The Aggie Archives - Saint Agnes School

The Aggie Archives
Winter/Spring 2015
Keeping alumni, families and friends connected to Saint Agnes School
All in the Aggie Family
The Aggie Archives
Fall 2013
Keeping alumni, families and friends connected to Saint Agnes School
K-4 Spring Program
School Information
Phone Numbers
School Office 651-925-8700
Advancement Office 651-925-8811
Admissions Office 651-925-8803
Alumni Office 651-925-8880
Fax 651-925-8708
Mailing Address
530 Lafond Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103
Website
www.SaintAgnesSchool.org
Superintendent
Rev. Mark Moriarty
Principal
James Morehead
Assistant Principal
Karl Hendrickson
Academic Dean
Michael Adkins
Dean of Students
Tom Flood
Activities/Athletics
Mike Streitz
May 7 - 7:00 PM
Music, Dance & Art from Across the Decades
Directed by Ms. Caroline Amrich, Mrs. Bridget Richtsmeier
and Mrs. Karen Millmann
Gruden Gymnasium, Saint Agnes School
Spring Band Concert
May 11 - 7:30 PM
Featuring the Jazz Ensemble, Elementary Band,
Junior High & Senior High Bands
Directed by Ms. Caroline Becker
Central High School Auditorium, St. Paul
Spring Choir Concert
May 20 - 7:30 PM
Concert Chorale, Madrigal Singers,
Junior High & Elementary Choirs
Directed by Ms. Caroline Amrich and Mrs. Donna May
Buetow Auditiorium, Concordia University - St. Paul
Admissions
Joseph Olson
Business Affairs
Patrick Menke
Communications
Jill Gubash
Constituent relations
Jean Houghton
Concerts are free & open to the public.
www.SaintAgnesSchool.org
On the Cover
The Helfenberger family: new to Minnesota and new to the Aggie Family.
The Aggie Archives is published by the Saint Agnes
Advancement and Alumni Office.
Please direct correspondence and inquiries to:
Advancement/Alumni Office
530 Lafond Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-925-8811
[email protected]
2
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
Editorial Team: Mary (Hilpisch) Appel, ’83, Jill Gubash, ’98
Design: Steve Hamburger, ‘75
Printing: John Hamburger, ‘73, Franchise Times
Photo Credits: Aggie Families, Richard Graner, Joe Oden,
Joseph Olson, ‘03
Contributing Writers: Mary (Hilpisch) Appel, ’83, Kate
Boyle, Jill Gubash, ‘98, Jean Houghton, Fr. Mark Moriarty,
Joseph Olson, ’03, Mike Streitz
From the Superintendent
Growing Quantitatively and Qualitatively
Saint Agnes is entering a new era in regard to enrollment; several grade levels are already
at complete capacity for next year and have established waiting lists! We are also
witnessing the construction of an almost 50,000 square foot Student Activity Center that
we expect to occupy at the beginning of next school year! The remarkable growth in
enrollment and with regard to our facilities is certainly something to celebrate. We
should all give thanks to God for His providential care for our school community. It
is also an appropriate opportunity for us to reflect on what has been instrumental
in bringing about this growth, and remind ourselves of what kind of growth is most
essential to our happiness and fulfillment. From my perspective, the “not so secret, secret” to our success has been two-fold, fidelity
and families. First, Saint Agnes School has striven to be faithful to God and to His truth given to us in love.
Likewise, the school and its families share the same desire that our children be holy and happy. We want them
to achieve this through growth in wisdom, knowledge, morality, maturity, friendship and service. In a world that
doubts the existence of absolute truth and waters down the meaning of love, we at Saint Agnes will always remain
rooted in the truth and love that emanates from our gracious Father. Second, we are where we are because of the families who believe in our mission and are supportive of it. We would
not exist without parents entrusting us with their children and making great sacrifices to provide for a Catholic
education. Furthermore, we would not be effective if parents and our school were not aligned behind a common
mission. Amazing things happen when we work as a team for a common goal! This has truly been the case here
at Saint Agnes School. Humble cooperation, open and mutual dialogue, and nourishing prayer have pervaded our
community and must always be fostered!
As we grow in a quantitative sense, let us never lose sight of the more important qualitative growth of our young
people, families, faculty and staff. May we all become, more and more, the sons and daughters that God wishes
us to be.
Rooted in Faith & Tradition - Growing in Wisdom Girls Vocations Pilgrimage:
Destination France!
Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. Mark Moriarty
Pastor/Superintendent Inside This Issue
Red & White Benefit Student Activity Center Student Profile: Cousins Aggies Choose Adoption
Family Profile: The Pilons
Girls Vocations Pilgrimage
Alumni News 4
7
12
13
18
19
20
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
3
This year we took the show on the road for the Red & White
Benefit! With the absence of Bandas Hall and construction in
progress on the new activity center, the annual event took
place downtown St. Paul. More than 500 guests packed the
Minnesota Ballroom of the Crown Plaza to celebrate and
support Saint Agnes.
Helene Houle, 2015 Honoree
John Nasseff and Helene Houle, both dear friends of Saint
Agnes. Helene’s thoughtfulness, wisdom and hard work have
made a lasting difference for our school and for the students
we are so privileged to educate.
The evening showcased Saint Agnes School’s greatest
treasure – our students. Guests were greeted in the lobby
by the sounds of the Saint Agnes brass ensemble,
and then helped by student representatives at the
registration table and coat check. The Madrigal
Singers kicked off the salad course with a song, and
the Taggart siblings, Jacob (grade 4) and Emma
(grade 7), stunned the audience with their piano
performances during dessert. Our grade
school students served as on-stage assistants
to the auctioneer as the high school bid
spotters kept an eye on the bidders.
4
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
Helene was recognized in a program made up of a little
humor, a lot of song and dance, plenty of theatrics and genuine
appreciation. Mrs. Jean Houghton presented the award with
current and former superintendents, Fr. Moriarty and Fr. Ubel.
As part of the ceremony, Helene was treated to a front row seat
just in time for the students to serenade her with a Broadway
classic reworked in her honor. The crowd’s standing ovation only
reinforced the gratitude we at Saint Agnes have for Helene.
Jean Houghton, Fr. Moriarty, Helene Houle and Fr. Ubel
Students serenade Helene Houle
as part of the award ceremony.
Current students and young alumni
played in the Saint Agnes Brass Ensemble
Our school’s annual fundraising benefit
realized the largest profit in its history at
$244,000! These funds will be a great
step toward finishing our new student
activity center and will provide
much needed financial aid to our
families. What an outstanding
testament to the generosity
and care for our mission by
such committed benefactors,
alumni, parents, parishioners
and friends of Saint Agnes
School.
