PALM SPRINGS | It took a bit longer than anticipated, but St. Luke Parish and School finally broke ground Sept. 30, 2024, on an expansion that has been in the works for more than a decade.
The new building, located where the original church building stood from 1961 until it was demolished this summer, will feature about 27,000 square feet with a full-size gymnasium/parish hall and seating for 450, kitchen and cafeteria, and six classrooms on the second floor, including ones for science and art.
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito blessed the construction site, joined by Father Andrew Brierley, St. Luke’s pastor, who was celebrating his birthday; Principal Diann Bacchus, school faculty, staff and students; civic officials; architects and contractors; and parishioners.
Leading prayers in the blazing sun during the short ceremony, the bishop said, “Whenever we look to the interests of our young people and serve them, we are, in a sense, God’s own co-workers. Let us pray for his help through this celebration, my brothers and sisters, that God will bring this construction of the St. Luke Parish Center, gymnasium, cafetorium and classrooms to successful completion, and that this protection will keep those who work on it safe from all injury.”
A student read from the first letter to the Cor 3:9-11: “For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.”
Father Brierley said previously that he hopes the new building will help St. Luke School keep growing and compete with local public and charter schools. “Parents expect nice facilities, a science room, computer room, a gymnasium, fine arts. The public schools around are offering it. We’ve got to be able to say we can step up and provide the facilities.”
Construction, estimated at $12 million, is expected to take about 15 months, opening in January 2026, Bacchus said. If all goes as planned, she said, this time next year they will be doing electrical work on the building. “From October to January, we’ll do all the finishing on the inside, and we’re done.”
During the ceremony, Bishop Barbarito asked God “that the undertaking we begin today for your glory and our own well-being, may progress day by day to its successful completion. Bless this ground, bless this building to be constructed. Bless all those who are part of St. Luke School and community, and may they always know the goodness of your presence among them.”
The bishop added that it was a pleasure for him to be at the school, which “represents so well in our diocese what Catholic education is all about. We’re very proud of the school and the work that’s done here, the faculty, the staff and all of you, the young people who have such a great spirit.”
For more information about St. Luke School, visit https://stlukepalmsprings.org or connect on Facebook, Instagram or X. To learn about the parish, go to www.stlukeparish.com. Check out all local Catholic schools by going to www.diocesepbschools.org and diocesan social media.
