CRANBERRY TWP — The Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School auditorium buzzed with excitement Sunday afternoon, as the namesake of the new school dedicated the building with a Mass.

A smiling Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of the Washington, D.C., Diocese and the former bishop of the Pittsburgh Diocese, greeted visitors at the school’s entrance.

Asked if he ever dreamed when he entered the priesthood that a state-of-the-art high school would be named for him, the approachable cardinal answered immediately.

“Never in my wildest dreams,” said Wuerl. “I am so, so honored and humbled.”

He said the school’s location in Cranberry is perfect because it is an area where “exciting new things are happening.”

Pittsburgh Diocese Bishop David Zubik, who Wuerl credited with founding the school, also greeted those heading for the front doors.

Zubik was elated that the school was built.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s 10 years in the making,” Zubik said.

He also is thrilled with the school’s name, which he thinks is well deserved.

“Cardinal Wuerl worked faithfully for the diocese for 18 years, and it’s a nice tribute for him, for sure.”

Almost all of the auditorium’s 920 seats were filled as 38 priests and deacons preceded Wuerl up the aisle to the stage.

Wuerl stopped to squeeze the arm of and speak a few words to a woman in a wheelchair as he proceeded to the altar.

Zubik officially welcomed Wuerl to the school.

“This school stands as a sign of the deep, deep love we have for you, not only as our brother in Christ, but as our friend,” Zubik said.

When it came time for Wuerl to welcome the large audience, he drew a laugh as he said the school’s name for the first time.

“It seems somewhat awkward to say the Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School,” he said.

He recalled his own days in high school, to the delight of his family, who were in attendance.

“The high school I went to, and my brothers are smiling, would have probably fit in this auditorium,” Wuerl said.

Wuerl praised Zubik, Father Charles Bober, the school’s president, and all staff and faculty at the school before sharing his humble appreciation at the school’s name.

“I am wonderfully moved by the gracious, gracious gesture,” Wuerl said. “This building speaks to the future of our young people.”

Students were involved in the event, serving as greeters and ushers, liturgists, and carrying the Communion gifts to the altar.

“It’s such an amazing thing that he has come to celebrate this new school with us,” said Maria Meyer of Bellevue, who is a senior at the school.

“It’s magical, and he is so kind to take pictures with all the kids and everything,” said Meyer, who also gave the Mass’s first reading.

Zachary Diethorn, a sophomore, also was thrilled to meet his school’s namesake.

“It’s almost unbelievable that it’s happening,” said Diethorn, who also gave a reading during the Mass. “It’s a great feeling. He chatted with us and joked around.”

Nina Zuccaro, a sophomore and Cranberry resident, was thrilled to meet Wuerl.

“It’s exciting because Cardinal Wuerl is the name of our school, so I’m pretty excited that we are going to be seeing him,” she said.

Her classmate, junior Shea Drew of Zelienople, appreciated the gravity of Wuerl’s visit.

“It’s not like every day that this happens,” Drew said.

Joe Palaski, a freshman from Seven Fields, waited anxiously for the Mass to begin.

“It’s pretty cool,” Palaski said. “It’s a great school. I like it here. And it’s going to be cool to listen to what he has to say, with all the students and their families here.”

After a few soaring selections from the Pittsburgh Diocese Schola Choir, Wuerl shared his homily. Much of it was aimed at the school’s students for whom Wuerl clearly showed an affinity.

“Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School stands in the midst of this community with its proclamation that Jesus is the answer to the significant questions of human life,” Wuerl said. “How shall I live? What is the purpose of life? What are the values that should direct my steps through life?”

After the service, Wuerl and the congregation moved to the hallway outside of the auditorium. Wuerl then officially dedicated the school, and blessed those in attendance with Holy Water.

“I ask God’s blessings on this center of teaching and learning what is true,” Wuerl said. “I ask the lord that students will find in their teachers the image of Christ, and I dedicate Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School to the education of youth, to the progression of sciences, and to learning.”

Wuerl and a handful of priests then went off to bless with Holy Water every hallway in the large school.

A reception was held in the school cafeteria as Wuerl performed the blessing.

Cranberry residents Joel and Darlene Betts, with their son, Will, who is a sophomore at the school, beamed as Wuerl walked down the hallway sprinkling Holy Water and praying.

“How many times in a lifetime does this happen?” Darlene Betts said of hearing Mass from a cardinal. “What a blessing to have him come in today.”

Joel Betts called the event “an historical moment.”

“To be a part of opening something brand new in an age when everything is closing,” he said.

Sister Patricia of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit is the pastoral minister at St. Gregory School in Zelienople. She appreciated Wuerl’s visibility to the students and his willingness to spend time with them.

“Cardinal Wuerl is a good guy,” she said. “He is leading and shepherding the people of the church.”