St. Elizabeth School, Manhattan NY

Angel Donors Needed:

Help Preserve the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mural

The mural of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in our front hallway, a gift from Msgr. Furlong which was dedicated at the opening of the new building in 1950, has long been a part our school's history. It is probably one of the most recognizable icons of St. Elizabeth School. Because it is greatly in need of repair and because of its significance to the school, some time ago we embarked upon a campaign to raise money for its renovation. A very generous alumna gift and corporate match of $2000 was received.

Unfortunately, through recent meetings with restorers we have discovered that restoration would cost almost $50,000 because of the materials used in the original. The restorers did however suggest that we commission an artist to duplicate the mural on a more durable material, place this over the top of the existing mural, and cover it with protective glass. There is an artist they highly recommend for this project, which would cost $22,000, still significantly less than what the restoration would cost.

We are looking for "angel donors" who would be interested in underwriting this project or a portion of it. While we understand that this isn't one of those projects that directly impacts students in the classroom, we feel that the rich history it represents makes it important enough to take to our alumni and friends. Generations of students have been welcomed by St. Elizabeth's image as they enter the school everyday. In this depiction, she and her followers graciously tend to dozens of children all around them, in a scene reminiscent of the Holy Child Sisters, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, the Sisters of Mercy, and the dedicated lay men and women who continue their legacy by guiding our students everyday.

If you are in a position to assist us with this project, we ask you to prayerfully consider a gift so that this important symbol can continue to be a part of St. Elizabeth School for many years to come. You can go to our website at www.steliznyc.org/mural.asp (with pictures of the mural), email me at officedev@steliznyc.org or call 212-568-7291, ext. 13 to get more information. Thank you and God bless you for your consideration.

Ballroom Dancing and Piano

Ballroom dancing has come to St. E's! Students now have two new after-school enrichment options. This fall, over 30 kindergarten and first grade students will be taking piano lessons from a visiting teacher from The Piano School of NYC. Also starting in October, an instructor will come to the school to give ballroom dancing lessons to children from the fifth and sixth grades. The program was arranged by our Parochial Vicar Father Peter Pomposello. These programs are part of the school's goal to provide safe, enriching after-school activities. Be sure to watch the website for pictures!

Reunion Photos!

The Class of 1957 held their 50th anniversary reunion on Sunday, October 7. About 25 people attended, including Sr. Anna Daly, SHCJ (formerly Sr. Thomas More) and Sr. Joan Clark, SHCJ (formerly Mother St. Edward). The group presented the school with a class gift totaling $800 in honor of their special anniversary. For photos of the event, please go to http://www.steliznyc.org/class-re-photos.asp.

Memories of the Holy Child Sisters

We recently enjoyed the following story from Kathleen Pierce O'Toole '59: "I am a lector at Blessed Sacrament Church in New Rochelle, NY (Westchester County) and Sunday when I arrived at Church to speak at our 12:10 mass I was greeted by Sr. Healy. She reminisced with me about all the wonderful sisters that taught me at St Elizabeth's over my 8 years as a student, and the principals. She helped bring back so many joyous memories but I was also saddened to find out many had passed on. Thank God for the good sisters of SHCJ who were the backbone of my early education and hopefully shaped me to be the adult that I turned out to be."

Special Masses

St. Elizabeth students were recently part of a very special occasion. His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan celebrated a special Mass at St. Elizabeth Church on October 9, the North Manhattan Vicariate's celebration of the Archdiocese of New York's Bicentennial year in 2008. St. Elizabeth Church's new pastor Rev. Daniel S. Kearney, as well as representatives from each parish in the Vicariate, concelebrated the Mass, which was followed by a reception. The year began with an opening Mass on April 15, 2007 at St. Patrick's Cathedral and will end on April 8, 2008 with a closing Mass in Radio City Music Hall. In between, there are Bicentennial Masses in each of the 19 vicariates of the Archdiocese.

On Thursday, October 18 students will participate in a special anniversary Mass for Police Officer Michael J. Buczek, of the 34th Precinct, who was shot and killed during a drug raid in Washington Heights in 1988, at the age of 24. If you are in the area, please join us for this or any other upcoming Masses.

Large IRA Donation Received

This past month we received a $5,000 annual fund alumnus gift in the form of an IRA distribution. It will go a long way in helping the school meet operating costs this school year. You may also wish to take advantage of this law that allows donors age 70 1/2 and older to withdraw up to $100,000 each year from their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) tax free if they give the money directly to a 501c3 charity, like St. Elizabeth School. Please contact your financial institution or accountant for details.

May God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Jenny Kaeppner
Director of Development
St. Elizabeth School

Please forward this email to any alums not already on our mailing list. They can sign up by emailing us. Periodic emails will be sent to notify alumni of school events and alumni services. If you wish not to receive such notices from the school, please email the development office at officedev@steliznyc.