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| At St. Aloysius School in Sauk City, priests have a constant presence at the school. Here, Fr. Pedro Escribano teaches fourth graders. (Contributed photo) |
SAUK CITY — One of the most important decisions parents must make is where to send their children to school.
St. Aloysius School in Sauk City not only offers a complete education that includes curriculum and programs that provide for a well-rounded graduate, it also offers an additional advantage seldom found these days: the continual presence of priest instruction in the classrooms.
Priests part of school
“I love to see our priests come happily into school many times every week,” commented Pam Sternberg, school secretary at St. Aloysius School.
“Our children are very comfortable and warmed with their presence and our priests are very much a part of our school.”
Five priests from the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest already have many responsibilities at their individual parishes. In addition, they take advantage of all opportunities available to instruct the children by also spending time teaching at St. Aloysius School.
According to Daniela Saldana, principal of St. Aloysius School, “Just having the priests walking down the hallway of our school, the place gets filled with peace and a sense of the sacredness.”
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Catholic Schools Week |
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From January 25 to 31, Catholic schools around the Diocese of Madison will be inviting people to visit their schools and learn more about how they are “Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.” See the print edition of the Catholic Herald for more information. |
Fr. John Blewett, Fr. Pedro Escribano, Fr. Alex Navarro, and Fr. Osvaldo Briones each visit the classrooms twice a week to compliment daily religion taught by the teachers. Fr. Jerry Zhanay assists with math classes twice a week.
Warmly received
“Each week, when the priests come by to share their time teaching, they are warmly received by their classroom full of charges, as well as by any other children in the building they may pass — all of whom they know by name,” said Kristi Magnuson, music teacher at St. Aloysius School. “They always take the time to pause and acknowledge each child on their way, and the kids truly look forward to their visits.”
“My students know how much Father John cares about them and wants them to be the people God created them to be,” shared Nicky Kaehler, second grade teacher at St. Aloysius School.
“Our priests truly love and invest in the kids at our school. It is completely normal to find Father John out on the playground joining in a game of football or surrounded by a group of kids.”
Sacraments, Mass
The Sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation are initially offered in second grade.
“Going to Confession is much easier for our students because they look at the priests as teachers who are there to teach them the way to heaven,” Saldana said.
Grades three to five attend Mass on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation monthly.
All grades attend Mass on Wednesday. Second grade boys are instructed in serving Mass and all fourth graders are enrolled in the Scapular medal.
There is an altar boys group that meets often for training and activities and there is a girls group that meets weekly for activities and spiritual direction from Father Pedro.
Regular prayer
There is holy water in all classrooms and the day begins and ends with prayer. Prayer is also offered before snack time and meal time. Grades three to five pray the Rosary in church every year during 40 Days for Life.
Students in grades two to five also participate in Adoration of Our Lord twice a week. St. Aloysius School is the only school in the diocese that also offers Perpetual Adoration during the entire school week in their newly blessed Mary Mother of God Adoration Chapel.
According to Andrea Urra, third grade teacher at St. Aloysius School, “It is more than a blessing to have the priests teaching in our school because with their deep love for God and true happiness, they encourage our students to love Jesus and develop a closer relationship with Him.”
Parents pleased
Parents are also very pleased with the frequent instruction and presence of the priests.
“We love having our priests come into our school and teach the children not only about the Catholic faith but also how to live the Catholic faith,” commented Tim Heiney, father of Connor in fourth grade and Emma who graduated last year. We feel truly blessed to have our children be part of St. Aloysius School.”
Tim and Tina Heiney also noted that they are the fifth generation to graduate from St. Aloysius School.
“I like the fact that our children get to see the priests outside of Mass and have the opportunity to ask questions about our faith,” said Jenny Bellinder, mother of Sara in third grade, Sam in second grade, and Luke in kindergarten,
Chuck Kraemer, father of Keeli in third grade, commented that “St. Aloysius School offers an opportunity for our children to grow and learn in a family-oriented atmosphere with a focus on core classes intertwined with the importance of religious education taught by our priests.”
Hispanic families
The priests encourage Hispanic families to enroll at St. Aloysius. Many Hispanic parents do not speak English and they are assisted by two bilingual teachers at St. Aloysius School, Andrea Urra and Silvanna Navarro, and also the bilingual principal, Daniela Saldana.
They assist the parents during conferences and school events and in understanding all school communications. Spanish is taught to all kindergarten to grade five students.
Instilling the faith
The priests are intent on nurturing, celebrating, and instilling Catholic faith, values, and traditions in the students at St. Aloysius School.
Scott and Lisa Enerson, parents of Phillip in fifth grade and Grace in first grade, both agree and are always amazed at how much their children know at such a young age and how excited their children are to share what they have learned.
Lisa shared, “They will carry the wisdom gained from this throughout their lifetime and hopefully live by the example they have been taught. What better person than a priest to help build bridges for our children than to have someone who has given their entire life to God?”
Open house
St. Aloysius School is holding a family registration open house for the 2015 to 2016 school year on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 2:30 p.m. RSVPs are appreciated by calling 608-643-6868.
A Chili Cook-off will be held on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 11:30 a.m. in the school gym. The school is located at 608 Oak St. in Sauk City.
More information is available on the school’s website at www.staloysius.k12.wi.us