By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Chequamegon Bay schools celebrate together

ASHLAND -- On January 28, during Catholic Schools Week, students from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School played host to their counterparts from Washburn's St. Louis Catholic School.

The day started with Mass, celebrated by Fr. William Rooney, OFM, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish. Included in the procession were both schools' banners. They were carried by Lara Bratti, a sixth grader from St. Louis School, and Anya Gadamus, an eighth grade student from Our Lady of the Lake.

In his homily Rooney said Catholic Schools Week was a time to celebrate Catholic education.

"We also want to recognize and honor our teachers, those men and women who help plant the seed of God's word in fertile soil ... so that students might acquire those valuable skills that are needed for life and for Christian living."

Students from the two schools joined together in Ashland to observe Catholic Schools Week.

Following Mass the schools faced each other in basketball games.

Students from Our Lady of the Lake were coached by Br. Thomas Eaton, OFM, and the St. Louis athletes by Eaton's biological brother, Fr. John Eaton, OFM.

Following the game, Fr. Eaton, who serves as pastor at St. Louis Parish, said he enjoyed the day.

"We've been trying to find ways for the schools to get together and I think the day is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to see each other," he said. "Not just in a basketball game, but they go to church together and go to the classroom together."

Besides being their pastor, this priest has come to enjoy coaching the youth on the hard court.

"They're really easy to work with and I get excited when I see the kids improve from day to day," Fr. Eaton said.

Decked out in a red and white sweat shirt, his school's colors, was another Eaton brother, David, who serves as principal at Our Lady of the Lake.

He said those involved really have come to appreciate the entire week's celebration. This school started with an opening parish Mass and planned an entire slate full of events for Catholic Schools Week.

"Throughout the week it's a good way for us to celebrate the school and what we are doing here," David Eaton said. "We try to have fun, but we try to have students think about what they appreciate about the school."

He has also come to enjoy getting together with the "neighbors across the (Chequamegon) bay."

"It's nice to get together and share that spirit of unity in Catholic school," David Eaton said.

"It really is nice when we get to share some time with the teachers and students from St. Louis School."

Students also enjoy the celebration.

Joanna Holzhaeuser, an eighth grader at Our Lady of the Lake, said she likes Catholic Schools Week because students get to do a variety of different activities.

"It also celebrates what we are and what we stand for," she said. "We stand for Catholic education and community."

Holzhaeuser said she likes it when the visitors from Washburn come for the day. "It's fun to hear from other Catholic school students and see how they do things."

James Grahek, another eighth grader at Our Lady of the Lake, said he also likes it when the other Catholic school students visit.

"It was nice to have Mass with the St. Louis kids," Grahek said. "It expands our community."

Stan BeBeau, a 30-year educator, with 10 years in Catholic education at Our Lady of the Lake, said Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate and reflect on the past, especially in Ashland.

"It recognizes our heritage and our history. We go way back to the Franciscans who came to this area back into the 1800s," BeBeau said. "They started teaching the Catholic faith, built churches and schools. It's over 100 years of history."

Among the cheers at the basketball game, Betty Swiston, principal at St. Louis, said the day served as a good fellowship boost with their neighboring Catholic school.

"It helps us show support of Catholic schools in our area," Swiston said. "We have visited at our Lady of the Lake for the past five years."

Besides the Catholic Schools Week celebration, seventh and eighth graders from the two schools join together for an annual Spanish Mass, where students get to put their Spanish language skills to the test.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004