Parish & School Philosophy Statement Holy Trinity summarizes its purpose with these three words. They are the umbrella under which falls everything we do. Here’s the description: Guiding Principles in Mission: Know, Grow, Go
MISSION STATEMENT"Through academic excellence, Holy Trinity Catholic School prepares students emotionally, intellectually, morally, physically and spiritually for the world in which they live." KNOW We are committed to providing the necessary tools, support, and encouragement for each person to come to know God in a personal way. There is a huge difference between knowing about God, and coming to know God in a personal way. The ministry of Jesus was directed to show us how to do this and to make this possible. “I bow my knees before the Father, and ask that he may grant you to be strengthened thru the Holy Spirit, that Christ may dwell in your hearts, and that being rooted in love you may have the power to comprehend the extravagant love of God, and to personally experience the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge.” (Eph. 3:14-18) GROW Holy Trinity then provides many services helpful in allowing this relationship with God to grow towards greater maturity. Our liturgies, ministries, programs, school, and community are all dedicated to ongoing growth in our faith and in living that faith deeply and fruitfully. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you might be able to resist the attack of the devil. Put on TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACEFULNESS, and FAITH. Pray with fervor. Keep alert. Speak boldly. Intercede persistently for all." (Eph. 6:13-20) GO All of this leads us to go forth and make a difference in our community: in our families, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and everywhere we are. We seek to give God permission to use us and our interests, gifts, and skills for the building of his Kingdom. “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another as good stewards of God’s abundant and varied grace—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Parish & School History In 1962, 12 acres of peach orchard were purchased to start Holy Trinity Parish. Pooling envelope collections from the Cedar Hills and Aloha areas raised the funds for the purchase and resale of a 20-acre parcel. On the 12 acres, Holy Trinity School was constructed, and the first four grades moved in December of 1962. The gymnasium was finished as a temporary church.The first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday 1963. Holy Trinity continued to be a mission until the fall of 1965 when Father Mai was appointed as pastor serving 250 registered families. During 1966, a $100,000 gift from St. Cecilia’s allowed the completion of the lower part of the school building, and the fifth through eighth grades were established under the leadership of Father O’Connell. Father Crowe served as pastor for a brief time until 1968, when Father C.J. Linehan assumed the role of pastor for an extended time.
By 1978, the parish had grown to 1200 families. Due to economic conditions, the school was operating six grades. With Father Linehan’s guidance, funds were raised to reopen the 7th and 8th grades, and to begin paying off the original building debt. By the time Father Linehan was reassigned in 1980, the parish was in much better shape.
Father Engle served as pastor from 1980-1991. Much guidance was needed to sort out the changes brought on by Vatican II, and Holy trinity mirrored the growing pains of other parishes at that time. During this period, the original building debt was paid off, and the school facilities were expanded. The church was modernized and many church programs were updated.
In 1982, with the opening of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Aloha, there was some shifting of parish families. The arrival of new families didn’t offset the number of families moving to the new parish, and parish enrollment dropped to 950 families.
In 1991, Father John Waldron accepted the assignment as pastor. The school became fully accredited in 2001 through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and the Western Catholic Education Association.
The new church was completed in the fall of 2001, the main floor bathrooms were remodeled in order to meet ADA requirements and the old church was converted back into the gym it was meant to be. The children started using the gym in January 2002.
In 2004, Fr. John McGrann became pastor of the parish, and in July, 2007, Fr. Dave Gutmann became the new pastor. Parish enrollment is over 2000 families and the school enrolls about 300 students representing over 200 families.
