Southeastern Part of Diocese to Benefit From Archdiocese of Mobile Parish
St. Michael Catholic Parish to Open New School
St. Michael Catholic Parish to Open New School
Father Michael Farmer, pastor of St. Michael Catholic Parish in Auburn, announced that the parish will initiate its first ever Catholic school in Auburn and the Lee County area. “After seven months of study and conversation with members of St. Michael and others, as well as an extensive feasibility study, support for a Catholic school was great,” Father Farmer stated.
Therefore, in consultation with the Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile, which Auburn is in, a new school will begin in August of 2022, offering in its first year a full day kindergarten, first, and second grade.
The principal will be Deborah A. Brooks of St. Michael Parish, currently principal at Pick Elementary School in Auburn.
“I am truly humbled and honored to serve the St. Michael Catholic Parish [and local] community in this new role,” said Brooks. “I look forward to seeing our students witness the ‘footprints of God’ in their daily lives.”
The initial year of the new school will have one class of 15-20 students per grade (K-2). Further expansion will take place based on enrollment. For the first couple of years, the church school will use the present facilities of St. Michael Parish located at 1100 N College St. However, plans are underway for the establishment of a new school campus on a 51-acre property on Cox Rd., purchased by St. Michael in 2021.
The school will be accredited by Cognia and provide the fullness of Catholic identity and the Church’s excellent heritage of Catholic education.
As a former graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Birmingham, Brooks personally experienced the tremendous impact a Catholic school education can provide. “It will be our goal to provide religious instruction, spiritual formation, and moral guidance to our students anchored on the Gospel teachings and values which revolve around a profound love for God, a deep respect for people, and unselfish service to the community and the environment.”
Enrollment will begin in March 2022. More information will be made available through St. Michael Parish’s website, stmichaelsauburn.com.
St. Michael Catholic School is a ministry of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish and the Archdiocese of Mobile.
