Memories and Milestones Newsletter School

Memories and Milestones
A Newsletter from Saint Matthew School
Saint Matthew School guides students’ minds, hearts, and souls to
live as Jesus did. In the tradition of the Sisters, Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary, we encourage students to be people of
faith, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.
School Year 2014-2015
A Letter from the Principal, Sister Christina Joseph, I.H.M.
Dear Alumni, Benefactors, Parents,
and Friends of Saint Matthew School,
Greetings of peace and joy.
We are grateful for you as we complete another year of much activity and
joyous moments. We continue to build on the legacy of a quality Catholic
education in a high-spirited place. We are the happy recipients of a great
family spirit left to us by many students and their families that graced our
halls.
Saint Matthew School’s faculty has been working on the Self-Study for New
England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) re-accreditation.
The re-accreditation visit, under the direction of Mother Elaine Moorcroft,
will be held September 27-30, 2015. We ask for your continued support in
prayer, interest, and enthusiasm as we finalize the study and prepare for
this significant event.
I make this appeal to you, to support us in prayer, encouragement and
financial resources so that we may be able to offer an opportunity for a
quality Catholic education to our present students as well as those who will
come after us.
Where educating minds and hearts matter
Where educating minds and hearts matter
In This Issue:
A Saint
Matthew
Family
A parent of Saint
Matthew alum recounts
her experience…page 3
Thank Many thanks to our
you donors… page 4
Congrats Congratulations to the
volunteers and CT State
Band students…page 5
Accolades Congratulations to our
teachers and
students…page 6
An Alumni Matthew Collins
Gives Back participates in “Our
Father’s Ride…page 7
SAVE
THE
DATE
Save the date for the
annual Fr. Lysz Golf
Tournament…page 8
When we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our school in 2011, we established a few goals. First and foremost, the need to
implement an endowment fund which would assist our current families with the capability of having their children remain at St.
Matthew School and graduate from this beloved place. This goal is still in the planning stages. Secondly, the start of a
maintenance fund that would help us finance the upkeep of the general maintenance of our 54 year old school and the refreshing
of the classrooms by painting them, as well as replacing the original floors. With the generosity of our parents volunteering their
time and energy during the summer of 2014, we began to refresh the classrooms by painting grades one through six. One parent
was able to find a way to supply us with the paint necessary to complete that summer's project.
Last year we received a grant from the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, which helped to fund the upgrade of the security
system. This year we have written a grant to help fund call boxes at the main entrance of the school and preschool. We are in the
process of writing another grant to Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation to fund technological upgrades for the school.
Unused title money, as well as other grant monies, afforded us the opportunity to purchase thirty more laptops for student use.
We continue to realize the integration of technology as a regular part of instruction for our students who are growing up in a highpaced, technological world.
When I reflect on how much “life” happens here at Saint Matthew, I dream of all the improvements that we could do for our
children; but we need your help. I ask you to earnestly consider making a donation to our school through the Advancement
Program. No donation is too small, all donations are greatly appreciated.
Continued remembrance and appreciation for you in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Sister Christina Joseph, I.H.M.
Principal
What We Love About Saint Matthew School
As in the past four years, four of our students
participated in the annual student messages
about what they love about Saint Matthew
School, sponsored by the Office of Radio and TV
(ORTV) here in the Archdiocese of Hartford. We
thank the following students for their promotion of
Saint Matthew School: Grade 7 – Michael Dolce
and Thomas Pauloz, Grade 6 – Nina Zwolinski,
and Grade 5 – Charlie Pittman.
In lieu of flowers when thinking of kind gestures at the time of a friend or loved
one’s passing, or when a charitable contribution in lieu of flowers is suggested
in an obituary, we encourage you to consider making a donation to Saint
Matthew School in memory of the deceased.
2
All the Saints, Especially
Saint Matthew
The following story is written by a former St Matthew
School parent – she recounts her experience with Saint
Matthew School and Saint Matthew Church.
