Desiring to share Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity new ministries, Sister Elizabeth Benvie updates us on her music teaching in the Consortium of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Green Bay.
Thank you for your prayerful support as I embark on my new mission experience of teaching Music for the Consortium of Catholic Schools!
In the past weeks, I completed about two months with three schools. All is going well so far. It takes time to get to know the personnel and students because I am not at each school for any length of time each week. The principals and teachers have been supportive and welcoming. The students seem eager to learn Music, especially at Chilton Area Catholic School (CACS). When I was setting up try-outs for the musical with grades 6-8 at CACS, the students were quick to raise their hands to ask if they could try out for solos! I was pleasantly surprised at the eagerness of these students and their desire to participate in this way. Usually students at the junior high level shy away from the spotlight.
My teaching schedule:
Mondays ** Kiel* Divine Savior a.m. (PreK-8=91) and Chilton ** CACS p.m. (PreK-8=91)
Tuesdays ** Clarks Mills* St. Mary/St. Michael (PreK-8=33) All day (I assist with their school Mass before teaching Music. Their parish musician plans/plays all of the Masses.) We have an 8:15 a.m. Mass each Tuesday with the exception of sometimes when the schedule changes.
Wednesdays ** Chilton**CACS All day (I plan, prepare the song leaders/choir and lead the music for their school Mass before teaching Music.) Weekly 8 a.m. Mass
Thursdays ** I have been giving Novice Sister Colleen Demro guitar lessons in the early afternoon. Two guitar lessons in the afternoon and early evening at the Conservatory. Pending is teaching two groups of guitar lessons (9-12 year olds 6:15-7:00 p.m. and Adults 7:15-8:15 p.m.) beginning the second week of January for seven weeks. Stanislava Varshavski and I are working on this. I am also taking action pictures for the Holy Family Conservatory website.
Sundays ** I will be playing and directing the grades 6-8 CACS choir for the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass on the third Sunday of each month. The Masses are at Good Shepherd church in Chilton.
The scheduled Christmas programs are: (1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at each school)
Chilton *CACS will have their Christmas program on Thursday, December 7
Clarks Mills**St. Mary/St. Michael Schools’ Christmas program will be Tuesday, December 12
Kiel ** Divine Savior Schools’ Christmas program will be Tuesday, December 19 only at 6:30 p.m.
As you realize from your teaching days, there is plenty of preparation for each of the three schools. I am blessed to have a Music room in each school and a place to securely store some of the materials. The other materials needed I carry with me. Two of the schools even have Smart boards, which is a real asset when teaching. Clarks Mills has a 2-3 octave set of handchimes! I have already been teaching the Clarks Mills 5-8 grade students to play the hand chimes and they just love it!
As you might imagine, it is a supreme joy to minister at these three schools in spite of the obvious challenges. Thank you for your prayerful support.
