On Jan. 16, Bishop Steven Raica visited John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham for two reasons: to celebrate Mass and to break ground on upgrades to the school’s athletic facilities, primarily Pat Sullivan Field and its surrounding track. 

Looking out into a sea of green blazers, the bishop addressed the students, noting how easy it can be to overlook extraordinary things that happen in our everyday lives. “The discoveries we make, day by day,” he explained, “help to solidify our direction, give meaning and purpose to us, and enable us to become more effective individuals who have responded generously to God’s call to be all we can be.” Growth in mind, body, and spirit, the bishop continued, is at the heart of John Carroll Catholic’s mission. 

Bishop Raica then pointed to that very mission being encouraged by “a team of individuals who are giving of themselves” because they are “hearing God’s voice to make a difference” and “responding with gratitude with their time and resources.” In what seemed to be an allusion to the groundbreaking and impending renovations, Bishop Raica concluded by saying, “We want our administrators, our faculty, our staff, our students, the wrap-around support of families, and generous benefactors to be all in on the mission that this school represents. We want, above all, our students, our academics, our sports, our mission here to exceed expectations.”

Following Mass, an informal procession of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and benefactors made its way from the gym to Pat Sullivan Field where two excavators were strategically parked for students to gather around. Before the blessing of the ground, the bishop climbed the earth mover with Father Jon Chalmers, the school’s president, and key benefactors for a photo and drone fly-over as students cheered. The ceremony concluded with Bishop Raica, Father Chalmers, Principal Ronald Steele, Catholic Schools Superintendent Margaret Dubose, Class of 1969 graduate Gary Cooney, Pat Sullivan’s widow Jean Sullivan, and others taking a shovel in hand to overturn a chunk of grass. Students eagerly followed suit with dirt and grass flying through the air. 

The much-anticipated renovation and upgrades are courtesy of the John Carrol Catholic High School Excellence in Athletics Foundation, which was approved by Bishop Raica in 2023 as a donor-driven non-profit entity specifically designed to upgrade, expand, and support the school’s athletic facilities, enhance the overall student and alumni experience, and serve as a resource for the broader community. With a guaranteed $2.7 million investment, the project will include the conversion of the Pat Sullivan Field from natural grass to synthetic turf, installation of a new six-lane running track, installation of shot-put and high jump facilities, installation of a state-of-the-art video scoreboard, and an update of stadium lighting and fencing. Barring any unforeseen obstacles, the project is slated to be complete in August of this year, just in time for football season. 

Reflecting on the undertaking, Steele pointed out that the school’s wholistic education of its students will be reflected in the completed project, which will serve the 67 individual middle school and high school teams that “proudly wear the Cavalier name.” 

The palpable excitement of the day was echoed by Father Chalmers. “Our school is growing and building on its strong 78-year heritage in the Birmingham region,” he said. “This project is a strong statement of the dedication, leadership, and commitment of the foundation board members and many other graduates and supporters. The investment comes from their hearts and their love of Catholic education for current and future generations of families,” the priest concluded. 

To join in supporting this project, John Carroll Catholic High School, or the Excellence in Athletics Foundation, please contact Father Chalmers at 205.940.2400.

To read Bishop's Raica's homily from the school Mass, please click here.