My grandmother played the piano for school assemblies and
hymn practice from 1925 to 1935 while my dad and his brother
attended St. Bernard’s School in Peoria, IL. When her family
moved to Asheville, N.C. in her 8th grade year, my mother was
able to go to St. Joan of Arc School. Her older sister was a
member of the religious order which taught there and “helping
the sisters where they could” was already a family tradition. In
the fifties, when my sister and I attended St. Mark’s in Peoria,
my father spearheaded an effort to provide bus transportation to
the school. Years later, we moved to CT. Mom was a librarian
and led a Junior Great Books club at St. Mary’s in Simsbury,
where the youngest of my five siblings attended school.
The Gick children who attended St Matthew School
school. Each person was recognized and appreciated for their
unique individuality and contribution to the school.
Catholic schools do not exist in a vacuum. They may be built
on faith but they take money, time and work to keep going.
Those of us who have received their benefits, directly or
indirectly, need to reinvest in them as our parents and
grandparents did. This way those benefits can be extended to
our children, grandchildren and generations beyond. Money
alone, though important, is not enough. It is wonderful, and
necessary, that those who have it can give of their treasure. It
is just as important though, that we also give of our time and
talents to nurture this vibrant community. That active
participation is how we become, and remain, a community.
My late husband Mick’s mother, though a farm girl, was able to
go to St. Mary’s School in their little community of Dunnington,
IN. In the next parish, Sacred Heart, farm kids had to board in
town to go to the Catholic school in Fowler. When he was in
third grade, Mick’s dad joined his older brothers in the dorm
across the street from the church. These farm families often
provided produce for the “good Sisters,” as my mother-in-law
would say, and helped out with cleaning and handyman chores
around the school. My carpenter father-in-law continued those
services and my mother-in-law did playground duty along with
the other moms when my husband and his five siblings
attended the new Sacred Heart School in the fifties and sixties.
My five children, all St Matthew School alum, are grown and
scattered across the country. Four are married with children of
their own. When my son and his wife chose a school for my
oldest grandchild, now in first grade, the community feel was a
major factor in their choice. There were several schools with
comparable academics but they chose the school with a
stated, value based curriculum. My son particularly liked that,
like St Matthew, parents are an active part of daily school life,
helping the teachers in many areas. Children get to know the
other children’s parents, not just those of their friends, and feel
they are all part of the same community.
Catholic education, and the sacrifices and commitment it often
required were the core values Mick and I grew up with. When
my parents moved, as they did twice when I was growing up,
the availability of a Catholic school for their children was the
deciding factor in their choice of a home. It should come as no
surprise that, when Mick and I found ourselves in Bristol when
our children were young, we found Saint Matthew School first
then looked for a home to buy in Forestville.
My husband died six years ago. It had been more than 15
years since my children lived in CT. My husband and I moved
away from Forestville 10 years earlier. We continued to attend
Mass at St Matthew Church. We were over whelmed at Mick’s
wake. Most St Matthew’s families were there. One of the
“lunch mothers” said when the kids expressed surprise at
seeing her, “Of course we’re all here, we’re all family”.
At Saint Matthew School we found a warm community, which
cherished every member and fostered his or her complete
growth and development. Academics and athletics were
certainly excellent, but also the richness of the daily spiritual
experience and the respect and support for each individual’s
emotional needs and growth. This was true not only for the
students but for the faculty and other adults involved with the
3
Gloria Gick
MANY THANKS TO OUR BENEFACTORS AND DONORS
Thank you to all our friends at St. Matthew School who helped plan, sponsor, and attend our Inaugural Mad Hatter Tea Party. We are
beginning to plan our 2nd Annual event at the New England Carousel Museum. Please save the date. Sunday, October 4, 2015 from 24pm. Please also join us for our 16th Annual Father Lysz Memorial Golf Tournament, Thursday, August 20, 2015. Lunch and Registration
at 11am, 12:30 Shot Gun Start. Sponsorships are available. This event will take place at the newly renovated Chippanee Golf Club. Lets
dance, dance, dance with the Crown Imperials and the Sharades Band on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the St. Matthew School gym.
