Connections Spring 2018 Catholic Community Schools

Celebrating Catholic Schools!

Fr. Ron Weyrens Dances Down the Aisle at Mass Page 25

Spring 2018

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Contributors

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TION Spring 2018

Fr. Ron Weyrens (CCS Board Chair) Kevin Powers (Superintendent) Administrators Lynn Grewing Erin Hatlestad Missy Johnson Kelly Kirks Kathy Kockler Paula Leider Lynn Rasmussen Karl Terhaar Todd Van Erp (Asst. Principal - CHS) Kelly Vangsness Cover Photo Diane Towalski St. Cloud Visitor Printing Sunray Printing Graphic Design MECLM Media

/stcloudccs @stcloudccs

SUPERINTENDENT SAYS...

As the students prepare for camps, vacations and summer fun, Catholic Community Schools will be operating in full force this summer. I am excited to share a few things that will be going on over the summer and next school year.

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Connect with US Want to learn more?

Send an email to info@CatholicCommunitySchools.org

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR! (POST CARD INSERT)

In this issue OUR SCHOOLS 6 All Saints Academy (St. Cloud Campus) 8 All Saints Academy (St. Joseph Campus) 10 Holy Cross 12 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 14 St. Francis Xavier 16 St. Katharine Drexel 18 St. Mary Help of Christians 20 St. Wendelin 22 Cathedral High School

FEATURES 4 The Pathway of CCS 24 Commemorating Milestones

Catholic Schools Week Mass "And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres

27 Celebrate Catholic Schools On the Back Cover

• Map of CCS Schools • Do the Color Run!

and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals." 2 Samuel 6:5

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THE PATHWAY OF CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

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21st Century Skills

College and Career

Our students will be challenged in and out of the classroom to learn and grow in an ever-changing world.

Our graduates will be prepared to be successful in either postsecondary education or in the workforce.

4 Faith Formation

2 Whole Child Our students will have opportunities to learn and grow in and out of the classroom, focusing on extra-curricular, fine arts, athletics, STEM, and social and emotional development.

Our schools will be rooted in our Catholic teachings.

Students will have a deep personal connection with Jesus Christ.

3 Community Our schools and students will be active members of our local community, engaging in service projects, leadership opportunities and creating a positive impact.

1 Quality Early Childhood Our schools will provide a developmentally, socially, emotionally and academically strong early childhood experience for 3-5 year-olds.

Follow the path to learn how Catholic Community Schools will create a strong, rich and vibrant Catholic school system for our students, families, staff, and community.

Catholic Community Schools

SUPERINTENDENT SAYS...

Kevin Powers Superintendent

Catholic Community Schools

320-258-7639 kpowers@CatholicCommunitySchools.org

We have reached the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Students have grown, changed and developed in many ways over the past ten months. I always find the end of the school year to be a time of excitement and energy, a chance to celebrate all that was accomplished, and a chance to start thinking about the next school year. Here at Catholic Community Schools, our first official year is in the book, and I wanted to highlight a few high points this year: Catholic Schools Week Mass: On Wednesday, January 31, 2018, Catholic Community Schools came together at Cathedral High School for Mass.

We had over 2,000 students, staff, parents and community members coming together to pray, worship and celebrate Mass and Catholic schools!

It was truly a breathtaking moment to witness the sea of blue CCS shirts and sense the energy from our community.

We look forward to doing this next year!

Community Awareness Throughout this year, Catholic Community Schools has had a great presence in our community. We have been featured in numerous news stories, radio ads, magazines

and at community events. With this increased exposure many of our schools are reporting an increasing interest in their schools and community members are becoming more engaged. Thank you for your help with spreading the good news about CCS! Professional Development Throughout this year our teachers engaged in professional development to support their mission as Catholic educators.

Some of the professional development focused on core subjects, while others focused on social and emotional training to better support students in need.

We are so blessed to have so many amazing teachers, and this training and development will continue to have a direct and positive impact on the students in the classroom.

