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It's All About the Kids! -
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At the recent Homecoming Mass, Fr. Mark Steffl offered a fitting reflection on what it means to be an alumnus of New Ulm Area Catholic Schools, and more deeply, what it means to remain part of the NUACS family long after graduation.
Fr. Steffl, class of 1993, reminded us that being an alumnus is about much more than having once attended a school. An alumnus is someone who has been formed, shaped and nourished by a community and who carries a piece of that community with them wherever life takes them.
That idea of nourishment is at the heart of what we hope every student experiences at New Ulm Area Catholic Schools.
From the moment they enter our doors, students are seeking more than knowledge. They are discovering belonging, truth, faith, friendship and purpose, while growing in the confidence to become who God is calling them to be. Day after day, they are nourished by teachers who know them, coaches who challenge them, friends who walk beside them, and a community that surrounds them with the values of our Catholic faith.
And, most importantly, they are nourished by Christ.
During Mass, the congregation sang “Vine and Branches,” a fitting reminder of the Gospel image Jesus gives us: we are the branches, and He is the vine. A branch does not produce fruit by itself. It must remain connected to the vine.
That image beautifully captures the purpose of a Catholic education.
We want our students to leave NUACS connected – to Christ, to their faith, to one another and to the community that helped form them. We want them to carry those roots into college, careers, marriages, families and communities of their own. And we hope that, like branches connected to the vine, their lives will bear fruit in ways that reach far beyond our school walls.
This is also why the work of the NUACS Capital Campaign matters so deeply.
A capital campaign is about buildings and facilities, but it is ultimately about something much greater: creating spaces where future generations will be nourished.
Our alumni are living proof of what can happen when a young person is nourished by a strong Catholic school community. Their lives are part of the story of NUACS, and their stories remind us that what happens here today continues to bear fruit tomorrow.
As we continue and finalize the Capital Campaign, we are investing not only in the students sitting in our classrooms today, but in the thousands of students who will come after them.
We are building for the next generation of branches—so they can remain rooted in Christ, nourished by their Catholic faith, formed through knowledge and service, and sent forth to bear fruit in the world.
Homecoming reminds us that once someone is a part of the NUACS family, they are always part of it.
That is the legacy we are building together.
If you wish to donate, please CLICK HERE to donate online or learn more!
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Growing in Faith, Knowledge and Service
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Eagle Bluff Retreat 2026Supporting Cathedral High School means investing in more than academics — it means investing in formation. Each fall, our freshmen step away from the classroom to attend Eagle Bluff, a retreat experience designed to deepen faith, strengthen friendships, and build confidence at a pivotal moment in their high school journey. These formative days help students grow spiritually, reflect personally, and bond as a class grounded in shared values. Your support ensures that every freshman has the opportunity to participate in this meaningful tradition and begin their high school years rooted in faith, community, and purpose.
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Building Faith Through The Sacraments
Supporting Cathedral High School means forming students not only academically, but spiritually. From Saint Anthony Elementary through Cathedral High School, students can journey K–12 immersed in Catholic education, growing through the Sacraments and deepening their relationship with Christ at every stage.
Your support sustains this seamless faith-filled experience — shaping young men and women grounded in grace, truth, and lifelong discipleship.
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The Stories that Built UsShannon (Mertz) Hillesheim - CHS Class of '90
1. What would you say to others who are considering getting involved or supporting the campaign? Our high school looks the same as when I graduated many, many years ago! There is no air conditioning, and it is miserable for these students to sit seven hours a day in that heat while trying to learn. Many have practice in the gym after school where it is even hotter. When
I think about the opportunities we can create – better classrooms/spaces, stronger programs-it feels important for me
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to step up, and I hope others will be inspired to as well. This is more than just about a building project; this capital campaign is a chance to affect future opportunities for our students. There are many ways you can get involved and support this campaign – financially, prayer, or through your time and talents. I’m
excited to see the impact we can make together if everyone can contribute in some way, no matter how big or small.
2. How has your personal experience with NUACS influenced your commitment to giving back? My parents both graduated from NUACS and taught in the school system. As a kid, my sister and I spent many weekends cleaning the faculty lounge while my dad worked on lessons! My siblings and I also attended NUACS, and my husband and I were classmates. We also chose to send our kids to NUACS. One of the things I value most about our school is the strong Catholic foundation it provides. My kids not only grew academically but also grew up in a faith centered community. I have seen first-hand how a Catholic school environment creates a sense of family and has helped shape them into young adults that are grounded in compassion and service to others. We know it takes a village to raise a child, and I am grateful for the support system NUACS has provided. I want to see our school be around for many more years to come.
3. What inspired you to get involved in the NUACS Capital Campaign beyond your role as a parent? Strong school systems are the foundation of a Community and New Ulm is blessed to have three options for families. As a professional in the community, I know this is an integral factor in recruiting families and talent. This school and this community mean a great deal to me, and I want to see it thrive. Being involved also gives me a chance to connect with others who share the same passion and to be part of something that will
have a lasting impact.
4. Why do you believe this campaign is important for the future of NUACS students and families? The other high schools in our community have gone through expansions and renovations. We need to continue to make NUACS a strong choice for families as well.
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Leaving a Legacy - CHS Alumni Give Back
Everett “Ev” Christensen is considered an icon of CHS athletic success. A 1953 graduate of what was then Holy Trinity High School, Ev was the first 1,000 point basketball scorer in the City of New Ulm. Ev achieved not only athletic success, but also a long and successful business career. Ev was a long-time strong supporter of NUACS with his wife, Sybil, and their family. Their son, Glen, graduated from CHS in 1987.
Ev and Sybil’s contributions extended beyond financial support, as Ev’s business experience and advice was invaluable to NUACS over the years. Ev passed away five years ago in 2020.
Now, Ev’s wife, Sybil, and their son, Glen, have chosen to memorialize Ev’s legacy with a substantial donation to the NUACS Capital Campaign. In Glen’s words, “Mom and I are confident he would be thrilled to help get CHS across the finish line.”
Glen added a “fun fact” in responding with the family’s campaign pledge: “My grandparents met while coaching basketball at Holy Trinity High School. Everett Sr. was the boys’ basketball coach at the same time my grandma was the girls’ basketball coach in the 1920s.”
If you wish to recognize someone with a pledge to the campaign, please contact Nancy Reed at [email protected]. What a wonderful way to honor, thank, or memorialize someone special.
Article Submitted by: Bob Ranweiler ‘65
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