Seton SOUNDINGS UPCOMING EVENTS. April Fine Arts Program May 5 at MSS 9:30 a.m & 7 p.m. Artwork on display, band, and chorus performances

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1 April 2014 Seton SOUNDINGS UPCOMING EVENTS Fine Arts Program May 5 at MSS 9:30 a.m & 7 p.m. Artwork on display, band, and chorus performances MSS Carnival May 19-May 24 Class of 2014 Graduation June 8 at the Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Last Day of School June 11 End of the Year Awards Ceremony & Closing Mass 10:30 a.m. at MSS St. Elizabeth Ann Seton s legacy is boundless--whether it s found in the work of the Daughters of Charity or in the millions of students who graduated from Catholic school. Beginning Catholic Schools Week, we have been celebrating our Foundress by sending a fun, photo-friendly likeness to families, friends, and alumni all over the world. We want to show how widespread her legacy is and the lives that she s touched through the works she began over 200 hundred years ago. MSS Art Teacher, Karolyne Myers, enlisted help from a few members of 5th grade to send Mother Seton to Italy and India. See page 6 to see where Mother Seton has been. mothersetonschool.org

2 School Leaders Dear Friends, Many of you may have already heard the news: I will be completing my ministry here at Mother Seton School at the close of this school year and moving on to a new mission. I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude for God s loving Providence over Mother Seton School during my time here since During these 8 years, I have experienced a vibrancy of faith and a commitment to mission among all in the MSS family which is second to none. I have seen the impossible happen through persevering prayer, sincere compassion, and a can do spirit among our faculty, parents, Board, benefactors, alumni, and volunteers. I have been blessed to work with a strong, well prepared faculty and staff who love their work, love the children they serve, and give generously of their time and many talents to provide the children with every opportunity to excel academically while they mature spiritually and socially true to the spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann. I am happy to announce that Sister Brenda Monahan, DC has happily accepted the mission to Mother Seton School and will begin her service here in July, I know you will continue your wonderful tradition of support for the mission of Mother Seton School. As always, let us commit this time of transition to our dear Lord that He will watch over Mother Seton School and guide it in his loving care. God love and bless you, Sister JoAnne BOARD OF DIRECTORS Peter Fitzpatrick, Esq. 83 Weaver & Fitzpatrick Chairman of Board W. Raymond Page Bill Page Toyota Vice Chair of Board Sr. Anne Higgins, D.C. Secretary of Board Sr. JoAnne Goecke, D.C. Principal Jennifer Blakeslee 83 Residential Director The Arc of Washington County Daniel Durski Chief, Est. & Spec. Sections U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Rev. Martin E. Feild Pastor, St. Joseph, Taneytown Michael Forrence Vox Com Solutions, Inc. James L. McCarron, Jr. Mayor, Taneytown, MD Frank L. Miller, Jr. Retired Executive Director Am. Red Cross of Central MD Dear Friends of Mother Seton School, Catholic education s rich history dates back to the days of the early church as chronicled in the Acts of the Apostles. The Church, and its religious orders of priests, monks, and sisters, have since established schools and universities around the world. The United States was still in its infancy when Catholic education came to our shores. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the first Catholic school in the United States, now known as Mother Seton School, in the first decade of the nineteenth century. She founded it in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the first Catholic archdiocese in the United States, and she later became the first natural-born United States citizen to be canonized a saint! Mother Seton School has been, and continues to this day, to be in the forefront of Catholic education, and is a paragon of the core principals of Catholic education: academic excellence in a faith-filled and Christ-centered atmosphere. Let us give thanks to God for His generous blessings on our school and students, and be filled with ambition and hope for the future of our school! During this Easter season, remember Mother Seton School in two of the three core elements of Lent by praying for our school, and offering of your treasure to help support our school financially. Please welcome our new principal, Sister Brenda Monahan! Yours in faith, Peter D. Fitzpatrick, Esq. Board Chairman Joseph Oliverio Executive Territory Area Manager Panasonic Computer Solutions Barbara Onofrey Retired, Mt. St. Mary s University Pamela Plummer, Esq. Betty Ora Grace Mesler Paul Rose, Jr., Esq. Miles & Stockbridge P.C. Ronald Schmidt, MS Retired, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School, Arch. of Baltimore Sr. Joanne Vasa, D.C. Provincial Council Representative Kate M. Marshall 69 Chair Emerita Liaison for Alumni Relations mothersetonschool.org page 2

