MOOSE JAW — Holy Trinity Catholic School Division honoured its community partners during a luncheon on Dec. 17, with a children’s choir from St. Agnes School serenading people with several Christmas songs.
Nearly 90 guests and dignitaries from Moose Jaw, Shaunavon and Swift Current attended the event at Church of Our Lady Parish, where they heard about the division’s scores in reading, writing and math, the board’s strategic plan, the organization’s faith-based activities and highlights from all schools during the past year.
Emily Heisler, a teacher at St. Agnes and the school’s choir director, said it took plenty of practice for the luncheon performance, although the group was lucky because it was also preparing for a Christmas mass at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. So, the students sang some of their mass songs during the luncheon.
Holy Trinity has had a school choir sing before the start of its Christmas luncheons during the past few years, but this was the first time St. Agnes had performed, which was a thrilling moment for the students.
“They were all excited. They got to come and perform for some of their old teachers as well,” Heisler said.
The choir director noted that she was in her school choir as a student, so it has been exciting for her to see the students’ reactions when they perform in public. While it can be nerve-wracking, they have been practising — “Joy to the World” is their favourite tune — and have set their minds on succeeding.
Heisler added that after the choir’s Christmas mass performance, students will focus on singing during weekly masses at St. Joe’s.
Ward Strueby, director of education, said after the luncheon that the event went well, while it was great to thank the organizations that support Holy Trinity and its students during the year. The goal is to build up the event so more partners attend.
“It was a wonderful turnout. We’re up from last year (as) we had about 70 come out (in 2023),” he continued. “So, hopefully, next year we crack that 100-mark because there are a lot of good people supporting us.”
Strueby celebrated the fact that representatives from Catholic churches in Shaunavon and Swift Current also attended, including members of the Catholic Women’s League, the Knights of Columbus and parish secretaries. He hoped that more reps from those communities would attend next year to build those partnerships.
Meanwhile, the education director noted that the division started the luncheon tradition three years ago, which involved having every principal or vice-principal attend and speak about the top things happening in their schools.
“And we asked for some feedback after it’s done, and that’s what the community partners said they liked, (that) they like to hear from each of the schools,” Strueby said.
With a smile, he added, “For me, too, it’s great because then I don’t fill that time, and it’s nice for them to share what they’re doing. And a lot of the feedback the schools gave (was) based upon what’s happening in our buildings, which is awesome.”
