ST. ROSE SCHOOL CELEBRATES COMMUNITY SERVICE DURING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK – JAN. 25 – FEB. 1, 2009

St. Rose of Lima School will “Celebrate Service” along with over 7300 other Catholic schools, representing over 21,000 students attending Catholic schools nationwide, during the upcoming 36^th annual Catholic Schools Week. Local activities will begin this Sunday, Jan. 25 and culminate with a parent-organized brunch, set for next Sunday, Feb. 1 from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon at St. Rose Hall.

“Serving our Community” has been adopted by St. Rose faculty and students as the school theme this year. “We want our students to have a sense of volunteerism,” said Head Teacher, Scott Becker. “We want our students to know that what they do counts.” He said that St. Rose families also want to say thank you to the families, staff, supporters, businesses and volunteers who pitch in for the school throughout the year.

In carrying out the Gospel, Becker says the message of celebrating service within the school community is a message that “what we do is just as important as what we say. Actions really do speak louder than words.”

On Monday, Jan. 26, local students will enjoy “Book and a Bag,” spending an hour in the parish hall with their favorite book and enjoying bag lunches, picnic-style as a student community. St. Rose junior high basketball teams will also be entertaining Niobrara in a home game in the parish hall that afternoon at 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 is Community Awareness Day, when anyone, including parents, alumni, high school students and members of the community, is welcomed to drive up to the school parking lot for hot chocolate and cookies, served “drive through” style by staff members from 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. If the weather is inclement, Becker said goodies would be served in the parish hall.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 is Dress Up Day, beginning with an all-school Mass that will include the preschoolers, and Eucharistic Adoration at church throughout the day. On Thursday, Jan. 29, Vocations Awareness Day, vocations speaker, Shane Kleinschmit of Bow Valley, will talk with students about his calling to become a deacon in the church, and how God calls everyone to a particular mission in life.

Vocations awareness is important to the local parish, said St. Rose pastor, Fr. Mike Schmitz. “Jesus sacrificed his life for us on the cross,” said Fr. Schmitz. “Parishes need to sacrifice in forming our children to be future lay or spiritual leaders in our church.”

Fr. Schmitz said that a parish community needs to support youths in answering God’s call. “If we don’t have spiritual leaders, we will not have a local church in the future,” he said.

That afternoon, St. Rose Stars boys and girls basketball teams will play Wausa in home games at the parish hall, beginning at 2 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 30, is Spirit Day, beginning with a school Mass and an all-school open house following. The general public, including parents, grandparents, family and friends of St. Rose School as well as staff members from Crofton Community School are welcome to join St. Rose students and staff at the school for coffee, juice and cookies, sponsored by the St. Rose School Boosters. Becker said a special invitation goes out to bus drivers, lunch room staff, custodians, volunteers and other friends of the school who make an extraordinary effort each day on behalf of students. The school week will conclude with a unique school luminary rosary service at 3 p.m. at church, with special luminary lighting.

The school will be awarding $750 in tuition scholarships through random drawing on Friday as well. Scholarships include: Fr. Dan Galas Memorial Scholarship, Fr. Tim Lange Honorary Scholarship, Sister Charlotte Schuele Honorary Scholarship, Sisters Veronica and Helen Memorial Scholarship, St. Rose School Boosters Scholarship, St. Rose Ladies Guild Scholarship, Catholic Daughters of America Scholarship and two anonymous scholarships.

The week’s activities conclude with a parent-organized brunch after 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Feb. 1. Serving from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, the menu includes scrambled eggs and little smokies, hash brown bake, muffins and sweet rolls, fruit cocktail and applesauce.

Unity Supper tickets will be available for sale, and parishioners can drop off Unity Supper Auction items at the parish hall during the brunch.

“Catholic schools are extremely important in passing down the faith from generation to generation,” said Fr. Schmitz. “Catholic education prepares our children for future challenges in their adult life. I constantly hear stories from students who graduate from Catholic schools, who are very grateful to their parents for their Catholic education.”

“Catholic Schools Week is important, because it celebrates the living of our faith,” Becker said. “We are proud to provide an opportunity for our students to build character and to live their faith.”

“Our school takes a hands-on approach to service,” said Becker. “St. Rose School is unique in that it takes faculty, staff and families working together. Everyone has a special involvement and dedication. Our school is like a big family.”