The modern day Odd Couple, complete with theme song,
began the program with some friendly banter
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
5
Ms. Caroline Becker, Assistant Dean of Students and Band
Director, spoke about the stability and community that Saint
Agnes has provided for the Vang family after living through
personal tragedy:
Your support of Saint Agnes isn’t simply seats in an auditorium
or brick walls or a scoreboard. You provide shelter, safety,
sacraments, academic opportunity, relationships and friendships,
support, stability, and love. All things a child needs to grow and
flourish as God intended him to.
Mrs. O’Hern with Teedo (7th grade), Vancelee (senior),
Cesea (‘13), Livia (‘12) & Ms. Becker
J. Oliver Blackstone, salutatorian of last year’s graduating class, is a current student at Loyola University
in New Orleans. He has maintained a 3.8 GPA in his first year at Loyola and, because of the AP and Honors
classes he took at Saint Agnes, has enough college credits to be considered a sophomore after only one
semester. Oliver spoke about his time at Saint Agnes:
The teachers at Saint Agnes taught me the best way to approach each subject, helped me
to think critically, and pushed me to ask the tough questions… But perhaps what I most
appreciate about Saint Agnes is the Catholic culture that runs through most everything.
From experiences like serving at the altar, praying before football games, or making a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I learned reverence, faithfulness, and
how to stand in awe of the glory of God.
A Special Thank You to Our Event & Table Sponsors
Exclusive: Feltl & Company, Key Community Bank
Keller-Williams Edina
Platinum: John Nasseff & Helene Houle
Gold: NEI Electric, United Hospital Foundation
Silver:McGough Construction, Nasseff Mechanical,
Mrs. Arthur J. Nasseff Family
Bronze: Agnes Chlebeck Family, Fr. Ubel & the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fr. Morrissey & the Church of St. Louis, King of France, Fr. John Paul Erickson, Class of 1998, Schubert Club, St. John’s Church & School, Little Canada, Warners’ Stellian Appliance
Patron: Daniel & Christine Buss, Catholic United Financial, Live auction
assistants
Ava, Mikey,
and
Catherine
Harry
& Jeanne
Gallaher,
John & Caleb
Therese
Shearer
take the stage as the bidding begins for Fall Clean-Up
by the Aggie football team.
Saint Agnes School Raffle
Prize:
Grand ion!
us
Ford F
6
4th generation Aggies Caleb, Avery, Cegan
andconnec
Macain ted
are excited
about the new
| winter/spring
Keeping you
2015car!
This year’s grand prize was a brand new 2015 Ford Fusion
SE, donated by a generous friend of our school. Through
the efforts of our students, the support of our parents, and
the generosity of our faithful friends, we raised $74,500 for
Saint Agnes! The drawing took place on February 7 at the
Benefit.
Mr. Tom Flood, our Dean of Students, and wife Katie
became the proud owners of the new car. Tom Van Dusartz
took second place to win $2,000 and the third place prize
of a 64GB iPad Air 2 went to Michael Fischer. Thank you to
all who helped make it such a huge success.
Construction
Begins
Student Activity Center
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
7
Bandas Hall was taken down in September 2014. Extensive utility and soil work followed in October and November as
site preparation began.
December and January saw the
pouring of the footings.
With footings in place and the ground now ready, a six-story-high crane arrived in early February, weighing more than
100,000 lbs. Its task was to aid in erecting the 60,000 lb. precast wall panels that came in on large flatbed trucks. Beneath
the brick and faux stone exterior of each panel, the walls contain insulation, pre-tensioned steel cables, electrical conduits,
and load-bearing concrete.
This year’s senior class added their signatures to one of the 75,000 lb. cross beams before it was hoisted into place for
the roof of the new gymnasium.
In just six weeks, most of the outside walls and roof were in place on the new gym, auditorium and classroom space.
Much interior work remains, but temporary coverings on doors and windows will allow it to take place in a climate
controlled environment.
The north or front section, also known as the façade, will receive special attention since it will serve as the main entrance
to the school. Traditional brick facing will grace the entire north section with arched windows, pilasters, and other
decorative features to complete the beautiful building.
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
9
admissions office update
“Welcome to the Saint Agnes family!” We spoke these words often at
the start of this school year. Out of the 652 total students enrolled this
fall, 157 were new to our building. That is over one quarter of our student
population! While we are thrilled with the steady growth and ongoing
interest in our school, there are many things to consider when accepting
so many new students.
Saint Agnes is steeped in a rich history and tradition. Getting acclimated
in a school such as ours may seem rather daunting at first. With an
academic program rooted in the Classics and the Catholic intellectual
tradition, a diverse student population, and a vibrant Catholic culture,
it could seem that there is much to learn for newcomers. But in visiting
with these students, we learned that most all have experienced a smooth
transition into life as an Aggie.
Moving from Green Bay, WI with her parents and six siblings this past
summer, sophomore Francesca Helfenberger reflected on the true nature
of friendship: “There were a lot of people I associated with in Green Bay
that I called my friends, but after only being here at Saint Agnes for a few
months, I found out what friendship really meant.”
It’s amazing how our current students light up when potential new
students come to shadow for a day. I think it comes down to a point
of pride in their school. Our students are excited to attend Saint Agnes,
school spirit is tangible, and they look forward to welcoming others into
the Aggie family.
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Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
Our student body is one of the most unique in the Twin Cities. We
represent 82 different zip codes. The majority of our students come
from St. Paul, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul, but many students
drive upwards of 40 minutes from areas such as Forest Lake, Rosemount,
Osceola, and Long Lake. We represent 67 parishes in the Archdiocese
and students have come to us from 42 schools, including public, private,
charter and home school environments. Ethnically, 27% of our student
population is non-Caucasian. We have many adopted students who hail
from countries all around the world such as Haiti, China, Russia, India,
Korea, and Ethiopia, in addition to those who have been adopted locally.
We host exchange students from Vietnam, China, Democratic Republic
of the Congo, Nigeria, Korea, and Guatemala. 89% of our families are
Catholic. This natural diversity offers an organic educational experience
that can’t be pulled from a textbook. It helps set Saint Agnes apart, and
contributes to an already vibrant culture on campus. If you or someone
you know is interested in touring Saint Agnes and meeting our students
and faculty, I encourage you to contact me. I look forward to your visit.
May God bless you and our Aggie family!
Sincerely,
Joseph Olson, Class of 2003
Director of Admissions
651-925-8803
K-12 Education in Action
M
arch 11, 2015: The stands
were filled with a sea of red
and white as students, parents
and friends came out to cheer on the
Lady Aggie basketball team in the section
4AA semi-final play-off game. In fact,
the Aggie fan base outnumbered that of
the home team! But what stood out most
to the parents that night was a seemingly
small gesture made by one of the senior
boys in the stands. Parents had observed
this young man extending an invitation
to students in grades 4-6 to join him and
the 7-12 fans in the “Student Section” of
the bleachers.