"I want to thank all of you for your support, questions, input and patience with the creation of and transition to Catholic Community Schools."

Unified School Calendar: For the 2018-2019 academic year, Catholic Community Schools will have a unified school calendar. Thanks to the hard work of the principals we were able to create a consistent calendar which will have a positive impact on the students, staff and community. This will allow our staff to have a strong and more consistent professional development schedule and assist parents on non-school days with younger siblings.

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Creation of a Central Office: Starting July 1, Catholic Community Schools will have a central office to better support our schools, principals and pastors. The central office will consistent of a Finance, Development and Marketing Departments. These offices will be created to better streamline resources and provide better support and outreach for our schools and communities. Some of these positions currently exist at some schools, but having it centrally will allow us to better use our resources and better invest in our students and schools.

Community Events: Throughout the summer, Catholic Community Schools will have a presence at various parades, festivals and other summer events, please come by and say hello and encourage your friends to visit and talk with us. If you have an event we should consider attending please let us know!

Finally, I want to thank all of you for your support, questions, input and patience with the creation of and transition to Catholic Community Schools. We all know that change is hard and at times the road to change is full of potholes and curves, yet we know that we will make it to the destination. Catholic Community Schools will create a strong, vibrant and thriving Catholic school system in our community, it might look a little different or we might do things in a different way, but ultimately it is about providing a strong Catholic education for our current students and generations to come!

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Teacher Mary Lou Paul with several preschool students.

Bishop Kettler reads to ASA students during, "I Love to Read Month."

A Spirit of Ser vice When All Saints Academy came together in 2012, the community developed a new set of values: to care deeply, share generously, serve willingly and speak kindly. These values shape everything we do academically, spiritually, and socially. One of the most formational tools we use is to cultivate our students’ deep relationship to the community through service to our neighbors.

From projects like designing anti-waste posters to packing Birthday Celebration Bags for the local food shelf to planning a prayer service that honored the memory of one of our beloved students, our students demonstrate that

Preschool students explore ice fishing in the classroom.

they care deeply every day. This school year alone, our students raised nearly $500 for “Crayons for Cancer,” $600 for Hurricane Harvey Relief, $1,033 towards a memorial bench, $1,006 for the CRS Rice Bowl, packed 5,616 meals at Kids Fighting Hunger, collected nearly 200 pounds of food for Catholic Charities, and produced 49 birthday celebration bags for children in our community!

These projects are supported through robust, hands-on curriculum that links our faith to our academics and our actions.

The sixth grade students learned about the Catholic Social Teaching of Care for God’s Creation and experience our environment at Deep Portage, where they use math and science to check the quality of water, measure their food waste at meal times, and study renewable energy sources and the impact of humans on the environment.

Connecting our curriculum to love of neighbor is integral to the Catholic school experience in all grades at All Saints Academy.

Experiences like these demonstrate the deep sense of caring, sharing and serving that sets our students apart not only academically, but in how we live out our faith, deeply affecting our community. We are grateful every day for our students’ loving generosity with their time, talents and treasures!

- Paula Leider, Principal

Fifth grade students canoe the Sauk River in while learning about water quality.

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Paula Leider Principal

Saint Cloud Campus Sixth grade students huddle in the survival shelter they created at Deep Portage.

Established 1947

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Offering Preschool through

Preschool & sixth grade students work together to build gingerbread houses.

6th Grade 1215 11th Avenue North St. Cloud, MN 56303

320-251-5295 asastcloud@allsaintsmn.org www.allsaintsmn.org

ASA-SC All Saints Day Mass

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Celebrating First Eucharist with Mrs. Pundsack.

Students and staff celebrate a Seder Meal together.

An Angel Among Us A year ago on the Monday of Holy Week, Mrs. Pundsack, second grade teacher of 37 years, suffered a severe cardiac event just before the start of the school day. Since it was at the time of morning drop off, parents were still in the vicinity to offer help. A parent who is an ophthalmologist, another who is a physician, and three parents who are first responders jumped into action to resuscitate Mrs. Pundsack. The three

Preparing vegetables for Nutrition Week.

first responders who helped were former students of Mrs. Pundsack, and although it was disconcerting to be working on their beloved second grade teacher, they managed to stabilize her. According to the cardiologist, if not for the quick actions of parents of the St. Joseph community, she most likely would not have survived.

