Fr. Michael Caruso, SJ, director of education and superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Belleville, blesses a new classroom and students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School on May 13 in Red Bud. A fire damaged the school in May 2024 (David Wilhelm photos).
Students, teachers, parishioners and other community members came together May 13 to turn the page on what was an anything-but-normal year at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Red Bud.
A May 4, 2024, electrical fire, combined with smoke damage, forced much of the school to be gutted and renovated.
During the process, trailers were used as classroom space, although the library, computer lab, cafeteria, kitchen, preschool room and gymnasium were not damaged.
The school is fully operational once again, and Fr. Michael Caruso and Msgr. Dennis Schaefer led a special Mass that was followed by a dedication and Fr. Caruso blessing the new classrooms and the students that occupied them.
Fr. Caruso, also the director of education and superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Belleville, stepped in for former Belleville Bishop Michael McGovern, who originally was scheduled to attend. McGovern, however, recently began his new appointment as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Neb.
“This is a happy day for your parish, your school and Red Bud,” Fr. Caruso said during his homily. “It has not been an easy year. Many sacrifices had to be made. But here we are.”
Msgr. Schaefer also spoke briefly, thanking the many people who became involved with getting the school back up to speed during a transitional phase.
“I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have helped us over the past year,” Msgr. Schaefer said. “It’s been a blur.”
For more information about St. John the Baptist Catholic School, visit www.sjbcatholicschoolredbud.org.