Volume 2, Issue 4 Spring 2016A newsletter published for parents, alumni and friends of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

7500 Pearl Street, Bethesda MD 20814 • (301) 654-5376www.bethesda-lourdes.org • alumni@bethesda-lourdes.org

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

God bless,

Patricia McGann, PrincipalUpcoming Events 8th Annual Lions’ Roar Kate Truax 5K/1K & Family Picnic, April 23, 2016, 8 AM - Noon. All Lourdes alumni, families and friends are invited. Register today at http://bit.ly/lionsroar16!

May Procession and Muffins for Moms and Grandmothers, May 12, 2016, 8:45 AM.

8th Grade Graduation Mass, June 2, 2016, 7 PM.

Stay ConnectedFollow alumni events and news on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OLOLAlumni.Update your contact information at www.bethesda-lourdes.org/alumni/updates or email alumni@bethesda-lourdes.org.

Alumni NewsOur Lady of Lourdes Catholic School7500 Pearl StreetBethesda, MD 20814

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From the Principal’s DeskLast fall, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School celebrated its rich history and took a giant leap into the future. On September 11, we held an official blessing and dedication of the statue of the School Sister of Saint Francis in full habit. The graceful figure stands prominently by the front steps of our school and is a reminder of the outstanding service and education the dedicated Sisters gave to the children of Lourdes. In addition to the statue dedication ceremony, on September 29th a banner was hung above the entranceway to Lourdes, announcing that we had been named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

During their time at Lourdes, the Sisters left an indelible mark on their students, on the parishioners and on the community. They led through example, strengthened by the grace of God and the gentle hand of the Holy Spirit. The academic and spiritual traditions established by the Sisters are embedded in the very fabric of the Lourdes parish and school today and they are what helped to make our Blue Ribbon Award a reality. You can read more about the dedication ceremony and the Blue Ribbon Award inside this newsletter.

In the fall of 2016, we will celebrate two more important milestones in the history of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and School:

90 years since the establishment of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish; and

75 years since the first registration of students in the kindergarten through eighth grade at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.

These are special dates in the history of our Parish and School – they encourage us to appreciate where we come from, enjoy where we are, and look forward to a bright future.

As we begin our 91st year as a Parish and 75th year as a school, we can stand on the threshold of the future with thanksgiving. We are thankful for a parish community that is spiritually strong. We are thankful for a school community comprised of wonderful teachers, staff, students, and parents, that is thriving and determined to shine brighter still. And we are thankful for the contributions made

by our alumni who passed through our hallways, played on our playground, and sang in our choirs. As we go forward with the same faith and trust along with the same dedication that was evident in the past, we know we have only just begun the next chapter in the history of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and School.

Photo by Freed Photography

The School Sisters of Saint Francis Honored with Statue and Dedication Lourdes Named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School

Almost 75 years ago, on September 5, 1941, 236 students enrolled in the first registration of students in the kindergarten through eighth grade. The tuition was $25 per child. Sister Emma, the principal taught the 7th and 8th grades. Other Sisters were Sisters Caroline, Emmanuel Mary, Helen Regina, Elaine Francis, and Elizabeth Joseph. Sister Charles Louise was the housekeeper of the convent. By 1944, the enrollment had more than doubled, and the teaching staff of Sisters increased to meet the growing student body.

On the late-summer morning of September 11, 2015, parishioners, students, alumni, and friends of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and Church came together to honor the School Sisters of Saint Francis. Our celebration of their legacy began with Eucharistic liturgy in the parish church concelebrated by Bishop Dorsonville and Monsignor Filardi. Then after the Mass, Bishop Dorsonville blessed and dedicated the beautiful bronze figure, representing the Franciscan sisters, and a plaque listing the names of the 93 Sisters who taught at the school between 1941 and 1979. Following the dedication, Mr. John Ford, a 1956 Lourdes graduate, delivered a touching and heart-felt tribute to the Sisters.

