Why I Like St. Joe's:
[by the First Grade class]
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Copyright © 2008
Saint Joseph School of Downers Grove
Sister Dorothy Randall, C.S.J.
Current School President, Sr. Dorothy Randall, recently celebrated her birthday with the student's at St. Joseph. They all sang in unison and the sound could be heard throughout the entire school! With that, memories flooded back from her days as a student here at St. Joseph School. The write-up below was created because of those special memories.
Melodious Sound echoed throughout the halls of the school. A sound to be cherished for sure. Smaller voices added an angelic touch. As Sr. Dorothy Randall stood listening to the melodious birthday song from her St. Joseph family, she couldn't help but recall her life at St. Joseph School.
St. Joseph Parish is a part of her. It was here that she found her sacraments. It was here that she was educated; where she learned the importance of service. It was here where she felt her calling to serve God. As she absorbed this gift of song that enveloped her, she recalled her many years spent at St. Joseph School.
Sr. Dorothy walked to school each day, as she does still, being raised in the home she still occupies. Each morning she arose without eating or drinking even water, as students fasted before their daily 8:15 mass. She recalled returning home for breakfast before school began, and again at lunch. St. Joseph School was taught by the Sisters of Providence from St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Each grade level had one room, where they stayed throughout their day. Everyone taught, including the Principal. The office she now uses as Principal did not exist, as the Principal at that time had no office. Students had no science class, no "specials" or switching of classes. There were no group projects, all work was done individually. Parents had no involvement in the school, nor did they have parent-teacher conferences.
As she helps provide today, Sr. Dorothy remembers the excellent religious education she received at St. Joseph School, which included the daily mass, Bible stories, a catechism book, and "aspirations" (short prayers) said every half hour and hour. As in the school today, service played a major role in shaping Sr. Dorothy's life. The Sisters of Providence were a semi-cloistered group, meaning they could not shop nor could they bring attention to themselves, so they did not play music in public. Sr. Dorothy would serve the Sisters of Providence by doing their grocery shopping as well as playing the organ in church.
Sr. Dorothy recalled her mother's motivation to get her to clean house, "If I cleaned my room and did my household chores, I was able to help the nuns on Saturday afternoon." In addition to shopping and playing the organ, young Dorothy enjoyed cleaning the church and helping in the Sacristy each Saturday. On a daily basis, school children were expected to clean the classroom floor before leaving school.
Each May, Sr. Dorothy witnesses her students accepting their sacraments. Memories flood back as she sees the beautiful processions into church and up to the altar. She, too, walked those same processions at St. Joseph. The church setting was different, but the location is the same. "My mother made my First Communion dress, and I wore a veil, as well. Processions were many when I was a student, for First Communion, Confirmation, and Holy Thursday, to name a few." A strong memory for Sr. Dorothy was a box placed over the drinking fountains on her First Holy Communion day, as students were fasting before receiving their First Communion.
As her birthday serenade continued, Sr. Dorothy found herself grateful. Grateful to the CCW, who paid for her first year's tuition at Nazareth Academy. Grateful for her dedicated teachers and staff that support her in providing a quality education to her students. Grateful for the many students God has provided. Grateful for the ongoing support from our parish family and school benefactors. As we realize the rising costs in maintaining a school in a parish setting, it is the parish and benefactor support received that allows St. Joseph School to pass on our Catholic faith. "The cost of education today is high," reflects Sr. Dorothy, "but the cost of not having a Catholic school for our faith and world would be higher." We believe and we know that Catholic Schools are the best way to pass on our faith.