The 26th Annual Pope John Development Banquet was held on April 1 on Palm Sunday at Werner Hall in Petersburg.
Highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Roncalli Award. This prestigious award recognizes an individual or family that has made a significant contribution to the long term advancement of Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School. The 2012 recipient was Sister Patricia Hoffman, OSF.
Sister Pat is celebrating 40 years of teaching at Pope John this year. Comments from the presentation included “When one thinks of Pope John and setting the standard, Sister Pat comes to mind not only for the academic standard but for the example of living the Catholic Faith”.
Sister Pat said receiving the award was a ‘surprise.’
“I wouldn’t want to be in different place. Thank you,” she said.
Members of her family, former priests, teachers and students were on hand to recognize Sister Pat’s contribution to Pope John. She was presented with a scrap book of good wishes from former students. The book was put together by Connie Pelster.
Betty Getzfred, principal at the school, said the real blessing involving Sister Pat is that “no, she’s not retiring.” The line drew a round of applause.
Former students Jordan Engel (PJ’09) and Amy (Thiele) Weber (PJ’94) spoke, offering tributes to Sister Pat.
Engel said he and other students not only learned math skills, but also how to conduct themselves by being in Sister Pat’s classroom. “She taught us that hard work would be rewarded,” in her classroom, he said.
Noting how she never gave up on anyone in her classroom, she helped every student reach their full potential, Engel said.
In closing he spoke directly to her and said, “Thank you for a lifetime of dedication.”
Weber said Sister Pat was the inspiration for her to go into teaching at Meridian High School in southeast Nebraska. Saying how she’s become Sister Pat, Weber said she uses some of the same lessons learned from Sister Pat to mold her students into productive citizens.
Saying great teachers inspire their students, Weber personally thanked Sister Pat for “being such a major inspiration.”
In the audience were many of her students as well as parents of current students attending Pope John.
An Estate gift of $450,000 from Margaret Schrage was announced at the banquet. She was a long time supporter of the Endowment and was recognized in 2003 for her generosity.
Larry Shavlik served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Highlights of the night included social hour & silent auction beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a sit-down dinner for 275 people.
After dinner John & Cindi Temme ran a “lively” live auction of over 20 items – some bringing in as much as $5,000 a piece!
As part of the meeting, two Pope John teachers were recognized for achieving milestones in terms of years of teaching at the school. Sister Pat was recognized for reaching the 40-year plateau. Also recognized was Peggy Payne who reached the five-year milestone.
New names were added to the ‘Blue Legacy’. The Blue Legacy is a special category of giving for those who include the school in their will, estate plan or other forms of planned giving. It publicly recognizes and honors those who have remembered Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School through this very special way of gifting the school. With the additions, Blue Legacy members are Monsignor James Caion, Pearle Fritz*, Vince Thiele, Gary Schmidt, Kyle and Deb Warren, Delbert Salber*, Bill & Ginni Fangman, Brian & Kathy Dinslage, Herman Ridder*, Margaret Schrage*, Bernice Roth, John Reuss and Anonymous (2). * denotes deceased.
