MONONA — During […]
Tag: Monona
Immaculate Heart of Mary hosts Hispanic Heritage Day on May 3
MONONA — Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School, 5913 Schofield St., is hosting the second annual Hispanic Festival on Saturday, May 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. The festival celebrates the heritage of the Hispanic community at IHM and in the Diocese of Madison.
Children at IHM School have participated in a Hispanic dance group all year. They will be performing the traditional dances they have learned and be dressed in authentic costumes. Entertainment will also be provided by other Hispanic dance groups from the area. A dinner of homemade traditional foods, such as tamales and salsa, will be provided along with drinks.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development grants
MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced the distribution of three local grants from the diocesan portion of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection.
CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families, and communities.
Clash between Catholicism and National Socialism lecture
MONONA — St. Ambrose Academy will host a faculty lecture entitled “The Clash between Catholicism and National Socialism” by James Reuter, faculty history teacher, at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, 5101 Schofield St. on Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m in Marian Hall.
Immaculate Heart of Mary School nears record enrollment
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| Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Monona has increased its enrollment by 49 percent, primarily due to recruiting Hispanic and Asian students through its Catholic School Advantage Program. (Contributed photo) |
MONONA — Five years ago, a trend toward decreasing enrollment at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School in Monona had become an increasing concern.
To respond to this concern, a five-point strategy was implemented to retain and increase school enrollment.
Five-point plan
The five-point plan included:
- Prayer — putting faith in God to provide opportunities for increasing enrollment
- Public school partnership — becoming a 4K site for the Monona Grove School District
- Retention — commitment to improving student retention between elementary and middle school
- Outreach — implementing the Catholic School Advantage (CSA) Program for Hispanic immigrant families
- Enrollment management — hiring a development director to focus on building and retaining enrollment
Exciting new program
Since implementation of the plan, with God’s help, this five-point strategy is working.
One of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of this strategy is the Catholic School Advantage (CSA) program. This program is a ground-breaking student recruitment effort that reaches out to Hispanic-immigrant students from families who want to send their children to a Catholic school, but are unable to afford tuition.
Opportunity knocking: Catholic school answers the call by recruiting Hispanic students
Although there are still many strong Catholic schools across the United States, trends show a continuing decline in the number of Catholic schools and students attending those schools.
According to data from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), in the past 10 years, the number of Catholic schools across the country has decreased by 23.8 percent from 8,114 to 6,841. The enrollment in Catholic schools has dropped by 23.4 percent from 2,320,651 to 2,031, 455.
Most of the enrollment decline has been experienced at the elementary school level. It is estimated that there are almost 700,000 empty seats existing in Catholic schools.
Number of Hispanic Catholics growing
The number of Hispanic Catholics in the United States is growing by leaps and bounds. Hispanics now comprise 35 percent of all Catholics and 67 percent of practicing Catholics aged 18 to 34, according to a Notre Dame report, To Nurture the Soul of a Nation: Latino Families, Catholic Schools, and Educational Opportunities (December 2009).
According to the report, only about three percent of Hispanic students currently attend Catholic schools. Many families would like to send their children to Catholic schools, but they think they can’t afford to do so.
IHM run/walk May 18
What do you get when you mix Immaculate Heart of Mary School (IHM) in Monona; six mascots; four students performing the National Anthem; a logo designed by students; free ice cream; a guest emcee who is not only a local radio personality but an alumni of IHM School; great music; a bunch of door prizes; a bunch of medals; some trophies; food for sale; a giant inflatable finisher’s arch; a certified 5K course; a one mile course; and over 200 excited runners?
Monona parish celebrates 60 years
MONONA — Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish in Monona is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
Appointments (May 20, 2010 edition)
Rev. Msgr. James Bartylla, Vicar General, announces the following appointments made by Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, effective Saturday, July 10, 2010, and announced at weekend Masses Sunday, May 16: