Catholic high school in Cranberry will carry Wuerl name
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When a new Catholic high school building opens in Cranberry in fall 2013, it will bear the name of a Pittsburgh native and longtime local bishop.
"I was really deeply honored by this extraordinary privilege to have this new educational enterprise in the North Hills associated in any way with me," said Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School won't be an entirely new enterprise. It will relocate North Catholic High School in Troy Hill, keeping its Marianist religious tradition while expanding with new programs. The projected $54 million to $60 million cost is the largest construction project in recent diocesan history, and is to be raised by a capital campaign.
The new school will be built on 70 acres along Route 228 across from St. Kilian Catholic Elementary School. Planners anticipate up to 1,000 students.
"Our goal is to create the pre-eminent private co-educational high school situation in the fastest growing population center in southwestern Pennsylvania," said the Rev. Kris Stubna, secretary for Catholic education of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
"Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School will be a model of Catholic education for the entire country -- academic excellence, value-centered, faith-filled and family-based."
Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh said that the cardinal, his mentor, earned the honor.
"In recognition of the tremendous contributions made by Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl ... during his 18 years as bishop of Pittsburgh and his nationally recognized leadership in Catholic education, it is most fitting that we will dedicate this exciting project in his name," he said.
During Cardinal Wuerl's 1988-2006 tenure as bishop, he was forced to close several high schools and merge others as the diocese grappled with the region's population loss. That was painful for the cardinal and made the name all the more meaningful.
Bishop Zubik "has taken the focus on Catholic education to a whole new level," he said. "He's looking to the future, and that's what this school is all about. We had to go through a good bit of consolidation years ago, but we also were able to put into place policies that stabilized the schools."
Cardinal Wuerl is eager to see the school built and dedicated.
"I'd be thrilled to be invited back when that time comes. In the meantime, I will be praying for the success of the whole effort," he said.
First Published April 2, 2011 12:00 am
