“Family is more than the relationships with your parents and siblings. It’s the friendships you make and the bonds you form with your teammates, your school and your community.”
Hayden Miller Class of 2017
Dear Lourdes Family, There is a verse of a song I sing almost daily since assuming the role of President at Lourdes Central Catholic School. It goes “One day at a time sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking from you. Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do.” For those who might remember this old Cristy Lane song, it asks for God’s strength and our patience to do what needs to be done in order to move forward each and every day. There are challenges in keeping a Catholic high school moving forward but witnessing our young people deepen their relationship with Christ and Church, seeing their success in academics and activities, and taking pride in the meaningful and powerful impact our alumni are having in our society, make the daily struggles worth the continued effort. The rewards for so many here on earth and in heaven are worth the good fight. One great consolation for me is that I do not stand alone. Together with the traditions of our Faith and the support of the entire Lourdes Family, we will move into a vibrant Future that continues to grow within Lourdes. With that thought in mind, today we launch our first Annual Appeal, “Faith • Family • Future.” This campaign will be the backbone of the annual funding program for our school and its children. It will allow us to move forward and address the ongoing needs of the school and plan for capital expansion. In order to reach our goals I am asking the entire Lourdes Family to support the Faith • Family • Future Appeal. I ask you to look over this brochure. In it are stories from students and parents alike that represent why we are so passionate about keeping our school alive and thriving. We cannot accomplish this unless we meet some of our basic needs – and your support will help us to fulfill this goal. Please take a minute to prayerfully review the enclosed pledge card and return it with your gift to support the future of Lourdes Central Catholic School. Together we will secure our beautiful school community. . . “One day at a time sweet Jesus, one day at a time.” In Christ,
Father Mark Cyza
“The beautiful thing about Lourdes is that it’s about God, school and parish. It is family-style faith, seamless and connected, where we watch small children grow into men and women of faith.” Fr. Michael G. McCabe Superintendent 1998-2016 Lourdes Central Catholic School
“Lourdes is a big family teaching faith in God, love and respect for one another, and academic excellence!” - Kathy Gawart (1971), 1st Grade Teacher and Mother of Amy (1995), Matt (1999), and Laura (2008)
“Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God the rest will be given.”
- Mother Teresa
March for Life 2016 “It is so amazing to see all the youth and adults gathered in support of life. It’s such a peaceful, nurturing environment. This is a life-changing pilgrimage for students. It gives them something to move forward with in sharing their faith. ”
The mission of Lourdes Central Catholic School is to assist parents in the development of their children by providing a Christ centered environment which promotes spiritual, academic and social growth in order to prepare students for active participation in the church, in their families and in society.
Dotti Easter, mother of Jessie (2011), Justin (2013), and Kaylee (2015)
Community Service We are very blessed at Lourdes Central Catholic to have the opportunity to serve in our school and community. The following is a list of some of the areas where our students are able to live out the actions of Christ.
“The March for Life was an experience I will never forget! It is an awe-inspiring sight: thousands of people joyfully singing and marching in a blizzard for a cause they believe in. I made life-long friends and discovered the power of service… all while strengthening my faith. When I returned from Washington D.C., I was on fire for Christ and fully prepared to be a voice for the voiceless. Despite the chilly weather and oncoming “Snowmageddon” that I encountered on the trip, I don't think I ever stopped smiling!
Marissa Galardi 2017 Senior Class President
Monthly visits with the residents at The Ambassador Nursing Home
Monthly visits with the students at Nebraska Center for the Education of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Volunteers at Apple Jack Car Show
Volunteers at Arbor Day Farms during Apple Jack/Arbor Day
Tutoring students after school
Volunteer helpers with Totus Tuus summer catechetical program
Volunteers at football, basketball, volleyball, and cheerleading camps for high school and middle school activities
Wrapping and delivering presents for the Angel Tree Project
Singing in the Teen and Youth Choirs
Camp Counselors at Sky Camp and YMCA Camp
Volunteers at the Lourdes Central Catholic and St. John’s School fundraising events
Volunteers at the Church of the Holy Spirit Fish Fry in Plattsmouth
Assist in cleaning up at Arbor Lodge and other local parks
Raising money for various charities
Assisting at Orientation Days
Volunteers at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Life Chain Witness
Annual Appeal Funding Points
Discretionary funds for unexpected needs and facility upkeep. $15,000
Future facility enhancements for primary campus and future renovations. $15,000
Teacher Salary Enhancement retains and attracts excellent teachers.
Debt Service owed from past efforts to renovate and upgrade facility.
Academic needs such as additional equipment and instructional supplies.
$25,000
$60,000
$15,000
Tuition Assistance supports the school’s efforts to be affordable to all students. $100,000
Gifts from Alumni are a vital source of funding. “There were nine of us in our graduating class. We knew everyone - from kindergarten to seniors. I made the choice to find a way to bring my family back to Nebraska City just so my children could attend Lourdes. This is a multi-generational school where people have good experiences. It has been great to watch all the kids grow. Supporting the Lourdes family is a sacrifice worth making.”
Monica Turner Welsh, Class of 1988 Daughter, Ella, Class of 2023
The theme for the 2016-2017 school year at Lourdes was “One Call, Many Voices.” We are all one body of Christ and the Church, yet we each answer our call in different ways…as our young artist depicts, “different, but we have the same God.” Thank you to 7th grade student, Haley Honesuckle, for her lovely drawing!
“For four generations seeds of faith have been planted and cultivated in our family by the wonderful teachers and staff of Lourdes Central Catholic School. We have seen the fruit of this labor in the faith of our five children and now 19 grandchildren, some of whom will walk the new and improved hallways of a school their grandparents and great aunts and uncles also walked as students. This community of support has been a tremendous blessing and we look forward to ensuring its continued success by participating in the Lourdes Annual Appeal.” Gerald (1968) and Mary (1970) Stukenholtz
Jeremy (1990), Gretchen (1993), Holly (1994), Janie (1998), Lisa (2000)
Honorary co-chairs, Gerald and Mary Stukenholtz, have walked the hallways of Lourdes Central Catholic as students, parents and now as grandparents. The pride they show for Lourdes Central Catholic School has not waivered over the generations.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 “We were so excited to serve as campaign chairs for our successful Visions for a Faith-Filled Future school renovation appeal. Now we have agreed to be the honorary co-chairs for our first Lourdes annual appeal Faith •Family •Future. Why, you may be asking? What was started with the work on our building must now be continued with this annual appeal for tuition assistance and teachers salaries. We must ensure Lourdes has the resources necessary to continue passing on the faith for generations to come. Since moving to Nebraska City, the Lourdes community has become part of the DeFreece family; such an integral part of our faith life, a source of friendships and activities for both us and our children.” Dan and Kay DeFreece Parents of Jameson (2014), Leah (2016), and Addison (2020)
Have you remembered Lourdes in your estate planning? For more information contact Mike Alex at 402-873-6154.
“As a graduate of Lourdes Central Catholic, I can say Lourdes has prepared me for the future not only in my education, but in my faith life. Lourdes is truly a Christ-centered environment that promotes spiritual, academic, and social growth. Thank you and God bless you for your support.�
Leah DeFreece (2016)
2017 Lourdes Annual Appeal Lourdes Central Catholic School 412 Second Avenue Nebraska City, NE 68410 Phone: 402-873-6154 Fax: 402-873-3154 www.lourdescentralcatholic.org Like us on Facebook lourdes.knights Follow us on Twitter @lourdesknights