We were blessed to have seven Sisters from the congregation make the trip from Glen Riddle, PA to join us for the day: Sisters Corda Marie Bergbauer, Anne McFadden, Constance Davis, and Christopher Marie Wagner all taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School. Sisters Mary Farrell and Colette Gerry represented the leadership team, and Sr. Helen Jacobson attended in her role as archivist.

Sister Corda Marie was missioned at Our Lady of Lourdes right after profession and during the day’s celebration

shared both her memories of her days in Bethesda and her thoughts on the celebration. “When I went to Our Lady of Lourdes in 1949 to teach in the primary grades, I was mentored by Sr. Alma Francis who became my friend thereafter. When I was transferred to Bradshaw two years later, I truly left part of my heart at Our Lady of Lourdes - my first mission. When I went back for this celebration, I saw that our faith continues to grow there these 66 years later with the dedicated pastor and the beloved principal as well as with the parents and students.”

Many thanks to our alumni who sent us letters, photos, memories, and personal stories about their time at Lourdes and with the Sisters of St. Francis. To view pictures from the dedication and reception, or read Mr. Ford’s remarks, “A Room Full of Memories,” or peruse the Commemorative Program, please visit our school website at bethesda-lourdes.org and select the Alumni tab in the top navigation bar.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School was recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School and given the award for “Exemplary High Performing Schools” by the U.S. Department of Education. Lourdes was the only school in Montgomery County Maryland to be recognized as such, and one of only eight schools in the state to be awarded the Blue Ribbon!

At the surprise assembly the morning of the award ceremony, our gym was decorated with blue balloons and streamers, and teachers and students donned blue hats, headbands, and leis. Thomas Burnford, the Archdiocese of Washington’s Secretary for Catholic education, congratulated the school community, as did Father James Meyers, former pastor, Father Diaz and Monsignor Beattie. To be eligible for the Blue Ribbon Award students have to score in the top 15 percent nationally in math and reading on standardized testing. In addition, the school must submit a description of an outstanding and innovative curricular program.

The National Blue Ribbon award is a tribute to the strong faith foundation and educational excellence cemented by the Sisters and the result of years of hard work by our team of teachers, students, and parents and families. It is also a testament to the inclusion program at Lourdes, a school that serves students from diverse ethnic, racial and economic backgrounds, and many students with learning differences. “We dreamt of a school with doors wide open, where every child would be welcomed, valued and treasured,” Principal McGann said. “They (The Blue Ribbon Committee) know that an inclusive Catholic school can also be a school that demonstrates the highest academic performance.”

The first annual Casino Night was held on Saturday, February 6 at Our Lady of Lourdes School. The gym was transformed into a Las Vegas casino with blackjack, craps, and poker tables, as well as two big roulette wheels. Two hundred members of the Lourdes community enjoyed an unforgettable evening where happy guests went home with some amazing prizes including an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas, a Tiffany necklace, and some very special cigars.

In addition to the Casino Night, Lourdes held our first text-based mobile bidding Silent Auction from March 2 to March 6. Some of the auction items included front row seats and a walk-on role for our drama production “The Wizard of Oz,” Principal for a Day, and a child’s Adirondack chair painted by our Kindergarteners. All proceeds from our Casino Night and Silent Auction go directly to our Annual Fund, which is used for structural improvements to the school building, professional development for our teachers, and tuition assistance for families. So far this year, we’ve raised over $60,000 for our Annual Fund. There’s still time to give – our Annual Fund continues until June 1, 2016. Donate online at http://bit.ly/ololshop. Thank you your continued support and generosity!

High School Acceptances 2016

Archbishop Carroll High SchoolThe Academy of the Holy CrossConnelly School of the Holy ChildDeMatha Catholic High School

Georgetown Preparatory SchoolGonzaga College High SchoolGood Counsel High SchoolThe Heights

Nuestra Senora Del RecuerdoSaint John’s College High SchoolStone Ridge School of the Sacred HeartVisitation Preparatory School

Casino Night Fundraiser & Silent Auction

Our students were offered over $500,000 in scholarships for the coming four years of high school. Congratulations and best of luck to the Lourdes Class of 2016!

Photo by Freed Photography

Photo by Freed Photography

Photo by Freed Photography

Photo by Freed Photography