JEFFERSON — On the peak of the hill overlooking the original St. Coletta of Wisconsin campus, just below the St. Coletta cemetery in Jefferson, lays a replica rock grotto depicting the Virgin Mary appearing before a girl, St. Bernadette of Lourdes.
Tag: Jefferson
Teacher celebrates 40 years in Catholic education
St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson teacher Margie Schels, middle, stands with eighth graders Josie Peterson, left, and Karsen Powell, right, during a recent celebration honoring Schels’ 40 years as a Catholic school teacher and more than 20 years teaching at St. John the Baptist. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
JEFFERSON — As the annual observance of Catholic Schools Week came to a close at St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson, Principal Susan Loof made a bold, but appropriate statement to a teacher sitting in the front row of church.
“You are Catholic education . . . Today is your day to be appreciated in a very public way.”
The teacher was Margie Schels, who was being recognized in that public way for her 40 years as a Catholic school teacher.
Schels teaches religion and math to seventh and eighth graders and is the eighth grade homeroom teacher.
“She touched so many lives,” said eighth grader Josie Peterson. “She cares for other students and she’s very kind and she helps people grow a lot in their faith.”
“She has so many amazing features about herself and she’s just a really amazing person,” said eighth grader Karsen Powell. “I look up to her — she’s just a great teacher.”
Fr. David Runde dies
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Fr. David H. Runde, 84, who died on Friday, May 13, 2016.
Students help a friend through Works of Mercy
JEFFERSON — Inspired by the Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, Margarete Schels’ eighth grade class at St. John the Baptist (SJB) Catholic School organized a “Basketball FUNday” in honor of Kena Eighmy, a fifth grade student battling leukemia.
Extended care teacher Katie Warpinski, whose own husband, Josh, is fighting cancer, suggested that the students do something for Kena.
With the guidance of their teacher and school principal, Susan Loof, they planned the all-morning event that offered a variety of activities.
Student ‘buddies’ participate in traditional Seder service at St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson
Classes at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Jefferson often participate in “buddy” activities with one another.
‘Hour of Code’ at St. John the Baptist, Jefferson
JEFFERSON — Students attending St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson celebrated Computer Science Education Week recently, by participating in the “Hour of Code” which introduces students to computer coding.
The program was developed by Code.org a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding participation in computer science across all grade levels.
Several partner organizations support the Hour of Code: Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the College Board, and many others.
Students and staff in Jefferson present tribute to veterans
JEFFERSON — On Wednesday, Nov. 11, students and staff at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Jefferson presented their annual tribute to veterans in the parish church.
The eighth grade students escorted guests to their seats after presenting them with flags and patriotic wristbands.
Principal Mrs. Susan Loof formally welcomed veterans and thanked them for their service to our country. She then offered a prayer for the veterans and their families.
Seminarians visit students in Jefferson
JEFFERSON — Seminarians Vincent Racanelli and Phil Klaas visited the eighth graders at St. John the Baptist School in Jefferson on October 16.
The students have “adopted” Racanelli as their prayer partner and “parish son” who has embarked on the road to the priesthood.
The students in Margie Schels’ seventh and eighth grade classes have been praying for all seminarians, especially for Racanelli, since last year. He has visited the students several times to share about his vocational journey and his life as a student at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.
Jefferson students experience Passover Seder meal
JEFFERSON — Classes at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Jefferson often participate in “buddy” activities with one another.
One such example happened on Thursday, March 26, one week before Holy Thursday.
This day commemorates the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples before His crucifixion the next day. Since Jesus and His followers were Jewish, this last meal they shared was the Passover Seder.
Why our democracy trusts in God
I was pleased that the United States Supreme Court dismissed a suit brought by Michael Newdow, a Sacramento man who wanted to remove the phrase “In God We Trust” from the nation’s coins and paper currency, as well as from the fronts of our public buildings.
The argument that the gentleman brought forward was that this custom somehow violates the First Amendment guarantee that the government shall make no law either establishing an official religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion in the United States.