By Mallory Hertel
Special to The Message
Mater Dei High School in Evansville held its 75th anniversary celebration on Oct. 26. The evening began with optional tours for guests, some of whom hadn’t seen the inside of the school in more than 60 years. Once the tours commenced, guests were invited to say the Rosary followed by Mass celebrated by Father Christopher Droste, Mater Dei alumnus and current Mater Dei Priest Delegate, in addition to concelebrants and senior priests of the Diocese Father David Nunning, Father Ray Brenner and Father Lowell Will.
When the doors opened in the main gymnasium, guests were immediately greeted with a trip down memory lane as the gym was decorated with old letter jackets and sweaters, newspaper articles and school yearbooks displayed throughout. One guest described it as, “Classy, cozy and nostalgic.” The Bauerhaus catered and served the meal while music and photos from every decade the school has been opened played on a slide show.
To kick off the evening’s scheduled program, members of the Mater Dei Friends & Alumni Association (MDFAA) Board presented the Distinguished Service Award to some of the founding members of the MDFAA which began in 1985. Current Board President Weston Tenbarge presented the awards, stating, “MDFAA was first organized in 1985 by a group of passionate alumni determined to keep Mater Dei upright and moving forward. They worked tirelessly volunteering their time, talent and treasure and were the true epitome of giving back. Today, the MDFAA has experienced some changes while staying true to its original purpose: ‘To provide support for and promote the general welfare of Mater Dei and its students and faculty.’”
Distinguished Service Award recipients were Paul Mayer, Al Weizapfel, Mike Goebel, George Helfrich, Andy Goebel, Mary Lue Russler, Bob and Linda Rheinlander.
After the awards were presented, Deacon Dan Niemeier, President of Mater Dei High School, took the stage. He began his address by recognizing two of the graduates from the first graduating class (1950) in the audience, Barbara Dassel and Marlene Weaver. Deacon Dan recounted the humble beginnings of Mater Dei and the community that has celebrated it since its inception. As he continued, he acknowledged that Mater Dei not only continues to thrive now, but plans to continue to do so well into the future and announced the kickoff of the Growing in Grace Campaign. With initiatives focused on educating the whole student, there are plans to enhance spiritual growth, academic excellence, student life and necessary building maintenance.
While working with a consultant in the beginning stages of the campaign, they advised a “working goal” of $6 million. Deacon Dan went on to state that through initial conversations with community members, Mater Dei has secured pledges of $7.4 million leading us to update the goal to $9 million. However, the excitement for the audience did not end there.
Deacon Dan continued and said, “Based on an incredible generosity, love of Mater Dei and desire for us to excel, we have a donor who has stepped forward to match future gifts to the campaign. This match will provide an additional $2 million, if we reach $9 million. And if that’s not incredible enough, the donor will provide an additional $2 million match if we reach $10 million.”
Mater Dei officials will continue having one-on-one conversations with donors in the coming months and more information will be shared with the community in the future.
In closing, Deacon Dan welcomed the Growing in Grace Honorary Co-Chair, Ira Boots, to take the stage. Ira shared a beautiful acknowledgment of what makes Mater Dei different, the Blessed Mother, and patroness of the school. He noted how lucky those in the Mater Dei community are to have her as the patroness and namesake of the school and a mother who loves all of us as much as she loved her son, Jesus.
To end the wonderful event, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel said a prayer and closed the evening with a blessing. It was the perfect close to a joyous celebration of Mater Dei’s past, present and future.