Butte Central Catholic schools celebrate National Catholic Schools week

Butte Central Catholic Schools’ celebration of National Catholic Schools Week culminated in social activities for the students.

Teachers and students from Butte Central High School prepare to embark on a ride on a hay wagon pulled by horses.Butte Central High School students were bused to the Peterson Corral on Jan. 30, ate a chili lunch then rode on a hay wagon. Physical education instructor Matt Buckley, owner with his wife Vicki of Peterson Corrals, drove the wagon pulled by two draft horses.

The students “kicked back” on the bales of hay while waiting their turn, picked up line dancing from a faculty member or just listened to country music. An indoor basketball hoop provided some competitive games of shooting skill.

On Feb. 8, two full weeks of activities culminated with a sled-riding and ice-skating party at Clark Park for elementary and junior high students. Brisk cold and temperatures in the high 20s did not deter children of all ages from a full afternoon of activity. Hot chocolate, cookies and chili were provided. Most children attended with their parents and siblings to make it a family outing.

A parents’ social, hosted by a Butte Central Foundation donor, was held during the first week. Parents were treated to wine and cheese and a special DVD showing of “Sounds of the Season” featuring the Butte Central High School Choir and their holiday performance in the Cathedral of St. Helena. The program was broadcast Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day on KXLF-TV in Butte.

Students from Butte Central Elementary School prepare to slide down a hill in Clark Park. (Photos courtesy of Butte Central Catholic Schools)An all-school Mass was celebrated Thursday by Father John Robertson at St. Patrick’s Church. The liturgy was planned by the students and religious education instructors, Ron Gallardo and Peter Banks. All ages participated in the Mass, which parents and faculty attended.

Thursday evening marked the foundation’s annual endowments and awards ceremony.

For three consecutive Sundays, the students participated in liturgical celebrations at three of Butte’s Catholic churches, with two more to be scheduled. Students from all three schools played intricate parts in 11 a.m. liturgies at Holy Spirit, St. Patrick and St. Ann parishes.

The senior high choir provided the music, junior high students read and elementary students carried the gifts. The Butte Central Development Office provided doughnuts for churchgoers following the Masses.

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 20, No. 2, February 20, 2004.