New principals, new buildings, & RENEW 2000

by Sr. Betty Larson, OSB

The new school year for the schools of the Diocese of New Ulm will begin on September 5, 2000. Four schools will be welcoming new principals. They are Holy Redeemer in Marshall, which will be under the leadership of Carol DeSmet. Carol had been the principal at St. Edward’s in Minneota for the past five years. Kathy Fjeldheim will take over leadership at St. Edward’s in Minneota. She comes to our diocese from Eureka, South Dakota. Becky Leicher will be the new principal at Holy Family School in Silver Lake. Becky is from Hutchinson and taught music at Holy Family during the last school year. Marian Bach is the new principal at St. Peter School in Canby. She has worked in Church ministry for many years and has worked in our diocese for the last four years.

Three schools will also be initiating kindergarten this year. They are St. Michael School in Morgan, St. Andrew School in Fairfax, and St. Peter School in Canby. These parishes are hopeful that this new initiative will provide for a positive future.

John Ireland School in St. Peter will be housed in their new building. This is an exciting time for the parish to see the renewal after the tornado of 1998.

Last year the schools participated in the SOFT (Sharing Our Faith Time) Program during the weeks of RENEW 2000. This year the program will be used throughout the year to prepare the students for more active participation in the Sunday Liturgy. The program provides for quiet reflection and discussion of the message of Jesus in the Sunday Gospel.

We have very dedicated administrators, teachers, and support staff in our schools. They are to be commended for their sense of ministry to the children and youth of the diocese.