Besides the gallant efforts of these parents, there was another critical component simultaneously occurring. Shortly after word got out that Mrs. Pundsack had collapsed, parents organized a prayer group in the parking lot, and along with them, students, staff, the Benedictine Sisters, and members of the St. Joseph community all prayed for Mrs. Pundsack. The outpouring of these prayers could be felt throughout the building as Mrs. Pundsack’s life hung in the balance.

The odds were heavily stacked against her, but with the expertise of the medical responders, coupled with the all the prayers of the St. Joseph community, that Holy Week Monday ended happily.

Mrs. Pundsack survived her cardiac event and is now back in the classroom reaffirming the importance of people loving, working, and praying together as a faith community.

- Karl Terhaar, Principal

Going all out for Fat Tuesday.

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Karl Terhaar Principal

Saint Joseph Campus Passing on the light of Christ.

Established 1856

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Students

Offering Preschool through

Tied blankets made for Pockets of Hope.

6th Grade 32 West Minnesota Street St. Joseph, MN 56374

320-363-7505 asastjoseph@allsaintsmn.org www.allsaintsmn.org

ASA-SJ Friends enjoying lunch together.

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Enjoying an annual tubing trip to Powder Ridge as a whole school.

On Halloween, all activities are led by older students.

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eeting learners where they are: No matter where they are academically, students are given their own opportunity to learn and grow. Individualized instruction allows flexibility in meeting their challenges and strengths as these can change on a daily basis.

Students with the poetry book they wrote and published this year.

Small and Mighty “We are small in size and big in spirit!” What does this mean? At Holy Cross Catholic School we define it as...

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pecialized Curriculum: Holy Cross School offers the Susan Barton Curriculum for our Dyslexic learners. This is offered during school hours and is one on one instruction with a trained instructor. “Holy Cross School was nothing short of Divine intervention for our family. We are so blessed to have had our two children at a school where the teachers understand dyslexia." (April Stadtler)

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cademic Rigor: Within the classrooms we create challenging lessons using multi-option assignments to accommodate differing student readiness, interests and learning styles that give the students the motivation to drive their own learning.

“My family’s experience at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School was truly a gift from God. This school may be little, but the gifts it provides its students are colossal.”

(Michele Haus)

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eadership skills for learning success: As a school community, we encourage our students and staff to develop leadership skills to be successful in an out of the classroom. Allowing us to learn and teach content effectively during the learning process to help each other succeed and grow.

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iving our faith: Recognizing and celebrating ALL of our different strengths, gifts and needs allows all of us to live as Christ wants us to live.

- Missy Johnson, Lead Teacher

This group of students is ready to take on the tubing hill at Powder Ridge.

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Missy Johnson Lead Teacher 4th, 5th, and 6th graders took a trip down to the State Capital for School Choice Day!

Established 1904

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Offering Preschool through

The whole Holy Cross School family enjoying CCS Mass during Catholic Schools Week.

6th Grade 10672 County Road 8 Kimball, MN 55353

320-398-7885 mbertram@holycrossmn.org www.holycrossmn.org

HCS

Beginning of the 2017 - 2018 school year with the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.

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High fives for the CHS Basketball Team before they head to state.

Levi and Emersyn get ready for volleyball in gym class.

To help create a stronger connection with our parish, we have the fall work-a-thon, Mass at the parishes once a month, and bulletin articles which keep us connected, but our prayer partner program is our most successful parish-school activity.

Second graders enjoying Ellie's Army students from Cathedral!

Partners in Prayer Increasing parish-school connections is at the forefront of our school strategic plan, but having students feel that connection can be challenging at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School because there is not a church at the site of the school.

