Greeting once more from all at St. Anthony’s.
I apologize for not writing to you during July. The staff asked me about the July letter and all I could say is “what will I write about, we only have holes in the ground and who wants to hear about that!” Now that school has resumed I feel I have something to write about.
With school being on vacation there was only maintenance work going on. Truth be told I looked forward to the staff arriving early each morning to work avoiding the heat of the day, by afternoon we were well over 100 degrees. The Sisters were on leave, the faculty on vacation and the students scattered all over. Most nights, there was 15 empty buildings, 5 acres of land and me. So joining the workmen was a joy. (I can add night watchman to my resume of skills.)
As to holes in the ground, I have already mentioned that part of the parking load seem to be subsiding. When we investigated a tree stump had been covered over by the asphalt. Mother Nature took the stump and left me the legacy of a deep hole. But we eventually made the repairs.
Mother Nature and I had another disagreement. The court yard of the school buildings became over grown with weeds, despite ground cover and gravel. I decided that we should work with nature, remove the gravel and try to grow grass which would be more easily maintained. Plans were afoot to harvest rain water from the roofs to enable us to have a better grassy environment for the students. The rains came early and only briefly, so I was left with another hole and an ongoing project for this year. Meanwhile the court yard looks good. But don’t let me bore you with the details!
During the summer the ladies from Kansas came once more to hold an art camp for the students. This year it was more fun than ever. The students had painting and drawing at which they excelled, plus music, theater, handicrafts and a great deal of fun. Many parents came for lunch on last day of the camp and viewed the students’ art. I am not sure if the parents or the students were most proud. As lunch ended, the heavens opened and blessed us with rain. Undeterred, both parents and students ended up dancing in puddles in the parking lot.
Again Mother Nature took to teasing me. The following Sunday, as I opened the cafeteria for coffee after Mass, I was met with a flood of water in the kitchen. The water heater burst overnight. When we dried it out we had to remove and re-tile 200 floor tiles, eventually we had the place ready for school re-opening but we had to postpone some more remedial work until the Labor Day holiday, when school will next be out.
Having fallen well behind with my schedule of work planned for the summer, I confess to having become anxious. Some former students came to my rescue and even Mr. Jonathan (gym and seniors computer teacher) brought two of his children to help. I was nevertheless relieved to host a youth group from Colorado and two groups from College Mission trips. All three groups “put shoulder to the wheel” and helped tremendous to prepare the school for the students return. I cannot commend these young people enough for their generosity, great natures, and enthusiasm to assist others. They have been remarkable.
You might remember that one such group, last year, went to assist an elderly lady whose roof was leaking. This year, one of our groups went back to her, waterproofed her roof again, made a vegetable garden for her and cut enough firewood to see her through next winter. Newspapers carry a great deal of negativity about young people, I wish the public at large could meet those who help us, and they would see a very different picture.
Well, as I write school is well underway for the new school year. As they arrived in our new school bus, several little ones ran over and hugged me. Foolish that I am, tears welt up within me and their excitement spilled over on to me, the staff and faculty. I notice the same excitement and dare I say tears among parents who brought the children to first day of school.
My greatest relief was having a full faculty for school commencing. Sr. Ragini (3rd grade) has been delayed in India trying to sort out visa issues. Ms. Chimoni, who retired last year from Kindergarten kindly agreed to take 3rd grade in the interim. Ms. Kara who taught with us several years ago, returned to take kindergarten and Mr. Jeremy, who left us at the end of last year decided that he would like to return and is happily back with Junior High, teaching Social Studies and religion. What a relief! It is not easy to find teachers to work on the Pueblo and the familial ethos of St. Anthony’s has shone through.
One little aside note. The cafeteria was used to celebrate a former student who has received a doctorate of Physical Therapy. We were delighted to celebrate with Dr. Amber Rose Seowtewa class of 1996. The Seowtewa family have been sending the children to St. Anthony’s since 1923.
After consultation with Sr. Marsha (our wonderful principal) I made the bold decision to re-start pre-k. These last two years there have only been one or two applications for pre-school. Not enough to warrant forming a class. (All the schools locally have had the same difficulty.) We have re-organized kindergarten to a two year program to accommodate pre-k. It is new ground for Ms. Kara but with Ms. Leola to assist, the class has merged nicely and the little ones are learning and enjoying themselves to a marvelous degree. (At times I wish I could join them as the kids get their afternoon nap!)
The holes are covered in, the faculty is complete and the school is back into full swing. The classes are deep in study and the cafeteria is filled with laughter. What more could I possibly ask?
Thank you for making it all so wonderfully possible.
Fr. Patrick McGuire
Download July August 2024 Newsletter
Help Us out.
It Will Do Your Heart Good.
Make a Donation: Click Here