Sacred Heart kicks off Catholic Schools week

An open house at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Waseca began a week-long observance of  Catholic Schools Week on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. For Sunday morning church, God sent plenty of sunshine through the stained-glass windows, giving the parishioners plenty of light to see and sing by. Music was provided by the Sacred Heart school’s Cherub Choir, which includes children from grades 1 to 4.

 

At the end of the 10 a.m. mass, Father Frerichs, before releasing everyone for the week, asked them to remain seated. Mary Williams and Tammy Seys approached the podium, Williams stated, “It may be cold outside, but when you walk through the doors of our church you can feel the warmth.” Williams, who is a member of the Sacred Heart Education Endowment Board added, “We’ve raised 2 million dollars since 1995 for education, our fund grows through earning, leaving the principle alone.”

 

Seyes, who has been the Sacred Heart School principal since November of 2025 said, “It’s been my great honor to serve you in this way. Please, for those of you with children, or if you know children who would be a good fit here, join us at the school across the street for coffee until noon for hot chocolate and donuts. Take a tour of our school, grab a bite to eat and ask any questions you need.”

 

Williams, on behalf of the Education Endowment Board then presented Father Frerichs with an oversized check in the amount of $135,000, made out to the Sacred Heart Parish. The parishioners then gave a round of applause. Father Frerichs reminded everyone there was a bake sale going on in the back of church and to check it out on their way to the door.

 

Inside the school there were children running hither and thither, along with parents moving from classroom to classroom. Kelsey Schiefelbein, fifth grade teacher said, “Today has been busy, I haven’t kept track of the numbers of people coming through my classroom but there’s been a lot. They’ve been asking questions about my class. Next year we’ll be adding a sixth-grade class to our roster.” There was background music playing iIn many of the classrooms; in some were screen-saver-style videos playing to relax the mood with teachers in each class there to answer questions. 

 

Seys, who was standing at the front entrance of the school welcoming her son and his brand-new baby said as she gently picked up her grandchild, “I am very happy with today’s turnout, and a special thank you to Hy-Vee for donating the donuts.”

 

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week doesn’t end there for the students. Monday it will be, ‘wear clothes to celebrate Bluejay pride day’ and a start to the Penny Wars, which is a school fundraiser. Tuesday will be pajama day. Wednesday will be a special mid-week mass with each grade wearing a different color. Thursday is a ‘Celebrating Vocations’ day where the students dress for what job they want to do when they grow up. Friday will be an effort for the students to celebrate the Sacred Heart staff and a close to the Penny Wars, with all proceeds going to support  the school.