New Ulm Area Catholic Schools (NUACS) is celebrating Catholic Schools Week (CSW) Jan. 25 through Jan. 31. The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2015 is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” The theme encompasses several concepts that are at the heart of a Catholic education. First, schools are communities – small families in their own right, but also members of the larger community of home, church, city and nation. Faith, knowledge and service are three measures by which any Catholic school can and should be judged.

System-wide special events are planned to celebrate CSW. Students and staff will take part in an All- School Mass on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 P.M. at Cathedral parish. Seniors and their first grade partners will take part in a procession at the beginning of the Mass. St. Anthony Elementary students will enjoy a performance by the MSU Theatre, a “Claim to Fame” competition and theme dress-up days. Students in grades 5-8 will take part in a Spelling Bee and enjoy a trip to Mount Kato. Plans at CHS include a “Minute-To-Win-It” contest, a bombardment tournament and various theme days. The most unique onsite event happening at CHS is “Kiss the Piglet.” CHS teachers and principal, Rob Brandl, have been raising funds that will be shared with the New Ulm Food Shelf and the CHS Student Council. The three faculty members with the highest earnings will enjoy the pleasure of planting a kiss on the snout of a real live pig! Student Council members are collecting and tallying donations daily in this fierce competition.

The weeklong celebration concludes with our Snowfest fundraiser. Snowfest is a result of months of hard work and planning. Assistant Director of Development and Communications, Kelsey Sabatino, is leading the process. A group of dedicated volunteers has met monthly since April of 2014 to brainstorm new ideas and plan this celebration. Snowfest 2015 will have a new layout, an earlier opening time of 3 PM and a new look and feel. Along with the changes, favorite traditions such as a Sheephead tournament and Bingo will begin soon after the doors open. There will be a bonfire, hot drinks, a beanbag tournament, and a wine pull. Guests will enjoy tasty dinner selections, including German potato salad made by a group of local experts. A HUGE silent auction with one-of-a-kind pieces and a new “easy access” layout will await Snowfest guests. Three theme stores including a “Chocolate Shoppe,” a “Garden Party,” and the much anticipated, “Man Cave” promise to provide cash and carry treasures for guests.

The Live Auction will begin at 8 P.M. and has many great new packages this year as well, such as a “Tour New Ulm package,” a “Quilter’s Retreat” package, and in addition, memorabilia from our sports teams that won titles this past year. Musical guests include the popular “Jeff Braegelmann,” and new to the event, “Van Gogh’s Ear.” The evening will conclude with the “World’s Worst Band” entertaining guests until midnight. Snowfest and our school system are successful due to numerous factors: a staff that provides loyal service, hard-working students, dedicated parents, tireless volunteers, and our generous supporters who value Catholic education. All are invited to join in the Snowfest celebration, which takes place in the St. Anthony and HT school buildings at 514 N. Washington St. More information can be found at www.nuacs.com or by calling 507-233-0767.