Starting in kindergarten, each student is paired with a parishioner from St. Anthony’s, Holy Spirit, or St. John Cantius.

Students will keep their prayer partner until they graduate from SEAS. At least four times a year, students send a letter to their partner. The letters tell about themselves, a bit about their family and friends, and also ask for specific prayer requests. Students also include their prayer partner in daily prayer and special intentions throughout the year. There is no requirement for writing back, but many do, which makes the students very excited to get “real mail!”

Every year in May, students invite their prayer partners to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's for Mass. After Mass, the students get a chance for fellowship with their prayer partners. They visit classrooms, take tours of the school and have a snack together. Even though the parishes, and parishioners, are physically far away from the school, they are always close to the children in school through our prayer partner program!

- Kelly Vangsness, Principal

Kindergarten students in Ms. Gulati's class are ready for the day!

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St. Elizabe h Ann Seton

C AT H O L I C S C H O O L

Kelly Vangsness Principal Blake and Jack are producing a video for making announcements.

Established 1921

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Students

Offering Preschool through

Emma and her Nona enjoying a game during special persons' day.

6th Grade 1615 11th Avenue South St. Cloud, MN 56301

320-251-1988 kvangsness@seasmn.org www.seasmn.org

SEAS

Photo booth fun for Jack and his Grandpa!

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Community Service Veteran's Day Project - Blankets for Veterans

Mass led by Sixth graders.

Faith in Action Service, Volunteerism, Civic Responsibility!

All three are big words that are being used more and more in all aspects of our lives.

Here at St. Francis Xavier School, service is a way of our daily life. It is how we live out the teachings of Jesus as we interact with each other and those in our greater community.

Catholic Social Teachings such as life and dignity of the human person, solidarity, option for the poor and vulnerable, and calls to family and community along with the Gospel values are put into action through service, in a wide variety of ways throughout our school. All of our students participate in a variety of age-appropriate service-learning activities. For example:

Service tor one another during our Seder Meal.

Sixth grade buddies with kindergartners.

• Muffins and Mass: For numerous years, first graders make muffins and serve them to the parishioners who attend our all-school masses. The students also make and deliver hand made cards to the parishioners, thanking them for their support throughout the year.

• Bags for Veterans: For the past three years, the whole school comes together to fill bags with items ranging from personal care to snacks galore to blankets made by the fifth & sixth grade students.

• Saints in Service: One Saturday in the fall, our families perform fall cleaning tasks for the neighbors of our community.

• Youth and Seniors: Throughout the year, our fifth graders go over to the Country Manor to socialize, play games, sing and create seasonal projects with the elderly.

• Sixth Graders: They serve in a variety of capacities from buddying up with Kindergartners, to taking the lead in planning for activity nights, various school skits and performing the Living Stations of the Cross to taking on the responsibilities of daily announcements.

As our mission states, “St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is committed to providing students with a quality education emphasizing spiritual growth, academic excellence and community service. We follow the teachings of Jesus by loving and respecting each person in everything we do and say."

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Kathy Kockler Principal Preschoolers involved in Operation Christmas Child.

Established 1961

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Students

Offering Preschool through

Students display their finished blankets for Veteran's in need.

6th Grade 308 2nd Street North Sartell, MN 56377

320-252-9940 www.stfrancissartellschool.org kkockler@sfx61.org

SFX

Saints in Service out working in the community.

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Students show support during our “Pink Out Day."

Deacon Wocken shares skills in his cooking show.

They selflessly give of themselves, not to become rich or famous, but to make a difference in the lives of the students, families and the Church.

Sr. Karen shares her gifts with a class.

On A Mission 50 Years Later…A Life’s Ministry Often, when asked what makes St. Katharine Drexel School so special, the first response is our faculty and staff. You’ll find that the faculty and staff at all of our Catholic Community Schools are second to none. Day in and day out they do not see their work as just a job; they see it as a vocation, a calling, perhaps even their life’s ministry.

