St. Mary’s History

"Catholic education is an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to the Church He founded. Through education the Church seeks to prepare its members to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation into action by the power of the Holy Spirit," according to former pastor Father Thomas E. McDermott. St. Mary's Catholic School has continued this mission for the past fifty years.

In 1952 under the leadership of Fr. Robert Hupp, ground was broken on the six acres purchased for the school site on East Seventh Street. Father Hupp envisioned the Catholic elementary school to promote more religious vocations. He credited many people for helping to make his dream come true - including the builders and a professor from Wayne State College. These individuals had to prove to the people in Wayne that Catholic education was needed to nurture the souls of our youth. Their goal was to see that our youth would have a strong spiritual background to carry on the faith for the next generation. Teachers, staff, parents, Board of Education members, Parish Council members, benefactors and numerous parishioners worked and continue to work diligently to insure a strong foundation of Catholic faith.

When Father Hupp was transferred back to Omaha, Father William C. Kleffman directed the project completion. Classes began on September 8, 1953 with an enrollment of forty-three students in grades first through eighth under the direction of the Sisters of Saint Benedict. Sr. Iniga, Sr. Ludovica, Sr. Joseph and Sr. Josephine were the first teachers at St. Mary's Catholic School. During Fr. Kleffman's service to St. Mary's, he also initiated the school board, building committee, and Liturgical reform.

Throughout the fifty years many improvements have been made to the original school. In April of 1968 the first school board was formed. When the teaching staff was cut to three, seventh and eighth grade classrooms were eliminated. Kindergarten started in 1980 in the same room as the library. Wayne State College students under the supervision of an art professor constructed new playground equipment. A Home/School Organization was formed and provided assistance to boost enrollment and aide teachers. A parishioner and the school children planted trees located next to the alley with trees donated by the Omaha World Herald. A perennial garden was planted on the south side with teachers, parents, parishioners and Fr. Don Cleary providing donations for the plants. An Education Endowment was formed in 1985 to provide financial stability for the school. A language arts teacher was added to the staff in 1987. In 1989 St. Mary's Booster Club was formed with their mission being to raise money for educational programs of the parish. A highlight is the Club's annual Hug-A-Spud fundraiser held in March. In 1990 the kindergarten classroom was moved into St. Mary's School basement, which was previously the parish kitchen. In 1992 Little Lambs Preschool was added to St. Mary's to provide younger children the opportunity to begin a Catholic education. The library became a language arts room and library/computer lab in 1998. St. Mary's Education Endowment donated money to purchase five Gateway computers and a printer to update the school's technology. This project was successful due to help from a former superintendent of Wayne Public Schools and the Education Endowment. In 1998 the basement floor was refinished with an epoxy substance. St. Mary's fifth and sixth grade religion classes erected a stepping-stone rosary purchased by donations from school parents and parishioners. Also, floors were redone in the hallway and classrooms with monies donated by the Education Endowment, St. Mary's VIA, and St. Mary's Dollar-A-Year Club. In 2001 Little Lambs Preschool for three and four year olds was added and the four and five year old program became a pre-kindergarten. A window fund established in 2001 allowed for the replacement of outdated windows. The first set of windows was installed in the summer of 2002. During the summer of 2003 the remaining classroom windows on the main floor were installed. Additional window installation will occur, as monies become available. Today the school has twenty-nine students enrolled in the K-6 program. The classrooms include kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades, 3rd & 4th grades, and 5th& 6th grades. Preschool and pre-kindergarten are also held in the school basement.

Many Catholic practices and traditions are passed on to our future generations. Because "...in the Eucharist Jesus ministers to His people so that they in turn can minister to the rest of God's children," children learn the importance of attending Mass and also are taught the meaning of the different parts of the liturgy. Reconciliation is also a part of their spiritual training. When the school was first built the children would walk over to the old church to participate in Forty Hours, Advent services and various other Catholic traditions. The Virgin Mary’s birthday was celebrated near or on September 8, teaching the children to have great love for our blessed Mother. The month of October is dedicated to praying the most Holy Rosary. To give thanks to God, a special Thanksgiving Mass is celebrated with the elderly parishioners with the altar set by the children and their parents. A food drive collection was brought forward during the offertory procession and then given to the local food pantry. The Christmas season was a special time for the Children. Christmas programs instilled and continue to instill that "Jesus is the Reason For the Season." Catholic Schools Week highlights the importance of Catholic education in our parish, community, and nation. Many special events took place to signify to the children how important it is to be a good Catholic. May is a special month for Mary and May crownings are done to show Mary how much she is loved. St. Mary's students also had an opportunity to participate in writing Marian essays and have been awarded prizes by Mary's House, a Marian prayer group of St. Mary's Church. Students have also gone on religious pilgrimages to St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, the Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler, Queen of Peace in Sioux City, House of Mary Shrine in Yankton and Immaculata Convent in Norfolk.

Throughout the school years our priests, sisters, teachers, and parents have worked hard to help the children learn the theology of our Catholic faith, and equally important, how to apply these truths to their daily lives. Students have been involved in activities such as bake sales for missions, growing plants and having plant sales for the missions, visiting the nursing home residents, Christmas caroling, sending birthday cards to sick children in the parish, helping the elderly, cleaning the school, and helping the younger children in the school. These activities helped to show them how to live their lives for Jesus. A former student of St. Mary's Catholic School began St. Mary's School Kidz Council with the assistance of his teacher, pastor, parents, and students. This organization teaches the children how to be good stewards. The Kidz Council is credited for adding new playground equipment with the help of a generous parishioner, redoing the stage floor and curtains and being a lead donor in the school window project.

God graced St. Mary's school with many fine priests, sisters, laity, and support staff who have promoted the mission of St. Mary's Catholic School. Among the blessings came three priests form our parish, Fr. Joe Dorcey, Fr. Joe Finn, and Fr. Thomas McDermott. Several sisters also came from St. Mary's Parish including Sr. Mary Zoe B.V.M., Sister Anna Marie R.S.M., Sr. Mary Leonardo R.S.M., Sr. Mary Edmund, R.S.M., and Sr. Helen Marie R.S.M. Our school was also blessed to have a teacher, Pam Boehle, for eighteen years who was named the Archdiocesan Board of Education Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1993.

St. Mary's School has also produced top academic scholars throughout the years. Former students became valedictorians, salutatorians, and were in the top ten percent of the graduating classes because of the strong commitment to academic excellence instilled by their teachers. Active parental involvement in their children's education process is also a strong contributor of the academic success of St. Mary's Catholic School children. In addition, many students have excelled in sports, music, and drama.

Congratulations to St. Mary's Catholic School for continuing the tradition of Catholic faith and educational values for our children for more than fifty years. May the intercession of Mary and the favor of our loving Father guide and bless St. Mary's Catholic School for the next fifty years.