"Catholic education is an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to the Church He founded. Through education the Church seeks to prepare its members to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation into action by the power of the Holy Spirit," according to former pastor Father Thomas E. McDermott. St. Mary's Catholic School has continued this mission for the past fifty years.
In 1952, under the leadership of Fr. Robert Hupp, ground was broken on the six acres purchased for the school site on East Seventh Street. Father Hupp envisioned the Catholic elementary school to promote more religious vocations. He credited many people for helping to make his dream come true - including the builders and a professor from Wayne State College. These individuals had to prove to the people in Wayne that Catholic education was needed to nurture the souls of our youth. Their goal was to see that our youth would have a strong spiritual background to carry on the faith for the next generation. Teachers, staff, parents, Board of Education members, Parish Council members, benefactors and numerous parishioners worked and continue to work diligently to insure a strong foundation of Catholic faith.
When Father Hupp was transferred back to Omaha, Father William C. Kleffman directed the project completion. Classes began on September 8, 1953 with an enrollment of forty-three students in grades first through eighth under the direction of the Sisters of Saint Benedict. Sr. Iniga, Sr. Ludovica, Sr. Joseph and Sr. Josephine were the first teachers at St. Mary's Catholic School. During Fr. Kleffman's service to St. Mary's, he also initiated the school board, building committee, and Liturgical reform.
Throughout the seventy years, many improvements have been made to the original school. In April of 1968, the first school board was formed. When the teaching staff was cut to three, seventh and eighth grade classrooms were eliminated. Kindergarten started in 1980 in the same room as the library. Wayne State College students under the supervision of an art professor constructed new playground equipment. A parishioner and the school children planted trees located next to the alley with trees donated by the Omaha World Herald. A perennial garden was planted on the south side with teachers, parents, and parishioners providing donations for the plants. An Education Endowment was formed in 1985 to provide financial stability for the school. In 1989, St. Mary's Booster Club was formed with their mission being to raise money for educational programs of the parish. In 1990, the kindergarten classroom was moved into St. Mary's School lower level, which was previously the parish kitchen. In 1992, Little Lambs Preschool was added to St. Mary's to provide younger children the opportunity to begin a Catholic education. St. Mary's fifth and sixth grade religion classes erected a stepping-stone rosary purchased by donations from school parents and parishioners. Also, floors were redone in the hallway and classrooms with monies donated by the Education Endowment, St. Mary's VIA, and St. Mary's Dollar-A-Year Club. In 2001, Little Lambs Preschool for three and four year olds was added and the four and five year old program became a pre-kindergarten. A window fund established in 2001 allowed for the replacement of outdated windows. The first set of windows was installed in the summer of 2002. During the summer of 2003 the remaining classroom windows on the main floor were installed. In more recent times, the lower level floor was redone again along with a sink in the lunch area. The bathrooms have received updates through a generous donation. The fence was installed along the highway and alley. A new playground was constructed. The half wall in the library was removed to move the prekindergarten and kindergarten classroom upstairs. Today the school has thirty-seven students enrolled in the PK-6 program. The classrooms include prekindergarten and kindergarten, 1st through 3rd grades, and 4th grades through 6th grades.
Many Catholic practices and traditions are passed on to our future generations. Because "...in the Eucharist Jesus ministers to His people so that they in turn can minister to the rest of God's children," children learn the importance of attending Mass and also are taught the meaning of the different parts of the liturgy. Reconciliation is also a part of their spiritual training. When the school was first built the children would walk over to the old church to participate in Forty Hours, Advent services and various other Catholic traditions. The Virgin Mary’s birthday was celebrated near or on September 8, teaching the children to have great love for our blessed Mother. The month of October is dedicated to praying the most Holy Rosary. Students, staff, and families pray a monthly Rosary on the last Monday of each month. To give thanks to God, a special Thanksgiving Mass is celebrated with the elderly parishioners with the altar set by the children and their parents. The Christmas season was a special time for the Children. Christmas programs instilled and continue to instill that "Jesus is the Reason For the Season." Catholic Schools Week highlights the importance of Catholic education in our parish, community, and nation. Many special events take place to signify to the children how important it is to be a good Catholic. May is a special month for Mary and May crownings are done to show Mary how much she is loved. Students have also gone on religious pilgrimages to St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, the Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler, Queen of Peace in Sioux City, House of Mary Shrine in Yankton and Immaculata Convent in Norfolk.
Throughout the school years our priests, sisters, teachers, and parents have worked hard to help the children learn the theology of our Catholic faith, and equally important, how to apply these truths to their daily lives. Students have been involved in activities such as visiting the nursing home residents, Christmas caroling, sending birthday cards to sick children in the parish, helping the elderly, cleaning the school, and helping the younger children in the school. Students have also participated in monthly virtue and service projects. These activities helped to show them how to live their lives for Jesus.
St. Mary's School has also produced top academic scholars throughout the years. Former students became valedictorians, salutatorians, and were in the top ten percent of the graduating classes because of the strong commitment to academic excellence instilled by their teachers. Active parental involvement in their children's education process is also a strong contributor of the academic success of St. Mary's Catholic School children. In addition, many students have excelled in sports, music, and drama.
Congratulations to St. Mary's Catholic School for continuing the tradition of Catholic faith and educational values for our children for more than seventy years. May the intercession of Mary and the favor of our loving Father guide and bless St. Mary's Catholic School for the next seventy years.