Alumni, Friends and Neighbors

St. Rose School Heartbeat

Newsletter of St. Rose of Lima School, Crofton, NE

By St. Rose School Boosters/St. Rose School Families – Vol. 3, No. 1

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF ST. ROSE HEARTBEAT

Current St. Rose School News Briefs – Page 1

Parish Centennial Activities and Plans – Page 1

Give the Gift of Stewardship – Page 2

St. Rose Adds New Head Teacher and a New Preschool – Page 3

Pitch In for St. Rose School - Page 3

Legacy Drive Update – Page 4

Thanks for Your Support – Page 5

St. Rose School Alumni Gathering – Saturday, June 21, 2008 – Page 5

Learn more about St. Rose Centennial History Book and what it offers to alumni – Page 5

Visit us on the web at www.stroseschool.us

School News Briefs

¨ St. Rose School Serves the People – Living out our mission as Catholics to “Go forth now to love and serve our Lord” and our neighbors, St. Rose junior high students recently helped serve meals on two occasions to over 340 guests at the free Yankton Area Banquets, held throughout the year each Thursday and some Tuesdays in the Yankton UCC church basement. This humble act of service to others teaches students important Advent lessons like humility, appreciation for God’s gifts and the dignity of all people.

¨ A Little Food Goes a Long Way – St. Rose students answered the call from Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton recently, promising to donate over 340 cans of food items over the Christmas holiday for the food bank in our region, that provides wholesome food items to families in need.

¨ Advent Friends Bring Home Meaning of Giving – All St. Rose students participated throughout the Advent season in an “Advent Friends” program, offering homemade and handcrafted gifts periodically to secret anonymous friends in other classes. On the last day of school prior to Christmas break, the secret Advent Friends’ identities were revealed. This program offered proof to students that it is better to give than to receive – and it can be fun too.

¨ “Nebraska Legends” Visit St. Rose School – Two presenters in St. Rose School “Nebraska Legends” program - a cultural series of presentations aimed at increasing students’ awareness and understanding of real life legends and their place in our state’s history – have performed for students during the fall semesters. A special Native American program was presented by staff from the John Neihardt Center at Bancroft in October. Then in November, Grand Island historian and educator, Dale Clark, presented his program called “Ordinary Heroes”, touting the value of real life heroes on the Plains. A third program is scheduled for Apr. 7-8 called “The Life of a Civil War Soldier”. This program will feature a Civil War reenactor, encampment and hands-on presentation about the life and times of ordinary Union soldiers of the period. These programs are hosted for the community by St. Rose School and are supported through grants from the Nebraska Humanities Council.

¨ St. Rose Students Honor Local Veterans – St. Rose junior high students honored our local veterans from several war periods at a program on the Friday before Veteran’s Day, just after the regular Friday School Mass. Students presented war stories featuring the information from local war veterans and each veteran stood and introduced themselves to the audience. The students also sang patriotic songs they had practiced for the occasion. Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and periods of conflict in between these wars were represented at the ceremony.

¨ St. Rose School Prayer Circle – Hundreds of local families have joined together to pray for the sacred mission of St. Rose School each day. Below is a special prayer developed for our beloved school. Please join us in this daily prayer.

PRAYER FOR ST. ROSE SCHOOL

Dear Lord and Good Teacher,

We thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon our school, our school families and students, and our staff throughout the history of St. Rose parish. We thank you for the gifted educators who have graced our halls and we praise you for providing our parish with the means to support a school that imparts faith and values to our students.

We humbly ask you to continue to bless us. Help us to continue to provide quality education to our students, that has its foundation with You. Help us to continue to financially provide for the needs of our school and our parish. Help us as a parish to band together, to work and strive together, for St. Rose School. We ask your blessings on our school students, families, teachers, volunteers, boosters and administrators. Give us courage to stand up for our school and help us to continue our important mission in Catholic education for decades to come.

We offer these prayers up to You. Amen.

St. Rose of Lima – Pray for our School.

¨ Daily Prayer – St. Rose students plan and participate in weekly liturgies, including regular School Mass on Wednesday, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and on Fridays. Fridays are also Spirit Day for students and staff, an opportunity for them to show their St. Rose pride and wear their school T-shirts and sweatshirts. Also on Fridays, Grades 6-8 invite the public to join them with a weekly Rosary Service – a prayerful way to end the school week.

