Alumni Newsletter

SAINT PATRICK’S ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Catholic Diocese

Of

Peoria

100 Harvey St. Washington, IL 61571

309-444-4345

Website: stpatswashington.com Email: alumni@stpatswashington.com

JULY 2015

Dear Alumni,

I cannot believe that I am coming up on my second year as Pastor at St. Patrick’s. It has truly been a blessing to serve the parish

and the school. This past year I was able get into the Eighth Grade Classroom. On Monday mornings I would ask them about the Sun-

day readings and homily. I would then show clips from Matthew Kelly’s Video Series called Decision Points which incorporated many

areas of our faith dealing with God, Sacraments, holiness, and relationships just to name a few. The students really enjoyed the message

of the videos and our discussion. I was glad I was able to be in their classroom because I believe the priest should be truly involved in

the school. I was also able to walk around the school and pop into classrooms or the cafeteria to see the other students.

I believe that it is important to grow in our faith. I encourage all of us to continue to grow in the knowledge and love of our

faith through prayer and study. This past school year we had religious in-services for our teachers and staff. We had time of prayer in

adoration and some spiritual reflections from Fr. Julius and myself. At the end of the year, I emphasized the importance of the Mass and

Eucharistic Adoration. I showed the teachers and staff the Video Series Altaration: The mystery of the Mass revealed. This series ex-

plained the beauty and love of the Mass. After we watched it all, they loved it and realized something that they didn’t know about the

Mass or were never taught. It opened their eyes to the depth and richness of our Mass. We will be using this program next school year

with our middle school students.

Pope Francis has announced a year dedicated to the Divine Mercy beginning on December 8, 2015. There is a book called the

Church of Mercy, which compiles different homilies and talks by our Holy Father. I have given this book to faculty, staff, ministry lead-

ers and the parish and finance councils. I am encouraging everyone to read this book.

Please save the date Saturday, September 19th this year. We are having a major celebration for our Parish. Know that you are all

in my prayers. Remember that St. Patrick Parish and School is your home.

In Christ,

Fr. Steve

Dear Alumni of St. Patrick School,

How fast the school year has gone! We just completed another busy and successful year. Twenty-five 8th graders graduated on

May 22nd at a beautiful Mass and ready to start their high school careers. We wish them many blessings as they go forth to the next chap-

ter of their lives.

We began the year with new religion programs for our junior high. We added the Encounter program to our sixth grade curricu-

lum and Chosen from Ascension Press to our seventh grade curriculum. We added the Decision program from Dynamic Catholic to our

eighth grade class. Fr. Steve came weekly on Mondays to co-teach the class with homeroom teacher, Mr. Jeff Draeger. The students

loved these programs, the presenters in the videos, and opportunities for discussion. Confirmation has been typically in seventh grade but

is now a two-year program; so our current seventh graders will have another year to prepare for this Sacrament.

Throughout our school we started Service Portfolios. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade will keep a binder of their

service to the church and community. Students will be able to journal and reflect on service they perform as a part of our faith formation

throughout life and not just for the Confirmation year. These binders will be passed along at each grade level from year to year and given

to students at the end of their eighth grade.

The “House” program was initiated for grades 5-8. Students from each of these grades were assigned to a “House.” They chose a

saint’s name to represent their group. Students worked together in these multi-age groups throughout the year bonding with each other in

various activities, service, and prayer. They even paired up with a lower grade class and worked on projects with them. We look forward

to building this program in the years to come.

In our academic curriculum we moved to a writing program that increases emphasis on non fiction writing and preparation for

the world in which our students will live. This program was implemented school-wide and will bring consistency across grade levels and

across the curriculum. We also implemented a Freshman Honors Algebra to qualifying eighth graders which will allow them to advance

to the next level of math at high school if they complete the requirements satisfactorily.

Our school had a successful extra-curricular program of activities from athletics to scholastic bowl and band, including a de-

lightful Christmas program at Washington’s Five Points Center. We improved on our Fine Arts show annually held during the last week

Cindy (Kaelin) Love, 1973

I remember cheering at basketball games, playing volleyball & running track. I remember Sister Mary Ann! And my many friends.

I remember Mrs. Sparling’s English class! I also remember class in the basement of the school. Now I am the mother of 4 adult

children ages 28, 26, 24, & 22. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and founder of the Trinity Free Clinic in Carmel, IN. We see

the uninsured and low-income residents of our area and are staffed with volunteers.

My parents, Bill & Jane Kaelin, live in Decatur, IL.

I really enjoy the newsletter. I have great memories from my 5th grade through 8th grade years!! I was the “new kid” but always

felt welcomed. We moved right after my 8th grade graduation. My email address is cindylove.4@gmail.com.

WHO’S WHERE, DOING WHAT NOW?

Cont. from page 1:

of classes with art from each student and projects from other curricular areas including Spanish classes. We were able to provide

time for Art this year in our upper grades once each month with a “short schedule” on Wednesdays that allowed time for Art class

and House projects as well as twice each month for the lower grades.

