SAN MARCOS: Sierra Madra Academy moves to Discover Street

New location brings new name

By EDWARD LAFASO - For the North County Times | Sunday, August 24, 2008 8:12 PM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- To celebrate the opening of their newly constructed campus at 500 Las Flores Drive, more than 300 of the Sierra Madre Academy's clergy, parents, students and teachers took part in a Mass, Eucharistic procession, dedication and blessing ceremony Saturday.

"This is an important development for the Catholic community to strengthen our faith," said Patrick Bump, an event participant and father of two students. "All of us pride ourselves on having strong faith to deal with today's societal issues. The new campus will bring us even closer together."

As part of the change, Sierra Madre Academy will be renamed Saint Joseph Academy.

The day's events began with a special votive Mass for St. Joseph at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, 1147 Discovery St., that was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego Salvatore J. Cordileone.

Afterward, beneath a cloudless sky, hundreds of the devoted, some attired in heavy ceremonial clothing, endured the 90-degree heat to partake in a police-escorted somber Eucharistic procession.

For nearly two hours, the participants walked a 2-mile route that wound down Discovery Street, San Marcos Boulevard, Knight's Realm, Rancho Santa Fe Road and Linda Vista Drive, and finished at Las Flores Drive, at the site of the new campus.

According to ancient Roman Catholic tradition, a Eucharistic procession is a public, sacred form of solemn supplication. The faithful pass from one holy place to another, reciting prayers and singing sacred songs.

The Roman Catholic Church adopted the practice to stir up devotion, commemorate and give thanks for divine favors and ask for God's aid.

"When we decided to have a Eucharistic procession, we wanted to include St. Mark's Church in the occasion because the clergy and parish have been so supportive of us over the years," said Kathy Heiskell, a parent who helped to organize the event. "Sierra Madre is not part of the diocese school system, but we have their blessing to run the school."

Directed by ushers, the masses trekked behind the bishop while taking part in hymns and prayers.

"When we walk, it's a time of reverence, we sing and pray to God and Jesus, and it's not a time to socialize," said Heiskell. "The whole point of the procession is to make Jesus visible throughout San Marcos and bring our Lord to the new campus. It's a special way to honor him."

The day's ceremonies concluded with an adoration, benediction of the Eucharist, a dedication and blessing, and site tours of the new facility.

For the past 13 years, the academy, a kindergarten through 12th-grade, Roman Catholic-affiliated school, was run piecemeal from two rented campuses, including a strip mall and a medical office building near West Mission Road and North Santa Fe Road.

With capacity for 325 students, the new, 15,000-square-foot, 13-classroom campus is scheduled to open the first week in September.

"Our new campus is modest," said Heiskell. "It's such a nice facility that's all in one place — such a change from where we were. It's great to have a place we can finally call our own."

In 1995, Catholic mothers Patricia Hansen and Barbara De La Torre founded the academy because they wanted to build a school in North County that provided children with academics combined with faith formation.

Funding for the $5.8 million construction project included a $4.8 million loan from Discovery Bank, San Marcos, and $1 million from private donations.

Academy officials said they intend to pay off debts through additional fundraising events, savings on rent and gradual, steady increases in student enrollment.