By Pat Szpekowski, Observer Correspondent
ELGIN—The outpouring of love and support for Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis by St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin has exceeded expectations and will remain as an ongoing effort to bring them hope and joy. The ties between the schools are personal and deep. Annunciation’s principal, Matthew DeBoer, is one of St. Edward’s own, an alum from 2004.
When the news broke of the horrific shooting at Annunciation on Aug. 27, St. Edward’s Head of School AnnMarie Woj-Dufelmeier (alum ‘98) immediately called for action to gather messages of solidarity, condolences, and support.
“I reached out via a letter to our students, families, and alumni inviting them to share a message of support,” Woj-Dufelmeier said. “We’ve received over 150 heartfelt letters which we will send to Matt.”
An excerpt from a letter by Amanda Fukuda (Gilles) from the St. Edward Class of 2006 reads, “You are not alone. Your community and community back home stands with you. I hope you feel the love and support surrounding you as you guide others through grief.”
Woj-Dufelmeier notes that the school rallied behind Annunciation quickly. “We handed out free t-shirts using the Annunciation logo on the front and their theme for the school year along with our logo on the back to the first 200 fans at our football game the week of the horrific shooting. We also held a moment of silence and group prayer before the varsity football game on August 29.”
To date, over 200 students, alumni and supporters have purchased the t-shirts and the $2 profit for each shirt sold will fund year-long efforts to support the Annunciation family.
“We know that no matter how much time has passed, when all the media attention focuses elsewhere, the days will be difficult and lonely, for Matt and his entire community,” says Woj-Dufelmeier. “St. Edward High School and St. Edward Preparatory Academy (Pre-K – 8 diocesan school) staff will wear the t-shirts every Monday for the entire school year as a reminder that their community needs our support long-term. St. Edward High School students will be able to dress out of uniform if they wear the Annunciation t-shirts every Monday.”
Woj-Dufelmeier remarked that she spoke with Matt’s father, Michael, on Aug. 29. “We both shed tears over the tragedy and how difficult this is for Matt as a father (he and his own three children were in the church at the time of the tragedy) and as a school leader. I’ve known their family since I was very young. We were part of a tight-knit community at St. Laurence Parish in Elgin and all the children (Matt, his brother and sister as well as my brother and me) graduated from St. Laurence grade school and St. Edward High School.”
To bring joy and hope back to the students and teachers at Annunciation, St. Ed’s has initiated its first project — Boxes of Joy.
“Each Annunciation classroom will receive a box in the mail with grade-appropriate games, books, small toys, and hand written notes of encouragement from our students and staff to theirs,” notes Woj-Dufelmeier. In addition, student leaders at St. Edward will develop two additional projects in the second semester to support the Annunciation community. “Our Kairos [retreat] leaders are writing letters to Matt as well, as he was a Kairos retreat leader himself,” she said.
