Annunciation Alumni Newsletter
2024 First Edition
Annunciation Alumni Newsletter
Annunciation School Proudly Celebrates its Centennial
On September 10, 1923, Annunciation Catholic School opened its doors with an enrollment of 72 pupils in the newly constructed school building that would house the church, convent, and school. The dedicated sisters assigned to teach were Superior Sister Claudina McConnell, Sister Marie Damian Flannagan, Sister Malachy Kenne, and Sister Nathaniel Shekleton.
Building on the legacy of strong academics rooted in Catholic teachings, Annunciation has grown and flourished over the past 100 years. We express deep gratitude to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa for their exemplary leadership and to the alumni whose contributions have played a significant role in shaping our school.
As we commemorate a century of excellence and faith, we celebrate the rich history and the countless individuals who have contributed to the success of Annunciation Catholic School.
Here's to a century of learning, growing, and fostering a community rooted in faith and knowledge!
Class of 1974 Celebrates 50 Years!
We invite all graduates from the class of 1974 to join us and reconnect with your Annunciation classmates this Fall!
Class of 1999 25th Reunion!
Annunciation Recreates First Picnic
Save the Date - Wednesday, May 29 5-7 pm
One hundred years ago, a tradition was born to gather for an school picnic at the end of the year. We are reinstating this tradition to celebrate our Centennial, all alumni, current and legacy school families, community members and current and former faculty are all invited for the largest gathering of the year.
Meet Our Principal
My name is Kari Zobel and I have been the principal at Annunciation Catholic School for the past 4 years. Prior to this, I served as both an assistant principal and interim principal at St. Hubert Catholic School in Chanhassen. During this Centennial celebration year, I have heard from so many alumni who have shared their stories with me about the positive impact Annunciation had on their lives. I feel so blessed to be part of the Annunciation community. I can't wait to see all of you at our Centennial Celebration Picnic on May 29.
Grateful for our Generous Alumni
Patty Roach Sacred Music Scholarship
Robert Abdo '1959 and Roberta Abdo Scholarship
Thanks to the generosity of Robert Abdo, class of 1959 and his wife, Roberta, Annunciation is proud to announce a scholarship for students who have achieved at least sixth grade who have demonstrated an interest, enthusiasm and effort to and for studies, academic performance and participation in student activities.
Annunciation Centennial Fund
100 for 100
Alumni, will you join us in establishing the Centennial Fund to keep our building and enrollment healthy? This fund is focusing on immediate facility needs and student scholarships. We are asking alumni to donate $100 for 100 years. With your generous donation Annunciation will be here for future generations. We look forward to reconnecting with all our alumni at the Centennial Celebration Picnic on May 29 - see you there!
Dolan O'Brien Family Celebrates 3 Generations
Cathy Dolan class of 1971, Sean Dolan O'Brien, class of 2003 and Conor O'Brien class of 2030
Cathy Dolan
I have lots of great memories of playing on the playground- keep away with a tennis ball, kickball andin 4th grade boys and girls played together!!, warming up near the garage doors playing Squish Squash, Apple Sauce, four square, and imagining we were the people in TV shows: Girl from Uncle especially.(This was somewhat difficult for me since we were not allowed to watch TV on school nights so I never saw the show! I also remember how "cool" we thought we were doing the song "Age of Aquarius" for the Talent show.
Sean
Getting to play tackle football at recess during a snowstorm.
Conor
Playing games and eating candy at Septemberfest.
Cathy Dolan
That is a tough question as all were good. I'll say Mrs Hoffman in 4th grade.
Sean
Many, many great teachers. I will say Mrs. Strickland. I always looked forward to Creative Arts and she left a lasting, positive impression on me in ways ranging from public speaking to appreciating a wide diversity of forms and styles of art.
Conor
P.S.P.E
In your opinion what is the best thing about Annunciation?
Cathy Dolan
The community and the emphasis on learning about the teachings of the Gospel and God and learning how important it is to put love in practice every day to everyone. Growing spiritually is not a solo journey. We have individual responsibility to grow spiritually, but I believe it is best in the context of a caring loving community, especially one that is multigenerational.
Sean
The committed families who put so much effort into supporting and sustaining the school. This is an incredible community united around doing what’s best for our kids.
Conor
Getting out of uniform passes.