The Advancement Team at St. Matthew School is summoned with the mission of enriching our school through the support of our alumni,
benefactors, businesses, parents, past parents, grandparents, and past grandparents. We are looking for leaders to take charge of
several committees including but not limited to public relations, alumni relations, annual appeal and enrollment. There is also a special
assistant position available to solely write for grant monies available within Bristol and throughout CT.
Patricia Genest – in honor of Grandsons-Nathan Harmon and
MacKendel Genest – grandparents - benefactor
Kurt Philipp - benefactor
Benefactor Circle- $1,000 or more
Betty Bonadeo – in memory of her sister Mary –benefactor
Brigid Soldavini-Clapper (Hyland) – in memory of James F. Hyland
(father) alumna, benefactor
Robert Kleppinger – in memory of Ruth Kleppinger – benefactor
Thomaston Savings Bank - benefactor
Lawrence J. & Marsha Budnick, Jr.–grandparents-benefactors
Patron Circle- $500 - $999
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Duval–parishioners-benefactors
Anonymous gift –benefactor
Bulldog Club - $250-$499
Stephen & Mary Jo Phelps – in memory of Joe Pikiell– past parents,
benefactors
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth G. Benoit– parents of alumni, benefactors
Gordon Oliver – in memory of Leenora Oliver, in honor of her
daughters-Alison, Amanda & Amy – past parent, benefactor
Century Circle- $100 - $249
Mr. & Mrs. Victor Fumiatti– parishioners, benefactors
Paul and Jeanne D’Aprile – in memory of Patricia Shine – parents of
alumni, friend, benefactors
Henrietta Fiamengo –benefactor
Penny & Kit Critchley –parents of alumni, benefactors
Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Proulx–benefactors
Barbara Blaisdell – in memory of Phyllis & Mitchell Fijol –
grandparent, benefactor
Anonymous gift – friend, benefactor
Bill Lozito - CACO Print Productions,LLC – business/vendorbenefactor
John & Joan Downey in honor of The Michael Ledwidge family –
benefactor
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Collins – past parents - benefactors
Tom & Marie O’Brien - benefactors
Willie & Chris O’Dell - benefactors
Joe & Kathleen Naples - Twenty Donuts – parents - benefactors
Jacquelyn D’Angelo - Gulf Electricity - benefactor
John St.Pierre - Saint’s Restaurant and Catering - benefactor
Steve Rewenko - CWPM – benefactor
Michael & Carrie Patterson – parents - benefactors
Corine & Vinnie Jurado – parents - benefactors
Blue & White Club- $50 - $99
Mary Ann Jenislawski -in memory of Joseph Piekell-benefactor
Daniel C. Belfi, NY Life Insurance, alumnus, 2005
Pam S. Drzewiecki, Northwestern Mutual – parent-benefactor
Gary Santorso-150 Central an American Restaurant -benefactor
Dean B. Kilbourne –Attorney at Law-Kilbourne & Tully - past parent benefactor
Emily’s catering group - benefactor
Leo & Liz Hebert - Angel Moon photography - benefactors
Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Orefice - benefactors
Marcy Cain – Cain Communications - benefactor
Friends Circle- Up to $49
Anonymous gift in memory of Richard P. Coughlin and in honor of
Suzanne Coughlin
Deborah D. Sprague – alumna 1968 - benefactor
Sister Mary Christine, IHM in honor of Sister Joan F. Pikiell, SSND –
friend, benefactor
Deborah J. or Thomas J. Giorgetti in honor Sister Joan Pikiell
benefactors
Sister Rose McHugh, IHM in memory of Sister Leonarda, IHM –
friend, benefactor
Sister Elizabeth Bailey – friend, benefactor
Sister Jeannine Norton – friend, benefactor
Jack Keniry in memory of Patrick D. Keniry –benefactor
Beryl C. & James R. Harrigan – past grandparents-benefactors
Anonymous gift in memory of Mabel B. Veradt
Anonymous gift –benefactor
Maryellen Holden-in memory of Kevin S. Holden–friend - benefactor
Frank A. & Marilyn Dolce in honor of Michael Dolce – grandparents –
