ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ BLESSES, DEDICATES NEW BUILDING AT ST. GERTRUDE THE GREAT SCHOOL IN BELL GARDENS DURING NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
February 2, 2022  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

Archbishop José H. Gomez today led a dedication and blessing of a new building at St. Gertrude the Great School in Bell Gardens, as part of the school’s Catholic Schools Week celebrations. The new school building includes a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) laboratory, a faculty lounge and meeting room —which the campus has never had— a counselor’s office, physical education equipment garage and a new TK (transitional kindergarten), kindergarten and first grade classrooms, which replace modular units and will offer their youngest students a place of permanence as they grow and learn. You can watch the ceremony here.

“This week we come together to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff and families that make our Catholic schools great,” said Archbishop Gomez. “This new building is a symbol of our commitment as a community of faith to continue to invest in our schools and in the future of our students.”

“This building will significantly impact both our school and parish community now and into the future,” said St. Gertrude the Great Parish Pastor Fr. Nabor Rios. “The addition of a brand-new STEM lab, offers St. Gertrude the Great students an opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams as they move into a competitive and demanding world where these skills are both needed and valued.”

Catholic schools across the tri-county Archdiocese of Los Angeles, spanning Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, have been celebrating National Catholic Schools Week, (January 30 – February 5), hosting activities throughout the week for students, families, parishioners, and community members in-person and virtually, such as reciting special prayers for the nation and honoring teachers, parents, and essential workers. Students will also take part in celebratory sports and team-building activities throughout the week as well as service activities, both locally and beyond, as they demonstrate the values and faith they gain through their Catholic education and learn how to make the world a better place.

“Our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese exemplify this year’s National Catholic School Week theme, Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service,” said Senior Director and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Paul Escala. “We have experienced a 2.6% system-wide increase in enrollment, academic performance growth and many of our schools have received grants to make facility improvements and add new academic programs for our students. The success of our Catholic schools is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff and families.”

Since 1851, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese provide faith-based education where students receive tools for success in college and in their future careers focused on a commitment to service to their local and global communities. Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese boast innovative programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), dual-language immersion and robotics. To learn more on Catholic education in the Archdiocese visit lacatholicschools.org and follow instagram.com/catholicedla and facebook.com/catholicedla. For information about 2022 Catholic Schools Week (January 30 – February 5) visit LACatholics.org and NCEA.org Catholic Schools Week 2022.

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