St. Joseph’s Journal

A Publication for the alumni and friends of St. Joseph Catholic Elmentary School Issue VI Spring 2006

Dear Alumni & Friends The school year has seen many changes for our school community. We have said good-by to the

dedicated Father Mike Ingold as well as to a beloved faculty member Mary Hyska. Father Mike has joined

a parish in Neenah while Mary is recuperating from surgery. We are grateful to have been blessed with

their service to St. Joseph School.

We always like to make the news but not necessarily as we have in the past months. A decision on

the GRACE proposal was announced in January 2006. At that time, St. Joseph School was given an

opportunity to stay open at least one more year. With the cost of Catholic education on the rise, the new

priest, Fr. Don Everts, discussed the future of Catholic education with the tri-parish community of

Annunciation, St. Joseph and St. Jude. On March 9, 2006 a decision was made to consolidate the two

schools. Trinity and St Joseph, at the Annunciation site. The Annunciation site was chosen over St. Joseph

because it is the only school in that part of Green Bay, it has green space and it is the central location of the

three parishes.

Our second Annual Giving Campgain wrapped up on July 31, 2005. We have been blessed to have

such wonderful supporters of SJS. We received donations totaling $16,261. We received $13,351 to finance

our greatest current needs for this eyar and $2,730 for the endowment fund. There was $4,955 awarded to

familes for tutition assistance.

We are deeply grateful for your interests, correspondence and financial support of St. Joseph School.

We hope you have many fond memories of St. Joseph School. 1938 to 2006 (previous site 1917)

St. Joseph’s Journal Pg2

Spirit of St. Joseph

The true spirit of St. Joseph School was reflected

in the community throughout this school year. The Green

Bay Diocese completed a study of Catholic day schools in

the Green Bay area. The initial proposal was presented to

parishes in November. At that time the diocese was

looking for feedback via surveys from each parish.

The first proposal was to close Holy Cross, St.

Joseph and St. Phillip schools. The proposal included

financial support from twenty-one parishes in Green Bay.

St. Joseph School including teachers, parents, students and

parishioners responded to the plan by writing letters to the

diocese, alumni and encouraging all parishioners to

complete a survey regarding the future of the school.

Strong support by school and parish families was

shown through pray vigils, open meetings and student

rallies. The media covered all angles of the proposal to

inform the overall community of St. Joe’s dedication to

their school, and affordable quality catholic education.

This support helped the GRACE committee and

the Bishop to determine that the initial proposal would not

be implemented for 2006-2007. At that time, the Bishop

indicated that any decisions regarding any Catholic schools

would be left to the parish and/or priest.

Our excitement over the Bishop’s decision was

short lived. The parish councils, finance councils and

school boards of our tri-parish community met to discuss

available options. Fr. Don and the councils came to a

decision that the two schools would consolidate at the

Annunciation site.

Our parish did not totally support the closing of

St. Joseph School. The board of education recommended

consolidation at the St. Joseph site, the finance council

indicated they needed more time to reach an educated

decision and the parish council had a majority decision to

support consolidation at Annunciation.

St. Joseph parish members had many unresolved

issues. Those included the possibility of the church

closing, responsibility for debt of St. Jude and

Annunciation parishes, transportation of students, the

swiftness of this decision and the motivation for this

process.

Ultimately, the decision was made to consolidate

the schools for the 2006-2007 school year. This may be a

financial savings for all three parishes.

The Alumni Committee would like to thank

everyone for your support over the past

several years. “The Journal” will no longer

be published as the school will no longer be

open. Send any correspondence to St. Joseph

Parish 936 Ninth Green Bay WI 54304.

If you would like us to maintain addresses

for class reunions, e-mail updates to

sjskari@yahoo.com.

Kari Ness & Darlene Weisensel

Alumni Committee Chairpersons

School News This year the students have been busy reaching out to the community and displaying their talents through a variety of mediums. The

students enjoyed roller-skating as part of their physical education

class. They were treated to a bowling trip and a performance by “The

Father of Bluegrass in Wisconsin” during Catholic Schools Week.

The children’s choir sang with the adult choir during masses that

same weekend.