Now this section is a place where each
and every sports fan longs to be seated. If
you’re young, and still cutting your teeth
as a diehard fan, you cannot wait for the
day when you are finally old enough to
sing (or shout) the Aggie Rouser at an
impossibly quick tempo alongside your
classmates. And when you’re a more
seasoned sports fan, and have graduated
high school, you find yourself glancing
wistfully in the direction of the illustrious
student section, yearning for the good
old days. And so, with a single act of
kindness, one Aggie senior opened the
door to a whole new world for a handful
of grade school fans in the stand.
The effect that this had on the younger
Aggies was truly remarkable. Their
eyes opened wide, their faces lit up,
and they joined the ranks of the junior
and senior high students with a mix of
pride and ambivalence that only a grade
schooler can achieve. That initial invite
was recounted in backseats of minivans
across the metro as parents drove home
from the game that night. What’s more
is the fact that even the littlest of Aggies
in attendance could list off each varsity
team member by name. Some as young
as 2nd grade were overheard cheering for
whomever had the ball. “Go, Michelle!”
“That’s ok, Maria!” “Come on, Adaya!”, as
though each player was a big sister.
K-12 education is familial in nature.
And that night, Aggies demonstrated they
are truly all in the family.
Fr. Moriarty was recently
interviewed
by
Catholic
Education Daily, an online
publication of the Cardinal
Newman Society. As part of an
article on how the liberal arts can
shape educational leaders, he
noted some of the benefits of a
K-12 educational environment.
Here is an excerpt:
Father Moriarty, who is currently
the superintendent
of Saint
Agnes School in St. Paul, MN, and
pastor of the parish, was drawn
to the school due to “the familial
nature of a K-12 environment.”
Father Moriarty “appreciated
the fact that [the students] only
really ‘graduate’ once,” which
encourages them to “be focused
on making progress in maturity,
wisdom, and virtue.”
“Unfortunately, in the modern
world, many think education is
only about learning job skills and
forming peaceful and compliant
citizens,” he noted. But, according
to Father Moriarty, true education
“frees a person from ignorance,
from sin, and from error, so as
to live life spiritually, mentally,
emotionally, and socially in a truly
excellent fashion.”
Excerpt taken from: Thomas Aquinas
College Graduates Lead Faithful
Catholic Schools, by Kimberly
Scharfenberger. November 19,
2014.
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
11
Cousins by Birth, Friends by Choice
F
ifteen unique students walk the halls
of Saint Agnes. All are children
of alumni, which is not at all
uncommon at Saint Agnes. One family is
even a fourth-generation family of Aggies
– maybe a bit more unusual, but this too is
certainly not unheard of. What make these
fifteen students really unique is that they
all share the same grandparents, David and
Maureen Grau, making them first cousins.
David Grau, former teacher at Saint
Agnes, and his wife Maureen have five
daughters, Amy, ‘93, Sarah, ‘94, Mary,’96,
Joanie, ‘98, and Rochelle. These five
sisters are now parents to fifteen Aggie
students. Amy and Bob Tibesar, ’92,
currently have eight students enrolled from
grades two to twelve. Sarah’s daughter is
a sophomore, and Mary has three children
in grades two, four and nine. Joanie’s son
is in kindergarten and Rochelle and her
husband, Joe Kubista, ‘91, are parents to
three Aggies.
The cousins say there are many benefits
to having so many family members at
school. Many of them were new to Saint
Agnes this year, so having family in the
building made the transition much easier.
Grace, relocating from out of state, was
glad to have so many familiar faces to
greet her. Already a naturally close family,
having cousins in the same classes and on
the same teams has strengthened that bond
even more. Though they haven’t come up
with a secret family handshake yet, they
do banter quite a bit in the halls and share
inside jokes. The younger students note
15 cousins and counting
that when you have family members in
high school, a lot of older students know
your name and give you high fives in the
hallway, both huge boosts to your “cool”
factor amongst your classmates.
Fourth grader Vinnie spoke about his
cousin Henry when he said, “I have my
cousin in my class, sit with him at lunch,
and play with him at recess pretty much
every day.” They are not only cousins, but
best friends. In grade two, Stella was excited
to talk about the homecoming game this
past fall. She was able to take the field and
perform with the cheerleaders, knowing
that she was cheering for her cousins on the
team. She also likes having sleepovers and
going to games with them.
Basketball players Maria, Mikey and
Kiana play together on the high school
team. Maria knows her family best, and
as captain of the team, likes to push them
to their limit. Mikey remarked that “she
Maria Tibesar Breaks Scoring Record
Maria Tibesar has become the alltime leading scorer in Saint Agnes girls’
basketball history. She joined the 1000
point club on February 10 against Christ’s
Household of Faith. Maria finished the
season with 1159 career points making
her the all-time leading scorer for the girls
program. The previous record of 1050
was held by Mary Butler, class of 2010.
Maria was also selected to receive the
Athena Award, presented annually to the
12
top female athletes in the Twin Cities. She
plans to attend Rochester Community
and Technical College to pursue nursing
and play volleyball.
Maria’s parents, Bob and Amy (Grau),
her grandfather, Rick Tibesar and greatgrandparents Leo and Margaret (Gillen)
Tibesar are all Saint Agnes graduates,
making Maria a fourth generation Aggie.
Aggie pride, and athleticism, runs strong
in the Tibesar family!
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
is way harder on family than on the other
girls on the team.” Although intending to
complain when she added an under-herbreath comment about Maria making her
run, Mikey spoke with a smirk on her face,
revealing the easy friendship they share and
genuine mutual admiration.
Amidst the smiles and laughs, these
cousins share a sense of responsibility for
their family members. They stand together
as needed and look out for each other – a
very important trait, because with so many
of them, you never quite know when one
might get left behind!
Saint Agnes School is set to add three
more cousins to the mix this fall. Both
Amy and Sarah have daughters going into
Kindergarten. The son of Joe, ‘02, and
Teresa (Thommes) Grau, ‘96, will also be
in Kindergarten, adding even more cousins
to the Aggie family!
feature story
Open Hearts, Opening Homes:
Aggies Choose Adoption
A
t Saint Agnes School, a number of current families have chosen adoption. One such family noted that
this is an aspect of school culture they greatly appreciate. Their children aren’t unique in these halls
because they’re adopted; they’re unique because they are children of God!
