St. Michael Catholic School in Auburn opens with ribbon cutting, blessing

By SARAH WIESE
For The Catholic Week
AUBURN — Aug. 22, 2022, was a significant day in archdiocesan history: the opening of St. Michael Catholic School in Auburn. Rev. Msgr. Michael L. Farmer presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony where parents, staff, and community stakeholders gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion.  
“What a blessing today (is) for St. Michael Parish and our future,” Msgr. Farmer shared. “The hallmark of the parish is always looking forward to advancing the Gospel. St. Michael Catholic School is yet another essential chapter of that story. I am so blessed to be part of this chapter.” 
The St. Michael the Archangel Knights of Columbus Council #8696 presented the American and Vatican flags while Jacquie Cruz, St. Michael Catholic School’s music teacher and a military wife, beautifully sang the National Anthem. Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Alabama State School Board of Education member Tracie West, and Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Mobile Gwen Byrd all gave brief remarks. 
In addition to Anders and West, local notable guests included State Rep. Joe Lovvorn, Auburn City Councilman Jay Hovey, Lee Vanoy (representing U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers), and Jordan Mills (representing U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville). Assistant Superintendents Karen Abreo and Ginger Koppersmith also attended this momentous occasion from the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education.
Students were ushered from their classrooms to the newly rebranded school entrance and held a shiny red ribbon as Msgr. Farmer, St. Michael Parochial Vicar Fr. Peyton Plessala, St. Mary of the Mission Pastor Fr. Gil Pierre, and Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi offered a general blessing over the new school community. All were smiling as Miss Byrd and St. Michael Catholic School Principal Debbie Brooks cut the red ribbon with giant red scissors.
“All of the planning, the collaboration, the prayers, and our desire to glorify God came together in a beautiful way to make today very special,” said Mrs. Brooks. “When you go back and look a year ago when we were completing a feasibility study, asking ‘can we do this,’ and then to see all of the steps in between: watching all of it come together was incredible.”
Following the ribbon cutting, Archbishop Rodi led a small procession through the school during which he met the school children and blessed each classroom and office. It was a day of genuine happiness for everyone. This school is the deep assurance of God’s goodness and provident care.
When people ask Brooks “What makes you different?” her answer is simple. “We aren’t just preparing kids for life here; we are preparing our kids for eternal life. That’s what makes a Catholic school different; this is not the end. Our children will be prepared for life, and the collaboration of our parents, our teachers, and our church community will give them a foundation in Gospel teaching and a moral compass to navigate this world.” 
A result of many prayers over many years, parent Mindy Hufstedler, whose son is in the third grade class, struggled to put into words what the day meant to her family. “I know this school will not only teach our children, but also draw them closer to God and show them how to serve Him in everything they do. My favorite part of today was hearing how excited (my son) was to tell us how many times they prayed together today and that he has a whole class just to learn about God.”
St. Michael Catholic School opened as St. Michael Catholic Preschool and Kindergarten in 2013. In November 2021, a master plan was announced with a PreK-3rd grade school opening in Fall 2022 on the current church campus, adding a grade each year until reaching PreK-12th grade. St. Michael began the 2022 school year with 63 students and 18 faculty members.
“Our school may be starting out small,” Hufstedler said, “but it is going to grow, and the impact it will have on our community will be huge!”