CT PHOTOS/JEFF UNROE

Incarnation celebrates 50 years

The student choir, right, sings during the Mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of Incarnation School.

School welcomes Precious Blood Sisters

By David Eck

DAYTON DEANERY – You can tell that Precious Blood Sister Canice Werner is a former elementary school principal by her voice.

Students’ heads jerked up when the now-frail, 91-year-old nun began speaking during a recent Mass at Incarnation Church in Centerville to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the parish school. Her voice, crisp and clear, commanded respect.

"Today we’re meeting to celebrate your school’s birthday," she said, her voice reaching to the back of the church. "It’s a special birthday, a golden jubilee. This morning we celebrate a Mass of gratitude, or thanksgiving."

Jack Hodgson and Habiba Mbugua, both in students in Angie Ireton’s first grade class hold hands during the saying of "Our Father" during the Mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of Incarnation School.

"It was still a growing community," she said. "It was a growing school. It was a family relationship. The kids liked to visit the convent and stay at the school and help."

Sister Canice, along with five other Precious Blood sisters who served at the school, attended the Mass and then met with former students at a reception in the parish center, the former convent. Precious Blood sisters worked at Incarnation from 1957 until 1971, when the last of them left.

Precious Blood Sister Donna Liette, who taught primary grades at the school from 1960-65, was surprised at the expansion that has occurred over the years.

"The Catholic faith is still growing here," she said. "I know many, many children have been nurtured and fed here."

Some of Sister Canice’s first tasks when she came to Incarnation in 1966 was to start a Parent-Teacher Organization and a parent newsletter. Strong communication gave the growing school a family feel.

"We talked to each other in one way or another," she said. "It helps everybody."

Sister Canice remembered one school parent as particularly active, Erma Bombeck. The writer’s three children went to Incarnation in the 1960s.

"I knew her as a parishioner and as an active parent in the school," Sister Canice said.

Precious Blood Sister Canice Werner, the third principal at Incarnation School, speaks during the 50th anniversary Mas.

Bonnie Gitzinger, who was an Incarnation first grader when the school opened, came to the Mass and reception. She remembered the small school building and the old small wood-frame church.

"We had some of the classes in the church," she said. "We had the basics, reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography."

As the sisters arrived for the Mass, students escorted them to their seats in the front pew. The sisters watched students, many wearing green Incarnation sweatshirts, gently dance and wave colorful banners during the opening song. The student choir sang and rang bells.

As the Gospel was read, students acted out the story with props and silent movements.

During his homily, Father Lawrence Mierenfeld, Incarnation pastor, told the students that seeds planted in good soil and nurtured grow into strong plants.

"What we have tried hard to do for 50 years at Incarnation School and parish is to plant seeds of faith in the lives of our children," Father Mierenfeld said. "We continue to nurture you, those little seeds of faith."

Incarnation Principal Cheryl Reichel introduced the sisters during the Mass.

"Fifty years ago the parishioners of a new parish called the Church of the Incarnation, told the archbishop they wanted a school," Reichel said. "The Sisters of the Precious Blood agreed to start the school and now, 50 years later, six of those sisters have returned to see that the school they started — a school that allows children to learn and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus — still continues and is strong in the light of our Catholic faith."

Sister Canice, who lives in Dayton, visited the school several years ago and enjoys coming back.

"It’s a thrill," she said.