As a pro-life institution, affirming and defending the dignity
of life is part of who we are as a school. Mr. Blonigen has led
the Pro-Life Club since 1987. K-12 students and faculty regularly
pray for the unborn – in class, in the chapel, and even at the
State Capitol. Adoption is another aspect of building a culture
of life, and so we’ve chosen to highlight some of the experiences
of the adoptive families at Saint Agnes.
Saint Agnes is home to at least 20 families who have adopted
more than 40 children from 10 different countries (including the
US). They chose to adopt for various reasons. Some stepped
in when a birth parent could no longer provide a stable home,
some were dealing with infertility, others wanted to help a child
in need, and still others hoped to provide a loving family to an
orphaned child. No matter what the reason, every family that
contributed to this story said the same thing about the children
they’ve adopted – that they cannot imagine life without them.
The adoption process itself can be wrought with obstacles.
Attending classes, changing case workers, revealing the inner
workings of your home life to strangers, paperwork, and
mounting fees may add to the hardship, but the hardest part
for most is the waiting. Waiting for word that you’ve been
approved, waiting for word that you’ve received a referral,
waiting for your child to arrive home…and that waiting period
can last for many months, or even years.
Syl, Gabby & Michael, children of Matt and
Missy (Kneissel) Berg, ‘97
International adoptions often contain additional unknowns. It can be a true test of strength to travel to
a country where you don’t speak the language, stand in line for this visa or that stamp, and make visits to
orphanages whose conditions can be less than adequate. Many countries have increasingly restrictive policies
on adoption, especially to non-nationals, if they allow it at all. Among other things, they take into account the
parents’ age, housing situation, number of other children, and even body weight in some countries. Though
the roadblocks to adoption may seem numerous, the shared sentiment among Aggie families is that they
would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Though our adoptive parents noted that “every adoption story is unique,” we couldn’t help but notice a
common thread – these parents give thanks to God for the gift that’s been entrusted to them, and to the birth
parents of their children, for their courage and sacrificial love.
If adoption is defined as taking by choice into a relationship; especially to take voluntarily a child of other
parents as one’s own child, those with insight into the adoption experience reveal to us that it is so much more.
As you’ll see in the profiles that follow, adoption is a pure gift – a chance for every child to have a “forever
family,” an opportunity for both birth parents and adoptive parents alike to demonstrate a love without limits
for their child, and an answer to prayer for so many.
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
13
The McCoy Family
Mark and Janet McCoy have
adopted locally twice, and both
children were six weeks old
when they brought them home.
They also have one biological
child. Having overcome several
obstacles
in
the
adoption
process,
Janet
noted
that
“adoption was more difficult than
giving birth, and so it made our
children that much more precious
to us.” The McCoys also shared
how blessed they are to have
been given the opportunity to
raise three of God’s children as
their own. “Whether adopted or
biological, all children have the
same wants and needs.” At one
point, Janet recalls telling a case
worker that God placed their two
adopted children with them after
she, like the persistent widow,
“just kept asking until He finally
got tired of me and gave in!”
The Menke Family
Patrick and Bridget Menke
adopted Roxanne Bernard from
the Missionaries of Charity’s
orphanage in Haiti at age six.
They are currently in the process
of adopting Angelo, who is
from the same orphanage. The
orphanage has closed since
Roxanne came home, due to new
laws that now restrict adoption
referral decisions to the Haitian
government. For children with
disabilities, as is the case with
Angelo, there are some latitudes
in the referral process.
14
Adoption reminds all of us
about our common humanity
and the nature of our
salvation. The microcosm of our
family and our interrelatedness
provides ample ground for
spiritual reflection for all of us
about our relationship to one
another and to God. Adopting
a child who is not “related” to
you involves a profound kind of
solidarity, of recognition that we
are all one human family.
Elizabeth Kirk, J.D.
Bridget remembers seeing
stories on TV about “iron crib”
orphans in Romania. She feels
that it was then that God planted
the seed in her heart to adopt,
though at the time she wasn’t in
a place to do so. Years later, in
watching her friend and fellow
Saint Agnes School parent
Carol Plamann go through the
adoption process, the thought
resurfaced and occupied the
forefront of her mind. She and
Pat brought it to prayer and it
suddenly became very real.
After
seven
months
of
compiling
information,
the
Menkes were ready to submit
their completed paperwork. It
was the day of the earthquake,
January 12, 2010.
And that
earthquake changed everything.
Pat described what happened
next: “A few weeks after the
earthquake,
I
received
an
unexpected phone call from the
embassy in Port au Prince. It was
at the end of the school day. They
said that if I could get Roxanne to
the embassy before they closed
(which was in 45 minutes), they
could get her on a plane to Miami
that same evening. I quickly
called the orphanage hoping
to explain, but assumed that I
wouldn’t reach anyone, which
was usually the case. But that
afternoon, Sr. Martine answered
the phone immediately. After
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
hearing of the dilemma, she
replied without hesitation, ‘I will
get her there.’ I called Bridget,
brought her up to speed, and
booked an early morning flight
for us to Florida. The next
night, we found ourselves being
introduced to our very tired
6-year-old for the first time. She
was a bit scared and didn’t speak
a word of English. After some
signatures and a few hours of
waiting, we were free to go home
with our new daughter. The three
of us climbed into a rental car and
drove away to start an incredible
new chapter in life. Surreal and
blessed are the only words that
describe those two days.”
Bridget adds: “God has taken
care of this little girl and brought
her half-way around the world
to a family who loves her so
much.”
[That family includes
current student Mary Therese
and Ellen, grades 7 and 5, along
with brothers Tony, ‘05, Andy,
‘06, and David, ‘13.] “Every life
has a purpose that God intends
only for them, and it has been
such a gift to see that unfold for
our daughter Roxanne. If it is
God’s will that Angelo be with
us, we are very excited to see the
same with him. He already has
captured our hearts as only a son
and brother can.”
The Galush Family
Jodi and Tom Galush have four
children.
Anna, Joseph, and
Maria were adopted locally as
infants, and Michael was adopted
from Guatemala at age 2½ . They
adopted all four in birth order.
When adopting their oldest child,
Tom and Jodi agreed to a semiopen adoption. When Anna was
still an infant, they decided to
meet for dinner with Anna’s birth
mom Sarah and her parents.
Dinners were discontinued as
Anna grew older, but Tom and
Jodi sent letters and photos to
Sarah over the years.
Birth mothers and their families
make a very difficult choice in
placing their child for adoption.
Putting the well-being of their
child first, they go through
not only pregnancy, labor and
delivery, but sometimes negative
comments or criticisms about
their decision. How terribly sad
that this courageous choice
and selfless act of love can be
overlooked by some! Jodi and
Tom, however, have always
spoken highly of the birth
mothers of their children. “We
greatly appreciate the gift that
these birth mothers have given to
us. There are many challenges to
placing a child for adoption and
we are forever grateful to them.”