3 Feast Day with Archbishop Lori January 4th has always been a special day for Mother Seton School since it s the feast day of our patron and foundress, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. This year we were especially blessed to participate in her feast day mass at the Basilica with Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore. Students participated in all aspects of the mass, and our MSS choir sang our beloved Hymn to Mother Seton. Archbishop Lori has a special devotion to our Mother Seton and spoke of how important she became to him during his days in the seminary at Mount St. Mary s. After mass, Archbishop Lori greeted the students and families. He is scheduled to celebrate St. Elizabeth Ann s birthday celebration and mass at the Basilica on August 31 at 1:30 p.m. VINCENTIAN SUPERIOR GENERAL VISITS MSS 6th grade student, Darren Byrne, presents the gifts to Archbishop William E. Lori during the feast day mass for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at the Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Journey to Easter Joy Christ-Centered Community Fr. Gregory Gay, III, C.M. recently visited MSS. Fr. Gay is the Superior General of the Congregation of the Missions, the Daughters of Charity, and the Vincentian Family for the entire world. He commented on how welcomed the students made him feel as he was taking his tour of MSS. Second grade students prepared for Easter by creating Resurrection Gardens. (l to r) Cassidy Sill, Julia Wivell, and Liam Bussey Lent at Mother Seton School is a very special season of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, and the evidence is radiating throughout the school in every hall and classroom. Students took turns visiting the Sisters chapel, praying the Stations of the Cross, attending mass at the Basilica, and participating in the Catholic Relief Society Rice Bowl campaign. Students completed their Lenten journey with a prayer service on Holy Thursday. mothersetonschool.org page 3

4 INSPIRING STUDENTS Catholic Schools Week Joining Catholic schools across the nation, MSS celebrated Catholic Schools Week January 25 through January 31. The theme for this year was Catholic Schools: Communities of faith, knowledge, and service. Many alumni and friends continue to tell us that they are inspired by what they have experienced at Mother Seton School and how it has had a positive impact on their families. Faith, knowledge, and service is alive and strong at MSS! Students from Pre-K to grade 8 participated in an opening prayer service for Catholic Schools Week highlighting the many aspects of service, knowledge, and faith present at MSS today. A Fun-Filled Week We prayed together and celebrated Eucharist; teachers were treated to a special lunch made by our MSS parents; students served other students, played with our band at the FSK Mall, and enjoyed prayer partner activities; parents enjoyed a doughnut breakfast; and the entire school community honored our pastors, scholarship donors, and our scholars. It was a busy, but fun, week! HONORING OUR PASTORS Our students invited their Pastors to Pastor Appreciation Day during Catholic Schools Week. It was wonderful to honor them. St. Joseph, Emmitsburg Elias Lutheran, Emmitsburg St. Anthony, Emmitsburg Liberty Worship, Fairfield St. Joseph, Taneytown O.L. Mount Carmel, Thurmont Thurmont United Methodist Mt. Joy- St. Paul Lutheran, Harney St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor, Buckeystown Linganore United Methodist More photos available Bridget Collins (gr. 5) shares a blanket with her prayer partner, Molly Sill (gr. K), during the best event of Catholic Schools Week- Prayer Partner Bingo. This tradition has been going on for many years and is a favorite memory of our alumni. mothersetonschool.org Mother Seton School, Emmitsburg, MD page 4

5 Technology Enhances Learning MARYLAND GEOGRAPHY BEE Congratulations to Edison Hatter, grade 8, who finished 18th out of 101 students in the MD State Geography Bee. COUNTY SPELLING BEE CHAMPION Congratulations to Stephen Hochschild, grade 8, who recently won the Frederick County Spelling Bee and will be competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in May. Kindergartner Zoe Duffy takes a quiet moment to practice word work during Daily 5 Language Arts time. Thanks to the Daughters of Charity Mission and Ministry grant, Penny Power proceeds, and donations from generous benefactors, MSS continues to improve and grow our Technology Program at every level of instruction. Students in classrooms and through the Mother Seton Learning Center strengthen their skills utilizing mobile laptop computers, ipods, Kurzweil educational readers, and document cameras. Newer technology, such as an All-in-One Touch Screen, is currently being tested for effectiveness for whole class and small group instruction. Installation of school-wide wireless and a centralized network has allowed us to lay a solid foundation for future and important technology growth and integration. Language Arts Shine at Young Authors Night ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Third graders, Jameson Doll, Brendan Guinan, Beckett Tayler, and Joseph Torborg (back), presented My Portfolio booklets with their class. Students from all grades presented journals, poetry, persuasive essays, writing examples, fiction stories, and descriptive essays at the annual Young Authors Night on April 8. mothersetonschool.org page 5