One such person who has devoted her life to Catholic education is Sr. Karen Niedzielski, OSF. In fact, this is her 50th year in education. Sr. Karen’s love for learning and working with children has taken her to England, Africa, Milwaukee and across our Diocese.

Sr. Karen discovered how to teach and, even more, her love for teaching through storytelling. This gifted storyteller even helped to set up a library in the Ukraine.

After leaving St. Andrew’s in Elk River, Sr. Karen is currently sharing her storytelling gifts with over 300 students as our school librarian.

When asked why she doesn’t slow down as she approaches her 80th birthday this fall, she replied “The students give me life and keep me young”. It is truly her life’s ministry to share her gifts with the future of our Church.

- Erin Hatlestad, Principal

St. Nicholas visits Kindergarten and First Grade students.

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Erin Hatlestad Principal Fr. Scott welcomes a student into the Church through Baptism.

Established 1856

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Offering Preschool through

Our Academic Triathlon team celebrates a 1st place finish at Regions. Next stop State.

6th Grade 428 2nd Street SE

St. Cloud, MN 56304

320-251-2376 ehatlestad@ourcatholicschool.org www.ourcatholicschool.org

SKD

Second graders celebrate their First Communion during a school liturgy.

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Meet our "happy cooks".

Continuing family tradition of Catholic Education.

teacher needs deep faith and spirituality and to be a model of Christ.

Celebrating Grandparents' Day.

A Teacher’s Ministr y A strong Catholic identity is nestled in the community of St. Augusta. Catholic-based education helps the children of St. Mary Help of Christians School grow in understanding and integrating the Gospel message in their lives by coming together in community and reaching out to others. Catholic education takes dedication. A strong Catholic school

Kindergarten teacher, Jean Noss, has been an intricate part of weaving this fabric at St. Mary Help of Christians School. Her tenure has become her ministry. She lives and shares her faith each day by showing empathy, compassion, and patience. She is a gem! Her humor, tact, and wisdom are great comfort to all.

Parents appreciate how she creates a safe environment for their children to learn and grow. Her standards are high and her students flourish.

Students share that Mrs. Noss makes learning fun and meaningful. She is a dedicated teacher full of integrity.

Her simple acts of love are part of the Catholic spirit, which we are proud to celebrate.

As her colleagues we treasure Jean as a leader and mentor. She has the strong ability to encourage and guide at the same time.

Her lessons leave an everlasting impression. She has been called to teach. We are thankful and blessed to have her share her gifts with us.

- Kelly Kirks, Principal

Now that's teamwork!

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St. Mary Help of Christians School

Kelly Kirks Principal St. Mary's is the Purr-fect Place to Be!

Established 1886

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Offering Preschool through

Go SMHOCS!

6th Grade 24560 County Road 7

St. Augusta, MN 56303

320-251-3937 kkirks@smhocs.org www.smhoc.org/school/

SMHOCS

St. Augusta Fire Department stops by for a visit.

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Students celebrate First Communion with Fr. Mark.

We are small, yet mighty!

Our Biggest Blessing St. Wendelin School is the best kept secret in the Luxemburg/St. Cloud area. Our small class sizes are one of our biggest blessings.

We are a close-knit community, and we welcome all to join. Below are testimonials from some of our parents: • “We love St. Wendelin School first and foremost because of its Catholic identity.

I love that our kids get to go to weekly mass and participate in the liturgy in an intimate way."

Enjoying a sweet treat at our open house carnival.

• “I love that my daughter knows all the teachers and principal so well. She definitely feels comfortable and special at St. Wendelin. My daughter loves getting to interact with “the big kids” and from what I hear, they are really great and helpful to the younger kids.”

• “I like the small class size because whether the individual student needs extra help or needs extra work to work ahead, they are accommodated. My daughters were both placed in math classes a grade ahead of them when they moved to CHS.” • “St. Wendelins has been a wonderful school for our three children. They thrive in the small classroom setting where one-on-one assistance is readily available to them when they need it. “ • “We love the family atmosphere of the grades intermingling and playing together on the playground. This develops the valuable skill of learning to deal with people of any ages.”

