On June 17, under a blazing morning sun, St. Thomas the Apostle Church celebrated the groundbreaking of its new $15.4 million education campus.

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis led the 200-plus parishioners, school families, donors, friends and neighbors in blessing the Pico-Union area site. As students sang, "On Holy Ground," ceremonial shovels scooping up dirt were wielded by Msgr. Jarlath Cunnane, pastor, and lead donors Dorothy and John Shea, among others.

The building project will include refurbishing and renovating St. Thomas' existing school building. Features will include a new 500-seat multi-purpose room and assembly hall; a new library, science and art classroom; a new playground for the elementary school; and a semi-subterranean parking and ground level parking for the parish and school.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed Reyes spoke of the significant role that St. Thomas has played in the mid-city neighborhood, where both the parish and school have served the community since for over 100 years. The new facility is expected to greatly enhance the services provided by both the parish (which serves over 9,000 families) and the school (which serves over 300 students), said Vince O'Donoghue, parish director of development.

Paul Westhead and Stephen Watkins, St. Thomas Advisory Board co-chairs, thanked the many donors, alumni and foundations who have contributed to the $14 million raised to date. They have been inspired, they said, by the many students, parents and parishioners they have encountered through the years.