by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Students, teachers and staff at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School recently celebrated National Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28-Feb. 3 with many fun-filled activities.
Principal Kathy Kockler said the week is a fun reminder of the school’s Catholicism.
During the week, SFX students and staff celebrated with an all-school bingo event, a Drop Everything and Read event, a Catholic Mass with other area Catholic schools, shared an acting skit put on by staff, learned about vocations and the global world by sharing the journey of the Rev. Michael Peterson as a monk/priest from St. John’s Abbey and Sister Kateri Ludick from Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church order and more.
Peterson shared his vocation story and shared his music through American Indian wooden flutes.
Kockler said students were mesmerized and captivated by his story and music.
Kockler said Peterson said it was enjoyable for him to visit with the students at SFX.
Sister Kateri Ludick, Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church, thanked Kockler for allowing her to visit the school.
“It was a great experience and the students and teachers are so sweet,” Ludick said. “I was touched by their blessings and so grateful to have spent that time with them.”
A Good Deed Wagon was passed on to people as good deeds were recorded. Some of the good deeds included helping a friend pick up items that fell out of a can, helping clean up the table from the cafeteria, washing the white boards without being asked, holding the door open for others in the morning and more.
“Catholic Schools Week is a fun, exciting, upbeat, faith-filled way to explore how amazing our school community and church really are for all,” Kockler said.
Some sixth-grade students commented about the week.
“It was very fun,” Annie Supan said.
“Little homework,” Blake Fleege said.
“Cinnamon rolls – yum,” Maddie Halstrom said.
“I like going to a Catholic school because the teachers are good,” Zach Stolzenburg said.
“I liked that we got to get together with our friends and celebrate how lucky we are to be at a Catholic school.” Breanna Kurowski said.
Catholic Schools Weeks is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“We are grateful to celebrate a national event with others from around the country,” Kockler said.
St. Francis Xavier Elementary School kindergarten students (left to right) Jaiden Schwegle, Grady Supan, Mikayla Albers, Bodyn Molitor and William Boerger work on a science, technology, engineering and mathematics project building igloos after studying cultures, design and function of houses.
Students at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School learned about vocations and the global world by sharing the journey of the Rev. Michael Peterson a monk/priest from St. John’s Abbey. Pictured (left to right) are Ryan Kruse, Carter Kent, Ethan Crews, Peterson, and Kegan Bidinger.
St. Francis Xavier Elementary School students (left to right) Gracelynn Jordahl, Bennett Engdahl and Ava Johnson help with the Good Deed Wagon. Students noted when others did good deeds and passed the wagon on to others.