New to this year was the implementation of the Junior High Choir. The group practiced each week and sang at our All

School Masses. We look forward to growing this group and expanding their singing to an occasional weekend Mass at St. Patrick

or St. Monica’s parish.

The school earnestly wants to build the Technology Program to include one-on-one computer tablets and laptops for fifth

through eighth grades and increase the number of tablets in grades K-4 to have our students fully prepared with 21st century learn-

ing skills. Using technology is critical in all of our grade levels to learn research skills and the direction of today’s instructional

methods and is necessary for the preparation of our students the world in which they will live. Funding this initiative is always the

hurdle to accomplish in this endeavor.

Finally, we ended the busy year with awards nights for academics and sports, class picnics, and of course graduation. We

appreciate the involvement of Fr. Steve and Fr. Julius. We have been very blessed with their presence, All School Masses, and

love for the Catholic faith. We are very grateful for all the work of the teachers, support staff, and parents. Without them, we could

not make St. Patrick the really great school it is! Thank you,

Doreen Shipman, Principal

Did you know…..

A beautiful 13-piece Nativity set was given to St. Patrick Church in memory of Mrs. Dayis Novy, mother of David (1962), Lisa

(1965), Michelle (1969), Jerry (1972), and Stephanie (1980). Mrs. Novy passed away January 2014.

Sister Marguerite celebrated her 100th birthday on April 6th. She observed her 80th anniversary as a member of the Sisters of

Mary of the Presentation in June as she professed her first vows in France in 1935. She taught at St. Patrick’s from 1977 to 1983.

Washington’s Hillcrest Golf Course has rebuilt its mini golf from the November 17, 2013, tornado. The new #5 hole honors

Thomas Sawchuk, son of Gina Paluska-Barclay (1984) and grandson of Tom Paluska (1958). It includes a church building

named St. Thomas, built by his brother and looks much like the previous church building on the old #7 hole. Thomas, a former

student of St. Pat’s, passed away in November 2011, at age 11. He loved to play the mini golf course at Hillcrest and especially

liked the hole where golfers had to roll their shot through an opening in the church building.

The Washington Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2015 Good Neighbor Award to Morrie & Martha Franz, longtime St. Pat-

rick Parish members and parents to Maria (1978), Dan (1979), Dave (1983), Tim (1984), and Ann (1986). They have been very

involved in parish and community ministries for many years. Not only are they Good Neighbors; but as another parish member

said, “We think they are GREAT neighbors.”

Recently, St. Patrick Parish had the opportunity to give back…. give back to the tornado victims in Fairdale & Rochelle, IL, lo-

cated near Rockford. A collection was taken after Masses. Gift cards were purchased with the donations and given to St. Cathe-

rine’s Parish in the neighboring community of Genoa, IL.

Did you know….. Cont.

If you have had an address change, please complete and return this form to St. Pat’s School, 100 Harvey, Washington, IL 61571. You may also email the information to: alumni@stpatswashington.com.

Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Mrs. Esther Torry was recently highlighted in a WTVP Channel 47 documentary. It was about the history of the local softball

teams, Pekin Lettes and Cat Dieselettes for which she was a player for many years. You can visit www.caterpillar.com and click

on “visitors center” for more information or go to their new visitors center in downtown Peoria. She is the mother of twins Ron

& Don (1974), and Mike (1981).

On the second Tuesday of the month, the Senior Pot Luck lunch is held at the KC Hall. Some of the organizers are St. Pat’s par-

ents Mr. & Mrs. Earl Lee, Mr. & Mrs. Tony Ozella, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Sponsler, and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Jarboe. These parents

became very close during their childrens’ grade school years at St. Pat’s. They all had boys who graduated in 1989 (Dan Lee,

Scott Ozella, John Sponsler, and Kevin Jarboe.) The Senior Pot Luck was started by another St. Pat’s mom, Mrs. Dee Otten.

They meet September through December and March through May. Usually a speaker or some kind of entertainment will come.

On average, 60 people attend. All are welcome. Just bring a dish to pass.

This year’s graduating class had 25 students. This year’s award recipients were Knight of Columbus Clarence Linsley Christian

Award—Jacob Redden, Kelly Hoffman, and Nicole Mickels (daughter of Theresa Biagini-Mickels, 1980); Mark Burroughs

Sportsmanship Award—Jacob Redden; Josephine Goebel Sportsmanship Award—Kylie Cassulo; Female Athlete of the Year—

Lexi Morrison; Male Athlete of the Year—Killian Nau; Angie Linsley Volleyball Award—Lily Harlan (granddaughter of Ann

Blaisdell-Hramec, 1963); Evan Knoblaugh Track Memorial Award—Victoria McDougall; Scholastic Awards—Kylie Cassulo

and Chloe Armstrong (daughter of Erin Campbell-Armstrong, 1987); Spirit Award—Ashley McMurray; and the Werstein Volun-

teer Award—Mrs. Marie McMurray. Crowning Mary in May this year was Nicole Mickels with attendants Lexie Morrison,

Madison Nau, and Kelly Hoffman. Four of the 25 graduating students will be going to Peoria Notre Dame High School.

