Tucked away in an office most students just pass by, Cathedral Catholic’s Facilities team works behind the scenes to keep the entire campus running. They are the reason the grounds look beautiful, events run smoothly, and classrooms stay safe and functional every single day. From cleaning up spills to setting up major gatherings to handling everything from AC issues to underground plumbing repairs, the Facilities and Events staff is constantly on the move – often hours before students even arrive and leave. After talking with Facilities Operations Manager Tanya Letuli, Events Coordinator Daniel Rodriguez, and Campus Projects Manager Fa’asuka Falo, also known as “Uncle” Suka, one thing becomes obvious: this department isn’t just a workplace. It’s a family built on hard work, faith, and deep love for the Cathedral community.

Beyond the daily tasks, the Facilities team shapes the entire experience of being on Cathedral’s campus. They are the reasons the school feels clean, safe, and welcoming from the moment you walk in. Every sports game, assembly, retreat, Mass, and major event depends on their preparation and coordination long before anyone arrives. They make sure classrooms stay comfortable, outdoor spaces look cared for, and equipment works the way it should. When something breaks, floods, or suddenly goes wrong, they are the first ones there, quietly fixing the issue before most people even realize it happened. Their work isn’t loud or attention-grabbing, but without them, the campus simply wouldn’t function the way students and staff expect it to.

Mrs. Letuli is at the center of the Facilities department, making sure everything stays organized and on track, no matter how unpredictable the day gets. She first came to Cathedral as a volunteer mom, which helped her connect deeply with the community before joining the staff almost five years ago. Now, as Facilities Manager, she oversees the entire team and all the moving parts that keep the school running. What really shows who she is comes through in the way she talks about her department, describing it as “family, culture, and faith,” she says, “we really support each other…there’s always someone here to back us all up.” Her leadership is rooted in pride for the school and genuine care for the people she works with, which is a big part of why the Facilities team feels so united.

Mr. Rodriguez’s role as the Events Coordinator puts him in the middle of almost everything happening on campus, from big banquets to simple table setups. He spends his days juggling emails, coordinating with teachers and staff, solving scheduling conflicts, and making sure every event matches the visions of the people planning it. What stands out most about Daniel is how much he cares about the community. He explained that his favorite part of the job was easy, “It’s the people…the students, the staff, the faculty, the parents, they make me love my job.” He even shared that he once planned to leave but changed his mind after a going-away gathering for the past priest; the event reminded him why Cathedral matters so much. His connection to the school goes beyond logistics; he genuinely believes in what the community stands for, and that pride shows in the work he does every day.

Uncle Suka is the person responsible for the major behind-the-scenes projects that keep Cathedral running. He is involved in everything from underground plumbing to electrical work, CCTV wiring, kitchen systems, and large-scale renovations that students rarely hear about but depend on every day. He often starts his work early in the morning before anyone is on campus, taking care of the jobs that can’t happen during class hours. Even though most of what he does isn’t visible, his impact is everywhere. When talking about his work, he shared, “You have your good days, your bad days, but you’re doing it for the kids and for the school,” which shows how deeply he cares about the community. For Suka, Cathedral isn’t just a workplace, it’s a family he’s grown with and stayed committed to for over a decade.

What makes Cathedral’s Facilities department special isn’t just the work they do, it’s the way they do it together. The team describes itself as a family, and that sense of connection shows in everything from supporting each other during busy days to joking and teasing one another like siblings. As Mrs. Letuli put it, “Even when I’m not at school, I have a sense of pride…you always run into someone who is proud of Cathedral just as much as you are,” showing how deeply the team values their community. They celebrate successes, help each other through challenges, and share laughs that make long hours feel lighter. For them, working at Cathedral isn’t just a job; it’s a community built on trust, care, and a shared love for the students and the campus.

Cathedral’s Facilities team does important work that often goes unnoticed, but the school depends on them everyday. Their hard work, teamwork, and care for the community make the campus feel safe, clean, and welcoming. Without them, Cathedral wouldn’t run the way it does.