February 10, 2010

In addition to learning, faith and works alive in Catholic schools

By Denver Catholic Register

Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 31-Feb. 6) focused attention on the good works done by the country’s Catholic schools. Below are some of the examples of this work in the Denver Archdiocese.

Catholic schools honored at state Capitol
On Feb. 3 National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools, the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools were honored at the state Capitol.
Eighteen students, ranging from sixth grade to high school, were formally introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives to attend the reading of an honorary proclamation from the office of Gov. Bill Ritter Jr.

In the proclamation, Catholic schools in Colorado were acclaimed for their academic excellence; value-added education emphasizing moral, intellectual, physical and social values; and for dedication to faith, values, families and communities. The proclamation recognized that approximately 17,000 students in Colorado are enrolled in Catholic schools, including nearly 30 percent from minority backgrounds and 15 percent who are non-Catholic.

The student delegation to the Capitol was led by Richard Thompson, superintendent of Catholic schools, and Sister Elizabeth Youngs, associate superintendent—together with Jennifer Kraska, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, the official lobbying arm of the Church in Colorado.

The proclamation was presented to Thompson and Youngs. They hope the honor will become an annual event—and assist with the archdiocese’s goal to communicate the benefits of Catholic education to a wider audience.

Catholic students and educators throughout the nation met with civic representatives for similar presentations, including at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. On Jan. 21 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution (H. Res. 39) honoring the contributions of Catholic schools to the country.

Longmont school raises money for quake victims
Third graders at St. John the Baptist School in Longmont organized a fundraising campaign, Coins for Quake, to aid the victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. Keeping with this year’s school theme, “We are the hearts and hands of Jesus,” students and families emptied their piggy banks and wallets to reach out to Haitians by contributing $3,923.06. This was almost $1,000 per day in the four-day campaign Jan. 19-22. The third graders, led by teachers Jaime Archer and Pauline Hansen, were studying communities and natural disasters—and counted the money as part of their math curriculum.

Holy Family High School chapel dedicated to Mary
On the morning of Jan. 22, the student body of Holy Family High School and nearly 50 guests gathered as Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., dedicated their previously unnamed chapel.

The chapel, dedicated Chapel of Mary, Queen of Angels, will serve as a centerpiece for the school.

“We wanted to make the chapel more prominent in the building,” said Dave Good, theology teacher and member of the Catholicity Committee responsible for safeguarding the Catholic nature of the school.

“Ten years ago when the school opened, we had Mass in the chapel, but it was never officially dedicated,” Good explained. “The chapel makes us more than just a school—it helps to make us a community of faith.”

The process of dedicating the chapel began last spring when students voted on the name. Last summer the name was added to the windows, and a mural painted on the wall.

Shrine of St. Anne School supports local food bank
During a three-week campaign over the Christmas season, students, families and faculty of Shrine of St. Anne School in Arvada raised $5,423 for the Arvada Community Food Bank.

On Jan. 11 at their weekly school meeting, student council members Alyssa Schumacher and Robert Middlemist, along with Principal Kathie Kuehl, presented the check to representatives from the food bank.

Ernest Giron, executive director of the organization, explained that the school’s donation will benefit the following programs: Emergency 3-Day Client Choice Food Program, Once-A-Month Food for Seniors and Five-Year Olds Program, and Feeding the Future Backpack Program.

The fundraising campaign is an annual event for the Shrine of St. Anne School community to promote the spirit of giving. This year they specifically chose to serve a local organization to help provide for families-in-need in Arvada.

MPB honors long-time volunteer with basketball tourney
On Jan. 2, more than 100 players took part in the inaugural Tom Young 3v3 Basketball Tournament at Most Precious Blood School.

Twenty-two teams consisting of MPB alumni, family, and friends gathered to honor former athletic director and basketball coach Tom Young and to rekindle school ties.

Young, who served the MPB school community from 1979-2005, was on-hand at the event with his family.

“Naming this tournament for Tom was an appropriate tribute,” according to Principal Colleen McManamon. “Throughout the day, former players made their way to shake hands with him and tell stories of their days playing under him.”

Organizers said the day was filled with laughs, memories and several reunions as former students and friends retold stories of basketball seasons past. McManamon was also pleased with the attendance.

“We are thrilled with the turn-out,” she said. “We were hoping for 10 teams.”

Of the 22 teams, there were 19 in the men’s bracket and three for the women. Men’s division winners were The Bouncing Bergmans (Geoff Bergman, Mike Aragon, Josh Kolb and John Pavlakovich) and women’s winners were Team Edward (Molly Funk, Kate Rundles, Kelly Mapes and Kristin Costanzo).

“The games were hard-fought, a testament to the strength of the MPB basketball program over the years,” according to Sally Ryan, who heads development for the school.

They plan to make the tournament an annual event.

Mullen hires president and CEO
Effective March 1, J.K. Mullen High School will have a new president and chief executive officer. Robert A. Regan was hired in December from a pool of 56 applicants to fill the position that had been open for four years.

“We couldn’t be happier,” said Kurt Caulson, chair of the Mullen board of trustees. “We were energized by (Bob’s) enthusiasm, passion and demonstrated leadership.”

In the role of president, Regan will be the face of Mullen in the community, and drive strategy and development. He will work closely with Principal Greg Gotchey who is responsible for the educational mission and operations of the school.

Regan will relocate from Boston where he served as the president of the New England College of Finance for 21 years. He also worked with the Boston mayor’s office and Northeastern University on Foundation Year—a pre-college program to better prepare students for the rigors of college.

The search for a president began last fall to bring Mullen into the president-principal model of governance, which is driven by the structure the Christian Brothers are implementing in all of their schools. The change recognizes the role lay staff, faculty and volunteers play in the continuance of the 350-year-old LaSallian tradition.