AURORA—Our Lady of Good Counsel junior high student Thomas Sweet’s eyes got bigger and bigger after he was asked to read aloud the ceremonial check representing a real check to his school for the same amount.
“Forty … thousand … two hundred … seventy-nine” dollars, he read in a loud voice from the back of the gym. His fellow students, young and old, responded with an appropriate, “Oooooo…”
An identical amount was given earlier that day, Sept. 12, to St. Therese of Jesus School, a few miles away. Both gifts came from earnings of the Barsema Scholarship Endowment established with the Catholic Foundation for the People of the Diocese of Rockford on Nov. 30, 2000. For many years, the earnings provided financial support to Archbishop Romero School and for payment on the now-closed school’s debt. Now that the debt is repaid, these recent earnings totaling $80,558 were divided equally between the two schools.
The two events provided a chance for the Barsema’s to meet the students and see the schools. It also gave students, teachers and administrators to express their thanks.
At St. Therese School, Dennis Barsema identified Msgr. Daniel Hermes as instrumental in the endowment’s establishment as he patted his priest-friend’s shoulder.
Stacey Barsema explains that the couple reconnected with “our very dear friend and priest” those 14-some years ago when they were making a sizable donation to Dennis’ alma mater, Northern Illinois University.
“My husband had known him since the ‘70s,” she says, noting that Msgr. Hermes “was the priest at the Newman Center” when Dennis was a student. “We asked Father (Hermes) if there was anything we could do financially to help him.”
The couple was surprised by his answer. “Being as gracious as he is,” Stacey says, “he did not take it for his own use. He identified this lovely school in Aurora (as being in need). We went out there and met the principal (of Archbishop Romero School) and had given this gift on behalf of the school.”
The money, she adds, “was identified for the Aurora area.” She was happy, she said, that the two schools were chosen and could “put some of the money to work.”
Both she and her husband scrunched down to greet the younger students at St. Therese School as they brought the couple handmade gifts from each of the grades, including a framed photo of the entire student body holding signs that spelled out “Thank you Barsema family.” The students also had gift bags for the priests in attendance, including for Bishop David Malloy.
The bishop spoke to both sets of students to encourage them to appreciate their education and especially their Catholic education, which, he said, teaches them how to love God and how to get ready for heaven.
A school like theirs’ “does not just happen,” he said, explaining that many generous people in the past built and have kept the schools going.
“Be very grateful” for them, he said, “and one day, when it’s your turn … when you grow up … you be generous” to your school.
Dennis Barsema spoke also and called it “a true joy” to meet the children and to be able to give the gift to the schools.
“We believe in education,” he said as he encouraged both sets of students to “stay in school (and) do the very best job you can. This is your chance to make a good life and make the world better.
“We’re here because of God … kids, we love you dearly.”