Celtic Newsletter Summer 2019

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL & HEAD OF SCHOOL Friends,     As we begin our 130th year at Roanoke Catholic School we also celebrate  the 200th Anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. This year will be  filled with celebraƟon and thanks to thousands of people who have made  our diocese, parishes and schools feel like home.     With each passing day, our students share their giŌs with us in so many  ways. They achieve at the highest levels in their academic studies, their  athleƟc endeavors, their faith development and their love of the arts.       In recent years we have seen new life and energy displayed through our  visual and performing arts programs at RCS. Students now enjoy choir,  dance, theater/drama, art, band and, hopefully in the future, orchestra. A  number of our students parƟcipate outside of school in ballet, youth  theater and orchestra, choirs, individual voice, piano and instrumental  lessons. These talents and commitments by our students and parents help  make our school community stronger and more vibrant.       Funding for the arts has always been a challenge for schools both public  and independent. Given that tuiƟon alone does not cover the total cost for  educaƟon we rely on the kind acts of charity by hundreds of friends and  donors each year.     This past spring our school was blessed with a significant contribuƟon by  Dr. and Mrs. Robert White and Sue Rowe of Melody Haven. Their combined  giŌ brought new band instruments — totaling $30,000 — to our  students. This was the first Ɵme in more than 30 years that our school has  received an investment of this magnitude for a specific arts program.     AddiƟonally, students in our art department are conƟnually exposed to  new opportuniƟes and tremendous offerings. Recently a mural was  unveiled and displayed at the Roanoke City Courthouse aŌer a year of work  and dedicaƟon by a dozen students and our art teacher, Kim Spencer.       Our school choir, under the direcƟon of Michael Hemphill, has competed  on a naƟonal stage and been recognized by leadership in our diocese for its  performance in our Cathedral.       Despite the absence of our own theater/auditorium, our drama  department consistently delivers outstanding performances featuring  students from elementary through high school. I strongly encourage you to  aƩend one of our two performances this upcoming year and celebrate the  accomplishments of our students.      We truly have a lot to be thankful for this upcoming academic year. I look  forward to seeing you on campus and celebraƟng events throughout the  year in recogniƟon of our students, staff and local parishes.  Blessings to all of you, 

PRINCIPAL & HEAD OF SCHOOL Patrick PaƩerson  ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Christopher Michael  DEAN OF FACULTY Nicole Lieber  SCHOOL BOARD   John Thomas, Chair   Rosann Kryczkowski, Vice Chair   Dan Burkard, Treasurer    Rich Joachim, Secretary  ST. ANDREW’S  Rev. Kevin Segerblom   Rich Joachim  OUR LADY OF NAZARETH Rev. Msgr. Patrick Golden, Pastor   Michelle Gereauz‐Karim  OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP Rev. Ken Shuping, Pastor  Ron Downing  ST. GERARD  Rev. Jose Arce  Brian Chubb   TRANSFIGURATION  Rev. Stephen McNally, Pastor  Rosann Kryczkowski   Dan Burkard 

*   *   *  The CelƟc NewsleƩer and Annual Report   are produced by the   Roanoke Catholic School Development Office:  Michael Hemphill  Director of MarkeƟng & the Annual Fund Debbie Stump  Director of Major GiŌs & EducaƟon Tax Credits

Patrick W. PaƩerson