In a recent meeting of Bishop Loverde and the Pastors of
the Diocese, two special guests were Sister Mary Jordan
Hoover, O.P. and Dr. Timothy McNiff. Dr. McNiff is the
Superintendent of Diocesan Schools, and Sister Mary
Jordan is the Principal of the new Diocesan High School,
John Paul the Great which will open in September 2008 in
Dumfries, Virginia. They shared with us (the Pastors), the
vision and plan for the new school. Dr. McNiff stated that
one of the primary goals in planning the building was that
anyone looking at the building should immediately be
aware, simply by its make-up, that it is a Catholic school.
This is reflected both in the architecture and the decoration
of the school – flowing arches in the center of the building
are reminiscent of the arches in the Gothic Churches of
Europe. Additionally, eleven life sized statues of saints are
to be found throughout the school.
From an academic point of view the school will seek to
provide the best quality of education without being elitist.
The school will offer a special programme for a number of
children with Downs Syndrome (as does Paul VI). These
children will not only benefit from the school themselves,
but also will be a source of inspiration and spiritual growth
for the other students.
One special aspect of the school’s academic programme
will be its emphasis on Catholic teaching on bioethics –
something absolutely new and unique for Catholic High
Schools. A sister of the Dominican Congregation of Sisters
of St. Cecelia, to which Sister Mary Jordan belongs, is
developing the bioethics curriculum. (It is my hope that
once the curriculum has been developed we can adopt it
for CCD).
The opening of an entirely new Catholic High School is
both exciting and – these days – rare. It is an example of
the health of the Diocese of Arlington and its faith. Bishop
Loverde additionally expressed his desire to open yet
another High School – this time in Loudoun County.
Something for us all to work and pray for.