Now a senior, Anna has always
wanted to meet her birth mother,
and the plan was to do so when
she turned 18.
Very recently,
however, it became apparent
to her and her parents that the
timing was right. Anna and Sarah
met this winter. She was 17½ at
the time. Jodi relays the moving
story:
“Meeting her birth mom was
a very positive experience for
Anna.
As a member of the
choir, Anna was looking through
music to select a song for Café
Afternoon. [Café Afternoon is a
performance of solos and duets
by choir members]. She came
across ‘A Mother’s Prayer,’ sung
by Celine Dion. We both looked
at each other and cried and I
asked Anna if she wanted to meet
her birth mother now. She said
yes and I made the arrangements.
We met Sarah, her husband, and
her parents for brunch on the
morning of the performance.
Anna was so excited to learn
more about her birth mother, and
in the process, learn more about
herself. Anna invited them all to
the performance that same day,
where she dedicated ‘A Mother’s
Prayer’ to Sarah.
It was an
emotional afternoon!”
from China, and one in the US.
Each child’s story is unique.
But when the fullness of time
had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under
the law, to ransom those under
the law, so that we might receive
adoption. As proof that you are
children, God sent the spirit of
his Son into our hearts, crying
out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave
but a child, and if a child then
also an heir, through God.
Galatians 4:4-7
The Christensen Family
The Buss Family
Christine and Daniel Buss chose
to adopt their two older boys
at ages 10 and 12, because they
felt a strong desire to use their
resources to provide for children
with less opportunity. “We
knew that infants and young
children can often have more
opportunities for placement than
a 10 and 12-year-old. We believe
that every child deserves to be
a part of a loving family.” They
have since adopted four boys
“Being an interracial family, it
was a lot to get used to when
complete strangers would come
up to us in grocery stores or
parking lots and ask if our kids
were adopted. It is sometimes
difficult to feel like you are always
‘on display.’ Yet at the same time,
we enjoy seeing others consider
adoption as a result of the
conversations we’ve had over the
years.”
Charles and Mary Christensen
adopted Charlie as an infant. It
was a local adoption, but they
were disheartened by the amount
of waiting and often felt like they
were getting nowhere.
After
almost three years had passed,
and the agency had changed their
case worker several times, they
received word that yet another new
case worker had been assigned to
them. Their frustration came to a
head. Charles politely but firmly
stated their dissatisfaction, and to
his surprise, he found the young
woman to be very empathetic and
supportive. He finishes the story:
“Before we parted, she asked
if we would be open to a child
whose mother was without
prenatal care. I told her we would
consider any child. It was the first
week in October of 2007. On
October 11, we had a message
from the agency that they had a
baby boy for us. I cannot describe
the excitement that filled our
hearts and home that night. We
saw him for the first time on
October 14 and he came home
on October 19. And for the past
seven years, it has been a day of
celebration for us here at Charlie’s
house. Our journey was long, but
we had faith that it would all work
out. God doesn’t always give you
a map of where you are going, but
know that you will arrive where
you ought to be. We now see the
plan that was put in place by God
to get Charlie to us.”
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
15
nearly every day in court. Getting
3-month-old Joseph home from
Korea, on the other hand, was
almost a vacation in comparison.
Joan traveled to Seoul with a
friend while John and Caroline
made preparations for his arrival
at home by setting up his nursery.
In addition to being an Aggie
mom, Joan recently joined the
high school English faculty at
Saint Agnes.
The Goode Family
Kathy and Andrew adopted
two
boys
from
South
Korea, Aleksander Hawoon and
Oscar Hanwooree. Their middle
names are Korean and were given
to them by their birth mothers.
The Goodes not only wanted to
keep the names to honor their
children’s identities, but also to
honor their birth mothers.
The Bursey Family
David and Barbara adopted
Ian from Vietnam when he was
14 months old. They had talked
about adoption while still dating.
Barbara shares a bit about their
story:
Kathy notes: “Our kids are
proud of where they’re from and
how we became a family. As Alek
told Mrs. Johnson in kindergarten,
‘My mom is from Poland, my dad
is from Chicago and I am from
Korea!’ We’ve also met other
Korean families through work and
now have friends as part of our
connection [to Korea].”
The Williams Family
Joan and John Williams were
married young, and so they
were able to begin the adoption
process early.
Caroline was
adopted at 15 months from
Hyderabad, India. The process
was an arduous one, as India was
just beginning to close adoption
to non-nationals.
They spent
16
To adopt a child is a great
work of love. When it is done,
much is given, but much is
also received. It is a true
exchange of gifts.
Pope Saint John Paul II
The Norris Family
“When we began the adoption
process, we already had two
children. Some countries have
restrictions on adopting when
you already have kids, so when
we got the opportunity to adopt,
we went for it. In 1999 we had
been reading articles about
families who had adopted from
Vietnam. It seemed like an easier
country to work with as far as
regulations
were
concerned. The entire process took about
nine months, so it felt a little like
a natural birth. We traveled to
Vietnam with our other children
to complete the formal adoption
process. The trip went well
and we added the next child to
our growing family. Since Ian’s
adoption, we’ve been blessed
to have three more biological
children. All of our children are
God’s gift to us.”
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
John and Julie have two
children, one biological and
one adopted.
When they
began thinking about adopting,
they considered international
adoption at first, but since Kevin
(Class of 2012) was still young,
they decided on local adoption
because it wouldn’t require travel
away from their 4-year-old. Julie
and John were concerned that
because they already had one
child, and were getting close to
40, it may hurt their chances of
being selected by a birth mother.
Nearly four years after starting
the adoption process, they were
able to welcome Angie home.
In the midst of the adoption
process, Julie received this
prayer, whose words ring true for
her and many others:
An Adoption Prayer
Not flesh of my flesh,
nor bone of my bone,
but still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
you didn’t grow under my heart,
but in it.
impressive. This, combined
with the natural diversity of the
Twin Cities and at Saint Agnes,
ensures that their blended family
is accepted without so much as a
second thought.
The Pentecost Family
Dr. Scott Pentecost and wife
Barb came to Saint Agnes in 2011,
when Scott joined the faculty.
All four of their children were
adopted from China. When they
adopted their oldest in 2000, they
lived in Massachusetts and were
preparing for a move to Minnesota.
The Pentecost’s brought Michaela
home from China one day, had
her baptized the next, and left
their Massachusetts home for
the Midwest just days later. “No
matter what happens next,” they
exclaimed, “it has got to be easier
than this!”
