from Fr. Timmerman
Annual Appeal
Aquinas & St. Mary's 2016 Annual Appeal will begin the week after Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for all the people who support Aquinas & St. Mary's Catholic Schools. Without this support, we would not be able to provide affordable Catholic Education for the Butler County area. Look for your mailing soon or easily give online.
 
All Souls Day Mass
The annual All Souls Day Mass, said in honor of all departed alumni, faculty, and staff, was on Wednesday, November 2nd at Aquinas Catholic School. Family or friends were invited to place a yellow rose in representation of their departed loved one. This year, instead of reading the names of the departed, there was a commemorative slide show.
 
Sports
Aquinas Girls Cross Country Team are Class D State Champions
The very first Girls Cross Country State Championship in Aquinas Catholic School history. The Champions were coached by John Svec, who is still amazed by this team's accomplishments. Clare Fiala has been leading the team all year and still competed at State with an injury. At State, the entire team stepped up with Alexandria Frasher finishing in 8th Place. You can find the State Meet results here. 
 
The Aquinas Girls Cross Country Team, front: Cassidy Reisdorf, Allie Fraher, Clare Fiala, Mary Fiala. Back: Hanna Moravec, Valeria Whitmore, Sarah Burwell, Kate Slama, Grace Moravec, Victoria Whitmore. Check out the XC Page.
Football Playoffs
In the first playoff round, the Monarchs defeated Norfolk Catholic 35-27. They then traveled to O'Neill and were defeated in a tough game with the final score of 12-15. The Monarchs finish the season with a record of 8-2.
___________________________

Volleyball Season
The Lady Monarchs finished a tough C1 schedule with a record of 11-15. In sub-district action, the Monarchs first faced Columbus Lakeview who won in 3 sets.

Softball Season
The Lady Monarchs had their best season ever! (Not an exaggeration.) They finished their season 17-8, the best record in school history.
 
Kelsey Baer made the Second All-Nebraska Team, again a first for the Aquinas Program. Chloe Miller made honorable mention.
 
Congratulations Coach Gahan, Coach Reimers, and the entire Aquinas Softball Team on a historic season.
  

Faith & Service
Freshman
at St. Cecilia
  
Mr. Grady and Sr. Ann Marie took the Aquinas Freshmen to the St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha to receive the gift of mercy.

The main door on the west side of St. Cecilia Cathedral has been designated as the Holy Door. Archbishop George J. Lucas said, "While it may seem like the most ordinary action, passing through the holy door can be a powerful symbol of the gift of divine mercy."

  


Marian Motherhouse
  
After visiting the Cathedral, the freshmen went to the Marian Sister's Motherhouse in Waverly, NE to help with some yard work. Sr. Ann Marie was glad to give a tour.


SOUL Club Coat Drive
Aquinas SOUL Club is currently collecting new or gently used coats. These coats will be donated to Blue Valley to help those in need to stay warm this winter. Please drop off your coat at Aquinas Catholic today!

SOUL Club Angel Tree Project
This project started early November and will go through Christmas. Every year the SOUL Club gathers items for The Genesis House in David City, that provides a safe environment for victims of violence. Please follow the link to find out the much needed items that you can donate at Aquinas to help these women and children.
Academics
SAC Museum
The 8th grade took field trip to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace (SAC) Museum in Omaha. The students participated in many learning activities. For example, they learned the logistics of creating sustainable planets, creating lunar landers, the material of space suits, and mechanical and electromagnetic waves.


The Real Deal on Alcohol Poisoning
 
Clayton Real died on September 5, 2014 at the age of 18, due to alcohol poisoning. The Aquinas Stop and Think Group and The Butler County Believes in Youth Coalition (BBYC) sponsored Ken Real, Clay's dad, to present "The Real Deal on Alcohol Poisoning. Know the Signs, Save a Life".
"You don't get through something like this without faith"

 
Big Brother Big Sister Tutoring
Aquinas Catholic Middle & High School has started a brand new tutoring program, The Big Brother Big Sister Initiative. This program provides support for students who may be struggling or who just want to improve their grade in certain subjects. Students will be pared up with a peer tutor who has volunteered to help share their knowledge. Tutoring time will be agreed upon by tutor and student. Read more here.
   
Let's alleviate educational frustration together!
The Arts
Aquinas Marching Band
 
The Aquinas Marching Band, directed by Mrs. Ostdiek and Color Guard, directed by Directed by Sandy Archuleta and Anna Rerucha competed at Bennington and at the NSBA Marching Competition.
 
Photos courtesy of Mrs. Wisnieski.

St. Mary's News
First Annual Trunk-or-Treat

The St. Mary's Spirit Program sponsored the First Annual Trunk-or Treat on October 27th. Fun was had by all. This event brought together all St. Mary's Students, Faculty, and Parents. We were even blessed to have Fr. Rooney, from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelby, bring his "trunk". Thank you to everyone who planned and participated in this exciting event.

Follow the link for more St. Mary's Trunk-or-Treat pictures.

   The Rosary Month

During October, teachers planned several rosary related activities. On the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, each grade made a decade of the rosary, using a creative three dimensional rose for each bead. On Oct. 20, all the students participated in rosary-making and rosary bingo. To honor the end of Rosary Month students and teachers prayed a Mission Rosary for all the missions in the world. Each grade prayed for a specific area of the world.
  
flower-chain.gif


Alumni Update
The Voice of the Monarchs,
Russ Moravec

On October 17th, Aquinas was happy to recognize Russ Moravec '77 as The Voice of the Monarchs for 36 years (and counting!). Russ began announcing Aquinas football games in the fall of 1980 while Dave McMahon was head coach. Mr. McMahon and Fr. Sean Timmerman made the presentation before the start of the Homecoming game against Wahoo High.Thank you, Russ!

Pictured from left to right: Aquinas Catholic High School Principal, Mr. Dave McMahon; Chief Administrative Officer, Fr. Sean Timmerman; and The Voice of the Monarchs, Russ Moravec
donation_palm.jpg Alumni Phone-a-thon 2016

Please help ensure the future of our Catholic schools. With your help, we can educate the whole person: spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.

Is your class going to make the top ten giving list this year?  

You can easily support our schools by giving online!
Other News
Knights Give to Guardian Angel Fund
The Knights of Columbus from Holy Trinity Parish in Brainard recently presented a donation to the Guardian Angel Fund, tuition assistance program at Aquinas & St. Mary's.  

The funds were raised at the Knights' 10th annual "Guardian Angel Poker Run" held in late August. All vehicles were invited to join in the 100-mile Nebraska countryside ride. Meals, games, and raffles were available at Holy Trinity Church's parish center after the ride.

Over the past 10 years, the Knights have donated $11,200 to the Guardian Angel Fund.

(right) Jerome Svoboda presents a check for the Guardian Angel Fund to Father Sean Timmerman, chief administrative officer of Aquinas and St. Mary Schools in David City.
STAY CONNECTED