Bishop David Ricken blessed four new classrooms at St. Gabriel Elementary School
Story and photography by Michael Cooney | For On Mission
NEENAH, WI — The blessing of four new classrooms at St. Gabriel Elementary School in Neenah marked more than a construction milestone. It offered a clear window into how a parish and school, working as one, can become a place of renewed energy, growth and hope.
Bishop David Ricken blessed new additions to St. Gabriel Elementary School, one of the St. Mary Catholic Schools in Neenah, after celebrating Mass with the St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish community yesterday, December 17, 2025.
Joe Varkoly, a member of the parish finance council, credits much of the school’s recent momentum to a renewed sense of unity between parish and school leadership.
“Over the last several years, they’ve really done a nice job of bringing the school and the parish together as one,” he said. “In prior years, they may have felt more separate. Now they’re working together — and that’s motivated parishioners to be more supportive of the school.”
That support became essential as enrollment surged.
“Over the past couple of years, our headcount has grown from about 170 students to over 250,” Varkoly said. “With our outstanding principal, teachers and staff, our pre-K and kindergarten retention rates are essentially an unheard-of 100 percent. We’ve also added families and students in the other grades. The school is literally bursting at the seams.”
What surprised even parish leaders was how quickly the response came together. “From May to October, we went from a need and a dream to a funded and built reality for our school,” Varkoly said.
“From the time the idea came forward to completion, it was about four months.” The core classroom expansion totaled $1.8 million.
Bishop David Ricken echoed that sense of momentum as he addressed students, families, educators, and donors gathered for the dedication.
“I think this has to be the swiftest project from beginning to end that I’ve ever seen since I’ve been here,” he said. “That’s all of you working together as teams.”
For Bishop Ricken, the new classrooms represent something deeper than added space.
“I’m filled with hope today,” he said. “Children, you fill me with hope. Your parents fill me with hope. Your principal and teachers fill me with hope. Our donors and contractors fill me with hope.”
Varkoly believes that growth reflects more than demographics.
“I think a lot of this is the gift of the Holy Spirit,” he said. “People love this parish. They love this school.” He noted that weekly Mass attendance has increased dramatically, especially as families seek connection and meaning in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to generous lead donors, parishioner support, and careful stewardship, the entire project was completed without taking on debt.
“We were able to pay for it 100 percent,” Varkoly said. “That’s been a real blessing.”
“When faith is lived with humility, courage, and confidence,” Bishop Ricken said, “beautiful things happen.”