benefactor
Terry Roach–in memory of Deacon Richard O’Day–benefactor
Sister Josephine McDonald – friend - benefactor
Karl Becker - Charles J. Becker and Bro., Inc. - business/vendor benefactor
John & Katerina Kretsch – parents – benefactors
Joseph Morelli or Lauren Morelli–grandparents–benefactors
Doris Aldieri – past grandparent of alumni, benefactor
Daniel & Bernadette Leschinski - benefactors
Barbara S. & William T. Lee – in memory of Mark Lasky – friend,
benefactors
Mrs. Robert A. Duval – in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Eugene LeVasseur benefactor
Gloria Hyland and children – in memory of James Francis Hyland,
Sr. benefactors
Joseph & Lauren Morelli – grandparents-benefactors
Joseph Dube - benefactor
Anonymous gift – friend - benefactor
Anonymous gift –benefactor
Suzanne LaBrecque – benefactor
Marsha Mierzejewski - Dancingly Yours - benefactor
4
Many Thanks to Our Volunteers
and Donors
Thank you to all the friends of Saint Matthew School
who helped plan, sponsor, and attend our Inaugural
Mad Hatter Tea Party. We are beginning to plan our
2nd Annual event at the New England Carousel
Museum. Sunday, October 4, 2015, from 2- 4pm.
Please save the date. We also want to thank all the
volunteers and donors who helped plan a special
wine and cheese party. The Wine & Cheese
Appreciation event took place on Saturday, March
28th and was well attended by many Saint Matthew
School volunteers and donors.
The Advancement Team at Saint Matthew School is
summoned with the mission of enriching our school
through the support of our alumni, benefactors,
businesses, parents, past parents, grandparents, and
past grandparents. We are looking for leaders to take
charge of several committees including but not limited
to public relations, alumni relations, annual appeal
and enrollment. There is also a special assistant
position available to write for grants. Please contact
The First Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party
the Advancement Office to help out or for
more information on any of these
volunteer opportunities.
We appreciate all you do!
Talented Musicians
Appreciation and congratulations to the following musicians
from Saint Matthew School who were chosen to perform
in the Connecticut All State Band held on March 21, 2015.
Thank you Ms. Welch for all that you do!
2015 Connecticut State Band participants.
Symphonic Level:
Maggie Carroll
Andrew Fusco
Abigail Paradis
Thomas Pauloz
Charlie Pittman
Kristina Posten
Nadia Riemer
Johann Strasser
Alex Valley
Stefan Zwolinski
4 45
Concert Level:
Matthew Bacho
Faith Boilard
Stephen Pittman
Jack Stavens
Nina Zwolinski
Gala Level:
Amelia Badzioch
Grace Delfino
Cameron Fabrizio
Annie Kretsch
Andrew Pauloz
School News
Congratulations!
In September we participated in the annual Mum Parade in
Bristol, and proudly brought home to our school 1st place for
non-musical float. Our school community welcomed two
Korean exchange students who would spend this school
year with us, Jaehoon as an eighth grader and Martina as a
sixth grader. Each October some of our older students in 6th,
7th, 8th grades enter the local Lion’s Club international peace
poster contest. This year our sixth grader Korean student,
Martina won 1st place on the local level.
Congratulations and appreciation is extended to the
following teachers as they celebrate their anniversary
years in education.
Again, we had the happy occasion of having the Vocation
Directresses from the religious community of the Sisters,
Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who have served
at Saint Matthew School since 1961, come to visit and
present a Vocation Day for all students, Pre-Kindergarten to
Eighth Grade. A nice rapport is being nurtured between our
students and the sisters, and our children thoroughly enjoy
spending time with them.
