St. Mary’s School kicked off their Centennial School Year with a summer weekend of activities for parishioners, parents, alumni and friends of the local Catholic School.
 

The Saturday night banquet hosted by the Knights of Columbus was attended by several class reunions, families, St. Mary’s staff, parishioners, parents and friends of St. Mary’s. Nearly 200 attended.
 
            Approximately 200 parishioners, alumni, priests and friends of St. Mary’s attended the July 16 Saturday night meal at the Knights of Columbus Hall – including several class reunions.
 

Coach Berg had a huge turnout for the alumni scrimmage game Saturday. Players included former assistant coaches and players. Front: Jay Miller and T.J. Miller. Second row: Michael Ivey, Doug Dimig, Adam Woodle, Jesse Smith, Matthew Smith, Scott Dirkx, Matt Biede, Brett Kenyon, Tim Young, Dean Feltner, Joe Fitzgerald and Eric Drey. Third row: Ben McCollum, Joe McCollum, Scott Brown, Kirk Fitzgerald, Jon Foell, Jim Cullen, Matt Lange, Tony Statz, Sam Ortmann, Fr. Pat Behm, Bill Laven, John Murray, Alec Kestel, Rich Dirkx, Charlie Benz and Justin Cullen.
 
                Families enjoyed an alumni scrimmage baseball game at Memorial Field, organized by Panther baseball coach Ryan Berg. Former players took the field and others coached in the dugouts with alumni from 1967 to 2010 participating as well as former assistant coaches.
 
Ten priests concelebrated the packed Centennial Kickoff mass Saturday night to the delight of all in attendance.  Pictured are Fr. Dale Launderville, Msgr. Roger Augustine, Fr. Jim Smith, Fr. Jim McAlpin, Fr. Clair Boes, Fr. Bruce Lawler, Fr. Pat Behm, Fr. Will Vit and Fr. Gene Murray.
 
                Priests who served St. Mary’s School and parish concelebrated a packed mass Saturday evening with Fr. Gene Murray SMHS ’57 gave the homily. Other “native son” priests Fr. Dale Launderville ’69 and Pat Behm ’00 spoke about their St. Mary’s experiences at the mass. The alumni choir led by Mary Beth Andrews ’73, surprised the crowd by singing the St. Mary’s school song at the end of mass.
 
                Visitors, parishioners and friends toured the school Saturday and Sunday to see videos, view classrooms and historical displays. Many were surprised that they could see their attendance records from grade school during the open houses.
 
The Class 1A 1993 State Baseball Championship Team was recognized at a social at King’s Pointe. Front: Kyle Fulcher, Dean Feltner, Tim Young, Barry Copp, Bret Fulcher and Chad Copp. Back: Head Coach Brian Van Haaften, Mike Liske and Doug Wordekemper.
 
                Despite a driving rain, the 1993 Class 1A State Championship baseball team and head coach were honored Friday night at a social at King’s Pointe.
                St. Mary’s also hosted a Storm Lake United Coffee in the school, complete with birthday cake to celebrate the 100th year of Catholic education.
                Crucifixes for St. Mary’s school classrooms were donated by the Class of 1972 in memory of their deceased classmates – Steve Beauchemin, Colette Kestel King, Mike Diercks and Dianne Demers Leonard. The crucifixes were blessed by Fr. Bruce Lawler at the mass.
                The SOS Thrift Store presented a check for $50,000 to the school at the mass.