Students designed St. Valentine’s cards and delivered them to homes

in the surrounding neighborhoods. They also enjoyed the 4th annual

Valentine’s cake walk to raise funds for the school. An artist in

residence, Tom Krueger, came and taught the children how to work

on a potter’s wheel. The students and staff each made a unique piece

of art.

Most recently, The Children’s Opera of Madison came to St. Joseph

School and performed the “Barber of Seville” original opera with

students who had auditioned for a part in the performance. The

students’ role was to sing as part of the choir. The cost of this

production was paid for from the alumni fund.

In sports, the seventh grade boys’ basketball team shared the

parochial league title with St. Bernard School.

Students gained recognition in local and district math, spelling and

geography contests. There were also several essay contest winners

recognized during the school year.

We are proud of all the students and the various accomplishments

they have achieved!

Barber of Seville Opera Choir & Cast March 31, 2006

What Does the Future Hold?

Students and parents of St. Joseph School are making plans for next year.

Families are facing a decision about enrolling their children in the

consolidated school, another Catholic school in the diocese or starting an

independent private Catholic school.

There is still much uncertainty as we publish this newsletter. Keep all of the

families in your prayers as they make this difficult transition.

If you would like to share your comments about the situation you can e-mail

your thoughts to sjskari@yahoo.com or mail them to St. Joseph School 1224

12th Ave Green Bay WI 54304 Attn: Alumni Committee.

Thank you to St. Joseph’s Donors 2005

Alumni Donor: Class of: Alumni Donor: Class of:

Eunice Mommaerts Hauser 1928 Mary Dwyer Mongin 1964

M.J. Falk M.D. 1941 Craig Vorpahl 1964

Norman DuChateau 1941 Karen Hallada McGregor 1964

Georgia Bailey Neumeyer 1941 Richard Roder 1965

Carlton Lewis 1942 Joseph Holtermann 1965

Dolores VandenBrand Aland 1944 Colleen Watts 1966

Mariann Gay Hyska 1945 Andrea Mommaerts Platkowski 1966

Joan Vandenbrand Warden 1948 Kathleen McCormick Matchefts 1966

Ronald Parmentier 1948 Susan King Blemberg 1966

Carl Cleerman 1948 David Wanner 1967

Jo Ann Mommaerts Graczyk 1949 Jeanne Jacquet Wanner 1967

Gerald Vandermoss 1950 Fran Taylor Treder 1968

Robert LeMieux 1950 Kathleen Meade Kanikula 1975

Nancy Rickert Leurquin 1951 Michael Blashe 1975

Dianne Baeb Holznecht 1952 Bob LeMieux Jr 1977

Alfred Volm 1953 Joseph Janowicz 1979

Arthur Reignier 1954 Anne Wallenfang Tanski 1979

Ronald Aames 1954 William Radosevich 1982

Allan Cumps 1955 Thomas Jauquet 1986

Richard Jonas 1956 Theodore Holterman Dis 7th & 8th

Jeannine LaPlante Gillis 1956 Bart Kocha Dis 7th & 8th

Thomas Grathen 1957 Steven Bohachek Dis 7th & 8th

Mary Nielsen James 1958 Anne Campshure Dis 7th & 8th

Martha Long Marcks 1958 Joan Meade Dis 7th & 8th

Joseph Erdmann D.D.S. 1959 Kevin Heuvelmans Dis 7th & 8th

James Santy 1959 Gregory Kostka Dis 7th & 8th

Sue Slatky Rule 1960 Cynthia Link Engdahl Dis 7th & 8th

Donna Theisen Melendy 1961 Gregory Lannoye Dis 7th & 8th

Rev. Pat C Whiting 1962 Steven Radowski Dis 7th & 8th

Patricia Schuch Jankowski 1962 Debra Sule Dis 7th & 8th

Paul Renkens 1962 Thomas Glaser Dis 7th & 8th

Gary Glinski 1963 Catherine Blashe Ault Dis 7th & 8th

Paul L Slatky 1963

Alumni Donor: Class of: In Memory of:

