Welcome to the third issue of the E-Sader for the 2008-2009 school year. We hope that the articles below and links at the right keep you up-to-date with Helias news.

Congratulations:

to the Crusader Soccer team who just earned second place in state!

We also congratulate Crusader Football on making it to the state championship game, which will be played this Saturday at 3:15 PM, in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Tickets are $11 and available at the gate. For those wanting to watch the game but unable to make it to St. Louis, for $4.95 you can watch online at mshsaanetwork.com.

Happy Thanksgiving and go Crusader Football!!!

Christmas Luncheon for Class of 2008

All members of the Class of 2008 (AKA Helias Class of the Year) are cordially invited to a Christmas Luncheon on Friday, December 19 at 11:30 in the Crusader Commons.  RSVP to 573-635-6139 or info@heliashs.com.  All 2008 attendees will be eligible for drawings for Helias hats, shirts, and other memorabilia.  See you December 19! Merry Christmas!!

No Stinkin' Thinkin' for Helias Teachers
By Peggy Landwehr

Many notable figures become notable by being against some idea or movement. The American Founders were against English domination. After Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt was against Japan. Taco Bell encourages us to think outside the bun.

Eddie Mulholland is most known as being against"Stinkin' Thinkin.'" His children, athletes, friends, enemies, co-workers, creditors, auto mechanics and in laws have all been repeatedly subjected to this wonderful admonishment.

But, just as the Founders had to build a country after they defeated the British; and Roosevelt had to work for prosperity after the war; and Taco Bell must deliver a good meal without a bun - so also, Eddie Mulholland must, when challenged, answer the following question:

"So, if we stop thinking thoughts that stink, just what the heck are we supposed to think about?"

Even more challenging for this "Mr. Positive, No Stinking Thinking, Always Upbeat, Cheerleader Personality," how about answering that question from the most street-wise, sanguine, no-nonsense demographic sector of society one could find: High School Teachers.

I was not at the welcome for teachers in September, but reports indicated Eddie pulled it off.  To keep it in perspective, you have to understand that this was a coach talking to the team in the locker room before the big game.  Teachers are left-brain types. They live to channel unruly emotions. Any parts of the world that are not organized "had darned well better get organized by the end of the school day or someone will be in deep trouble."

Eddie was tickling the right side of those brains. Think of Dorothy squirting oil on the Tin Man's joints.

He started with how he learned about Helias. Like Forrest Gump, all good things happen to Eddie when he is runnnnnniiiiiinnnnnnggggggg, including at Marymount College in Kansas, with Annie telling Eddie about her about her hometown, Helias, milk cows, etc. Fast forward through a few Vanderfeltz, Rackers and Doyle stories. (I can hear the audience thinking:  "And YOUR POINT IS?" "Is there a SYLLABUS for this lecture?")

Well, the POINT is what this (formerly) skinny little New York transplant told the teachers and us about ourselves:

TEACHERS can affect dramatic positive changes in students and the world. Don't get complacent or discouraged. You make a difference every day in people you touch.

SPIRIT at Helias is palpable daily. Eddie's parents loved to come and embrace that spirit. Don't take it for granted.

PRAYER - in sports and real life adversity -- is the thread that keeps it all together. Make it more than just a ritual.

WORK is not a burden but a blessing.  People feel better about a hard job done well because that's the way God wired us.

FAMILY is a critical partner in education.  There are no excused absences for parents in parochial schools.

TRADITION - we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. And the next generation will stand on ours. Responsibility is a way of life - not a lecture or a banner or a homily.

So, dear readers, if you have not been motivated by this inadequate synopsis of the Mulholland credo - call Eddie and he will gladly give you a drive-by session about the spirit of Helias and what a critical role parents and teachers play in the constant growth of this wonderful school.

BUT BEWARE. He likes early mornings. Like 4:30 a.m. early. But he mellows out by 8:00 p.m.

Helias's Alumni Public Servants

By Brandon Martin '98

Now that the elections are finished, the real purpose of political positions begins-serving the public! And for the purpose of your enrichment or entertainment, the E-Sader staff decided to bring you a look at four Helias alumni who have steadfastly served the public.

Our first featured alum is Marilyn Schmutzler ‘53, who has worked in political offices for thirty years, eight as Cole County Public Administrator, for which she recently retained for another four-year term. Schmutzler contributes her success to the hard work ethic gained at Helias and her upbringing on a 250-acre farm.

