Our Lady in Mt. Carmel Church was packed at the 11 a.m. liturgy on Oct. 9 as people celebrated not only the Mass but also the day on which ground would be broken for the new regional parish school.

At the ground breaking, the excitement was palpable as “dignitaries” assembled with Msgr. Kenneth Schaefer and Msgr. Thomas Flach, vicar forane and pastor at St. Joseph in Marion and St. Paul in Johnston City.

A number of people gave Msgr. Schaefer checks for the new school, including Harry L. Crisp II of Pepsi MidAmerica who reminded Msgr. Schaefer that 18 of his grandchildren attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. Crisp was also one of the people who turned a spade of dirt at the ground breaking.

Also taking a turn with the ceremonial shovels were student representatives of the present school.

A reception followed in the parking lot. Please click on  olmc for more photos.

At present 266 students are enrolled, and they come from Herrin, Energy, Marion, Creal Springs, Carterville, Johnston City, DeSoto, Zeigler-Royalton, Elkville, and Carbondale, school principal, Faye Myatt, said.

It is truly a regional Catholic school, and the ground work on the property is slated to begin within the next few days. So far, the parish has donations and pledges totaling $3,396,654.01, Myatt added.

To donate, please contact the parish at 618-942-3114 or go to their website: ourladyofmtcarmelherrin.weshareonline.org