Scott and Barb thought about
adopting
again,
and
went
through the process in 2004 with
Sarah. In 2006, 4-year-old Elijah
came home, and Joshua arrived
in 2007.
Joshua is autistic and nearly
non-verbal, and yet those who
know him best realize that he
can engage and understand at an
entirely different level. Barb looks
back on the early days after he
arrived, when they first brought
him to church. She recalls how
very much at peace he seemed in
that moment – as though he felt
right at home – even though he
probably shouldn’t have. After all,
it was a brand new environment
with unfamiliar faces. But as he
lie in front of her looking up at
the Pantocrator (an iconographic
representation of Christ), Joshua
was totally calm. Just then it hit
her. “Well, why wouldn’t he feel
at home? The people of this
church have been praying for him
this whole time!”
Joshua continues to find
peace at church. He knows the
prayers and when to respond,
and he does so with an emphatic
“Amen.” He is an inspiration to
his family and to others. In fact, a
man at their parish was preparing
to convert and he attempted to
describe the elation he felt as
Easter approached. He remarked,
“I’m so excited, I feel like Joshua
Pentecost at church!”
Living in Minnesota with
adopted children has been very
positive for the Pentecost family.
They’ve noted that spontaneous
conversations on adoption occur
often, and they’ve found that
the support from the state is
As the Saint Agnes School family
continues to grow, we remember
that families are formed in many
ways, and that each one of us is an
adopted son or daughter of God.
One Aggie mom shares some
parting words of advice: “If you
know someone who is considering
adoption, support them first
through your prayers. Secondly,
adoption is costly; if you know
of ways to provide financial
support, it is usually welcomed.
Finally, be joyful in the adoption
announcement and throughout
the process just as you would when
someone announces a pregnancy
and throughout the nine months.”
“And if you wish to learn more
about adoption, reach out to
someone who has been through
the process. They are happy to
share their stories!”
In love He destined us for
adoption to Himself through
Jesus Christ, in accord with
the favor of His will.
Ephesians 1:5
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
17
family profile
From left to right: Ben, Collette, Mark, Sue, Victor, Madeline, Kevin & Tricia with Sebastian, Patrick & Eleanor,
Renee, Matthew & Claire, who welcomed son Walter in August.
The Pilon Family: a 30-Year Legacy
M
ay 28, 2014 was an emotional day for Mark and Sue
Pilon. They watched with pride and joy as their last
child graduated from Saint Agnes School. Victor is the
youngest of eight children, and his graduation marked an end to
almost 30 consecutive years of Pilon students walking the halls of
Saint Agnes.
The legacy began in December of 1985. Mark and Sue’s
oldest child Ben was enrolled in first grade near their home in
Northeast Minneapolis. As the school year progressed, they
found themselves at odds with the faith component of the school
and began looking for alternatives. As parishioners of Saint Agnes
at the time, they visited with Monsignor Schuler about other
educational options. After that conversation, they realized that
Monsignor’s commitment to faith was embodied in the school,
and that it was a school they could trust. They sold their house
within three weeks and moved to Edmund Avenue in St. Paul to
be closer to Saint Agnes School. And they never looked back.
Over the years, the Pilons have weathered good times and bad,
but never once wavered in their commitment to Saint Agnes. Sue
became an avid volunteer; she co-chaired the parish Fall Festival,
was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society, chaired
the annual Booster Blast fundraiser, and became president of
a parent/faculty group. She currently serves as co-chair of the
Honoring Our Past, Preserving Our Future Capital Campaign.
Mark was a member of the Renaissance Choir and a parish
trustee. He is still heavily involved with music and sings with the
18
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
Schola Choir. He is currently serving on the Finance Council and
co-chairing the Capital Campaign along with Sue. The couple
has chaperoned field trips, helped in the classrooms, and, as Sue
will tell you, sold thousands of chocolate bunnies and candy bars
to support the school.
The eight children also immersed themselves in Saint Agnes
School. Ben, Eleanor, Collette, Claire, Renee, Kevin, Madeline
and Victor participated in countless activities: piano lessons
with Sr. Hermana, grade school and high school athletics, altar
servers, National Honor Society, student council, Concert
Chorale, Madrigal Singers, the Christmas Chamber Ensemble,
Contemporary Voices, spring musicals and one-act plays. Mark
and Sue attended as many activities as they could, cheering them
on, lending a hand, and helping with rides.
Once their children moved on from Saint Agnes, it was clear
to Mark and Sue that they had made the right decision; the
Pilons were well-prepared for “college, life and beyond.” They
are especially thankful to Mrs. Norma Stanisha and her rigorous
English class for teaching their kids to write strong papers with a
firm grasp of language arts, and to Mr. Fred Blonigen, who gave
them the tools to defend their faith through his religion classes.
As Mark and Sue Pilon embrace their new role as empty
nesters, they are still active and involved parishioners; and while
it was their greatest joy to see their children receive a Saint Agnes
education, it remains their greatest hope to someday see their
grandchildren do the same.
The Saints & Sites of France
After a blessing by Fr. Moriarty for a safe trip, 35 high school students said au revoir to embark on a 10-day
vocations pilgrimage to France. Destination highlights include:
-
Paris: the City of Lights and home to Notre Dame Cathedral, dedicated in honor of Our Lady. The French Gothic architecture is among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world and houses the Holy Crown of Thorns.
-
Lisieux: the childhood home, Carmelite convent, and tomb of St. Thérèse, the Little Flower. The Basilica, the second largest pilgrim site in France, features mosaics depicting the life of Thérèse.
-
Chartres: the glorious Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres. Its thousands of sculpted figures and stained glass windows illustrate Scripture and the lives of the Saints.
-
Lourdes: site of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette. The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, grotto, healing spring waters, outdoor Stations of the Cross and candlelit rosary procession draw pilgrims closer to Jesus through his mother, Mary.
The pilgrims returned with much more than photos and souvenirs. A pilgrimage such as this will bear fruit in the
months and years to come, as the girls reflect on what they experienced and open their hearts to God’s will in their lives.
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
19
Alumni spotlight
I Am an Aggie: Anh Pham
Making a Difference on Campus
Name: Anh Pham
Class: 2012
Current School: University of St. Thomas
Major: Economics
Minors: Mathematics and Catholic Studies
C
ollege students see the world differently. With
newfound independence comes unforeseen obstacles,
opportunities met with unbridled enthusiasm, and
the passion to make a difference. Through his involvement
with Saint Paul’s Outreach (SPO) at the University of St.
Thomas in St. Paul, Anh Pham is doing just that – tapping
into that passion to help his peers encounter Christ. With
St. Paul as their example, SPO creates a vibrant, faith-filled
environment on college campuses, challenging students to
deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church.
