Diocesan Catholic schools celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Posted January 24, 2002

This is a brief overview of some of the activities Catholic schools are sponsoring and participating in during Catholic Schools Week.

Bishop Garrigan Schools, Algona

Bishop Garrrigan High School: An all system Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. at St. Cecelia's Church. Staff appreciation breakfast will be held on Jan. 31 at Garrigan.

Seton Grade School:

Students will wear black and gold clothing to school on Jan. 29 to celebrate Black and Gold Day. Students will attend classes together on Jan. 30 - One-Room School Day. Requested gifts for the school will be brought by students on Feb. 1 as they participate in a birthday party for the school.

Spalding Catholic Schools, Alton, Granville and Hospers

Students will speak at each of the Pilgrim Cluster Masses on Jan. 27. On Jan. 28 meals prepared by students will be taken to chosen families within the community. The school board will host all Spalding faculty and staff for lunch at noon on Tuesday. A winter picnic in the high school gym followed by Catholic Schools Week all school Mass on Wednesday. February 1 is Spalding Spirit Day: Students will wear black and gold. Members will be inducted into the National Honor Society.

St. John the Baptist School, Bancroft

On Monday they will celebrate by wearing school T-shirts. Tuesday is Patriotic Day. They will wear red, white and blue. Career Day is scheduled for Wednesday. Grandparents and special persons will visit the school on Thursday. They will be invited to attend the school Mass. Students will enjoy bowling and a pizza party on Friday.

Sacred Heart School, Boone

An open house will be held at the school on Sunday. On Monday the mayor will kick-off the celebration. An alum will speak to the children. The staff will serve Taco John Family Nite that night. Marcus Macintosh from KCCI Channel 8 will read to the students and there will be special lunch on Tuesday. Wednesday will feature an all school Mass with staff recognition. Performance by the One Man Band - Bill Manion. Classroom popcorn parties will be the highlight on Thursday. Table Top Olympics will be held on Friday.

Christ the King School, Breda and Mount Carmel

Weekend liturgies will celebrate Catholic schools: Saturday 6 p.m. at Breda, Saturday, 7 p.m. at Mount Carmel, Sunday 8:30 a.m. at Lidderdale, Sunday, 9 a.m at Breda and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. at Maple River. The school will host a soup and sandwich supper on Monday at the St. Bernard's Center in Breda from 5 to 7 p.m. will some curriculum displays for the public to view. On Tuesday, students will be allowed to dress down. It will be a fun day where classes will take part in either bowling, swimming or skiing. To give teachers a break and reward them for their hard work throughout the school year, there will be no school on Feb. 1.

Kuemper Catholic Schools, Carroll

Grade school: Students from the Carroll area Catholic schools will share their thoughts about being in a Catholic school at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce Coffee on Jan. 25. They will also be included in radio spots. Father Craig Collison, president of the school, will be a guest DJ from 8 to 9 a.m. that day.

High school: On Jan. 29 Kuemper High School students will be treated to homemade cinnamon rolls in the morning and a "casual dress" day. It will be dress up day for students on Jan. 30. They will attend 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Church with Father Collison as celebrant. Volunteers and staff will be treated to a salad luncheon on Thursday by the families and consumer science department. The Parent Club plans to honor teachers throughout the week. On Thursday, teachers will enjoy such things as special treats and door prizes.

Danbury Catholic, Danbury

On Sunday, Jan. 27, the students and families will have liturgical roles for the mass and the staff will be serving rolls, coffee and juice after mass to the parish. Bishop DiNardo will celebrate Mass there on Jan. 28 at which the teachers will recommit to the ministry of Catholic education. School volunteers will be honored during lunch with the students on Jan. 29. On Jan. 30, each classroom will e-mail a Valentine message to U.S service personnel serving in Afghanistan. Lunch menus for the week are planned by the students.

St. Rose of Lima School, Denison

Students and their families are invited to attend our 10:00 A.M. Catholic Schools Week Mass on Jan. 27. St. Rose students have leadership roles. The school is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair at the Parish Center after both Masses on Sunday and the fair will continue through Wednesday. Students will create prayer posters on Monday for display in the parish center. They will have a bake sale with a goal to raise $100 for the bishop's Centennial Campaign for Excellence. On Tuesday, students and parents will have picnic lunch in parish center. Students will autograph each other's T-shirts on Thursday. St. Rose of Lima students will be joined by students from Zion Lutheran School for various games and fun activities.

