Mater Dei Family Rejoices

The Mater Dei High School family rejoiced for many blessings on May 1 during a Mass and related ceremonies held on the school’s campus.

In addition to celebrating Mass in honor of Mary, the school’s patron, those in attendance took part in the dedication and blessing of a prayer garden that honors the Benedictine Sisters of Ferdinand, who have staffed the school in various roles for more than six decades.

In between Mass and the prayer garden dedication, those in attendance heard a lot of good news about Mater Dei’s “Full of Grace” Excellence for Tomorrow” capital campaign.

Mater Dei Senior Eva Traylor, May Queen of the Class of 2015, talked about the Blessed Mother in her comments before Mass to the students, faculty, staff, families and guests who filled the gym. “Mary is strong,” she said. “Her very presence makes me want to be a better person. She inspires us all to be models of our faith.”

“We are here today to celebrate all that we accomplish in Christ,” Bishop Thompson said during Mass, which was held in the Mater Dei gym. “We pray for the grace to focus always on Jesus and to move forward in faith, hope and charity … to be witnesses to the joy of the Gospel.”

Nine priests of the Diocese of Evansville concelebrated the May Day Mass with Bishop Thompson, including (parish names in parentheses) Father Ray Brenner (St. Joseph, Jasper); Father Christopher Droste (Annunciation); Father Ryan Emmick (St. Philip-Posey County and Corpus Christi); Father Paul Ferguson (Holy Redeemer); Father Phil Kreilein (Resurrection); Father Simon Natha (St. Boniface); Father Dave Nunning (retired); Father Ed Schnur (St. Francis-Poseyville and St. Wendel); and Father Alex Zenthoefer (Annunication).

Immediately following Mass, Mater Dei officials provided an update on the capital campaign. Bishop Thompson’s opening remarks included a salute to the Benedictine Sisters. “What a great witness and presence you are to the diocese,” he said.

Principal Darin Knight introduced Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnicke, who read a proclamation designating May 1, 2015, as Mater Dei High School Day, with a focus on the campaign. After an update on the progress of various projects that are part of the campaign, Mater Dei President Tad Dickel discussed its history.

“When we started (more than four years ago),” Dickel said, “we were told to set a goal of $4 million for the campaign – and that we would have to work very hard to reach that goal. We involved more than 100 people in the process as we moved forward.

“When we officially kicked off the campaign in September 2013,” he continued, “we were able to announce that we had already raised $3.3 million in pledges. By August 2014, we had $4.3 million in pledges – and $4.4 million in pledges by September 2014. By October 2014, we had more than $4.6 million in pledges. Today, I am very happy to announce that we have more than $5 million in pledges.”

Dickel said that almost 1,000 donors are contributing, and that 275 are first-time donors. He also discussed highlights of the 2014-15 school year. “We have been named a four-star school by the Indiana Department of Education,” he said, “and our 108 seniors have earned more than $9 million in (college) scholarships. Our athletic teams earned state-runner-up in football and girls’ soccer, and we had a team, state champion and one individual state champion in wrestling.”

Dickel closed with a look at the future. “As of today,” he said, “we have 150 incoming freshmen enrolled for next school year – representing the third consecutive year of enrollment growth for Mater Dei. I believe it’s appropriate to say that the best is yet to come!”

Festivities then moved outside to the new Sisters of St. Benedict Prayer Garden. Sister Barbara Lynn Schmitz, prioress of the order, spoke to the crowd before Bishop Thompson blessed and dedicated the garden.

“When God gave us Catholic education,” Sister Barbara Lynn said, ”He taught us that there is stability and sustainability in our faith life, and in our lives together.” She then noted that 85 Benedictine sisters have served in various roles at Mater Dei for the past 65 years. “We’ve done it all,” she said of their service, “so that we can stand here today … to pray for those who come behind us.

“What we do, we do for God,” she added, “and what we do for each other, we give to God. This is where we learned it…. We ask you to come to this garden, as we will, to remember those moments when Christ blessed us abundantly.”

Campaign Projects

Following is a look at the projects included in the “Full of Grace: Excellent for Tomorrow” capital campaign, with the current status of each or the anticipated completion date.

Spirituality

Sisters of St. Benedict Prayer Garden – complete

Academics

Media center expansion and renovation – complete

Resource center – Complete

Technology hardware, software, and infrastructure improvements – ongoing

Teacher advancement – ongoing

Art department renovation – 2016

Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

Practice athletic fields – complete

Baseball field – in progress

Artificial-turf field – 2015

Tennis complex – 2015

Moutoux Park soccer field improvements – in progress

Auxiliary gym renovation and expansion – 2017

Boys and girls locker rooms renovation – 2017

Facilities

Main boys and girls restrooms renovation – complete

New handicap accessible restrooms in main gym – 2017

Harmony Way property purchases – complete

Entrance enhancement – 2015

Convent and housing removal on Harmony Way – complete

Energy efficiency improvements – complete

Phone system replacement – complete

Main parking lot lighting – 2018

Tuition Assistance

Need-based tuition assistance – ongoing