Alumni Relations Director Kate Boyle sat down with Anh
to learn more about life after graduation.
What does life after college look like for you?
My ideal job would be using my Econ background in the
non-profit sector. I really want to work for a good cause.
That’s why I chose Economics and Catholic Studies. I’d like
to be known for honesty and as a role model in business
practices, particularly as an analyst someday.
Who is your favorite saint and why?
Saint Anthony of Padua, intercessor of lost things. I know
through personal experience that he intercedes not only
to find material things, but in life’s difficult and uncertain
moments.
Can you tell us about one experience at Saint Agnes that
made an impact on you?
Definitely. It was in chemistry class with Mr. Hendrickson.
There was something about him that told me he was different.
He pushed us to be better people and was a strong role model
for students. I remember a story he told us after class about
how he saved the first kiss with his wife for their wedding
day. I was amazed by that – how something like that could
happen in today’s culture – and it really made an impact on
me.
20
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
How do you think your time at Saint Agnes helped put you
on the path to SPO?
Everything I learned at Saint Agnes – from Theology class to
my teachers – helped put me on a path striving for good. SPO
is where I chose to focus that good. I’m not sure I would have
thought about SPO like I did had it not been for my experience
at Saint Agnes. When I first met SPO members at a concert, I
was amazed by their zeal and love for Christ. They were young
and vibrant, and introduced me to a community where my faith
would be supported. That sense of community life was already
familiar to me, largely because of the family feel at Saint Agnes.
What advice in regards to faith do you have for young
students going off to college?
Going off to college is a great experience, but it has its
challenges. There will be times in your life where things may
seem to break down, but it is in those moments where you can
trust in something greater. My advice is to take a step toward
God – no matter how small – in those moments of difficulty.
He will meet you and provide for you.
And, if SPO is on your campus, go check them out! If not,
look for a similar organization. That could be a chapel on
campus, a local church, or campus ministry. For many of us,
the seeds of our faith may have been planted at a time when we
didn’t quite realize it. Because of this, it can be easy to take it for
granted. So try to trust and make the time to grow in your faith.
Are you an Aggie alum associated with SPO?
Let us know! Send an email to Kate at kboyle@
saintagnesschool.org.
Alumni News
Class of 1943
Sister Luke Hoschette is back at the
motherhouse in St. Joseph, MN for
good. She transferred her vows in 2010
and is enjoying being there. She works
in the archives, at the reception desk,
and in the museum, and says “hi” to all
of her classmates.
Class of 1947
Geraldine Michaels Mandel is
enjoying her grandchildren, great
grandchildren and the many family
gatherings they’ve been having.
Class of 1950
Marilyn Sack Gautraud exclaims,
“To the fabulous class of 1950: Let’s
celebrate the big 65-year anniversary!
Let me know what I can do to help.”
Class of 1954
Carol Dupre Nelson,
misidentified
in
the previous 2014
Fall Aggie Archives.
Twice!
Carol led
the
Homecoming
parade as an Aggie
cheer alumna in
support of the 195354 Hall of Fame
Football team.
‘54,
Richard Champley writes, “Although
my job is based in Washington, I have
been able to ‘telework’ from home in
Minneapolis. I married Sharon Farrell
(Regina grad) in 2010 at Georgetown
University Chapel.
My daughter
Kristine and her husband John have
three children and live in Minneapolis.
My son Conor lives in Brooklyn and
works in New York City.”
Class of 1956
Judith Moll Butler announces her
retirement after 55 years as an RN.
Class of 1957
Virginia Mangan Amelse and her
husband Larry celebrated 50 years of
marriage on May 2, 2014.
Class of 1958
Jean Deustermann Winstead sends
news that the sequel to her first book
Das Amerikanische should be out soon.
Its title is A Span of Years.
Class of 1962
Norita Dittberner-Jax is an awardwinning MN poet. She held a public
reading from her newest collection,
Stopping for Breath, at Common Good
Books in St. Paul.
Class of 1984
Kelly Dinger is working as an RN at
Regions Hospital.
Class of 1966
Joe Haubenhoffer sent a photo from
his recent trip to Antarctica. Notice
how he is wearing the Aggie baseball
cap he received from the Aggie Open
golf tournament! Joe made it as far as
the Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn.
Class of 1992
RuthAnne Pedersen Halverson writes,
“I am a very happy wife and mom. Our
family welcomed Marissa Rose on
January 15, 2015. She joins her big sister,
Gianna Ruth, born in June 2013, and her
very big stepbrother Christian, a soon
to be high school graduate in 2015. I
have been married to Matthew since
2007, who is a big support to me and
the entire Pedersen family. I also wish to
thank the Saint Agnes community for the
wonderful support given to the entire
Pedersen family after Deacon Bernard
Pedersen’s passing in January 2014.
Deacon’s grandchildren now number
five – with number six on the way this
spring!”
Class of 1970
Darleen Hanson says, “I am so thankful
that I am who God created me to be,
and that the Holy Spirit guides and
directs me. As a single person, I feel
even closer to God as a bride of Christ.”
Class of 1995
Angie Krejce Vig says, “Hi everyone! I
have been singing in the live music scene
here in the Cities for about 16 years. I met
my husband Ted Vig at a Blues Jam five
years ago. In mid-September we opened
VIG GUITARS located at 595 North Snelling
Ave. It would be great to see everyone!
Stop by!”
was
Jackie Peiffer Rice notes, “We had a
great reunion at the Lake Elmo Inn.
My personal thanks for all the help we
received from the alumni office.”
Class of 1980 - 35-Year Reunion
Plan to attend a reunion in late
September/early October. Learn
more by contacting Karen Bovee
Sekevitch at [email protected]
Class of 1972
Patricia Fassett married William Archer
last year. Congratulations, Patricia!
Class of 1973
Denise Gagnon Johnson sends an
update: “Hello, fellow classmates!
Howie and I are expecting our third
grandchild in February and can’t
wait, as our two granddaughters are
in PA! After 20 years of nursing in a
Twin City hospital, I have been with
St. Jude Medical Center for 19 years. I
am the Senior Director of Postmarket
Surveillance and am grateful for the
education my parents provided me
with at Saint Agnes. I’m also thankful
for excellent teachers like Mr. Michael
Fitzgerald. Life is good. My best wishes
to you all and prayers for good health
and happiness.”
Brent Lindgren, Sr. sends an update.
