CATHOLIC EDUCATION PROMOTED

Bishop John J. Leibrecht of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese can discuss Catholic education from experience.

"I've been in the classroom," said Leibrecht. "I spent 20 years in education, as a teacher and later superintendent of schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. I've seen the dividends that Catholic education can pay."

Leibrecht was in Cape Girardeau Sunday, where he attended a two-hour "Discover Notre Dame" session held at the school Sunday night. The informational evening was held for prospective students (grades 6-8) and parents.

The subject of Proposition B, a $385 million educational tax package that will appear on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot, did not arise during the meeting. The issue of school choice, which would have an impact on all Catholic schools, is a subject of educational discussion in Missouri and around the nation.

Leibrecht said after the meeting that the Missouri Catholic Conference has taken no position on Missouri's Proposition B.

"The Conference is asking voters to inform themselves about the issue," said Leibrecht. "There are some good things about the issue, and there are some problems areas with it."

Sunday's annual informational meeting at Notre Dame, sponsored by the school's marketing committee, is designed to acquaint parents and students with the school's educational mission, including academics, student activities and parent involvement.

Leibrecht told the gathering of about 300 people that students should be prepared for two things to happen at Notre Dame High School.

"Students should be ready to work hard," he said. "But students should also be ready to have a good time. It's not all hard work. Students will meet new people."

Leibrecht pointed to the performance of the Notre Dame choir, which opened the meeting with a musical presentation.

"These students worked hard for this presentation," he said. "But they had fun doing it. The hard work and fun make it all worthwhile.

"Students and parents here tonight have to make some important decisions," he added. "They have to learn about Notre Dame to help make the best decisions for the students."

Sister Mary Ann Fischer, Notre Dame principal, added that in being a private school, Notre Dame offers religious education along with academic training.

"Being a private school, we can offer a religious dimension," she said. "We are free to teach topics like the scriptures, sacraments, morality, Christian lifestyles and prayer."

Father Lewis Hejna, a member of the staff, explained to the group that priests from various parishes in the area were invited to visit the school.

"Priests play an important role in the school," he said. "And, the school is open for area priests. We want them to feel comfortable visiting our school, and we want students to become comfortable around priests."

Following addresses by Leibrecht, Fischer and Hejna, small group presentations were held, with discussions on academics, extracurricular activities and other topics, including finances.

"Tuition assistance can be negotiated," said Fischer. "Parents can be assisted in the costs in a variety of ways by the parishes, fund raising efforts of faculty, parents and students, and through investments of the Notre Dame Education Fund Foundation."