Father Bernardo Pistone poses on the steps at Resurrection Catholic School wearing the chasuble students gave him when he retired. Pictured are eight grader Yodalis Diaz, Pistone, seventh grader Domenic Soto and third grader Deanna Soto.
Aug. 6, 2016
Resurrection Catholic School will celebrate its 25th anniversary year in the upcoming 2016-17 school year.
Resurrection began in 1991-92 with the consolidation of St. Joseph, St. Mary and St. Anthony’s schools. Its name was chosen to represent the rising and beginning of a new school from the consolidation.
When the consolidation occurred, Bernardo Pistone was the pastor of St. Mary’s church. He said the three schools were unique back then for the same reason Resurrection is special today.
“When you walk into the school, you see the world Jesus created. You see different strata, but they are all together putting the gospels into practice,” he said, referring to the multicultural population of the school.
The faces of children of diverse ancestry are reflected in a chasuble Resurrection students presented Pistone when he retired in 2002. Pistone proudly wears the outer piece of a priest’s vestments when he says Mass for students during the school year.
Theresa Quedenfeld, the school’s administrative assistant, said diversity was one reason she chose Resurrection for her two Asian children when they were younger. She also sought Christ-centered instruction.
“My husband and I were both educated in Catholic schools, and we wanted our children to experience that, too” she said. “It wasn’t just math and handwriting. I learned something about our faith all day long.”
Resurrection Catholic School is located next to St. Anthony of Padua Church, Lancaster, in the former St. Anthony School. Opened in 1895, the building is the oldest continuously operating Catholic school building in Lancaster County.