“I am pleased to announce the birth of
my fifth child, Logan Thomas, born on
January 13, 2014. He is my fourth son and
joins Brendyn, 15, Eliyas, 12, and Brent Jr.,
2. My daughter Dejah is 17.”
The Class of 1995 is planning their
20th reunion for July 18, 2015, at
the Machine Shed Restaurant in
Lake Elmo. Specifics are yet to be
determined. Join the St. Agnes Class
of 1995 group on Facebook to make
sure you are up to date on all things
related to the Aggie Class of ‘95!
Questions? Please contact: Molly
(Lang) Olson, 651-246-1498, or Kelly
(Pavlak) DiPietro, 651-341-3987.
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
21
Alumni News
Class of 2002
Paul and Brigid (Foley) Barrett send this note,
“Paul and I celebrated ten years of marriage
in January. We are forever grateful to Saint
Agnes School for being the place where we
met. We have four girls, Faith, Monica, Stella
and Cecilia, and one boy, Paul.”
Class of 2009 celebrates 5-year
reunion on December 17.
Pieces of the Past…
Do you have old yearbooks, pictures, buttons, jerseys, rings and other items
that are collecting dust? Contact Kate Boyle to donate: 651.925.8880.
Class of 2012
Young men from the class of 2012
gather for an informal social
in memoriam
Elizabeth AndersonParent
Frank Asenbrenner
Past Faculty
Richard Augustine1950
Mary Joan BeaudryGrandparent
Vic Berra
Past Faculty
Emily BooneDaughter of John Boone, Past Faculty
James W. BurkeGrandparent
David CarlsonGrandparent
Florence Carlson
Past Parent
Joyce Cassellius
Spouse of Ron, ‘54
Paulina Curran Ronayne1948
Donna DeGroodFriend
Louise Domonkos Widmer1942
Jerome Duclos1967
Agnes Hafner Berskow
1946 GS
Richard Heinl1963
William Helgerson
Past Parent
Carroll Hermes1950
Joan Hoffman
Past Parent
Thomas Houle1956
William Hoye
Past Parent
Michael Huber1964
Ann Juelich Dwyer
1935 GS
Irene Jungbauer Haas
1932 GS
Kristine Mary Keller Dembiczak1956
Nyles Kittel
Past Parent
Erwin KollerParishioner
Lawrence Lang
1937 GS
Dennis Larson
Past Parent
Warren Launderville
Past Grandparent
Alice McCarr
1930 GS
Richard McNamara
Past Parent
Reneta Michlitsch
Past Parent
Sister Jeanette MorrisonParishioner
Virginia Mrozinski
Past Parent
John and Eileen MullenFriend
Richard Phillippi, Sr.
Past Parent
Janet Pilon
Past Grandparent
Agnes Pitzl Watrin
1934 CC
Liz Pojar
Spouse of the late John Pojar, ‘83
Angelo Polsinelli
Past Parent
Darrel Praska
Spouse of Martha Robinson Praska, ‘75
William Roberts, Sr.
1937 GS
Gordon SchiesselParishioner
Louise Selbitschka Kramlinger
1933 GS
Harold Spies
1956 GS
Edward Stenger1951
Rita Stevens LaSalle
1931 GS
Ruby Sweigert
Past Grandparent
Margaret Thury Nordin
1937 CC
Stanley Trisko
Past Parent
Otto Witzmann1949
Fr. Richard Zeimet1948
Earl Zook
Spouse of Mildrend Grosinger Zook, ‘49
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls
and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
In Memory of Mr. Asenbrenner,
Former Band Director
1961 Saint Agnes High School Band
22
Mr. Frank Asenbrenner passed away
peacefully on December 31, 2014,
surrounded by his children. Band
had been added to the Concert Music
Department in 1951, and with the
hiring of Mr. Asenbrenner in 1954,
the instrumental music program
expanded with marked improvement.
He conducted both the grade school
and high school bands until 1961,
and they performed at games, musical
programs and the school dances. The
Saint Agnes High School dance band,
Keeping you connec ted | winter/spring 2015
GS=Grade School
CC=Commercial Class
“The Saints,”
even recorded
an extendedplay album in
1957.
Music was
his
passion,
and the students and staff of Saint
Agnes School remain forever grateful
for the time and talent that Mr.
Asenbrenner brought to our school.
Athletic Hall of Fame
The Saint Agnes Athletic Hall of Fame highlights the accomplishments of alumni,
coaches and friends of the department. The rich tradition of Aggie athletics gives us a deep
sense of pride, and the Hall of Fame is a chance to build on that pride.
Nominations for this year’s Hall of Fame will be accepted until May 1. Nomination forms may be
found www.saintagnesschool.org/athletics. Look for Athletic Hall of Fame on the left or contact Mike Streitz at
651-925-8705. Candidates for induction into the Hall of Fame must meet one of the following criteria:
1. Athletic and Personal Achievement: Athletic and Personal Achievement: A Saint Agnes graduate who performed
with excellence and lettered in a varsity sport, has demonstrated good character, and who graduated from Saint
Agnes ten or more years prior to nomination. The nominee may be living or deceased.
2. Saint Agnes Coach: A current or former Saint Agnes coach who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, character,
and athletic achievement while coaching at Saint Agnes. The nominee may be living or deceased.
3. Saint Agnes Athletic Booster: Saint Agnes Athletic Booster: A person who has been an exceptionally loyal and
devoted supporter of Saint Agnes Athletics. The nominee may be living or deceased.
2015 AGGIE OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, July 20
Golf shotgun start 12:00 p.m.
Como Golf Course
Dinner & prizes to follow
$100 per player
$85 for seniors (age 62 & older)
$85 for young alumni (’05 -’15)
$40 dinner only option
Registration includes 18 holes of golf,
motorized golf cart, dinner, and prizes.
Event held rain or shine.
Proceeds to benefit enhancement of the Saint Agnes School athletics department.
Contact Mike Streitz, Activities Director, at 651-925-8705 or [email protected]
Saint Agnes School
530 Lafond Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit #490
Change Service Requested
O n e w e e k e n d o n ly
Thursday
April 30 • 7:30 PM
friday
saturday
May 1 • 7:30 PM
May 2 • 7:30 PM
sunday
May 3 • 5:00 PM
From the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific, this timeless classic features
an enchanting story of magical transformations, lavish production numbers, and beloved songs
such as “In My Own Little Corner,”“Impossible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago.”
Witness
the magic of . . .
Directed by
Mr. David Johnson
new location
Tickets
E. M. Pearson Theatre
Concordia Univeristy
312 Hamline Avenue N.
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Adults: $8.
Students: $5.00 (18 & under)
All seating general
admission
Complimentary parking on
Concordia campus
Doors open 45 minutes
before show.
00
box office
651-925-8703
Main Office
Mon-Thurs • 1:30-5:30 PM
Parish Office
Fri • 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
SaintAgnesSchool.org