Learning trades and theology

A new college began classes Sept. 2 in Springfield with 24 students from across the nation learning building trades – and theology.

The motto of San Damiano College for the Trades is “Rebuild my church,” which can be interpreted in a variety of ways, from the physical rebuilding of religious edifices to the spiritual rebuilding of people within the Catholic faith.

The college is the brainchild of Bishop Thomas Paprocki, one of the most prominent conservative prelates in the U.S., and is unapologetically traditional in its outlook.

“The Church of San Damiano is where St. Francis heard Jesus say, ‘Rebuild my church,’” college President Kent Lasnoski said. “And so, we felt like that should be the motto of the school. We start with physically (rebuilding the church) and then we move into all the other elements. I think Bishop Paprocki is a holistic thinker. I think he would want to say that what we’re doing here at San Damiano is a part of the larger project, which is ultimately about bringing people together in Christ.”

The college is on the campus of the former Chiara Center, located on the grounds of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in Springfield. The Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross operated the St. James Trade School there from 1928 to 1972.

The three-year program includes technical instruction and on-the-job training in one of seven trades, and San Damiano is seeking approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education to offer associate’s degrees in theology. The school is working in partnership with another Catholic school, Quincy University, to offer online classes in the classics for credit-bearing coursework. 

The students attending the college are all Catholic and many have not followed a traditional educational path. 

“I was homeschooled,” said John Falter, a 19-year-old from Wisconsin. “A lot of guys here were homeschooled. “I think that in public schools the quality of education there is very low and contains a lot of things that are contrary to church teaching and morality. And unfortunately, a lot of Catholic schools aren’t that much better.”

Falter says he aspires to be a carpenter. 

“I like carpentry because I love making stuff,” he said. “I like making things that look good and are useful and will last a long time because of quality work.”

Henry Trainor, a 19-year-old from Texas, also was homeschooled but worked full time at a Chick-fil-A for a year before entering San Damiano. He said a traditional college environment did not appeal to him. 

“I’ve seen my siblings go to traditional colleges,” he said. “Whenever they came back, they changed a little bit. I wouldn’t say in a bad way, but they’re different. That was part of the reason I thought college might not be something I want to go do – a traditional one. But I also know, there’s a lot of things changing in the world and I want to get a good, secure job working with my hands. This is something that would definitely be useful to a lot of people. The theology and all the things that I’ve been learning, I feel like they would be very constructive to introduce into my life.”

John Lawless, an 18-year-old student from Oklahoma, said he chose San Damiano because of its promise that students will complete their studies debt-free. 

“You graduate debt-free, you learn a trade and you also have some liberal arts (taught) in the seminar method of learning,” he said. “Everyone is in the circle, and the professor is leading the conversation. But everyone gives their two cents. It’s not a full-on lecture. I really enjoy that.”

San Damiano requires three years of schooling. In the final year, students would apprentice 40 hours per week in their chosen trade. The student body is entirely male. 

Lasnoski said the school anticipates admitting women after it has been open several years. But he said there is a particular need in society to reach young men, who are not as likely to pursue higher education.

“I read somewhere that a young man basically has three options when he graduates high school: join the military, go to college, join the workforce,” said Alex Hurla, a 29-year-old Marine Corps veteran with a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State. 

“I’ve done all three of those, and I’m grateful for each experience. I got a lot out of each one. But I still feel like there was a piece missing to become the man that God is calling me to be. I’ve been in the liberal arts. I enjoy that. I like the trades, too. And I especially like having those from the Catholic perspective. Being able to combine the works of the hand and the works of the mind under a Catholic umbrella appealed to me.”

The school will offer training in a variety of trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical contracting. 

Lasnoski said although there is a shortage of people in the trades, it has been relatively easy to find experienced tradesmen willing to teach. 

“In the next 10 years, half of the trades workforce is going to be retiring,” he said. “(But) there’s a lot of interest in the community (in teaching) among not only those who are retired from the trades, but also those who are currently still working in the trades.” 

This article appears in September 4-10, 2025.