BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

ROME--Archbishop John F. Donoghue celebrated Mass for students, faculty, parents and alumni of St. Mary's School as part of its 50th anniversary festivities on Nov. 29.

The Mass was concelebrated by Father James Miceli, pastor of St. Mary's; Father Joseph Aquino, MS, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Cartersville; Father Patrick Kingery, pastor of St. Bernadette's, Cedartown; Father Neil Jones, MS, pastor of Our Lady of LaSalette Church, Canton and Father Leo Cummings, MS, pastor of St. Clement's, Calhoun. The theme of the celebration was "There is a time for everything."

The first reading was presented by fifth-grader Branton DeArmoun. Fourth-grader Christina Williams announced the second reading. The Gospel was proclaimed by Brother Bob Russell, MS.

During his homily Archbishop Donoghue told the students that even though 50 years may seem like a long time, many schools have been in existence for hundreds of years.

"That makes our school seem pretty young when compared to others," he said. "But I believe that in Rome, Georgia, and in the country that surrounds us, no event has been more important. And so whether we call our school young or old, the important thing is to be grateful that it is still alive and vital."

The archbishop reminded the students that when an anniversary like this is celebrated it is important to be thankful to the priests, sisters, faculty, staff and parents who have helped build the school over the years.

"When we celebrate this 50th anniversary today...we remember all the people who have dedicated themselves to the success of St. Mary's School, and we thank them, the living and the dead, for the great work they have done for our sakes. But even more important, we must remember that nothing that we attempt to do will really succeed unless God is behind it, and unless it is full of the love that Jesus Christ showed us when He lived, and that He continues to show us."

St. Mary's principal Susan Odle said that many of the students were in awe of the archbishop. "Forty-eight percent of the students in our school are non-Catholic," Ms. Odle said. "This was the first time that many of them had ever seen an archbishop or had the opportunity to meet the archbishop about whom they have heard. We have a picture of the archbishop in the school, but today that picture came to life for us."

After the eucharistic celebration the members of the kindergarten class sang "Hail, Holy Queen" in the rock-and-roll style of "Sister Act." As the song was finished a cake with 100 candles was brought to the altar. One child from each class was selected to blow out the candles and asked to make a silent wish for St. Mary's.

Ms. Odle explained that the 100 candles represented the 50 years that have passed and the 50 that lie ahead for the St. Mary's community. "We are celebrating both our past and present as we plan for the future," she said. "While we are grateful for the past we are also hopeful for the future."

The school was opened Sept. 17, 1945 with students in grades one-11 and was staffed by four Dominican sisters. The original school was the Lumpkin House, a building constructed by Governor H. Lumpkin and used as a hospital for Union soldiers during Sherman's march to the sea. In 1960 the present building was erected.

When dwindling vocations made it necessary for the Dominican sisters to leave in 1970, Doris Ragsdale was named acting principal. Lay teachers kept St. Mary's School open during the 1970-1971 school year while the parish board of education searched for teachers from another religious community. The board compiled a book of pictures, letters and testimonials, sending copies to over 450 religious congregations. In an open letter, school board chairman Elmer Guldenschuh pleaded:

"This is the story of the desperate plight of Saint Mary's School in Rome, Georgia. It is a story of need, prayer, devotion, sacrifice and concern. We ask you to read our story and consider it carefully...disregard of it will mean the closing of the only Catholic parochial school in the 8,000 square mile area of northwest Georgia."

The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul based in Emmitsburg, Md., responded with three sisters. In October 1979, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a new wing which was designed to house a library, a gymnasium/parish activity room and two classrooms. The building was completed in August 1980, and was dedicated to the Daughters of Charity.

St. Mary's graduate, Carlin Wyatt, class of 1964, credits the sisters with building a spiritually nourishing community. "The education I received was outstanding," she said. "It was their dedication, loyalty and support which made the people in this area want to continue to invest in a Catholic school in an area which was predominantly non-Catholic."

After 22 years of service the sisters announced that due to the decline in vocations they too would be unable to continue to serve the Rome parish.

Ms. Odle began leading the school in 1993. Today the schoolhas approximately 200 students and provides education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The student body is composed of children from the city of Rome, as well as Floyd, Bartow, Gordon and Polk counties, and as far away as Alabama.

"St. Mary's serves the Rome community at large, not just the Catholic community," Ms. Odle said. "We are the jewel that people are starting to find. In the past we've been the best kept secret in the community. But no longer. People are realizing that St. Mary's is and will continue to be a vital part of the northwest community."

Mrs. Wyatt, whose 11 brothers and sisters also graduated from St. Mary's, now has her daughter, Claire, enrolled in the kindergarten at St. Mary's.

"I wanted her to have the same type of supportive Catholic environment that I had," she said. "St. Mary's still teaches the Catholic-Christian values that were the strength of the school when it was founded and were instilled in us when we were students."

Other activities planned by the anniversary committee included an alumni Mass on Nov. 11 which was followed by a dinner-theater featuring the debut of the school's show choir.

"We are hoping to do something special each month," said Ms. Odle. "This is going to be a year of celebration for St. Mary's and all of Rome."