10/04/2008--From a Vistor to our School:

Ms. Rourke,

Being First Friday, I wanted to find a Mass today and was in the area.  I happened upon the school Mass at the Cathedral.  I was very impressed with the students, teachers, and adults in attendance.  The students' reverence for the Mass was impressive.  The young people serving, reading, and especially the cantors, were outstanding.  It is obvious they took their roles seriously.  I noticed more than once, parents or caregivers with younger children stopping them or asking them to return from the pew to genuflect.

The priest ( I am sorry I don't know his name) was also impressive.  He explained why First Friday is significant and his homily spoke to the students, but also to us older folks in attendance.

Also, when I went to Communion, I noticed every students' book was open and it appeared all were singing (or at least doing a great job of faking it).Not insignificant is the fact that these were the upper grade students.

It is clear you have set very clear expectations and high standards.  However, the atmosphere was not oppressive or rude.  In fact, it  appeared quite the opposite.  Children were smiling, waving (at appropriate times) to their peers.  Teachers seemed glad to be there, not bothered by the students or their obligations.

I have children in a Catholic school.  My hope is that they don't find Mass "boring", but a joy and a privilege.  I want their teachers to want to be there and not appear miserable.  It appeared to me this morning that St. Cecilia's has that culture (balance) of joy and reverence.

While Mass is always moving, your students and faculty helped make it even more so this Friday.
Thank you,

Scott Hartman
St. Wenceslaus Parish
Wahoo, NE

We chose St Cecilia's for the diversity of students, the beauty and traditions of the Cathedral, the visions we had of Joe and Clare serving Mass amidst the grandeur and elegance of the Cathedral, the music and choir opportunities, and the fact that we personally know one of the teachers, Carol Walters. (If she was sending her kids to St. Cecilia's, we knew it was the right choice for us.)

We remain at St. Cecilia’s because of the positive impact that the teachers, and Mrs. Pryor in particular, have had on our children. Our son has told us that he has consciously made choices about his behavior in public based on his perception of whether Mrs. Pryor would approve and on how those actions would reflect upon the school. And we are so impressed with and thankful for how well-rounded the curriculum at St. Cecilia’s is. Not only is there academic rigor, but there are also sports and singing and dancing and acting and science projects and history projects and speeches and prayer and art. (We really love our art teacher, Frani Fitzpatrick, and think she’s done a marvelous job eliciting growth in creativity and imagination.) Where else can you see a whole grade school singing and dancing together at one time (even including reluctant and self-conscious 8^th grade boys) as we do every year at our Songfest? St. Cecilia’s Grade School does truly educate the whole person—mind, body, spirit, and soul.

Tony and Jan Jasnowski

Associate Professor

Center for Liberal Arts and Humanities

Bellevue University

Since I work at Creighton, I asked some people at work and they all said, “Have you looked at Saint Cecilia Grade School? I’ve heard good things.” It was the first private school I visited, felt comfortable there, and didn’t look any further. We are out-of-parish, and I’m not even Catholic. It is a long drive on cold mornings from Hwy 370 up to Saint Cecilia! But it’s been a good education (as evidenced by my older daughter’s scholarship to Mercy). It is close enough to my job for me to be involved, and the people at St. Cecilia’s just can’t be topped!

The people at St. Cecilia’s have been true examples of kindness, of “The Golden Rule”. Being out of parish, there are often things I don’t know about or hear about because we don’t attend church there. And being a single mom, I often run into logistical complications with both girls involved in extracurricular activities. But my daughters’ friends and families have been unwavering in being ready to help me, amazingly ready to offer a helping hand BEFORE I have to ask.

…and that is why we stay at St. Cecilia’s.

Jayne E. Samp