Thanks to Together in Mission funds and numerous individual donations from parishioners and businesses, three San Fernando Region parishes have undergone extensive renovations over the summer.

St. Catherine of Siena in Reseda, St. Bridget of Sweden in Van Nuys and Divine Saviour in Los Angeles are the beneficiaries of property improvements that have revitalized buildings and parking lots in time for the opening of parish schools.

Funds from Together in Mission were instrumental in financing the majority of the much-needed work, from the initial facilities' studies to the repairs overseen by the archdiocesan construction department. Donations of time, talent and treasure toward the renovation projects have also come from parishioners and community members.

According to Mo Dianat, archdiocesan construction department consultant, the projects have upgraded the parishes considerably. At St. Catherine of Siena, where the parking lot has been repaved and a large plot of grass has been installed at the repainted school, the renovations have surpassed expectations.

"The school looks really nice. It's going to be a huge improvement," said Dianat. According to St. Catherine's new principal, CJ Kruska, the newly-laid sod, installed over donated compost tilled into the soil by parish volunteers, is a welcome addition in the school courtyard.

"It's going to make the environment a lot softer, a lot more fun, child-friendly and cooler," said Kruska, who added the green space will be used for parish-wide gatherings, including combined events for parish schoolchildren and religious education students.

"Now that people see things happening, there's a lot of talk and excitement," said Tony Del Rio, St. Catherine's director of religious education. "Everybody wants to know what's going on at the school now."

Father Paul Griesgraber, administrator pro tem at St. Catherine, noted the generosity of parishioners who have recently donated thousands of dollars toward student scholarships during a summer appeal. "This is the parish taking responsibility for its children who have not been able to afford to go to their own school," said Father Griesgraber.

He also highlighted the gift of the school's new security system worth more than $60,000 donated by a local business owner whose child attends Catholic school in another parish. "When they heard we needed help, they said they would love to make the donation to make the school safer," said the priest.

At St. Bridget of Sweden, construction is ongoing. "We're in the process of building a new classroom from scratch," said Dianat. Roof repair and air conditioning work was in progress in July with plans for parking lot and yard renovations.

Divine Saviour's school yard has been repaved, and the inside of the school was painted over the summer "from the floor up," said Dianat in what he calls "stunning" new paint colors including "Sand Castle" and "Celtic Linen." Also, the boys' and girls' bathrooms were renovated with new floor tile and fixtures, and the plumbing was upgraded to copper piping.

The school building built in 1922 has been refreshed for future generations. "By the time we finish in August, the parishioners should be very happy," noted Dianat.