Emmetsburg Catholic, Emmetsburg

The CSW celebration will kick off with Sunday 10 a.m. Mass. Students will show spirit on Jan. 28 by wearing their favorite slippers and tie. Irish shirt day will be held Wednesday. Students will also take part in a special retreat day on Jan. 30. Students will dress in their chosen career clothing for Career Day on Jan. 31.

Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Fonda

The week kicks off with Mass at St. Columbkille's Church, Varina at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Students are invited to join the choir and will serve in other roles. Monday will feature an indoor picnic and students will take part in crazy hair/clash day. Relay games will be held at 1 p.m. Faculty and staff will be treated to lunch on Tuesday. The students will visit the Fonda Nursing Home at 1 p.m. to sing and deliver Valentines to residents on Wednesay. Bowling is on for Thursday. The week of activities concludes at with 5:30 p.m. Mass at OLGC on Feb. 2.

Fort Dodge Catholic Schools

Grade school: A book fair will be held throughout the week. Students will make thank you cards for parents for sending them to a Catholic school. The sixth grade band will hold a concert at 2:20 p.m. at Sacred Heart on Jan. 28. An open house will be held at St. Edmond Center that night. Students will make thank you cards for the staff on Jan. 29. The fifth grade band will perform at Holy Rosary at 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 30. An open house will be held that night at the Holy Rosary Center. Students will go to a movie theater for "Snow Dogs" on Jan. 31.

St. Edmond High School

St. Edmond alumni will speak at all Masses of the five Webster County parishes. The school's band and vocal students will be involved in the liturgies. Members of the school board will be featured in radio spots throughout the week. The school will be featured in a 12-page insert in the Fort Dodge Messenger. The celebration will conclude on Feb. 2 with an all-system Mass.

Holy Trinity School, Halbur and Templeton * On Jan. 28 letters of appreciation will be sent to community businesses and volunteers thanking them for supporting the school and communities. Parents and family members are invited to picnic with the students at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 29 at both centers. Scholastic Book Fair and Open House at the Halbur Center, 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Jan. 30.

St. Mary School, Humboldt

On Sunday, Jan. 27 the parish observance of CSW begins with student participation at the liturgy, and a pancake breakfast in the gym sponsored by the school board. Volunteer appreciation will be held on Jan. 31. Students will lead the Communion Service with special prayers for the school volunteers. Students will host the volunteers for donuts and juice following the Communion Service. Student Appreciation Day will be highlighted by older and younger students sharing a special buddy activity. Another special feature will be a National Day to focus on the blessings and needs of the country. The School Board will host a teacher gathering to conclude the week.

Gehlen Catholic Grade and High School, Le Mars

A K-12 liturgy will be celebrated on Jan. 28 in the school gym. The day will begin on Tuesday with a student blessing. Students will be allowed to wear jeans that day. On Jan. 30, the school is hosting at Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 9:30 a.m. in the library/media center. The 4th Annual Gehlen Catholic Family Picnic will be held on Jan. 31 in both gyms and the cafeteria. Teachers will receive a special blessing on Feb. 1. On Feb. 2, a can drive will be held in the elementary building.

St. Catherine-St. Mary's Grade School, Oyens and Remsen

On Sunday the Oscar Cash Breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon in the high school cafeteria. Monday Gathering Day: K-12 Liturgy 2 p.m. Tuesday Caring Day: Making and mailing valentines for the elderly of the community. Wednesday Community Day: Chamber Coffee 8:30-10 a.m. Tours will be given by students during the coffee. Thursday Student Appreciation Day: Movies and dress down day. Friday School Family Sharing Day: Students will bring games from home to play at the end of the day.

St. Mary's High School, Remsen

Saturday, Jan. 26: Evangelization Mass in the high school chapel for parents and students after the Ellsworth, Minn. basketball game. At the all-school Mass on Monday, they will honor 10 families that have their last student to go through the St. Mary's system. High school students will be involved in various service activities on Tuesday. Faculty and staff will be honored with an appreciation and tribute brunch. On Feb. 1 recognition will be given to those students who earned honor roll this semester. Students will have pizza and go to a movie in Le Mars.

Catholic Schools of Sioux City

There will be a Mass for all teachers and staff of CSSC at 1:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.