¨ Important Dates Coming Up – Mark your calendars for these dates on the school calendar.

n Dec. 21- Christmas Break begins

n Jan. 3 – Classes Resume

n Jan. 7 – St. Rose “Stars” take the court to open their winter boys and girls basketball season, with their first game against Bloomfield at Bloomfield at 1:30 p.m.

n Jan. 10 – No School – Teacher In-Service

n Jan. 27 – Kickoff for Catholic Schools Week – Luncheon and Bake Sale at St. Rose Hall

n Jan. 27-Feb. 3 – Catholic Schools Week Activities

n Feb. 3 – All School Play – St. Rose School presents “Snow White” – 2 pm at St. Rose Hall

n March 30 – First Holy Communion

St. Rose Parish Centennial Celebration (1908-2008)

Welcome Home - St. Rose of Lima Parish celebrates its centennial – “Companions on the Journey” – June 21-22, 2008, with a wide variety of activities lined up, to honor the rich faith heritage of the parish and school. The Centennial committee invites everyone to plan to attend the big weekend event. Here is a tentative schedule of activities. School events are highlighted.

Saturday, June 21

Souvenir Shop opens - 9 A.M.

Quilt Display opens - 9 A.M.

Museum opens - 9 A.M.

St. Rose School Open House and Alumni Gathering – 9 A.M.

(Includes open house, guided school tours, refreshments, drawings, class and school exhibits, St. Rose School Store and more.)

Lunch Stand opens - 8 A.M.

Horse & Buggy Rides after parade

Memories Forever – old-time fashion photos

8 A.M. – Run/Walk - Poker Run - autos and motorcycles

10:30 A.M. – Parade

2 P.M. – Fashion Show with wine and cheese

4 P.M. – Father Tim Lange recital

5:30 P.M. – Mass

6:30 P.M. – Local Talent entertainment

6:30 P.M. – Beer Garden opens

8:30 P.M. – 12 A.M. – Outdoor dance/concert including “Tonic Sol Fa”

Sunday, June 22

Souvenir Shop opens - 9 A.M.

Quilt Display opens - 9 A.M.

Museum opens - 9 A.M.

10:30 AM – Mass with Archbishop Elden Curtiss

12 noon – Centennial Luncheon by RESERVATON ONLY

1 P.M. – Centennial Program

Celebration concludes after program

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Antique machinery display - Volleyball tournament - Horseshoe tournament- Old Time youth games – Much more.

PAGE 2 – ST. ROSE HEARTBEAT, CROFTON, NE

Give St. Rose the Gift of Stewardship

St. Rose 100 Club - St. Rose Parish and School are offering several new ways of supporting our parish and school mission. We have initiated a new St. Rose 100 Club, offering supporters an opportunity to purchase “100 Club” cards for $100 each. Card owners then have 53 chances to win from $50 to $500 in cash drawings throughout the year. Each Sunday in 2008, a $50 cash winner will be drawn. Then on Mothers Day and Fathers Day, $250 will be drawn. Card owners have a chance at $500 cash on New Year’s Eve, 2008.

You can win more than once. You can purchase as many $100 cards as you wish. Or two or more families can purchase a card together and split the winnings. The cards make great Christmas gifts for friends and relatives, and the proceeds all go to St. Rose.

Winners will be announced each week in the church bulletin and on the school website – www.stroseschool.us. Checks will go out to the winners the day after the drawing, so anyone, anywhere, can purchase 100 Club cards, support St. Rose, and have some fun too.

If you are interested, please fill out the coupon at the bottom of this page, and send it in, along with payment, to the address listed below. Upon receiving the coupon, we will forward your card and individual card number to you. Then just sit back and wait to see if you are a winner. The first drawing is Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. We must receive your payment and coupon BEFORE Dec. 31, 2007, for you to be included, so plan your mailing accordingly.

St. Rose Unity Supper Tickets on Sale for Christmas – The annual St. Rose Parish Unity Supper and Grand Auction is set for Saturday, Apr. 12, 2008, with doors opening and Silent Auction bidding starting at 4 pm. The catered meal is set for 6:30 pm, with the Grand Auction beginning at 7 pm SHARP. This has grown into the largest fundraiser for the parish and school, grossing over $50,000 last year. So we invite our alumni, family and friends to join us for this fun event of fellowship. During the course of the evening we auction over 300 items through the Grand and Silent Auctions, with many of the items featuring homecooked meals, handcrafted, high quality quilts and woodcrafts, framed original prints, service packages and much, much more. There are also special games, cash drawings and surprise packages throughout the evening.

This year, we are offering tickets on sale starting December 1, perfect to purchase as gifts for the Christmas holidays. Everyone who purchases Unity Supper tickets by March 1, will have a chance at a $100 drawing. Just fill in the Unity Supper portion of the coupon below, send in your payment for the requested tickets and we will mail your tickets out to you immediately.