25 Years –
Mrs. Patricia Patterson
20 Years –
Mrs. Debbie Apostolico
Mrs. Mary Ann Sirois
35 Years –
Mrs. Maureen Howley
Thank you for your dedicated and loving service to our
students!
Each year, Saint Matthew School honors one of our
volunteers at the Annual HOPES Dinner, sponsored by the
Hartford Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools. Our
honoree this school year was Mrs. Lisa Butkus, who has
served on the Saint Matthew School Home and School. We
appreciate Lisa’s hard work at raising funds for school
through the gift certificate program.
Congratulations to Scott Winters, an eighth-grade
student who achieved “Finalist” status in the I.H.M. Math
competition. Scott competed in the final round April 21st
and 22nd.
Congratulations to all students for a successful completion
of another school year. Special Congratulations to our eighth
graders who have completed their elementary course of study.
Graduation was June 9, 2015 with a 6:30 mass followed by
awards.
Bo Arndt
Tanner Chelstowski
Taylor Domingue
Jaehoon Jung
Lucas Lefeld
John Mellekas
Jacob Porowski
Johann Strasser
Alexander Valley
Cheyenne Bissonnette
Anna Delfno
Grace Englehart
Elizabeth Kelly
Kelsey Matthews
GREAT JOB!
Olivia Mike
Kristina Posten
Jacob Thibodeau
Scott Winters
Magalin Carroll
Peyton Marie Delorenzo Pease
Abigail Jones
Rebecca Lagace
Maura McGuire
Stephen Pittman
Hannah Rinheart
Karli Torvinen
Stefan Zwolinski
6
Saint Matthew Alum Gives Back
Matthew Collins, a member of our parish and a 2008 graduate of Saint Matthew School, began his studies for the
priesthood in August, 2014 at Saint Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. It has been a dream of Matthew’s, to serve his God
with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. If you have ever been at mass with Matthew as an altar server, his love for
God is evident in his reverence and vigilance.
Matthew also has an appreciation for all that was given to him while at Saint Matthew School. Matthew participated in “Our
Father’s Ride”, a 350 mile ride from Litchfield, CT to Emmitsburg, MD, where Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is buried. St.
Elizabeth Seton founded the first Catholic school in our country. On May 29, 2015, after celebrating mass with Archbishop
Leonard Blair at the shrine of our Lady of Lourdes in Litchfield, CT, Matthew began his journey along with ten other priests
and another seminarian. Matthew’s sole purpose was to raise funds for Saint Matthew School because: “he wanted to give
back to the school that gave him so much”.
Matthew rode 350 miles and to date raised $9,799.54 for us. We invite you to join us in helping Matthew raise significant
funds for a place in which he continues to have a great love and appreciation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Father’s Ride Sponsor Form
All contributions are tax deductible with checks made payable to Saint Matthew School.
All proceeds benefit Saint Matthew School
For more information visit our website: www.OurFathersRide.com
Sponsor Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
City:_________________________________________State:______________Zip:_____________________________________
Phone:_________________________________
Pledge per mile:______________________________________________
Total Donation amount: $______________________________
Donation in memory of: ____________________________________________________________________________
Saint Matthew School
33 Welch Drive
Bristol, CT 06010
860-583-5214
www.stmatthewschool.com
School Year 2014-2015
SAVE THE DATE:
The 16th Annual Father Lysz
Memorial Golf Tournament –
August 20, 2015
Save the date for the annual Father Lysz Memorial Golf
Tournament to take place on August 20, 2015 at the
newly renovated Chippanee Golf Club to benefit Saint
Matthew School. Registration and lunch at 11:00 am and
a Shot Gun start will be at 12:30 pm. Sponsorship
opportunities are available, please contact Lisa
O’Donnell in the Advancement Office at 860.583.5214,
email her at [email protected] or contact her
Non-Profit
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 251
Bristol, CT