Holy Cross School opens new community playground

Rev. John Patrick O'Malley Memorial Playground to be dedicated June 3rd

Rochester, New York (May 30) -- After nearly two years of planning and fund-raising, Holy Cross School will soon dedicate a new, $80,000 community playground at its site on Lake Avenue in Charlotte. The dedication of the Rev. John Patrick O'Malley Playground is the culminating event in a year-long celebration marking the100th year of continuous Catholic education at Holy Cross. 

There will be a celebration Mass at 12 noon on Sunday, June 3rd at Holy Cross Church, and a 1:00 pm ribbon-cutting ceremony at the playground, followed by a reception in the school gymnasium.

The playground is being named after the late Father O'Malley, who served as the tenth Pastor of Holy Cross in the late 1970s. During his tenure, Fr. O'Malley was beloved by all, and was noted as one who derived much joy from the children of Holy Cross School and Parish. He constructed the first playground on the site, and it is fitting that the new playground be dedicated to his memory.

The O'Malley Playground has been in the works for approximately 18 months.  Holy Cross School has raised over $30,000 in private funds, both from private contributions, fund raisers, and through sales of engraved bricks.  The school also received a $50,000 grant through New York State's Community Capital Program, sponsored by NYS Senator Joseph Robach.

The 225 students at Holy Cross School are eagerly awaiting the new playground. While they complete the final busy weeks of school, they are also gathering meaningful items to include in a time capsule that will be buried near the playground site, to commemorate 100 years of their school. The time capsule will contain a total of 100 items of significance to the students, with each grade level from pre-school through grade 8 contributing items. 

Students also planted flower seeds in their classrooms that they will nurture through the spring and transplant near their playground when the weather allows.

Holy Cross School is one of 24 schools in the Monroe County Catholic School System. The school provides quality Catholic education to students in Pre-kindergarten through grade eight, from Rochester, Greece, Irondequoit, and Hilton.

Contacts:         Rebecca Maloney, Principal (663-6533) 

Karen Cavacos, School Advisory Committee (865-7841)

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