St. Rose 100 Club Card Request – Must receive request by Dec. 31, 2007

______Number of Cards Requested ($100 for each card – Send Payment)

NAME(S)______________________________________PHONE___________

ADDRESS____________________________________EMAIL_____________

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St. Rose Unity Supper Ticket Request – Mail by March 1, for $100 drawing

_______Number of Unity Supper Tickets Requested ($25 for each ticket)

NAME(S)______________________________________PHONE___________

ADDRESS_____________________________________EMAIL_____________

Mail coupons and payment to –

St. Rose School, 1302 W. 5^th St., Crofton, NE 68730

THANK YOU

PAGE 3 – ST. ROSE HEARTBEAT, CROFTON, NE

New St. Rose Preschool Program Opened in August

St. Rose School opened a new Preschool program this past August, with seventeen four and five year olds attending PreK instruction on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, under the guidance of Mrs. Madonna McCarthy, with assistance from several volunteer parents. The program utilizes current staff. To do this, 3^rd and 4^th grades were combined this fall, with Mrs. Bonnie Kohles serving as their teacher. Mrs. McCarthy, in addition to teaching PreK, also takes care of 1-4 grade music and teaches some of the afternoon 4^th grade classes.

The program has been well received to say the least. PreK parents have donated generously to the program, offering to volunteer in the classroom on a regular basis and helping the school purchase Preschool materials. We have welcomed several new families to our St. Rose “Family of Faith”.

Mr. Scott Becker is New St. Rose Head Teacher

With the departure of long-time St. Rose Principal, Sister Charlotte Schuele, SSSF, who joined a new pastoral ministry in health care, St. Rose School hired Scott Becker, an elementary teacher from East Catholic Elementary School in Bow Valley, as our new Head Teacher. We sorrowed at the departure of Sister Charlotte and long-time teacher’s aide and school volunteer, Sister Sigfrieda Hettinger, SSSF, who retired, but Mr. Becker has brought an excitement and youthful enthusiasm for Catholic education to St. Rose School. Since he joined the staff, the school has implemented the successful Discipline With a Purpose (DWP) program and a new Preschool opened this past fall. Mr. Becker is intent on carrying on the near century old legacy of high quality, Catholic education at St. Rose School, and we welcome him to our faith community.

Pitch In for St. Rose School

St. Rose School families have been generously pitching in for our school for decades, making sacrifices and offering of their time, talent and treasure, to keep our school vibrant, even in challenging times.

Here are a few ways you might consider “pitching in” for St. Rose:

¨ Legacy Drive – Contribute to the campaign that provides an accessible savings account for the school, to provide long-term financial stability for our school. See page 4)

¨ Tuition Assistance/Scholarships/Adopt a Student Programs – Contributions can be channeled to specific financial assistance programs, for specific students or to the general assistance fund.

¨ God’s Acre/God’s Workday – Offering “first fruits” of an acre of grain or a day of work to the mission of St. Rose parish.

¨ Volunteer Time, Talent or Treasure to the school and Pray Every Day for the mission of our school.

¨ Grandparents Club – Our grandparents are truly the keepers of the faith and their support for our school is an important factor in our long-term viability.

¨ St. Rose School Endowment – Provides assistance through interest payments received on the growing principal.

¨ Remember St. Rose School in Memorials and Estate Planning (Call the Rectory at 402-388-4814 or the school at 402-388-4393 for more information.)

¨ Regular Sunday Contributions to the parish are still the ultimate way of providing for St. Rose School. Please use your Sunday envelopes or inquire about the convenience of automatic withdrawal.

PAGE 4 – ST. ROSE HEARTBEAT, CROFTON, NE

ST. ROSE SCHOOL LEGACY DRIVE UPDATE

To ensure the long-term financial health of St. Rose School and to protect the legacy begun by our parish founders back in 1911, when they opened our elementary school, the School Boosters initiated a "Legacy Drive" in 2002 to raise money to help school operations in celebration of the upcoming centennial of our parish in 2008, and to assist the parish in supporting Catholic, faith-based elementary and junior high education in our community.

We hope to raise at least $100,000 through contacts with generous alumni, families, friends, neighbors and St. Rose parishioners. Currently, we have pledges totaling $55,000 from well over 185 families and individuals, so we are more than half way there.

So, if you haven’t already done so, we ask you to sincerely consider a tax-deductible pledge over the next three to five years when completing the pledge form attached at the bottom of this sheet. Please include your first year's pledge amount if possible with the form when sending it in. You will be billed annually for the remaining amount of your pledge. If you cannot help us out over the long-term right now, please consider a one-time donation at a level you are comfortable with.

