BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

SANDY SPRINGS--The Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan School, the newest school in the archdiocese which is named to honor Atlanta's second archbishop, was dedicated Feb. 23 during a Mass celebrated by Archbishop John F. Donoghue.

The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Edward Dillon, vicar general, Father James Hartnett, SM, president of the Marist School, and Father Mark Lacey, chancellor of the archdiocese, who celebrates Mass at the school twice weekly.

Approximately 275 people attended the Mass of dedication including Dr. Sandra Smith, superintendent of Catholic schools, Anno Hardage, chancellor for operations and development, sisters of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, students and their families.

Jamie Arthur, director of development, and Sister Rita Marie Raffaele, GNSH, lectored. The Gospel was proclaimed by Father Lacey.

During his homily Archbishop Donoghue paralleled the risks that members of the school community had taken in establishing the school with those taken by Abraham.

"Abraham was the one who was called upon to take the biggest risks, the biggest chances and for no other reason except that God had asked him to do it," the archbishop said. "He left his home, he ventured into foreign and dangerous territory, he changed his own name, the name his own father had given him, because God asked him to. And then after so many years his wife Sarah had finally given him a son, Isaac,--God asked Abraham to take an even greater risk. God told Abraham to offer his own son as a sacrifice."

"Abraham took the chance, took the risk and set out to do God's will," the archbishop said. "And God was so moved by Abraham's obedience that he sent an angel to hold back Abraham's hand, so that Isaac's life might be spared."

The archbishop explained that when a man goes to the brink of offering his own son, that his reward has to be great. "And it was," the archbishop said. "?I will bless you abundantly,' God told Abraham ?and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sand of the seashore.' And that is exactly what God did, so that even today, thousands of years later, we still remember Abraham as our father in faith and number ourselves, at least in spirit, as his descendants."

The archbishop told the congregation that just like Abraham everyone who participated in the school's birth had risked something to make it happen. "First of all we risked failure, for it is always possible to fail," the archbishop said. "But there were other risks as well, smaller perhaps, but just as important. The young people took the risk of leaving behind a school where they were well-known and felt at home to come to the Donnellan School where there were new friends to make and new challenges to encounter. Parents took the risk of agreeing to support this school with part of their hard-earned money and of putting all their support into making it a good place for their children to be. And all the teachers and staff who work here decided to leave doing something else to take a chance on making this their new career and on making this the work that matters most to them."

The archbishop said all of these risks were offered to God in the spirit with which Abraham offered his own son; it was an offering of their best efforts and a new direction for their talents. "Our risks have paid off, our project has been successful, our wishes for our children and our dreams for the future of our church have come true," the archbishop said. "And why? St. Paul answers this question better than anybody else, when he says, ?If God is for us, who can be against us?'"

The gifts were brought to the altar by Lisa Perez, co-president of the Home and School Association, Laura Leahy, a faculty member of the Donnellan School and students representing each of the school's K-5 grades.

Before the final blessing Dr. Henry Perez, co-president of the Home and School Association, presented Sister Dawn Gear, GNSH, principal, with a piece of artwork. This framed linen cloth entitled "The Charter Students of the Donnellan School" contains a self-portrait of each of the school's 97 students stamped onto the cloth along with the child's signature. The artwork also has a rendering of the school crest along with the signature and self-portrait of Archbishop Donoghue.

After the Mass the archbishop was led by Sister Gear through the cafeteria, gymnasium, playground, two school buildings and the library as he blessed each of these areas. The archbishop prayed that the Holy Spirit would come into these rooms and remain with the students and teachers who fill these buildings with the sounds of life and growth.

During a special ceremony the library was dedicated to Sister Raffaele for her many years of service to the Lord in education.

"I was completely shocked and overwhelmed," Sister Raffaele said. "I had no idea and felt that I was not worthy of such an honor."

Sister Raffaele has served Catholic schools in the archdiocese for 30 years. In 1964 she came to St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, and taught social studies and economics for eight years. In 1972 she left Atlanta to become principal of Melrose Academy in Philadelphia. Three years later she returned to St. Pius where she served as assistant principal and dean of students until 1986 when she and Sister Gear left to establish St. John Neumann Regional School in Lilburn, the last school built in the archdiocese. At St. John Neumann she served as the assistant principal for eight years and taught fifth grade for two.

The Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan School was named for Atlanta's second archbishop who served the archdiocese for 19 years before his death in October, 1987.

"Archbishop Donnellan actually asked me to help him start St. John Neumann," Sister Gear said. "Being the founding principal at St. John Neumann was a real challenge but rewarding. When the opportunity came to start a school named for Archbishop Donnellan, because of his philosophy and what he did for Catholic education, I knew that I would like to be a part of a school dedicated in his honor. Because of my firm belief in Catholic education, it is rewarding to know that the Donnellan School will provide the opportunity to make Catholic education available to students in the archdiocese."

The school crest bears the Donnellan coat of arms and the words "Ministrare non Ministrari" which means "to serve and not be served."

"We do teach the students about him, (Archbishop Donnellan) but most importantly we share his philosophy with our students," Sister Gear said.

Defined as an independent private Catholic elementary school under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the school is projected to serve 540 students in grades kindergarten through eight. Currently the school serves approximately 100 students in grades K-5 and has a low student-teacher ratio of 18-1. School officials are adding a grade each year as the fifth grade progresses.

With the study of religion integrated throughout the curriculum, the Donnellan School offers classes in reading, language arts, science, social studies and mathematics. In addition, the school has a fine arts program, which includes classes in art, music and foreign cultures, a computer lab, a guidance program and physical education classes.

"The goal of the school is to develop a program that not only prepares students academically, but will also allow them to meet their responsibilities as adults in the Catholic Church," Sister Gear said.

The school is located at 4820 Long Island Drive in Sandy Springs and was the former facility of the Atlanta International School. The land was purchased for $3.4 million, Dec. 12, 1994.

Renovations included remodeling, painting, the addition of computers, a new phone system, furnishings and library materials. Eight additional classrooms were added and a cafeteria/auditorium, gymnasium and playground were also constructed.

The school is funded by the board of the Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan School through foundation grants, corporate and private donations and a loan that is being amortized through operations.

The school operates on a cost of education basis, that is, tuition covers the actual cost of educating a child. Parishes are not responsible for subsidizing the school. Tuition in the 1997-98 school year is $6,700.

For those unable to pay full tuition, the board has established a continuing assistance program. By providing this assistance school officials hope to maintain a socio-economic and racial balance of students.

The school has the sanction of the Atlanta Archdiocese and conforms with its policies. The school's admission, curriculum and compliance with the general educational policies stipulated by the archdiocese are subject to review by appropriate agencies of the archdiocese.

For information contact Jamie Arthur at (404) 255-0900.