Charles Gille 1946 Terry Lynn Gille class of 67

Merle Derpinghaus 1946 Frank & Irene Derpinghaus

Carole LeSage Platkowski 1946 Tom LeSage

Arlene Materniak Hendricks 1955 Florence Materniak

Tom Olson 1961 James L Olson

Sr Bernadette Selinsky 1961 Edward J. Selinsky

Bonnie Duggan Ledvina 1968 Patrick & Myrtle Duggan

Mark Burgoyne 1963

Paul Burgoyne 1965

Frank Burgoyne Dis 7th & 8th

Glen & Genevieve Burgoyne’s 60th

wedding Anniversary

Lois Wiltgen Dis 7th & 8th Serenus & Gertrued Barrett

Kathryn Herson Dis 7th & 8th Rodger & Julia Herson

St. Joseph’s Journal Pg3

St. Joseph’s JournalSt. Joseph’s JournalSt. Joseph’s JournalSt. Joseph’s Journal

St. Joseph School

P.O. Box 28586

991 Pilgrim Way

Green Bay, WI 54324

---------Alumni Voices--------

Best Wishes and continued success with

your school. All six of us Burgoyne kids graduated from St. Joes. Our parents have

been long time parish members and

supporters of the school. In honor of their 60th wedding anniversary, we are making a

donation to the school.

Paul, Frank & Mark Burgoyne ‘65, Dis. 7

& 8, ‘63

I wish our class would have a reunion.

Jean LaPlante Gillis Seymour WI ’56

I really enjoy the St. Joseph Journal. I graduated for SJS in 1956. I think of our

principal, Sister Mary Jane and how she used

to whisk us down the hall. If you blinked you missed her. I am married to Richard

Schroeder for almost 44 years now. We have

4 children all of whom went to SJS. We have 10 grandchildren with the 11th due in July.

Rita LaBine Schroeder Green Bay WI ’56

To let you know I enjoy the SJS Journal.

When I look at the way things are today

compared to my grade school days (I attended St. Joes through 8th grade), there is

no comparison. Life was so much easier, carefree, and SAFE. It seems like a lifetime

ago. How fortunate we were. God bless.

Joann Moudry Borman Oconto WI ’54

Thanks for all your work on the alumni

Newsletter. I heard that it has come out but I never got one. My brothers and sisters said

they saw my “Long “article of memories and

enjoyed it. I am sending you my new address.

Sister Mary Jo Selinsky Oshkosh WI ’55 Forty years ago Saint Joseph’s helped to

shape character, inspire pride, self confidence

and offer some sense of the goodness of God. Thank you.

Joseph Holtermann San Antonio TX ’65

I graduated from 8th grade in 6/41. I remember Shirley (the secretary) well. My brothers are Fr. Bob Falk in

China and Fr. Jerry Falk in Appleton at St. Thomas Moore. God bless and keep Catholic education alive.

M.J. Falk Green Bay WI ’41

I have so appreciated your newsletters. Eight years in one school makes a lasting remembrance. I had quite a distance to walk to school every day. One day in Sr. San Jose’s class, she taught that Jesus walks with us, so on

the way home from school that day I asked Jesus if he would walk with me. I had what one could think of as an

Epiphany experience with the Lord. It was the beginning of a life time walk. The Lord has been kind to me. My mother loved Jesus and always said “He was a pretty good guy.” My mother has passed but not her memory.

She was a single mother. Father Diny gave her good advice when she would need it and helped her very much.

In many ways I have been able to be what I couldn’t be on my own because of God’s grace. I am married (42 years) and have three grown sons, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. I am retired with a large

perennial garden now. I was a medical laboratory technician after graduating from St. Joseph Academy for

seven years and later when my children went to school I went to nurses training and did nursing for 20 years. Most of it at the University of Minnesota in their neonatal intensive care unit. I mention this all only as a

testimony to what the Lord has done in my life. He is the 99.9% faithful and effective one. I’ve gone to bible

school after I retired from working at the hospital, so now there is more of Jesus talk in my life than ever. I have had a lot of bumps and bruises along the way and probably other students at St. Joseph’s that knew me would

attest that God had to be faithful in this my life. I pray blessings for St. Joseph School. May every student past,

present, and future be blessed of the Lord and receive grace to be what they couldn’t be on their own.

Arlene Materniak Hendricks Minneapolis MN ’55

Class of 1957, 67, 77