BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

CUMMING--The dream of the founding families of Pinecrest Academy became a reality Nov. 24 when Archbishop John F. Donoghue broke ground for a permanent facility to include boys and girls private independent Catholic grade schools and high schools.

According to a conceptual master plan drawn up by Collins, Cooper & Carusi architects, the 53-acre site in south Forsyth County will house an elementary school for girls, an elementary school for boys, a girls high school and chapel, a boys high school and chapel, a science building, theater/auditorium, dining hall, elementary and high school gymnasium and administrative offices. The plan also includes a residence for priests and brothers of the Legionaries of Christ who provide spiritual direction for the school community.

Each of the four schools is expected to serve 328 students. Construction is to begin immediately on the modular facility which will serve students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and to be complete by the beginning of the 1998-99 academic year. The timetable for completion of the high schools is undetermined.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Archbishop Donoghue blessed the cornerstone which will be presented to Pope John Paul II for his blessing when Rev. Mr. Scott Reilly, LC, is ordained a priest Dec. 24 in Rome.

Inscribed on the cornerstone is the school motto, Semper Altius, which means "always higher." The expression signifies that students are expected to strive for higher spiritual and academic standards under the protection of Jesus Christ. The educational philosophy of the school is "To Teach, To Educate, To Form."

Also on the cornerstone is the school crest which consists of a shield divided into four sections. In the upper left is a mountain with stars which symbolizes the spirit of constant improvement in all areas of formation. In the lower left are the book and torch which represent faith in the word of God. In the upper right is the anvil which symbolizes constancy in work and prayer. The lower right features armor, a symbol of courage and a fighting spirit.

Wearing a hard hat inscribed with the school logo, Archbishop Donoghue turned over the first shovel of dirt. He was followed by Michael Kuse, Frank Hanna III, John Gannon and Father John Hopkins, LC. Pinecrest students Aggie Rodriguez and Justin Nevarez, with the archbishop's assistance, turned over the next shovel of dirt. Msgr. Terry Young, pastor of St. Benedict Church, Duluth, was also in attendance.

In preparation for the groundbreaking students gathered at All Saints Church, Dunwoody, for recitation of the joyful mysteries of the rosary and Benediction led by Archbishop Donoghue and Msgr. Donald Kiernan, All Saints pastor. Pinecrest has used the activities building at All Saints as its school facility since 1995.

During his homily the archbishop said that Benediction is a simple and short ceremony that gives one a strong shot of grace. "I believe grace is what we need to receive as we embark upon a new era in the life of Pinecrest Academy."

"When we begin any journey, when we commence upon any adventure, it is always in our best interest to invoke Christ, his Blessed Mother and all the saints of God---to ask them to help us in our work of building and exploration," the archbishop said. "And the fact of Christ's presence, visible here before us at the Benediction, reminds us of what he wishes us to learn from his example."

The archbishop told the students to be meek and merciful, to hunger after justice, to build peace among men, to be pure of heart and to be a light to the world showing all people the goodness of God.

"These are the things that are taught at Pinecrest---these are the ideals which permeate all the other disciplines that make up the curriculum---and we can only be confident of success at our new building, in our new home, if we hold fast to these wonderful precepts, these wonderful beatitudes of our Lord."

The archbishop told those in attendance to thank God for what he has shared with them. "I also think we should thank one another for the mutual commitment we have been able to maintain as this wonderful school has risen from its beginnings to the state of vigor and health which it now enjoys. A special word of thanks is due to the people of All Saints Parish and to their devoted and loving pastor, Msgr. Kiernan, for opening their spiritual home to shelter Pinecrest Academy and to provide a launching ground for the school's new permanent facility."

Mary Welch Rogers, from the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, was the cantor for the service and led students in singing "Truly Present," the song she wrote for the Eucharistic Renewal in the archdiocese.

Parents in attendance were happy to see the academy take another step in preserving the future of the school.

"We finally have a place we can call home," said Suzanne Hogan, a parent of two students. "This is truly the realization of a dream for so many of us. This school has meant so much to my family. It is so important to know that what we are teaching at home is being taught and reinforced in the school and vice-versa. We work together as a team."

The academy currently serves approximately 150 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. At present the school is co-educational, but school officials say that classes will become single-sex as the student population grows.

In addition to core curriculum subjects, classes are offered in physical education, music, art and Spanish.

Since the sacramental life of the church is strongly stressed, a Communion service is available for students, faculty, staff and parents every day after school. Several parents said that they chose Pinecrest for their children for this very reason.

Karla Nevarez said she chose to send her children to Pinecrest because when she visited the school the first thing school officials showed her was the chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.

"I wanted my children to attend a school where they would get to know Jesus," she said. "This is Pinecrest's top priority."

The school was formed in 1993 by a group of Catholic businessmen, educators and lay leaders who worked together under the spiritual direction of the Legionaries of Christ religious congregation. The school opened in a former public school purchased by Crabapple First Baptist Church and remained there for two years. In 1995 the school moved to the activities building of All Saints Church. They are currently at the maximum capacity for the parish facility. Pinecrest purchased the 53-acre site at 955 Peachtree Parkway for $1.6 million Aug. 26.

Arlene Gannon, one of the founders of Pinecrest Academy, has been acting principal since it was established in 1993. When Gannon and her husband moved to Atlanta from Chicago in 1992, she was told that Catholic schools in the archdiocese were at their enrollment capacity and that her children could be on a waiting list for at least three years prior to admission. Gannon said that this fact, in addition to her son's experience studying for the priesthood with the Legionaries of Christ, led her to begin Pinecrest Academy.

Gannon earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education in 1972 from Slippery Rock State College in Pittsburgh and her master's in education from Penn State University in 1975.

"It was the Legionaries of Christ who encouraged us as lay Catholic educators to help the church here in Atlanta by opening a school where children could learn their Catholic faith and in which solid academics would be incorporated with character education," Gannon said. "So after much prayer and trusting that this was God's will, we began the work...We have had to work hard and sacrifice much, but five years later I continue to thank God every day for the many blessings that he has showered on the school, especially our staff and families who work so hard to build the kingdom of Christ right here in Atlanta, all because we believe in Catholic education."