Come see for yourself what a wonderful school we have.

- Lynn Rasmussen, Principal

Celebrating "Yellow Day" in the preschool room.

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St. Wendelin Catholic School

Lynn Rasmussen Principal Avid readers reach their goal and get to duct tape Mrs. Razz to the wall.

Established 1932

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Offering Preschool through

Farewell to Sr. Marius. We miss you!

6th Grade 22776 State Highway 15 St. Cloud, MN 56301

320-251-9175 lrasmussen@stwendelins.org www.stwendelins.org

SWS

Our pinball tournament - The Red Team

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An incoming seventh grader receives her welcome packet.

Cathedral students from Global Issues class travel to Tanzania.

Changing the World Since 2008, 186 Cathedral students have traveled to Tanzania with Cathedral social studies teacher Dick McMorrow. A group of 22 students and six adults recently returned from this always-successful and meaningful mission experience. To say that the trip is “lifechanging” is probably an understatement. A 2018 traveler wrote, “You hear a lot of things about this trip beforehand, so you think you know what it’s like, but that’s not true. You don’t truly realize what life is like here, how different your lifestyle would be, but you also don’t know how amazing the people are. This experience has changed my perspective on many things and I hope to remember these feelings forever. It’s truly the trip of a lifetime.”

Deacon Trout's engineering students hone techniques.

Students worked at the Upendo Orphanage and Agano Preschool. They assisted a women's group and planted a garden with them. Every year a highlight of the trip is a visit to the village of Mikocheni. According to McMorrow, this village of about 4,000 people, is “a village of mud huts and very little electricity and running water."

In 2010, a student felt called to collaborate with the people of Mikocheni on several projects to improve their living conditions.

They formed a non-profit, the Tanzania Village Fund, that has completed several projects since 2010. Working with the Diocese of Moshi, these students upgraded classrooms, helped install a new water tower with solar panels, and created water access for the students.

Prior to the trip, all of the students have taken McMorrow’s Global Issues class, so they have some context for their experiences.

Each evening of the trip, the students and chaperones meet to reflect on the day. Mr. McMorrow said, “These evening discussions are an integral part of the student’s experience.

The discussion and daily journaling allow them to personalize and reflect on their day.”

Students also have other unique experiences in Tanzania. They enjoy a drum and dance show from one of the local tribes; they swim in a waterfall near the base of Mount Kilimanaro, and they learn how to harvest and make coffee on a coffee tour. The trip is capped off with a two day wildlife safari. It is a unique opportunity for Cathedral students: eyeopening and life-changing.

-Lynn Grewing, Principal

Students help the women of Mikocheni plant a large garden for their crops.

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Lynn Grewing Principal The Boys Basketball team celebrates a victory that secures 3rd place in State Tourney.

Established 1884

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Students

Offering 7th Grade through

Cathedral students pull out all the stops to welcome the incoming seventh grade class.

12th Grade 312 7th Avenue North St. Cloud, MN 56303

320-251-3421 lgrewing@cathedralcrusaders.org www.cathedralcrusaders.org

CHS

Photo courtesy of Joe Koenig

The 2018 Spring Musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" was a huge hit!

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CORDIALLY COMMEMORATING STAFF MILESTONES Education

Paula Leider is celebrating 17 years in Catholic Education and one year as the principal at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Becca Rauch, a teacher at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph, completed her Montessori Teacher Licensure in March.

Rick and Theresa Fleege are both celebrating 20 years of teaching at Cathedral High School and All Saints Academy in St. Joseph, respectively.

Joanne Schneider, a teacher at all Saints Academy in St. Joseph, earned a Masters Degree in Learning Design and Technology from St. Mary's University.

Erin Hatlestad at St. Katharine Drexel is celebrating 20 years as a principal in the St. Cloud Diocese.

Lora Smith, a teacher at Saint Francis Xavier in Sartell, received the LEEA (Leadership in Educational Excellence Award) in October 2017.

