell, school representatives and members of the committees responsible for planning and raising money for the addition.
Fr. Debo was going to say the project was about 10 years in the making, but Sister Linda Maune of the School Sisters of Notre Dame reminded him that people had been waiting for this addition for at least as long as she’s been a member of the faculty.
That would be 42 years.
“We’re building more than a school,” said Sr. Linda. “We’re building a launchpad for dreams.”
The addition, costing an estimated $6 million, will include additional classrooms; a safe, off-street drop-off area; a modern kitchen and cafeteria; a fully functioning regulation-size gym; necessary repairs to the existing building, including the electrical systems; remodeling the existing kitchen and cafeteria into classrooms; and converting the basement back into much needed storage while maintaining an area for parish meeting rooms.
Fr. Debo called the project — which is being paid for through the parish’s “Building a Legacy of Learning” capital campaign — the beginning of yet another historic chapter in the life of the parish, the school and the entire community.
“We’re making a truly blessed investment in our future here at Holy Family,” the priest stated. “A future of faith, of education, community-building, a future for not only our children, but also for generations to come.”
Bishop O’Donnell, looking up at the twin spires of Holy Family Church, congratulated the parish and community for building upon what previous generations had provided, for the current generation and generations to come.
“I come here in absolute gratitude,” he said, “following in the footsteps of my predecessors, following all these years of you giving your time and your commitment, your talent and your treasure.
“May God continue to bless you in all your efforts,” he stated. “I look forward to the day when we will come to dedicate the building itself.”
Solid foundation
Recent Holy Family graduate Riley Stieferman opened the ceremony by singing “The Church’s One Foundation.”
Debbie Reinkemeyer, principal of Holy Family School and of Sacred Heart School in Rich Fountain, said the groundbreaking was more than the beginning of a construction project.
“It is a continuation of a mission that has been alive in this community for well over a century,” she stated.
She spoke of the partnership among parishioners, parents, students, teachers and community members who believe deeply in Catholic education.
“Since its founding in 1904, Holy Family School has stood as a testament to faith, sacrifice and perseverance,” said Mrs. Reinkemeyer.
She pointed to how the parish’s founding families built the original two-story school and convent, weathered financial hardships and built the current building after the first one burned in 1934.
“Each generation has left its mark, so the next generation could flourish,” she said. “We are honored to continue that legacy.”
Sr. Linda said the parish was breaking ground for “countless future moments that will last a lifetime.”
She said she was proud to represent the 95 School Sisters of Notre Dame who have taught at the school since 1923.
Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger founded the SSND congregation to transform the world by making Christ present through the ministry of education.
Sr. Linda noted that for SSNDs, “education means enabling persons to reach the fullness of their potential as individuals created in God’s image, and assisting our students to use their gifts for building up God’s Kingdom.”
She said the expanded school will present students new opportunities to learn, serve and deepen their relationship with Christ.
“This building is going to be a place where curiosity is celebrated, where creativity flourishes, and where every child is empowered to reach his or her full potential,” she said. “Within these walls we’ll nurture not just students but future leaders, innovators and change-makers.”
Looking ahead
Expansion of the school is long overdue.
In recent years, the parish has converted the stage in the school for use as a classroom.
The school has expanded to two lunch shifts, while using the cafeteria before and after lunch as a classroom.
Even portions of the basement — which was originally meant for storage and mechanical equipment — has been converted into classrooms and library space.
Mrs. Reinkemeyer said the expansion project is analogous to the parish’s commitment to investing in its children and in its Catholic faith.
“We are always building for the future,” she said.
Mrs. Reinkemeyer pointed to a time capsule filled with special items, letters, memories and reflections from current Holy Family students.
“Years from now, when this capsule is opened, families will have the chance to look back and see the faith, hope and spirit that filled the school community in 2026,” she said.
Parishioner and building committee member Ryan Libbert kept hope for the project for years.
“A lot of amazing people have been working together on this,” he said. “They’ve spent countless hours working and developing, devoting their time and talents to getting us to where we are today.”
He recalled that plans for this latest expansion were begun in 2006 but were halted in 2008 due to the Great Recession.
They were revived in 2022 after a 14-year hiatus.
Although the world has changed substantially since Holy Family School first opened, the people who originally built it shared the same dream as those who are building the addition: “to create a place where young minds can discover their potential, learn their faith and build a better future.”
“That legacy lives on in every student who walks these halls, in every teacher who inspires curiosity, and in every family that entrusts this parish community with their child’s education,” said Mr. Libbert.
He thanked everyone for their ongoing support to the school and this project.
“It means our students will have the tools and environment they deserve to meet the challenges of this rapidly changing world,” he said.
Responding in faith
Parishioner Nyla Bassett, chair of the “Building a Legacy of Learning” campaign, has been working to keep the project on track and moving forward.
“This expansion reflects a commitment to giving students the space, resources and opportunities they need to grow academically, spiritually and personally, for generations to come,” she said.
She noted that Catholic schools aren’t just places of education.
“They are the heart of the community, where faith is strengthened, values are taught, and lifelong friendships are formed,” she said.
“A strong school strengthens families, and strong families strengthen the community,” she stated.
Mrs. Bassett is convinced that God placed the right people together for this at exactly the right time.
“He has been beside us throughout this process and has been incredible,” she said.
She shared an experience she had while praying at Mass in Holy Family Church.
“On that day, I asked Jesus for his help,” she said. “I asked for guidance, and I asked him to show me whether we should move forward with this project or not.”
She became immediately aware that God intended for the community to build something that will serve generations yet to be born.
“From that point on, I knew this project was bigger than any one person,” she said. “I truly believe we’re doing exactly what we’ve been called to do.”
“Your school”
Bishop O’Donnell sprinkled holy water onto the ground and asked God to bless the site and the people.
Joining the bishop, Fr. Debo, Mrs. Reinkemeyer, Sr. Linda, Mr. Libbert, Mrs. Bassett and architect Colby Stuecken in turning over shovelfuls of dirt were Isabella Stuecken, a recently graduated eighth-grader, and Lillian Stuecken, who will begin preschool at Holy Family School this fall.
Fr. Debo tipped his hard hat to the members of the building committee, the capital campaign committee, the contractor for the project, the school’s faculty and staff, the parish pastoral council, the finance council, past, present and future school families, and faithful parishioners.
He prayed for the safety and security of all who would be part of the project.
He led the people in praying the Building a Legacy of Learning Prayer that Sr. Linda had composed.
“May the students who will come here grow in knowledge, faith and love,” the people prayed. “May Christ enter this building and fill it with his peace. May all who enter this place of learning find love, kindness and hope.”
Sr. Linda pointed to her fellow educators as “the heart and soul of this endeavor.”
“Your passion, dedication and your ability to inspire will transform these bricks and mortar into a place for learning,” she told them.
She promised the parents that their children will receive “an education that prepares them not just for tests but for life.”
“Students, this is your school,” she said to the children present. “These halls will echo with your laughter, your questions and your ideas.
“This is where you will discover your passions, face challenges and achieve things you never thought possible.”
Donations large or small can be made to the “Building a Legacy of Learning” capital campaign online at holyfamilyfreeburg.com. All donations are tax-deductible.
