Mass

  • Saturday
    5PM Mass
  • Sunday
    7:30 & 11:00 Am Masses
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
    8:00 AM Masses

Testimonials

Jon and Dana Butts Letter 5/31/2010

 

Why Catholic Education is Important to our Family

(by Amy Goodman)

The Catholic Education provided by St Patrick's in Mauston mirrors the values and lessons that we are trying to instill in our home. Our family is based on the foundation of God first, Family second and Career third. My husband and I live by the Great Commandment, the Law of Love and the Ten Commandments. The explanation of the Sacraments, power of prayer, importance of church and recounting the lives of Saints, support the basis of Catholic Education.

 

Firstly, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind"; "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" and "Love one another, just as I have loved you" are foundations every child should be raised upon. I feel the heart of the problems in today's society could be cured by everyone believing and acting upon these principals along with the Ten Commandments. Like everyone else, our busy lives don't always allow us to preach these commandments enough to our children so it's nice to know that the school's curriculum is based on these laws. It is also helpful for the students to hear this encouragement from someone besides their parents on a daily basis.

 

Secondly, having daily religious education is one of the largest benefits of going to a Catholic School. I believe the children that go to public schools and have religious education for one hour a week, cannot completely understand the importance and the reasons for being Catholic. Learning two of the important Sacraments, Eucharist and Reconciliation, at a Catholic School will only help the students to continue these Sacraments into adulthood.

 

Thirdly, the importance of prayer is modeled in the Catholic Schools. The children repeat the same prayers at the start of the day, before and after lunch and in closing of the day. They celebrate Advent, Lenten and other prayers as needed throughout the school year. The children are encouraged to write and recite their own prayer intentions. They also learn how to talk to God through gratitude and forgiveness.

 

Fourth, going to Mass that extra day per week really brings to life the importance of the Eucharist and going to Church. Plus they gain further knowledge and a close bond to their parish Priest. They also are given the opportunity to participate in the Mass, by being in the choir, reciting the readings, bringing the gifts forward and serving. Our family keeps the Lord's Day Holy by going to Church and taking the time to enjoy God's gifts of creation and family.

 

Lastly, learning the lives of the Saints, gives the students exceptional role models to resemble and believe in. The Saints' lives teach the children values, morals and the importance of service to school, church and community. The students participate in Catholic School Week, which is a fun time for the students, but it also encourages the students and families to participate in a service project together.

 

Consequently, I am thrilled that my children are going to St. Patrick's in Mauston, and I hope they continue to value their Catholic faith for the remainder of their lives.