‘For the greater glory of God’
John Carroll Catholic unveils recent renovations
John Carroll Catholic unveils recent renovations
On Oct. 10, John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham held a press conference, inviting the public to see the school’s upgraded field house. During the press conference, David Shelby presented the school with a plaque from The Heisman Trophy Trust recognizing Pat Sullivan, 1968 graduate of John Carroll Catholic and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner. John Carroll was given permission to display the trademarked Heisman Trophy logo on the school's newly renovated field by the Heisman Foundation. The complete text of the bishop’s remarks follows herein.
On Oct. 10, John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham held a press conference, inviting the public to see the school’s upgraded field house. During the press conference, David Shelby presented the school with a plaque from The Heisman Trophy Trust recognizing Pat Sullivan, 1968 graduate of John Carroll Catholic and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner. John Carroll was given permission to display the trademarked Heisman Trophy logo on the school's newly renovated field by the Heisman Foundation. The complete text of the bishop’s remarks follows herein.
My dear friends, faculty, students, alumni, and benefactors of John Carroll Catholic High School, welcome one and all! Thank you, Father Jon! Today is an exciting day for the Diocese of Birmingham and for the John Carroll Catholic High School family! We gather to celebrate transformation — the visible sign of what happens when vision, faith, stewardship, and dedication come together for the glory of God and the good of His people whom we serve.
For many years, John Carroll Catholic High School and these grounds have formed generations of young men and women — in mind, heart, body, and soul — through learning lessons in classrooms, attending school Masses and retreats, forming new relationships, and honing physical skills through competition on the playing field. Yet as time passed, the facilities themselves began to show their age, especially on the field of competition. It became clear that when some of us gathered almost a year ago now, together we realized that we were called not simply to repair but to reform and transform this space into something extraordinary that reflects the excellence and vitality of the mission of John Carroll Catholic High School. We call it the “Cav way.” It has our fingerprints all over it!
Key alumni benefactors and school leaders have shared a joint vision to make this place unparalleled in excellence. Through the witness and conformity of so many hearts to God’s call, through the willingness to perform works of stewardship and service, and through the courage to inform our future with faith-filled vision, this dream has become an amazing reality today. For that we say, “Thank you – a thousand times – thank you!”
This new, state-of-the-art sports complex stands as more than steel, turf, locker rooms, and lights. It is a visible form of God’s grace, a place where our students will continue to grow, testing their strength and endurance, deepening their discipline, and learning that true victory comes not only from points on a scoreboard but from the integrity of heart and spirit.
May this field and these renewed buildings - the result of action by those who saw the need - be truly a field of dreams that inspires every student who steps upon it to strive for greatness not only in body but in mind, heart, and soul so that in all things Christ may be glorified and formed within their hearts.
As part of a larger plan, the future growth of this Catholic school invites others to join in this exciting and forward-looking mission to make this truly a place of excellence for mind, body, heart, and soul where we can truly become Christ’s disciples in the world today!
May God bless John Carroll Catholic High School, and may all who study, pray, play, and dream here do so for the greater glory of God. Thank you!