Years of Service

Elisa Konz is celebrating 12 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph.

Sean Jacobson is celebrating five years as the director of the St. Cloud Area Parochial Association Elementary Band.

Marissa Bristow is celebrating 15 years as an Administrative Assistant at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Paula Franzmeier is celebrating 10 years of teaching at St. Francis Xavier in Sartell.

Robin Kremer is celebrating 15 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph.

Share your Milestone with Connections Magazine.

Email your story to info@catholiccommunityschools.org

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Tess Koltes is celebrating 20 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph.

Josie Moen is celebrating 20 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph.

Terry Elliot is celebrating 21 years of service at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud and St. Joseph.

Katie Calhoun is celebrating 23 years of teaching at Holy Cross School in Kimball.

Cindy Bautch is celebrating 25 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Amy O'Neal is celebrating 25 years of teaching in the St. Cloud Diocese, which includes 18 years at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Kathy Smude is celebrating 25 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Jenna Courrier is celebrating 27 years of teaching at St. Francis Xavier in Sartell.

Linda Heinen is celebrating 29 years of teaching All Saints Academy in St. Joseph.

Becky Decker is celebrating 30 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Barb Wick is celebrating 30 years of teaching, which includes 29 years at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Katherine Mugge is celebrating 30 years of teaching German at Cathedral High School.

Milestones continued on Page 26

CELEBRATING WITH THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS They came from the east and the west, the north and the south, from prairie and city, and took their place in the north gym of Cathedral High School. Nearly 2,000 energetic Catholic school students, faculty, staff and friends gathered around the table of the Lord.

As the presider of the Mass, one word came to mind — wow!

It was an awesome sight to witness young and old gathering to express their faith in Jesus Christ. At the same time, it was humbling to be the one to lead the prayer. I hope that God's love touched the hearts of those present, and that I could assist those present to have an unfettered joy for Jesus Christ.

Ultimately the Eucharist that day celebrated our oneness, that we are on community of faith. We were nourished and recharged, reminded that all our gifts are important.

We were sent forth to let the light of Jesus shine, with hearts ablaze to shatter the darkness and proclaim: God is AWESOME. - Fr. Ron Weyrens

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CORDIALLY COMMEMORATING STAFF MILESTONES Continued from Page 24

Mary O'Hara is celebrating 33 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

are celebrating the engagement of their daughter, Karli, to John Sloan.

Kathy LaBeaux is celebrating 35 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Susan Huls is celebrating 36 years of teaching, which includes 28 years at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph.

Mary Lou Paul is celebrating 36 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud.

Betty Pundsack is celebrating 40 years of teaching at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph.

Sr. Karen Niedzielski, OSF (Saint Katharine Drexel in Saint Cloud), is celebrating 50 years in education in our diocese and throughout the world.

Engagements Jim and Jenna Courrier (a teacher at St. Francis Xavier in Sartell),

Jonathon Zwack and Anna Scmid (a teacher at St. Katharine Drexel in Saint Cloud), are celebrating their engagement to be married.

Marriages

Expecting Jeremy and Ashley Wollersheim, teachers at Cathedral High School and All Saints Academy in Saint Cloud, respectively, are expecting their first child, Alice Linda Wollersheim, in July.

Joel and Amanda McDonough (a teacher at Saint Katharine Drexel in Saint Cloud), welcomed a new baby boy, Parker William, on May 7, 2018.

Births Austin and Jade Dresow (a teacher at Holy Cross in Kimball), welcomed a new baby girl, Karsyn Avery Dresow, to their family on April 4, 2018.

Jim and Mary Schumann, (a teacher at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph), welcomed a new grandson, Brody Gerald Leffler, on April 11, 2018.

Jerry and Susan Huls (a teacher at All Saints Academy in St. Joseph), welcomed their first grandchild in 2017.

Andrew Mackey and Nicki Stemper (a teacher at All Saints Academy in St. Cloud), welcomed a baby boy, Harrison, to their family on March 7, 2018.

