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Saint Matthias pastor outlines school growth and plans for a gym
Summary
Father Thomas Lanza, newly appointed pastor of Saint Matthias Parish, told the Human Relations Commission the parish school has grown from about 180 to 218 students and is studying a gymnasium addition on its roughly 12-acre site to expand extracurricular offerings.
Father Thomas Lanza, who said he was appointed in August to serve Saint Matthias Parish, told the Franklin Human Relations Commission he is focused on stabilizing and growing the parish school and expanding community programming.
"All are welcome," Lanza said as he described the parish's school program, which he said serves pre-K3 through eighth grade. He said enrollment rose from about 180 when he arrived to roughly 218 and that the school is projecting about 230 students for the upcoming year. Lanza told commissioners the parish oversees a large property — "about 12 acres" — and has begun a feasibility study to determine whether a gymnasium could be added to the back of the school to support athletics and be rented for township recreational use.
The pastor described a strategic marketing effort and personnel changes at the school that, he said, helped boost enrollment. He emphasized the parish's nonpartisan role in community life under diocesan oversight and said he intends parish programs to be open and welcoming to the broader township.
Commission members thanked Lanza and several parishioners spoke about past outreach and alumni involvement. Lanza closed by reiterating a focus on community events and education and said the parish would continue working with township leaders on future ideas.
