St. Patrick's School celebrates 50 years

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
September 7, 2006

SHELDON - St. Patrick School in Sheldon celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 2 with an open house at the school, Mass, program and dinner.

The open house in the school was held from 1 to 4 p.m. There were pictures of all the classes that have graduated from St. Patrick's as well as other photos and memorabilia. Students, parents, graduates and present and former teachers walked through the school to see the stages the school has gone through.

Barb Addengast began her years at St. Patrick's in 1959 when she entered kindergarten. She went there through eighth grade and now four of her children have graduated from St. Patrick's and two are currently students there.

"It is great that the school is celebrating 50 years," said Addengast. "It is nice to see so many people that have come and to see the pictures of all the classes and the teachers that have taught through the years."

Prior to Mass, the bell choir of kindergarten, first and second grade students played songs as people entered church.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless presided at the 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick's. Father Robert Schimmer, pastor at St. Patrick's Parish, was the concelebrant with Deacon Ray Portz assisting.

St. Patrick students were involved in the Mass as banner carriers, servers, commentator, lector, gift bearers, instrumentalists and greeters.

Bishop Nickless was the homilist and began by recounting the readings.

"For 50 years, St. Patrick's School has been trying to teach the holiness and creeds of Moses but also the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church," said the bishop. "Through Catholic education these many years, we see the wise and intelligent not only in the knowledge of our faith but most importantly in how we live our faith."

He noted that both the traditions at St. Patrick's and at St. Mary's in Ashton make Catholic school education a priority.

"Many sacrifices were made in the past to make this school possible," said Bishop Nickless. "We thank God in this Eucharist today for all that have gone before us who did so much to grow and change this school. We are also filled with gratitude for administration, the teachers, the staff, the parents, the students and the alumni who are still a part of St. Patrick's School today. The only reason a Catholic school exists is to pass on our Catholic faith and tradition."

He continued that people try to put into practice what they have learned in school in their daily lives.

"Hopefully, this faith and living out our faith is a part of what St. Patrick's School is all about," said Bishop Nickless. "Teaching good values, strong beliefs, good understanding of the rich treasure of our Catholic faith is what Catholic schools seek to teach. We give thanks to God for all that St. Patrick's has done, is doing and will do for at least another 50 years to pass on our faith. Congratulations to all of you today on 50 years of your Catholic school."

Following Mass, Virginia Huss, St. Patrick's principal, welcomed the guests and introduced the master of ceremonies, Justice Michael Streit, a 1961 graduate of St. Patrick's.

Streit told stories of his time at St. Patrick's and his experiences with the sisters who taught him.

"I'm not sure everybody understands the sacrifices that the nuns and the lay teachers make in giving to the community of souls we call St. Patrick's," said Streit. "Much of the focus of our school experience was the teaching of trustworthiness, respect, fairness, caring, citizenship and spirituality."

After Justice Streit's talk, the St. Patrick's students presented a program of different songs under the direction of Toni Bart with Laura Wagner as accompanist. The students opened the program with the school song.

Another song was "Light a Candle for the Graduates of St. Pat's." Each decade of St. Patrick's graduates were recognized by standing as their years were announced. They concluded the program with "Irish Blessing."

Bishop Nickless offered a meal blessing before the attendees left the church to go to the catered dinner.

Among those present for the day were two of the five original sisters who started the school in 1956 including Sister Mary Sheila Kane, music teacher and Sister Therese Marie, kindergarten teacher.

"It is wonderful to be back here," said Sister Mary Sheila, who is now the hospitality coordinator at Mt. Loretto in Dubuque. "I have good memories of St. Pat's. When Mike was telling some of the stories, I could top some of the stories he told."

She added that she was very impressed with the singing at the Mass and would like to think that she had a part in that in the beginning.

"It was a lovely program and the children were very animated. They have very lovely voices," said Sister Mary Sheila. "They really sang out and so did the people."

Other Presentation Sisters who taught at St. Patrick's and attended the celebration were Sister Janet Goetz, Algona; Sister Lois, Dayton; Sister Brigid, Hardington, Neb.; Sister Janet Stelken, Sister Julie, Sister Bernard and Sister Pamela from Mt. Loretto in Dubuque.