Journey of Oratorian Youth Capital Campaign

• Home
• Oratorian
  News
• School
  Calendar
• Student Handbook
• Dress Code
• Admissions
• Catholic
  Links
• Library
  Links
• Contact
• Jobs

March 2007 - Construction Tour

Members of the Pharr Oratory, the Governance Board, and administration, were invited by the President's Office for a walking tour of the construction site. For those of us that have been with the Oratory Schools since 1983, it has been a long and arduous journey filled with challenges and joy. Fr. Leo-Francis Daniels, C.O. was the visionary and the inspiration for what we see today on Moore Rd. Members of the board that have also been part of this dream since the first day can also be seen. They are: Oralia Cantú, G. Yvonne Pérez, Manuel N. Pérez, José Adan Farías, and Sochil Durán.

Capital Campaign Progress

January 2007 - Construction Progress

See All Construction Progress

Capital Campaign Gifts Committee

On November 30, 2006, a special group of parents, board members, and Oratorians, met to discuss our plan of action for continued work on the Capital Campaign. Projects were planned and ideas discussed. This group of very dedicated members will be forming a special group named the "Gifts Committee". Members of this group will go down in our history as those most dedicated and willing to make this campaign successful and ongoing. Anyone wishing to become a member may do so by contacting the School System President, G. Yvonne Pérez. See more photos

City of Pharr Texas Educational Facilities Finance Authority

Pictured are members of the Oratorian Community, the administration, and some members of the newly formed City of Pharr Texas Educational Facilities Finance Authority meeting at the Corporate Office the evening of Thursday, November 9, 2006. Under the direction of school attorney, Jesús Ramírez of Montalvo & Ramírez, this newly and legally formed authority will be working with the city of Pharr and Loan Star National Bank to authorize the one transaction needed for document approval to finalize the loan for the construction of the new campus. Long time parent, Mr. Noel Garza, was named chairperson of this finance authority. The administration, together with Finance Director, Manuel N. Pérez, and Mr. Cruz Cantú, worked diligently to obtain this opportunity to obtain a low interest loan. See more photos

November 2006 - Construction On Schedule

It appears that the foundation has been poured for the three individual locations, the main building, the Athenæum, and the primary wing. With the foundation poured, construction will be going at a fast pace with walls and ceilings beginning to take form. As of November 2006, we are still on schedule to begin school in the fall of 2007.

October 24, 2006 - Capital Campaign Meeting

On Tuesday, October 24th, new parents were invited to visit the Corporate Office to hear a brief presentation on the Oratory Schools' Capital Campaign. This was the first of several new parent meetings that will be held throughout the year. Governance Board President, Oralia Cantú and School System President, G. Yvonne Pérez both welcomed the new Oratorian families and invited them to take the "Journey of Oratory Youth" (J.O.Y.). Those present saw and heard a presentation explaining the history of the school, its mission, and the campaign goals. Development Officer, Maricela Pérez, was also present giving testimony to the quality of secondary education and to the excellence of character of the Athenæum students. In closing, each was asked to contribute to the campaign. Every monetary gift will assist in the present and future construction of our Pharr campus.

October 18, 2006 - Construction Review

After taking an inside look at the construction site, the construction committee could easily see the progress since the first day the project began. We were able to take the tour the day before the rain and the cool front arrived. Although we escaped getting wet and cold, it was extremely hot and humid on Wednesday, Oct. 18. However, as you can see, this did not dampen the enthusiasm and joy felt by the Fathers of the Oratory, the architect, the director of finance, the president, and the crew. If you look very carefully, you can begin to distinguish the library, cafeteria, offices, mini-auditorium, primary wing, and the high school wing.

As you view these photos, I ask that you say a prayer for our work. May the Lord help each of us see that we have been called since our baptism to be stewards of His work. We are people of God, paving the way for the faithful of our community by means of a Christian education in the traditions of the Catholic Church. Our call is to be faithful stewards and to respond to His invitation. See more October 18 photos.

Ex Umbris Et Imaginibus Ad Lucem

Capital Campaign Update

Amounts paid January - September 2006
$375,836.37 (includes pledges, projects, matching grants, annual gala, and construction fees)

Amounts and Pledges projected for October - May 2007
$290,000.00 ( includes pledges, projects, annual gala, and construction fees)

October 5, 2006

Building Foundations

On Friday, August 25, 2006, at 3:00 A.M., a crew of over 45 men laid the cement foundation for the Main Building. Included in this space of 26,000 square feet are: Administration Offices, Library, Media Center, Mini-Auditorium, and Cafeteria.

On Friday, September 1, 2006, at 3:00 A.M., a crew of over 20 men laid the cement foundation for the Elementary Building designed for 12 classrooms.

Site Preparation Begins in June 2006

Letter from the Office of the Bishop - Diocese of Brownsville

Thank You!

The President of the Oratory Schools would like to express her thanks to all parents and especially the team of mothers involved in the groundbreaking ceremonial project of T-shirts, balloons, and pompoms. The money will go toward Capital Campaign to help build our new campus.

The "field of green" created by the children will always remind us of God's eternal love, and the red balloons, of his sacrifice for us on the cross. God bless you all!

Bendicíon de la Primera Piedra

Thank You!

Sandra Gonzalez and Sandra Guzman present a check for $1,500 to Oratory Schools President, G. Yvonne Pérez. This money was earned through their BBQ fund raiser held on Moore Rd. campus the last day of Catholic Schools Week. This amount has been placed in the construction fund for Capital Campaign. A special thanks to all parents who purchased a plate or made a contribution to this cause. God bless you ladies for your initiative and good will.

Governance board members prepare to interview architects at an October 2005 meeting. The architectural,
planning and design firm of Gomez, Mendez, & Saenz, Inc., from Brownsville, was chosen for Phase II of
construction.

Capital Campaign Progress Graph

Progress Detail

Goal - $5,000,000

Pledges - $40,823.84

Includes: $10,823.84 by Oratory Schools Staff, $30,000.00 by Parents to the Capital Campaign

Actual - $455,358.18

Includes: Noche de Alegría 2006 - $124,858.18, Capital Campaign from Parents - $11,000.00, Construction Fee ($750 Per Family) - $247,500.00, Scanlan Grant Met - $72,000.00

Architect Rudy Gómez, from Gómez, Méndez, Saenz, Inc. was selected
to be the architect for the Oratory School System of St. Philip Neri.
This new campus will house all grade levels, PK-12, and includes 18
classrooms, labs, library, media center, lecture hall, and administration
building. An additional entrance and exit road will also be included.
A major gifts Capital Campaign is underway to help finance this
wonderful and long awaited endeavor.

Mr. Gómez, from Brownsville, Texas, has over 35 years of architectural
experience and has designed elementary and secondary schools throughout
the Rio Grande Valley.

Reviewing the initial plans are: Manuel N. Pérez, Finance Director and
Plant Manager, G. Yvonne Pérez, President, Rev. José E. Losoya, C.O.,
Vice-Principal, and Rev. Mario Aviles, C.O., Director of Schools.

Architecture Committee

Very Rev. Leo-Francis Daniels, C.O.,Rector
Rev. Mario A. Avilés, C.O., Director
Rev. José E. Losoya, C.O., Vice-Principal
Rev. Juan Ortiz, C.O., Dir. Library/Media Center
G. Yvonne Pérez,President
Manuel N. Pérez, Dir. of Finance & Facilities
Rudy Gómez, Chief Architect