BUFFALO, N.Y. — The nearly 70-year-old Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School in Buffalo, known fondly by many friars and Western New Yorkers, is planning for the future.
As part of a celebration of the school’s patron, St. Francis, the school community gathered on Oct. 4 to hear about the Bishop Timon-St. Jude strategic vision and proposed capital improvement projects.
On the feast of St. Francis, the faculty, staff, students, newly installed Bishop Richard Malone, community leaders and strategic partners gathered to celebrate. James Tilley, trustee and chair of “Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future,” announced the capital campaign to raise funds to implement the strategic vision.
The “Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future” campaign is designed to advance Timon into the future and provide the resources and support necessary for the school to reach new levels of excellence in every aspect of school life, according to a recent news release from the school. “Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future” will address new and improved athletics facilities, building improvements, tuition assistance and scholarships, and curriculum integrated technology upgrades. Laptop computers for each student have already been issued.
In his presentation, Tilley said: “The athletic program at Timon has a strong history of success through every generation of Timon students. Timon’s athletic program provides students with the opportunity to compete at a championship level, while learning the essential life lessons of teamwork and persistence. The planned improvements include: a new fitness center, offering a state-of-the-art weight room, locker rooms, coaches’ offices and film room; an on-site turf field which will allow for year-round training opportunities for the entire Timon community; and improved lockers and common areas for students. Construction of the new facility is planned for 2013.”
The school has a long affiliation with the friars of Holy Name Province as both alumni and staff members. Currently, John Alderson, OFM, is a part-time faculty and campus minister, and Xavier John Seubert, OFM, serves on the board of trustees.
“The Franciscan committee of the board has been actively committed to providing formation in Franciscan identity among the board and faculty,” said Kevin McLaughlin, Timon’s director of advancement.
Earlier this year, John Alderson attended the school’s annual Kaleidoscope Dinner & Auction, which Holy Name Province helped sponsor. The event, which next year will be held June 22, 2013, raised $100,000, according to McLaughlin.
In September, Ronald Pecci, OFM, conducted two retreats for the board and faculty members. Other opportunities are planned “to help sensitize the student community on our Franciscan identity and charism,” said McLaughlin.
In recent years, Timon has taken several major steps forward. In 2010, according to the news release, the school entered into a “unique partnership with Canisius College that will change the educational landscape of high school education offered at Timon.”
In 2009, the high school, founded in 1946, announced the receipt of a $500,000 gift.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.