What do you hope your son or grandson will get out of Annunciation?
Cathy Dolan
I hope they always have a yearning to be close to God and to live out loving lives.
A bonus hope if they have lifelong friends like I do and our kids do.
Sean
Critical thinking skills, personal integrity, and lifelong friendships
Conor
Knowledge
Add anything you wish to share?
Cathy Dolan
I think the size of Annunciation is also a blessing, and how well you get to know kids you go to school with for 8-9 years. I have been grateful for also knowing the other families as we went through the school with our kids. It is so good to have other adults model many of the things we want them to know and believe.
Sean
Thank you to everyone – teachers, parents, parishioners, and others – who continue to invest in this community and the vast, lasting benefits provided to families like ours.
Conor
I hope Annunciation will get a football team someday.
2024 Calendar of Events
- February 14 Ash Wednesday 5:30 soup supper; 8:15 am and 7:00 pm mass
- February 16 Stations of the Cross 2:00 pm school auditorium; 6:00 pm church
- February 23 Stations of the Cross 2:00 pm school auditorium; 6:00 pm church
- February 24 Mission Possible Event benefitting Mission Haiti register here
- February 26 Annunciation Blood Drive 1:00- 6:00 pm register here
- March 1 Stations of the Cross 2:00 pm school auditorium; 6:00 pm church
- March 4 Loaves & Fishes 5:00 - 7:00 pm register here
- March 8 Stations of the Cross 2:00 pm school auditorium; 6:00 pm church
- March 15 Lenten Fish Fry 5:00 - 7:00 pm register here
- March 22 Stations of the Cross 2:00 pm school auditorium; 6:00 pm church
- March 28 Holiday Thursday 7:00 pm
- March 29 Good Friday 3:00 pm
- March 30 Holy Saturday 8:00 pm mass
- March 31 Easter 10:30 am mass
- April 13 Coffeehouse Poetry 7:00 - 9:00 pm; Church Community Room
- April 20 Annunciation School Auction, Centennial Soirée
- April 21 Patty Roach Sacred Music Concert 2:30
- May 6 Loaves & Fishes register here
- May 29 All School Centennial Picnic 5:00 -7:00 pm
Centennial Soirée
Celebrating our Centennial with a Fabulous Centennial Soirée Auction. The funds raised during our Live & Silent Auction will directly subsidize tuition for those students who need financial help. Thank you for providing students the opportunity to have a quality, affordable, faith-based education. See you on April 20!
Dancing with the Annunciation Stars!
Six beloved friends of our Annunciation community and their professional dance partners dazzled us last weekend at our 9th annual Dancing with the Annunciation Stars competition. Congratulations to our Annunciation Stars 2024 champion, Brock Safe and his dance partner, Nelly as well as to our brave parents and teacher competitors for all their hard work fundraising and competing. Thank you to the current event chairs and David Jungquist who spearheaded this fundraiser. We are grateful to everyone who attended and donated. Over $96,000 was raised for Annunciation School!
Annunciation Dominican Award
The Annunciation Dominican Award is presented to an Annunciation graduate who demonstrates gospel values in their life's work, be it at home, in the community or in the workplace. The award is named for the Domincan Sisters of Sinsinawa, the first teachers at Annunciation when it opened in 1923.
Past Recipients of the Award:
- Art Sauter, Class of 1951
- Sr. Marian Pahl, Class of 1945
- Mary Jo Holtby Copeland, Class of 1956
- Mary Parker LaFontaine, Class of 1949
- Donald Sovell, Class of 1942
- Helen Hanson Trepanier, Class of 1956
- Anita Bracchi Witta, Class of 1972
- Sr. Joyce Rowland, Class of 1936
- Paul Jaeger, Class of 1952
- Mary McFarland Ritten, Class of 1951
- Bishop John F. Kinney, Class of 1951
- John S. Adams, Class of 1952
- Michael Cunniff, Class of 1962
- Patricia Roach, Class of 1972
- Barbara Moore, Class of 1955
- Cathy Dolan, Class of 1971
- Deacon Sean Curtain, Honorary
- Gerald Carroll, Class of 1944
We are accepting nominations for the next recipients to receive this award.
Are they a humanitarian? Is he or she involved in community service?
Click on link below to submit your nomination.
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