The funds raised through this drive are placed into a special school fund to be drawn upon when they are needed to fulfill long-term operational obligations of our school. If the fund is tapped into, we replenish the account over the years with continued donations of School Boosters memberships, donations through the Boosters Memorial Fund and estate donations.

We thank you in advance for your kind help and be sure to read on in this letter to learn about the wonderful developments at St. Rose School.

______________________________ ____________ Detach Here______________________________________________________

Helping to Promote, Protect and Preserve Quality Education at St. Rose School

NAME________________________ADDRESS________________________________

PHONE__________________________ EMAIL_______________________________

Check Out These Donation Options

_______I pledge this amount each year for the next (circle one) 3 4 5 years

Memorials

_____(optional) My pledge above is made in memory of ______________________

(Memorial Name)

_______ONE TIME DONATION - Any Donation is Welcome (LIST AMOUNT)

_______ I would like to help with the St. Rose School Boosters Legacy Drive

______ I would like information on Estate Donations to the School

______I would like to help plan the Parish and School Centennial Activities

______I would like information on establishing a scholarship or providing tuition assistance to St. Rose School students

_____I would like to help out with the June 21, 2008 St. Rose Alumni Gathering

Donors who support the drive over $250 will receive a written acknowledgement for tax purposes.

Mail Form to: St. Rose of Lima School Boosters

1302 W. 5^th St., P.O. Box 176

Crofton, NE 68730

______Check HERE if you do not wish to be recognized by name

PAGE 5 – ST. ROSE HEARTBEAT, CROFTON, NE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

St. Rose School Legacy Drive (2002-Sept. 1, 2007)

Current Total Cash - $43,000 – Pledges - $55,000 – Goal - $100,000

(This Drive is ongoing. Any contributions made after Sept. 1, 2007 will be reported in our next issue of the “Heartbeat”. We operate through a dedicated volunteer staff, so please forgive any misinformation. However, let us know if there are mistakes so we can correct them. Contact Curt Arens at 402-388-4798)

MEMORIALS AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE IN HONOR – Esther Brummer – Joe Kremer – Sister Uttoberger – Clara Steffen – Bobby Drotzmann – Dalph, Odelia, Delver Kollars – Lawrence and Francis Steffen – Joseph L. Arens – Agnes Merkel – Rollie Schumacher – Rose Shorn – Tony Kremer – Jim Kohles – Ken Kube – Vincie Adams – Helen Wies – Sister Veronica Wolff– Sister Helen Albrecht – Honoring Sister Charlotte Jubilee – Freeman Boelter – Gerald Potts – Honoring Sister Sigfrieda and Sister Irma 60^th Jubilee – Mel Donner – Sister Blanche Kribell – Dorothy Bogner Rottewig – Bill Boecker – Dr. Don Hofmaier – Irene Pinkelman – Jeff Heine – Albert, Ceil and Merlyn Reifenrath – Anthony Kippes – Robin Jacobus – Frances Thunker – Ken Koch – Bernard Ausdemore – Arnold and Catherine Bickett – Brittney and Morgan Steffen – Lyle Leader – Dennis Meyer – Gerald Luft – Gerald Arens – John and Elenora Lange – Andrew Kaiser – Gilbert Arens – Henry Gentrup – Jesse John Poppe – Walter and Irene Hames – Joe Kremer – Dustin Thoene – Harold and Ethel Thunker – Clarence J. Arens – Jim Hoebelheinrich – Roger Kohles – Alvin and Sharon Arens Wedding Anniversary – John and Caroline Arens – Fritz and Hildegard Guenther – Luella Fredricksen – Tracey, Amy and Christy Kube – Wilfred Guenther – Eleanor and Sam Nelson Wedding Anniversary – Ray Donner – Frank and Elizabeth Kube – Mildred Kramer – Conrad and Della Kaup – Arlene Arens 80^th Birthday – Harold and Gerald Arens 80^th Birthday – John Leader – Dora Tramp – Clarence Steffen – Marie Kube – Francis O’Connor – Vern Maibaum – Henry and Elizabeth Eickoff – Art Albrecht – Sister Helen Albrecht – Margaret Donner – Shirley Loecker – Rosalie Lammers – Anita Fritschen – Dennis Wieseler – Neil Wieseler – Clint Kollars – Walter Steffen – Clara Steffen – Cyril and LaVerta Mauch Wedding Anniversar – Pete and Berna Schmidt – Irvin and Barb Arens Wedding Anniversary – Alvin and Sharon Arens 50^th Anniversary – Ron Kramer-Gerald Potts.

