January 27, 2012
Catholic Schools Week
Emphasis is on faith, academics and service
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
It’s that time of year, it‘s Catholic Schools Week, and schools all over the Diocese of Evansville are gearing up to celebrate their tradition of faith, academics and service.
There will be student versus the faculty volleyball games, special prayer services, pajama days and official proclamations.
This is the first year that Bishop Charles C. Thompson will celebrate Catholic Schools Week in the diocese, and he’s been invited to several schools to celebrate Mass with students.
On Jan. 25, at 9:15 a.m. he was scheduled to be at Mater Dei High School in Evansville.
On Monday, Jan. 30, he will celebrate Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh. He will attend the FourStar celebration at St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon that afternoon.
On Tuesday, Jan. 31, he will celebrate Mass with the students at the three Washington Catholic schools, and on Wednesday, he will celebrate Mass at St. Joseph Church in Jasper with students from Precious Blood School, Holy Family School and St. John Paul the Great High School.
Vickie Wannemuehler, principal at St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon, said, “When we asked our students what they like most about school, Catholic Schools Week was number one on their list. Catholic Schools Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate what makes St. Matthew School special, and the week is filled with tradition, faith and family.
“We begin the week by celebrating Sunday Mass with the parish. Praying with the parishioners and thanking them for their support is very important to the students, teachers and staff.
“We also have theme days throughout the week. For example, we usually have a sports day during which the students can wear their favorite team’s shirt. In the afternoon, the fourth and fifth graders compete against the teachers and staff in a game of volleyball or basketball. We usually have lots of parents come to watch the game, and often times, they will play in the game too!
“Catholic Schools Week always concludes with a sock hop on Friday afternoon. The students and parents wear ‘50s attire and dance together in the gym. It’s a lot of fun to watch the children and their parents have such a good time together.
“Over the last few years, we’ve added a service project to our list of events. This year the students have chosen to have a canned food drive for the Mount Vernon Food Pantry. I’m very proud of them for having such generous hearts and wanting to make a difference.”
Nancy Mills, principal at St. Theresa School in Evansville agrees that students look forward to Catholic Schools Week. “It gives them the opportunity to express to their parents and parish how thankful and proud they are to attend St. Theresa School.
“They will send out letters to their prayer partners and parishioners, invite their families to lunch, and celebrate Mass with friends, family and the community.”
She said her students “take pride and truly understand the excellence of their Catholic school education.”
WASHINGTON
Catholic Schools Week activities in the diocese include Mass at Our Lady of Hope Church in Washington on Sunday. The week for students at the three Catholic schools there will conclude with a pep rally.
VINCENNES
• Rivet Middle School and High School students will write essays about “What Rivet Means to Me.” There will also be a science fair and a pep session.
• Flaget Elementary School students will kick off the week with “dress crazy/mixed up” day. They will also have “dress for your career or hobby” day.
GIBSON COUNTY
A Mass for students in the four schools in the Princeton Deanery will be held on Feb. 2 at St. James Church in Haubstadt. It will be attended by students from St. James, Sts. Peter and Paul School in Haubstadt, St. Joseph School in Princeton, and Holy Cross School in Fort Branch.
• Father Tony Ernst will talk to students at Holy Cross School about the history of the Catholic Church and the history of their parish.
• The week will conclude at St. Joseph School with an ice cream sundae party for the students with their pastor, Father Ron Zgunda.
POSEY COUNTY
Monday is “gymtastic day” at St. Wendel School. There will be extra gym activities promoting health and fun. Thursday is “Parent/Grandparent/Special Person Day,” and features lunch, games and a tour.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY
• Westside Catholic School will find new exercise equipment at the Sacred Heart campus, and there will be an afternoon Bible trivia challenge at the St. Boniface campus.
On Friday, all homerooms will perform community service that will include trash pickup, writing cards to shutins and letters to the troops.
• Students at Good Shepherd School are encouraged to wear their “spirit shirts” all week as part of the celebration. They will work on a special project for the residents at the Little Sisters of the Poor Home, and make thankyou notes for Good Shepherd parishioners.
• Special guests will talk about vocations at Corpus Christi School, and Father Ted Tempel will celebrate Mass with the students. They will also participate in a door decorating contest.
• Holy Rosary School students are asked to perform some type of service to their family, neighbors or community. “We ask only that students make an effort to do something out of the ordinary to serve others,” said Joan Fredrich, principal.
• Coloring contest winners at St. Benedict Cathedral School will have lunch with their principal, Benedictine Sister Karlene Sensmeier.
• Students at St. Joseph School will dress as rock stars during “Rockin’ for Catholic Schools” day on Tuesday. Prayer partners will attend Mass together on Friday.
NEWBURGH
Tuesday is “Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom” day at St. John the Baptist School, and includes a visit to Skateworld that evening.
On Friday, the students have the option of dressing like their favorite teacher.