Campaign Vision
Learning Environment Philosophy Statement
Overview
At Lourdes High School, our sense of community is particular to our spiritual tradition.
We are not simply citizens, peers, or colleagues engaged together in the
business of education.
Rather, we are dignified among one another by the presence of God,
in whose image we are created to community.
Our tradition is rich with the signs of God’s presence in symbol and ritual, and
our lives are inspired through the Holy Spirit. As educators, we encourage the
recognition of the presence of God within each of us. Our physical
environment, then, needs to express unequivocally who we claim to be.
The future Lourdes High School should be designed from inspiration. In both
architecture and décor, the physical space should represent itself as sacred space to
reflect the spiritual motivation of our work: representing the Glory of God in all we do.
Statement in Entirety
As we imagine the future environment for LHS, consideration for demonstrating Sacred Space is fundamental. Our discussions about Catholic environment emerge from a desire to honor the essential motivation of our educational pursuit: to develop and to reflect the presence of God within each of us. We are not simply about education; we are about Catholic Christian education. We are not simply about adolescent development; we are about developing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. We are not simply about expressing our talents; we are about representing the glory of God in all we do.
Building then, requires attention to our essential motivation. Our physical environment needs to express unequivocally who we claim to be. From the offices of administration to the sporting fields; from performance stages to laboratories; our consciousness within all spaces must be affected by what is around us. As people of faith, we recognize the effect of inspiration. We represent both within and beyond our community, the Holy Spirit; that life-giving breath of God. We are challenged always to demonstrate this.
One approach might be to design a singular space that is separate and unique, and to designate it ‘sacred space’. We do not recommend this particular approach, as it too easily compartmentalizes space and leaves easy possibility for attitude and identity to follow. Most hospitals, for example set aside a chapel (as do a number of larger airports), but they do not necessarily otherwise leave the impression of being sacred places.
Consider the differences between our local hospitals: St. Marys is consistent and constant in reflecting its faith tradition. Both architecture and décor demonstrate the spiritual motivation of its mission. Methodist and Olmsted County Hospital each express something else in both mission and environment. We recommend that the future Lourdes High School take its cue from the atmosphere and attitude of St. Marys.
We propose serious consideration be given to the main entrance and common gathering spaces of the future LHS. Each should be not simply decorated, but essentially designed for genuine inspiration. The spaces should be sacred, from inception through construction. In that way, our essential motivation may be realized with fewer distractions.
Our tradition is rich with symbol and ritual. These are the signs of God’s presence. They appropriately intend to inspire us, as individuals, and through Christian communion. The future LHS must certainly be a school building. Our hope is that we might plan for it to be first and foremost a sacred space, in which the works of our faith will be cultivated.
This project was established by the Rochester Catholic Schools Board of Trustees to
facilitate a process exploring future development options for Lourdes High School.
This project will be guided by our shared and cherished commitment
to values-based education in a Christ-centered environment.
