Archbishop, clergy, parishioners count many blessings of St. Thomas Aquinas School
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You may remember the age-old joke that poses the question, "why do Catholic school students excel at math?" Answer: It's because they get so much practice counting their blessings.
Just after noon Wednesday, about 140 students, parents, clergy, and parishioners gathered to count the many blessings of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Webster City, at a Mass of Thanksgiving. The focus of their gratitude was a series of newly-completed renovations at St. Thomas Aquinas School, as it begins its 75th school year.
The Most Reverend Thomas Zincula, Archbishop of Dubuque, was the principal celebrant at Mass. He was joined by concelebrants Rev. Donald Czapla, pastor; Rev. Ralph Davis, and Rev. Peter Dery, both Parochial Vicars.
A short ceremony to officially dedicate the school's newest facilities and recognize the many who made it possible, was held following Mass. Keynote speaker, Heide Tesdahl, Development Director for the Webster City Area Pastorate, a group of nine parishes run by Fr. Czapla from Webster City, set the tone for the event, saying, "Today is about much more than renovated classrooms, new flooring, fresh paint or updated systems. Really it's about stewardship, gratitude and people."
She briefly recounted the school's history, with its founding in 1952. Then, it consisted of four classrooms, an assembly room, an 11-room convent, home to Franciscan nuns, who worked as teachers and administrators and a small chapel.
Next, she cited the 2020 completion of the parish's Faith in Our Future Campaign, which raised $2.3 million on a goal of $2 million. From that, and other donations, a series of improvements were made to the church and school. These included new and renewed HVAC systems, electrical and roofing work, new floors, paint, improved accessibility, an upgraded kitchen, restrooms, lighting, offices, classrooms and playground. A new, secure entrance off Water Street controls access to the building.
Tesdahl had many people to thank, beginning with RMH Architects of Ames; Peterson Construction of Webster City, who were general contractors; "too many donors to name," and volunteers, she said,
"(These were the) people who helped move, clean, organize, make phone calls and decisions, haul, paint and take on all the jobs that don't make it into a project budget."
Tesdahl mentioned a very special gift that was instrumental in funding the latest round of school improvements: that of Virginia and Francis Krieger, who left proceeds from the sale of their home to the school. Kriegers, who farmed north of Blairsburg, were generous benefactors of both St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Mary's parish in Williams. Tesdahl said, "their generosity is a beautiful reminder the impact of a gift can extend far beyond the moment it's given."
In concluding her remarks, Tesdahl left little doubt the mission extends far beyond new air-conditioning and computers. "The generations before us built this school, and entrusted it to us. We have the responsibility to care for it, but even more importantly, to continue passing on the faith that's been at the heart of St. Thomas Aquinas School from the beginning."
Then, she quoted Psalm 78:
"We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord."
The early benefactors of St. Thomas Aquinas School in the 1950s believed teaching religion was as important as teaching language, science and mathematics, she said.
That's still at the core of what the school does every day in 2026. And that, as the old saying goes, has made all the difference.