Jim and Jenna Courrier (a teacher at St. Francis Xavier in Sartell), celebrated the marriage of their son Hayden and his new wife, Kristi on April 12, 2018.

Jeremy and Ashley Wollersheim, teachers at Cathedral High School and All Saints Academy in Saint Cloud, respectively, were married in September 2017.

Share your Milestone with Connections Magazine.

Email your story to info@catholiccommunityschools.org

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CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

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1. The Cathedral spirit thrives @FANSECTION as they cheer on their Crusaders at the Homecoming Football Game.

2. Fr. Ben, Fr. Doug, Bishop Kettler, and Fr. Scott (from left to right) travel to Minneapolis to support our team at the Boys State Basketball Tournament.

3. WJON honors SKD third grade teacher, Hallee Curtis, in their "The Rookie-of-theWeek" series.

4. Cathedral Speech students head to St. Paul to compete in the State Speech Tournament.

5. Accomplished Cathedral athletes recognized at the College Signing Day ceremony.

6. Students at ASA in St. Joseph celebrate Halloween by donning their costumes and playing creative games.

7. CCS Schools benefit from a successful Catholic Foundation raffle and fund drive.

8. Cathedral Assistant Principal, Dr. Todd Van Erp, reigns as the CHS Dodge Ball King.

CONNECTIONS

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/stcloudccs @stcloudccs

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Sartell Sauk Rapids St. Joseph Waite Park St. Cloud

Eight Elementary Schools Preschool - 6th Grade St. Augusta Luxemburg

Cathedral High School 7th - 12th Grade

Kimball

DO THE COLOR RUN! Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Registration 5:30-6:15 PM Event Starts 6:30 PM

HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH 2405 WALDEN WAY ST. CLOUD, MN 56301

DJ ∙ FOOD TRUCK ∙ BOUNCY HOUSE ∙ DUNK TANK THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL BE USED TOWARD CCS SCHOLARSHIPS, STUDENT ENRICHMENT, AND CCS ACTIVITIES. More informartion at www. Support.mydonatezone.com/4123

Catholic Community Schools: • • • •

Educating Preschool through 12th Grade Students Faith-Based, Moral Education Challenging Academic Environment Welcoming of All Faiths and Backgrounds

Learn more at our website: www.CatholicCommunitySchools.org

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UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE

NOVEMBER

FEBRUARY

5 CCS Color Run

5 No School (Professional Development)

18 No School (President’s Day)

30 CCS at the ROX Game

22 - 23 No School (Thanksgiving)

APRIL

AUGUST

DECEMBER

19 Biking and Blessings 27 First Day of School

22 - 31 No School (Christmas Break)

OCTOBER

JANUARY

JULY

18 - 19 No School (Fall Break)

1 - 6 No School (Christmas Break)

27 Saints in Service (Work-A-Thon)

21 - 22 No School (Professional Development)

19 - 22 No School (Easter Break)

MAY 27 No School (Memorial Day) 31 Last Day of School

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JUST BE KIND God made this world for us. We need to respect it, care for it, and be kind to all people. Be kind to your classmates, teachers, parents, and siblings. Be helpful. Do not call people funny names or treat them badly. Some people are lonely, so try to be their friend. Everybody is different so don’t make fun of them. Treat people nicely and they will treat you nicely. Be grateful for all the things you have because some people do not have anything. When your Mom and Dad make meals, eat it or you are wasting and there are people out there that do not get food. Give to others. Pray everyday. If you listen to God’s Commandments you will be more like Jesus and go to Heaven. Love one another because that shows you God’s spirit. God made this Kingdom to show us that he cares for us. It is up to us to respect it and all people.

Take time to go to church every Sunday. Do not follow the Devil. Love nature, love your family and love your friends. If you do all of these things, this world will be a better and happier place. Good lives everywhere. Finally, always smile. That is something that I learned from Mrs. Botz. She did it everyday and it made me happy.

And again remember, to just be kind - Sophia Erickson, Saint Francis Xavier Second Grader

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