Blessed Sacrament Grade School: The CSW celebration will begin on Jan. 26 with student and teacher participation in the 4:30 p.m. Mass. Students will reach out to others in the community by offering service on Jan. 28. Student council members will serve volunteers a breakfast on Jan. 28. The 185th Fighther Wing is going to present a flag demonstration at 1:30 p.m. in the school gym on Jan. 30. Students and teachers can wear jeans on Jan. 31.

Holy Family Grade School: On Jan. 28 students will enjoy a picnic lunch with their family. They will write thank you notes on Jan. 29 to their parents for sending them to a Catholic school. An all-school Mass will be held at St. Boniface at 9:30 a.m. Bingo will be featured in the St. Boniface Center at 10:30 a.m. They will write appreciation letters to local police and fire departments on Jan. 31.

Mater Dei School: K-5 students will plan and participate in the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass at Immaculate Conception Parish and students in 6-8 will plan and participate in the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass at Nativity Parish. Open houses will be held on Monday at both centers, inviting college education students to visit from Briar Cliff, Morningside, and Western Iowa Tech from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Students will be encouraged to remember the poor as they bring in paper items, bathroom items, toothpaste ...for the I.C. Food Pantry. Wednesday is red, white and jean day as well as gym activity day.

Sacred Heart: Children's Mass on Sunday, Jan. 27 will kick off the week. All mass parts will be filled with students. On Jan. 28 the school will celebrate Faith in Families with a family picnic lunch in the gym. On Thursday they will hold the annual Catholic Schools Week volleyball game, teachers vs. 8th graders.

St. Michael School: On Monday a magician will perform for students in grades K-8. Career Day is featured on Tuesday. Students will be able to dress up in a career of their choice. Parents will also come in to talk about their careers. Bishop DiNardo will celebrate school Mass on Wednesday.

Bishop Heelan High School: Each day they will be selecting a number of students from the four classes to be the Catholic school students of the day. Each day a student will lead prayer focusing in on the value of a Christ-centered education. They will hold a Pennies from Heaven contest to see which class collects the most pennies. The money will be donated. Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day is slated for Jan. 31.

St. Patrick's School, Sheldon

Bulletin boards at St. Patrick's proclaim how a Catholic education reflects their values. Celebrations will begin in parishes with students participating in the 5:30 p.m. liturgy on Saturday at St. Patrick's and 8:30 a.m. liturgy on Jan. 28 at St. Mary in Ashton. A spaghetti supper will be held on Monday for school board and teachers. Local leaders will tour the school on Tuesday and join the students for lunch. Fun student activities planned for Wednesday. School liturgy will conclude the CSW celebration on Friday.

Sacred Heart, Spencer

Students will deliver cookie trays for faculty to Spencer Public Schools. They will make and deliver get well cards to the hospital. They participate in pajama dress down day on Tuesday. Students will be able to watch a video in their classrooms. On Wednesday, the students will be featured in PSAs on the local radio stations. Thursday, the school will host a family indoor picnic in the school gym. A school carnival will be held on Friday evening. They will play bingo as a school. A book fair will be held all week.

St. Mary's Grade and High School, Storm Lake

The students and faculty will participate in a number of activities to recognize the achievements of Storm Lake's Catholic School, which is celebrating its 90th year of service to the community this year. A highlight is the United for Kids Winter Carnival Sunday, Feb. 3 from noon to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium. Other events include a Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 10 a.m., Jan. 30 in the parish center. On Wednesday community members can meet administration, student council members and tour the building. Also that day, faculty and staff will be treated to a catered lunch. On Jan. 31, volunteers will attend 8:30 a.m. liturgy in the church with a reception to follow. Students will deliver thank-you baskets to individuals and organizations in the community. Recent St. Mary's graduates will be the guest speakers at the Jan. 26-27 Masses.

Holy Cross School, Vail

On Monday all students will be making place mats for the monthly gathering of the Senior Citizens' dinner. Parents are invited to come to school to talk to students about the career/job. Students will get a dress down day on Tuesday and in the afternoon will get popcorn and a movie. They will attend Mass at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll on Thursday when the bishop will celebrate the liturgy. They will be wearing patriotic colors for this day. Students will make cards for school volunteers.

SS. Peter and Paul School, West Bend

The opening liturgy at 5 p.m. Jan. 26 will include a banner, flags and student procession. On Monday, students will participate in Career Day. Students will take part in a retreat day on Jan. 29 where they will be involved in spiritual reflection, crafts and more. Students will go skating on Jan. 30. Students will be able to select the way they want to dress on Jan. 31 such as inside-out day, backward day and/or shades.