Recent Messages

Principal's Message

Spring Happenings

By Timothy Dickel on 3/1/2010

Dear Parents and Students,

I hope this letter finds you doing well.  The inclement weather over the last few weeks has forced us to rearrange our schedule.  Please review this newsletter to be aware of the upcoming make-up school days.  

I recently met with the Catholic Education Foundation Board to discuss tuition assistance for our students.  Over $420,000 of tuition assistance was provided to students this school year at Mater Dei and Memorial.  CEF applications are available on the Mater Dei website.  If you have any questions about financial concerns, please contact Margaret Angermeier at cef@evdio.org or me.   

I was out of the office on February 1-2 for an AdvancED Quality Assurance Review team at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  This team was responsible for evaluating the school for their accreditation process.  Having the opportunity to ...
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Principal's Message

Catholic Schools Week

By Timothy Dickel on 1/29/2010

Dear Parents and Students,

This week our activities are focused around Catholic Schools Week.  When I look at the many accomplishments of our graduates, I am affirmed in my belief that Catholic education not only prepares our students to make a living, but to make a life.  We began the week as we should begin all things: in prayer.  Bishop Gettelfinger celebrated mass with the school community on Thursday.  In an effort to promote service among the students, we are raising money on Friday for the Haiti relief efforts by selling spirit day dress passes.  On Saturday, the Student Council is hosting the annual Souper Supper to raise money for Riley Children’s Hospital before the Mater Dei vs. Memorial boys’ basketball.  This is a wonderful way to come together with our sister school and support a worthy cause.  

Registration meetings have been held for incoming freshmen.  We are still accepting enrollmen ...
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Principal's Message

Best Wishes in 2010

By Timothy Dickel on 12/18/2009

Dear Parents and Students,

I hope this letter finds you enjoying your break.  Mater Dei High School has been blessed with a wonderful first semester of school, and I look forward to our return in January.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception was celebrated on December 8.  Fr. Chris Forler, Associate Pastor at Holy Redeemer presided at the mass.  All students attended Penance Services on December 10 to prepare for the Advent Season.  I would like to publicly thank our Religion department for the outstanding liturgies and services that are offered to the Mater Dei community.

The Madrigal Dinner was held on December 10 and11 at the Catholic Center.  The event featured the talents of the Mater Dei band and choir students.  Both nights were well-attended and helped raise funds for the music program. The Mater Dei choir was also recently featured on the WNIN television special “Sounds of the Season” with ...
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Principal's Message

Being Thankful

By Timothy Dickel on 11/30/2009

Dear Parents and Students,

The end of the first semester is only a few weeks away.  Please stress to your students that these last few weeks of the semester are extremely important for their final semester grade.  I hope everyone has a successful end of the first semester.  

Mater Dei’s Annual Open House for prospective students was held on November 5.  I was pleased with a higher turnout than in previous years.  I hope that you will help share the good news about the wonderful things that occur at Mater Dei on a daily basis.  Many efforts are being made to continually increase our tuition assistance program so that a Catholic education is available to all students.  

The Mater Dei play “Caught in the Act” was performed on November 13-15 in the Kempf Auditorium.  Congratulations to the cast, crew, and director Jennifer Potts on another fine production.  Thank you to everyon ...
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Principal's Message

Fall Happenings at Mater Dei

By Timothy Dickel on 10/29/2009


November 2009

Dear Parents and Students,

In last Sunday’s gospel, we heard about vocations and a call to service.  I attended mass at St. John’s, the campus parish at Creighton University while visiting my family this weekend.  During the homily, the pastor pointed out that when people think about vocations, the image that comes into their mind is of priests, brothers, and nuns.  However, we all have a vocation that God calls us to follow.  Parents have one of the most important vocations in our Catholic Church because they are most influential in their child’s development.  This vocation is an incredibly difficult one that requires much effort, patience, wisdom, compassion, and love.  Please know that my prayers are with you on a daily basis and ask that your prayers are with Mater Dei as we work together to form our students into Christian servant leaders that are open to their calling. & ...
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Principal's Message

School Year Progressing

By Timothy Dickel on 9/28/2009

Dear Parents and Students,

I enjoyed seeing and meeting many of you at Meet the Parents Night on September 9 when parents had the opportunity to meet with teachers and learn more about the school.  The faculty and staff enjoyed meeting with everyone and communicating ways to help our students succeed.  The end of the first quarter is October 13, so I encourage you to talk with your students about their academic performance and finish with the best grades possible.  