6 CHERISHING THE PAST is Mother Seton? And we ask that question quite literally. During Catholic Schools Week, we launched a fun project asking families, friends, and alumni to Where in the World... take photos of themselves with our Mother Seton to help demonstrate how far and wide the legacy of Mother Seton has traveled. Mother Seton in San Michele di Serina, Italy with Mrs. Myers family Participants then had the opportunity to post the image in multiple social media outlets. Mother Seton has been spotted in numerous states in the U.S., including several trips to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney World, as well as Italy, Ireland, England, and Mexico. To see more photos of where Mother Seton has been, visit: LET S SHOW HOW THE SETON LEGACY IS SPREAD FAR & WIDE We would love for you to join the fun and submit a photo of you with Mother Seton. MSS 02 alums, Patrick Monacelli and fiancee Ashton Rippeon in the Bahamas You can find the image on our Seton Spirit blog (mothersetonschool.org. wordpress.com)or we can mail you one. Young alumni with Mother Seton at St. John s Catholic Prep, Frederick, MD (front) Christopher Gillis 12, Anna Eyler 13, Samantha Nigida 12, Jason Kean 11 (back) Mary Margaret O Neill 12, Alex Dumm 13, Nicholas Oliverio 10, Rodrigo Luzuriaga 10, Dennis Breen 10 Take your selfie and post it at one of the following: advancement@ mothersetonschool.org Facebook: MSSEmmitsburg Twitter: #WheresMotherSeton Instagram: #WheresMotherSeton mothersetonschool.org page 6

7 On March 18, we had the honor to recognize Tony and Tina Testa, owners of Rocky s Pizza, and Dr. Thomas Powell, President of Mount St. Mary s University, with the Seton Values Award. This award is presented to a local business and a professional partner for their exemplary contributions to the educational mission of Mother Seton School. WHAT IS YOUR LEGACY? Are you looking for a meaningful way to make a lasting difference in the lives of many? Seton Values Award Dr. Thomas Powell from Mount St. Mary s University, Emmitsburg, is the 24th President of the second oldest Catholic university in the country, established in 1808, only one year before Elizabeth Ann Seton came to Emmitsburg. As stated by MSS Principal, Sister JoAnne Goecke, Dr. Powell is to be commended for the phenomenal attention he has given to firmly establishing the Catholic character of the Mount, and extending its reach into Catholic elementary education. Sister JoAnne Goecke, Principal, presents Dr. Thomas Powell, President of Mount St. Mary s University, with the Seton Values Award, and flowers to Mrs. Irene Powell. BUILDING THE FUTURE Consider becoming a member of the Mother Seton School Legacy Society. Members remember MSS in their will and can designate how they would like their gift to make an impact (tuition assistance, capital improvements, Living Endowment) Members will be permanently honored for their leadership in their belief in the importance of Catholic education. Contact Jennifer Buchheister in the MSS Advancement Office for more information Sister JoAnne Goecke and Debbie Frazier, MSS Cafeteria Manager, present Tony and Tina Testa, owners of Rocky s Pizza, with the Seton Values Award. Tony and Tina Testa, owners of Rocky s Pizza, have been part of the MSS family since Not only did both of their children graduate from MSS, but they have provided pizzas for our students and meals for various events for 23 years. Your generous discounts are given without question and make it possible for us to treat our children, parents, and volunteers to a special lunch or supper. Just a simple act of generosity, neighbor to neighbor, because you care about our mission, stated our Cafeteria Manager, Debbie Frazier, during the recognition ceremony. mothersetonschool.org page 7

8 100 Creamery Rd. Emmitsburg, MD Fax: THE MISSION of Mother Seton Catholic School, a vibrant, Christ-centered community, is to inspire students to strive for ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE and dedicate their lives to LOVE & SERVE CHRIST in the tradition of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Vincent de Paul. When I visited Mother Seton School, I found a warmth and welcome that was genuine and truly reflective of the Vincentian charism of hospitality. From the secretary and nurse in the office, to the many students in the halls who said hello, to the faculty and staff I had the privilege to spend time with, I was honored to be welcomed into the Mother Seton School community. I could tell that this is an environment for excellence, with a tremendously talented faculty and staff, and a student body eager to follow in the Vincentian footsteps of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. As Mother Seton told her first students and teachers, Every good action is a grain of seed for eternal life. Fr. Greg Gay, C.M. May the Lord bless all at Mother Seton School, so that this community can prepare its students for life in the world now and the world to come in God s Reign. Sponsored by the Daughters of Charity Fr. Greg Gay, C.M. Superior General for the Congregation of the Missions