Historical March 1979 report or notice. Dates, prices, programs, contacts and any regulatory statements refer to the original period; current availability or applicability is not established.
St. Roch church was filled with parents, friends and neighbors on December 19 for the children’s Mass. Many thanks to Mrs. Sanders, Sister Catherine and Sister Dorothy for the inspirational enactment of the Christmas story. The first graders had the honor of portraying Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the kings. All conducted themselves with reverence and confidence. Sister Catherine’s second graders provided the music. Traditional carols have a special quality when sung by youngsters. The third graders recited the story of the first Christmas in unison. Each child also delivered a reading or a petition during the Mass. The entire school presented offerings for the needy during the service. Fifty food baskets were assembled and distributed to people right here in the neighborhood.
The upper grades were released from classes on December 21. The primary grades came on the twenty-second for a visit with Santa. This year, several classes from Hamilton III were guests at the party. Quite a few parents brought pre-schoolers. After much singing and anxious waiting Santa’s bells announced his arrival. All assured Santa that they had been angelic so he dispensed a treat and words of cheer to the children.
Basketball was an important activity for many St. Roch students during the holidays. Mike Hart coached his eighth grade girls to victory in the Epiphany Christmas tournament. So far this season, the team has been unbeaten. The eighth grade boys, under the direction of Mike Grady are also undefeated. Pete Malacek’s sixth grade boys are enjoying a terrific season also. All final scores will be available next month.
January is always a busy month. Classes resumed on the third. Semester exams were taken on January 16, 17 and 18. Report cards and the results of the Iowa Basics Test were sent home during the following week. The School Association meeting scheduled for the eighteenth was cancelled because of hazardous ice and snow. January 20 was a day long awaited by the eighth graders. Each student went to the high school of his or her choice in order to take the placement test. Results are anxiously awaited next month.
The annual Progressive Dinner was held on Saturday, January 27. Mary Watkins and Susie Roach were co-chairmen of the event. One hundred and eighty-six persons participated this year. Ten cocktail parties and nineteen dinners were given by volunteer hosts and hostesses. Dessert was held in Scariot Hall for the first time. Mother Nature was not very cooperative, dumping five inches of snow on streets and walks during the day. As always, the evening was filled with good conversation, good food and good friends. Many thanks to all who made this fund raiser for our school a success.
Valentine’s Day is always special at St. Roch. Children work for days on presents for parents or someone special. Classrooms abound with decorations. Treats from home make for a fun and filling afternoon. The fifth and sixth graders made the day truly lovely for their parents. These two classes, under the direction of Miss Barth and Mrs. Ripperdan, put together a spectacular talent show. Parents were invited to the visual Valentine and homemade refreshments were served.
Mr. Mike Grady took his eighth graders on a field trip on February 14. This excursion was a blend of religion, history, architecture and urban living. The class took a tour of the Soulard neighborhood and visited the beautiful church of Saints Peter and Paul. Mr. Grady pointed out the significant features of the structure and related the church’s history. Two more St. Louis churches will be visited this semester.
St. Roch is fortunate to have added Sharon Nelson to our staff. Mrs. Nelson has taken over the art program. Sharon received her elementary education and art training at Immaculate Heart of Mary College. Many thanks are owed Signey Fiquette for her years of service. All hope that her commitments will allow her to return in the future.
Make plans now to attend the School Association meeting on March 15 at eight o’clock. A representative from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of St. Clair County will be the guest speaker. St. Roch’s St. Patrick’s Day Party will be held on Saturday, March 17 at six o’clock. Tickets are available from Sister Leo Ann, Sam Green and Ralph Vossen. The charge is $6 in advance and $ 7 at the door. Please reserve your tickets early in order to make the planning easier for the volunteers who work so hard to make this evening a success. (You don’t need to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!)
Accompanying original party poster
St. Roch’s St. Patrick’s Day Party. Saturday, March 17. Cocktails: 6:00. Dinner: 6:30. Tickets: $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Tickets available from Sr. Leo Ann, Ralph Vossen, 721-0052; Sam Green, 862-4187. At the end of the rainbow — Dave Schmidt’s famous corned beef and cabbage!
Accompanying original party poster
St. Roch’s St. Patrick’s Day Party. Saturday, March 17. Cocktails: 6:00. Dinner: 6:30. Tickets: $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Tickets available from Sr. Leo Ann, Ralph Vossen, 721-0052; Sam Green, 862-4187. At the end of the rainbow — Dave Schmidt’s famous corned beef and cabbage!
Original photograph caption
Original St. Roch’s St. Patrick’s Day party poster. The Paper, March 1979, page 5. Artist not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1979.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1979_03.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