As I have mentioned before, we have made a few changes to our spirituality program to enhance the formation of our students.  Each class has now held their own class mass, and I have been pleased by their reverence during mass.  These masses were added to help build our faith community and promote camaraderie among the classes at Mater Dei.  The first freshman formation day was held on September 17, and the first sophomore formation day will be October 1.&a ...
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Principal's Message

We Are Called

By Timothy Dickel on 8/28/2009

Dear Parents and Students,

In 1949, Mater Dei opened its doors to provide a faith-filled education to families on the Westside of Evansville. Sixty years after our founding, we begin a new school year with 537 students, including 128 students in the class of 2013. A prayer service was held on the first day of school to welcome our students to the new school year. We have worked extremely hard to ensure a great experience at Mater Dei, and we hope all students have had a good beginning to the school year.

I would like to personally invite all parents to attend our Meet the Parents Night on Wednesday, September 9, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This evening is a great way to meet your children’s teachers and learn more about the school. Parent involvement in the educational process is critical to student success.

The school fundraiser will begin this month, and orders will be due by September 24th. Information will be distributed during homeroo ...
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Principal's Message

Beginning a New School Year

By Timothy Dickel on 7/16/2009

Dear Parents and Students,

I hope you are enjoying your summer and have had some time to relax.  The few weeks before school begins are always an exciting time.  This school year will be particularly memorable as we celebrate sixty years of Mater Dei High School.  Events have been planned throughout the school year to commemorate sixty years of excellence at Mater Dei.  Please carefully read this newsletter as it contains much important information to prepare for the beginning of school.

I am pleased to introduce two new teachers at Mater Dei High School.  Mrs. Sandy Lasher will be teaching part-time in the English department and replaces Ms. Kathleen Hollenbacher.  Mrs. Lasher was previously the principal at Christ the King and was also the English department chair at Memorial High School.  Mrs. Buffy Wannemuehler replaces Mrs. Shelly Aull and will be teaching Chemistry and Biology.  Prior to this po ...
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Principal's Message

Congratulations Class of 2009

By Timothy Dickel on 6/7/2009

Dear Parents and Students,

Congratulations to the Class of 2009!  On Sunday, May 24, 134 students graduated at The Centre.  The Class of 2009 has distinguished themselves by earning $4.6 million in college scholarships.  Congratulations to valedictorians Patrick Elpers and Andrew Ritter and salutatorians Mason Blankenship and Kristyn Seibert.  This class has made many lasting contributions to our community and they will be missed!

Two students were recently honored for their outstanding service to the community.  Senior Lance Kollker was recently named the Youth Resources’ Youth Worker of the Year.  Junior Emily Jolly received an award for outstanding community service and leadership from WKDQ radio station.  Congratulations to these students and all students that are involved with community service.  

This month has been enhanced by outstanding liturgies.  On May Day, we honored Our Mother and Patroness with ...
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Principal's Message

Ending a Successful Academic Year

By Timothy Dickel on 4/28/2009

Dear Parents and Students,

The last few weeks of school are a very exciting time for our students.  Our seniors have much to celebrate and our other students are anticipating the summer.  I urge you to discuss proper decision making with your children and let them know that their actions have consequences.  One of our primary concerns is the safety of our students, so it is important that they understand the consequences of unsafe behaviors as we approach prom and graduation parties.  

Congratulations to the Mater Dei Supermileage team for their successful performance at the recent Shell Ecomarathon Americas event in Fontana, California.  They received first place in the Urban Concept Class achieving 433 miles per gallon.  Their other car placed third in the Prototype Class with an impressive 2,093 miles per gallon.  The team won $10,000 in prize money for these two classes.  

I wou ...
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