St. Matthew School Celebrates 150 Years
By 9:55 a.m. on Nov. 12, people were going up into the choir loft at St. Matthew Church in Mount Vernon because the main sanctuary was full. Folks filled the sanctuary to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the parish’s school with a Mass at 10 a.m. and a reception with tours of the school that followed.
“Since 1867, our school has been preparing our children to discover their gifts and talents in order to take their places as adults in our world,” said St. Matthew Administrator Father Jim Sauer. “Think about it … just two years after the Civil War ended, our ancestors in the faith scraped together enough money to open a school in our community.
“Of the 30 parishes in our diocese built between 1732 and 1899, only 14 continue to have a Catholic school,” Father Sauer added. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to our faith-filled ancestors, who had a dream – and sacrificed to bring that dream into reality. And now in our generation, through all of our financial sacrifices, we are able to continue their dream. I want to express my gratitude to you for your generosity and sacrifices.”
Father Sauer emphasized the unique nature of Catholic education and its continuing importance. “Our children are being taught in a Christian environment where faith in God can be discussed and where God can be worshipped,” he said. “Through all our educational efforts, the greatest gift we can give our young people is to help them to know Jesus and to commit themselves to follow Him. Then, this faith in Jesus and His gospel values will permeate everything else they do in the future. They will be even better in their chosen careers and future lives if their Catholic Christian faith shapes their young lives today and for the future. “
Father Sauer concluded by noting that, as important as Catholic schools are to our young people, they cannot replace what happens in our homes. “No school can ever be a substitute for the faith that is lived and practiced within our families,” he said. “Our school can only work in coordination with our parents.”
Before the Mass’ final blessing, Father Sauer thanked a number of groups who have been instrumental to St. Matthew School and to planning for the 150th Anniversary Celebration. They included:
School Staff
Principal Vickie Wannemuehler, teachers Devon Duckworth, Laure Eickhoff, Emily Walker, Nancy Walker, Cory Lowery, Anne Marie Koors, Michelle Gondi and Heidi Blackburn; and staff members Jayne Searcy, Gwen Krie, Jane King, Barb Skelton, Janet Niemeier, Cindy Nurrenbern, Julie Mader, Tom Scheller, Gary Vaal, Bill Duncan, Anna Griffin, Samantha Moore, Gwen Raibley and Alex Goebel; Mount Vernoon School District staff members who provide support – Krista Culley, Lelsey Thomas, Connie Upshaw, Ann Stemple and Bailey Stewart; and Catholic Charities Counselor Kelsey Held.
School Council
Gordon Green, Amy Manger, Kayla Hall, Cesar Gonzalez, Ann Nussel, Devon Duckworth and Vickie Wannemuehler.
150th Anniversary Committee
Charlotte Thomas, Edith Hoehn and Rachel Deno, with support from Katie Hoehn and Donett May.
Others
Father Sauer also thanked the School PTO, the School Auction Committee, the Men’s Club, the School Development Committee, the Alumni and Friends Committee, and the Marketing Committee.
