Vision 2012 is a joint effort between Holy Cross Catholic Church, Holy Cross Elementary School and Central Catholic High School to fund and construct new facilities.

Vision 2012 has raised $9.625 million in cash and pledges to fund the various projects.

Their first priority is a comprehensive library and six classrooms.

“A new state-of-the-art comprehensive library complete with media center and technology labs serving both Holy Cross Elementary School and Central Catholic High School is needed to enhance the student learning environment. In addition, six classrooms are needed to serve our student population,” Holy Cross Elementary School Principal and Building Committee Vice-Chair Mamie Bergeron said.

A competitive gymnasium is their second priority.

“The new competitive gymnasium will serve Central Catholic High School and will also be available to Holy Cross Elementary School. The present gymnasium was constructed in 1972 when Central Catholic High School had only five boys’ sports. Today, 18 boys’ and girls’ teams and physical education classes share one gymnasium. A competitive gymnasium is desperately needed to accommodate these 18 teams as well as other school extracurricular events and practices,” Central Catholic High School Principal and Vision 2012 Executive Committee member Vic Bonnaffee said.

The third and final priority is a spiritual life center.

“The time has come to ful-fill the need for a Life Center to serve Holy Cross Catholic Church, Holy Cross Elementary School and Central Catholic High School. Our Life Center will be utilized for many activities, including but not limited to ministry gatherings, celebrations and senior citizens’ events. Religion and CCD classes, youth ministries, parish and school meetings, school assemblies, pageants, drama club productions, graduations, fine arts presentations and concerts,” according to Holy Cross Catholic Church Pastor and Vision 2012 Executive Committee member, the Rev. Danny Poche.

In 1893, five Marianite sisters established Catholic education in the community.

In 1957, growth prompted the school to relocate to its present location. With the increase in population, Holy Cross Catholic Church parish was formed in 1964.

Together the church and schools employ a staff of 76 faculty, administrative and support personnel with a student population of ap-proximately 600.

The Holy Cross Community serves people from a broad area; it encompasses 12 surrounding communities, 10 church parishes, five state parishes and three church dioceses.

The growth has been made possible because of the involvement and support of all these communities and the blessings of Almighty God, officials said.

Vision 2012 will assist the Holy Cross community in accomplishing its mission to promote faith formation, academic excellence and service to others.

“The current facilities have served our Holy Cross community very well over the past 50 years,” Poche said. “These new facilities are much needed in order to help us to continue with our mis-sion of faith formation and education over the next 50 years.”