Pacelli Catholic Schools received a blessing Wednesday during a welcome back to school celebration to commemorate the school system’s name change from Austin Catholic Schools.

The blessing was delivered by Pacelli financial director The Rev. Dale Tupper during a back to school barbecue celebrating the unification of the school system under a new name.

“Before we changed the name, we received several suggestions to have names changed to unify the schools because we are on the same campus,” said Holli Mayer, director of development.

The blessing ceremony consisted of over 50 Pacelli staff members holding a large green ribbon from the elementary building to the high school building. The Rev. Tupper blessed the buildings and the ribbon before Pacelli director Mary Holtorf cut the ribbon.

The school system’s name was changed to Pacelli Catholic Schools from Austin Catholic School on July 1 when the school also changed its leadership structure and logo. The name honors Pope Pius Xll who was known as Cardinal Pacelli when he was elected pope in 1939.

“First and foremost, we are a religous school, so it’s important to incorporate that into all the things we do,” Mayer said.

The ceremony was preceded by a return to school celebration that held 400 people in attendance.

The first day of classes will be on Tuesday, Sept. 7.