Holy Angels School, Sturgis closing doors

Due to decreased enrollment and financial challenges, Holy Angels School in Sturgis will close effective June 6, 2008. Currently there are 101 students and nine staff members.
“Commitment to Catholic education is a vital part of the universal Catholic Church’s mission. The Office of Schools of the Diocese is working with Holy Angels to identify alternatives for those students wishing to continue on in Catholic education,” says Margaret Erich, superintendent of schools.
“Unfortunately a school closing is always the last decision after all avenues are exhausted. Holy Angels School was unable to sustain financial viability and the painful decision to close was presented to Bishop Murray and with a heavy heart he concurred with the decision,” Erich adds.

Students Perform Acts of Charity as "Birthday Gift" for Pope Benedict XVI

Students from St. Monica Elementary School, St. Augustine Cathedral School and Hackett Catholic Central High School joined thousands of parochial school students across the nation in performing acts of charity as a birthday gift to Pope Benedict XVI, who celebrated his 81st birthday on April 16. These “service hours” were presented to the Pope during his first visit to the United States April 15-20.
          Students in preschool through eighth grade at St. Monica’s and St. Augustine Cathedral School cleaned the school grounds; read to elderly sisters at Fontbonne Manor, a retirement home for members of the Sisters of St. Joseph community; restocked local food pantries; cleaned the woodwork in their parish churches; and spent time in contemplative prayer in the St. Monica Church Adoration Chapel in order to build “service hours” that honored the Pope during his historic U.S. visit.
          The students and faculty of Hackett Catholic Central High School offered prayers for the special intention of Pope Benedict in all theology classes during the week of April 14th. Hackett hosted a “Hoops for Haiti” round robin basketball tournament on the last day of the Pope’s visit, April 20, as a service activity to benefit our global community.
          This project, titled “Birthday Blessings for the Pope,” is being sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association, which will be keeping a tally of service pledges, diocese by diocese, on its website at http://ncea.catholic.org.
          To date, St. Monica School students have pledged a total of 2,075 service hours and St. Augustine Cathedral School students have pledged a total of 1,477 hours. Their charity work will continue through the project’s completion date on May 31. They join their efforts with those of students in grade schools, high schools, colleges and seminaries across the U.S.
          NCEA president Karen M. Ristau said this venture draws upon the innate generosity of today’s young people, and the commitment to service which is a fundamental facet of Catholic education worldwide.
          “Young people have a passionate desire to make a difference,” Ristau said. “They are very creative and often know exactly what they can do to help someone or make an impact on their corner of the world.”