CONTRIBUTORS - Father Ron Battiato – Sister Charlotte Schuele – Sister Sigfrieda Hettinger – Sister Margaret Sibbel - Kevin and Patricia Zavadil – Judy Zavadil – Jim and MaryAnn Wortmann – Mary Ann Hegge Wortmann – Duane and Glenda Zavadil - Bill and Karla Zavadil – Terry and Maureen Woockman – TJ Wheeler - Randy Wieseler - Elaine Woockman – Sara Wilken – Brian and Deb Wiebelhaus – Craig and Rita Wilken - Jean and Chuck West – Cameron and Dawn Vodehnal – John and Judy Van Heek – Jake and Norma Van Heek – Ron and Berniece Tramp – Mark and Shawntel Tramp – Harold and Marilyn Tramp – George and Hilaria Timko – Leona Thunker – Curtis Thoene – Chris Thoene – Ken and Mary Thoene – Victor and Hilaria Steffen – Loren and Maxine Steffen – Ken and Joanne Steffen – Keith Steffen – Jeff and Jolene Steffen – Kurt and Kristi Steffen – Sally Schroeder - Dennis and Ruth Ann Schulte - Don and Regina Seamann – Hilda Schumacher – Duane and Ginger Schieffer – Richard and Sheryl Scherschligt – Dale and Mary Beth Schenkel – Melanie Sandvig – Roger and Marina Sawatzke - Diane Samuel – Helen Rehm - Don and Joan Roth – Patricia M. Polland – DeeAnn Phipps – Larry and Cheryl Pearson – Darold and Denelda Paulsen – Marie Panipinto – Sharon Olson – Michael and Joan Munoz – Brian and Deb Monaghan – Jolene Meyer – Debra, Nathan and Nicholas Meyer – Dean Merkel – Becky McQuistan – Dennis and Darnell Maly – Barbara J. Lee – Lois Leader – Irvin and Marilyn Lange – Rhonda Lammers – Phyllis Lammers – Michael Kube – Kenneth and Charleen Kube – Norman and Marie Kube - Tim and Rene Kremer – Dave and Deb Kube - Dorothy Kremer – Ron Kramer - Joe and Cindy Kollars – Steve and Bette Keiser – Jenny Keiser – Conrad and Adella Kaup – Neil D. Jones – Jennifer Jones – Joanie Johnson – Mary Ann Jansen – Larry and Theresa Janssen - Sally Hofmaier – Rosanne Hoebelheinrich – Ed Hesse – Hesse Family - Aaron and Geralyn Hellman – Steve and Pam Hegge – Joan Hegge – Winifred Brummer Hebert – Josephine Handel – Joan Guenther – Gary Guenther – Francis and Sharlene Guenther – Duane and Elaine Guenther – Donna Mae Guenther – Joseph and Diane Goudy – Chad E. Gordon – Brooke Goeden – Robert Gentrup – Dale Guenther - Brenda Edison – Mercedes Donner – Bob and Jeannie Donner – Ralph Dehl - Erin Dennis - Joe and Adelaide DeBlauw – Sara Czarnik – Jim Buschkamp - Loyd and Avis Carlson – Jeremy and Theresa Buschkamp – Renee Bollich – Charles and Charlotte Bohlin – Dennis and Darlene Bogner – Mary Anne Boehm – Brett and Julie Boecker – Maves and Ann Benson – Jacqueline Benoit - Joleen Beideck – Lucille Arens – Laura Arens – John Arens – Irvin and Barb Arens – Elizabeth Arens – Dale and Charlotte Arens – Curt and Donna Arens – Dan and Lorraine Arens – Bob and Angel Ausdemore – Jeanne’s Antiques – Eleanor Albrecht - Harold and Margaret Arens – Numerous Anonymous Donors.

DON’T MISS ST. ROSE SCHOOL ALUMNI GATHERING – June 21, 2008

We’re planning a gathering of all St. Rose School Alumni –there are around 2000 to date – in coordination with the Parish Centennial set for June 21-22, 2008. We’ll have school open house, guided school tours, class exhibits, a St. Rose School Store, refreshments and much more, running from 9 am to noon on Saturday, June 21. If you have photos of your St. Rose class or memorabilia of your days at St. Rose School, please feel free to share them. For information on our St. Rose School Centennial Alumni Gathering, contact Kim Donner at 402-388-4937. See you there!

St. Rose Parish Centennial History Books

Offering Alumni Stories, List of former St. Rose School Sisters and teachers, complete parish and school history, narratives of parish families of the past and present, a host of hundreds of photos and much, much more.

Contact Evelyn Hennings or any Centennial Committee member to purchase your history book today for only $55. Call 402-373-2575.