MONONA — Nearly 150 alumni, students, and prospective students of Madison’s St. Ambrose Academy gathered on May 12 on the campus of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Monona for Mass, games, activities, and refreshments, marking the Academy’s third All-Class Reunion, and celebrating Catholic education’s important part in the lives of families.
The day began with Mass offered by Fr. Bart Timmerman, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Eight altar servers assisted at Mass, including St. Ambrose class of 2009 alumnus and diocesan seminarian Andy Teeter, as well as a current student and prospective students from the parish.
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| Madison St. Ambrose Academy students, prospective students, and their families take a break from activities during the third annual All-Class Reunion. Nearly 150 alumni, students, and prospective students participated in the celebration held at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Monona. (Contributed photo) |
MONONA — Nearly 150 alumni, students, and prospective students of Madison’s St. Ambrose Academy gathered on May 12 on the campus of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Monona for Mass, games, activities, and refreshments, marking the Academy’s third All-Class Reunion, and celebrating Catholic education’s important part in the lives of families.
The day began with Mass offered by Fr. Bart Timmerman, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Eight altar servers assisted at Mass, including St. Ambrose class of 2009 alumnus and diocesan seminarian Andy Teeter, as well as a current student and prospective students from the parish.
Living in a complex world
In his homily, Father Timmerman reflected on the critical role that Catholic schools play in the evangelizing mission of the Church.
Recalling his own Catholic education, Father Timmerman noted that, “By equipping our young people with a sound education rooted in the Gospel message, in the person of Jesus Christ, and the rich and cherished traditions and liturgical practices of our faith, we insure that our youth have the foundation to live morally and uprightly in our complex modern world.
“This unique Catholic identity makes our classrooms schools of the human person and allows our students to fill a critical role in the future of our Catholic parishes, our Church, our country, and yes, even our world.”
Culture of Death
Father Timmerman called to mind Blessed Pope John Paul II’s characterization of our current world situation as a “Culture of Death” and referenced Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki’s observation of a type of “intellectual martyrdom” being experienced by the Church in America today.
“Catholic schools help to equip young Catholics with the ideas, knowledge, and truths necessary to confront those who persecute us in the world,” Father Timmerman said.
“Catholic schools provide the formation necessary for us to overcome the Culture of Death and to live, not for this passing world, but to live for Christ and his eternal kingdom of joy. St. Ambrose and all Catholic schools are signs of hope and new life in our Culture of Death world.”
Both Immaculate Heart of Mary School and St. Ambrose Academy have seen growing enrollments.
After Mass families gathered on the school play fields for games, activities, and a scavenger hunt.
Each student received a commemorative T-shirt. The day concluded with a picnic lunch.