Kevin Jarboe (1989) was featured in an article at Caterpillar this past spring. Kevin has been with Cat for 15 years and is called a

“tractor enthusiast.” He along with his dad have an antique Cat D2 to help on the 80 acres of land they own. During high school,

Kevin had a stroke and was very fortunate to survive let along graduate from high school and college. Because Kevin is in a

wheelchair, this piece of equipment has been configured with a portable ramp so that he can drive it.

Stu Levenick (1967) was awarded the Varsity “I” Association Achievement Award, the highest honor given to a U of I letterwin-

ner for post-graduate accomplishments. Stu was an All-Conference football player for WACOHI, co-captain and an All-Big Ten

selection for the Fighting Illini. Stu went from being a walk-on football player to a 1976 NFL draft pick. He and his wife, Nan-

cy, have the Stuart & Nancy Levenick Endowment Fund which is awarded with priority to a walk-on athlete at U of I who has

earned a scholarship through hard work on the field and in the classroom.

A family heirloom ring was found nearly a year after the November 17, 2013, tornado tore through the Oljace home where Kait-

lyn (2002), Amy (1998), & Jason (1996) grew up. It was spotted by a volunteer cleaning up the nearby farm field and returned

on October 28, 2014.

Andy Taylor (1999) and Allen Mueller (1999) share much more than their grade school graduation date. They also share their

birthday. They also both graduated from Washington Community High School on the same day, from Southern IL University

Carbondale with Bachelors Degrees on the same day, and from Carbondale on the same day with Masters Degrees.

The 2014-2015 school year saw longtime-needed roof repairs of $175,000.00. The funds came from the Barbara Lehman Estate

Fund as set forth in her will. Mrs. Lehman was a parishioner who joined the parish later in life and volunteered as a

“Grandparent Reader.”

Two members of St. Patrick’s were honored at the “Night of Knights” on April 11th. This is in recognition of the members’ out-

standing service to the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic church and their communities. Mr. Earl Lee, father of Joe (1981),

Jeanne (1984) and Dan (1989), has been a Knight for 37 years and has served as church usher, assists at the food pantry, was ac-

tive in the tornado relief effort as well as volunteering at St. Joseph’s Home in Lacon to name a few activities. Our pastor, Fr.

Stephen Willard, a 17-year member of the Knights, was also recognized for his remarkable guidance during the tornado disaster.

ALUMNI

NEWSLETTER

JULY 2015

PRESORTED

NON PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 9

Washington, IL 61571

St. Patrick School

100 Harvey

Washington, IL 61571

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Please keep in your prayers those who have recently died: Mr. Paul Ficht, Mrs. Mary Oberle, Mr. Gerald Koch, Mrs. Gertrude Jackson,

Mrs. Patricia Hendricksen, Mrs. Mary Anders, Mr. Greg Lamb, Mr. Bill Vanderheydt, Mr. Stan Honegger, Mr. Thomas Barnes, Mrs.

Mary Otten and alumni Kenny Hurst (1954), Tim Junk (1974), and Mary Ann Crabill-Knell (1964). Also please remember the stillborn

baby boy of Becky Klopfenstein (1995). May all the families find peace in knowing God’s grace.

Fr. Julius Turyatoranwa arrived last summer as our parochial vicar at St. Patrick. He grew up in Uganda and has been a priest within the

Peoria Diocese for the past several years. He has been appealing for donations from local parishes so that a new church could be built in

his home village. Made with handmade bricks and footings dug by hand, this new church is estimated to seat 700—800 people. The

official groundbreaking was January 17, 2012. This summer, Fr. Julius returned to Uganda to dedicate and consecrate Mass in the new

St. Augustine Noozi Catholic Church in Uganda, Africa. Fr. Julius said people would walk for miles just to go to Mass on Sunday.

Initially the church was started in 1921. Land was secured from the colonial chiefs, and the Catholic community then put up a small

mud and wattle church. This church was Fr. Julius’ home church. If you wish to donate, you may mail a check made out to St. Patrick

Church with “Noozi Church” written in the memo. You may also donate via the parish website stpatswashington.com.

Save the Date

St. Patrick Parish will host a dinner and dance on Saturday, September 19, 2015, 6:00 pm —11:00 pm at Countryside Banquet Facility

in Washington. We welcome everyone to join “The Parish with Spirit.” The event will feature The Paul Windsor Orchestra which spe-

cializes in dance music for all ages. Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend. For more information, you may contact the

church office at 309-444-3524 or email churchoffice@stpatswashington.com

A new email has been established through the parish website. After logging into www.stpatswashington.com, just click on the “Visit

Our School” tab and then click on the “Alumni” tab. From there you can scroll down to “Contact Us” for a link to the alumni email

alumni@stpatswashington.com. You can report any change of address this way or any interesting events that an alumnus has been in-

volved in. The website also has links to our parish prayer chain as well as our Facebook page and our church bulletins.