After the last public administrator resigned, Schmutzler was appointed by the governor. When questioned on how she stays motivated to work with wards of the court, Schmutzler responded, "It's very rewarding and I enjoy the people. Some days by two o'clock they get on your last nerve but you make it work."

With an office filled with portraits of family and friends, one could believe that Schmutzler simply wanted to work in public service because she's a "people person," but it turns out she was already acquainted with her work. "For 35 years my church group volunteered to make sandwiches, play bingo, and entertain the mentally ill," Schmutzler said.

When thinking about her alma mater today, Schmutzler said, "Helias is a great community project for the whole community, not just the Catholic community."

Living and serving in the community of Jefferson City his entire life, our second featured alum, Carl Vogel '73, has happily worked in the political field for eighteen years. Vogel has served twelve years as state representative and is now serving his second term as state senator.

Before politics, Vogel worked as a corporate businessman and simply served the public by officiating high school sports-which he did for twenty years. When questioned as to why he became a politician, Vogel responded, "It was never on the radar screen, but a Missouri house seat opened and I decided to run," adding, "My initial intention was only to serve for two or three terms."

When questioned if there were any teachers who helped him become successful, Vogel said, "Jim Rackers is one of those guys who you may not like his style at seventeen but as an adult you respect it. Brother James said my chemistry career was going to be short!"

Not short on character, Vogel credits Helias for his, "You strive to have people say you have character but Helias makes people ‘characters.' Helias gives you a strong building block to make you a strong character."

The third featured alum, Marvin Register ‘60, is another bright member of the community. Serving Missouri in health care for nine years before serving six at his current position as Cole County Clerk, Register said he had always wanted to work for the public and decided to run for clerk when the last one retired.

When questioned about his high school years, Register said, "My years at Helias were outstanding. Helias taught me that don't believe you can't do something-you can. Helias believes if you want something you can have it...just go after it."

Currently, Helias students perform a lot of Christian service but in Register's time it was another story, "The only Christian service we did was filling the pool with trash as a punishment for skipping school and going to the Lake of the Ozarks," replied Register, and referring to a buried pool that is near the Helias Brothers' house by Helias High School.

Though his Christian service was short-lived in his high school years, Register recalls other favorite high school memories, "Our football team was undefeated from sophomore year on! Schnieders and Rackers were our coaches and we knew what the hill by the bleachers was."

Asked who his favorite Helias teachers were, Register said, "Brother Rolin for English. But Jim Rackers was the one that taught me a lesson."

Working as a successful auctioneer, realtor, and business owner, our last featured alum Bill Gratz ‘67, served as a state representative for ten years and still serves the public for special causes. Gratz said he was inspired to become a politician because simply, "It was a new challenge."

When questioned about what he believes the number one thing students need to be successful, Gratz answered, "They should strive to do the best they can and the most they can because today they're competing in a global economy."

In his ten years as state representative, Gratz said the most rewarding part was, "Being able to fight those fighting the state bureaucracy and seeing a smile on their face when we won a battle for them."

What won Gratz over the most at Helias was homecoming because of all the enthusiasm, but he also liked that Helias taught him, "The little guy could fight the system and survive and be the winner."

For all their service, Helias thanks these four alumni for all their hard work in making our community a better place.

Church Leaders of Tomorrow
By Meghan Crider '11

The Campus Ministry of Helias High School partakes in numerous activities involving the Church. Helping with school Masses, planning retreats, and assisting with mission trips are just a few of the projects in which the Campus Ministry is involved.  Mrs. Christina Bockwinkel-Baker, the Campus Minister, leads the organization members in welcoming priests for the Day of Reconciliation and eating lunch with priests and the bishop when they come to visit. She invites everyone to join Campus Ministry to show his or her true Christian colors.

One main focus of the Campus Ministry is the planning of the five mission trips  for this year. Having two more trips than last year, Bockwinkel-Baker, (pictured seated in Campus Ministry office surrounded by students), and the members of Campus Ministry have to work extremely hard to make these trips a success. Memphis, Mexico, Springfield, St. Louis, and Florida are where the students are planning to share their talents and treasures with the surrounding communities.

Campus Ministry also provided the student body with visits from three different guest speakers in the first three months of school. Scott Klusendorf, the president of Life Training Institute, spoke to the students about abortion, making it clear to them what the logical answer was. Sister Ursula of the Sisters of the Poor in Nigeria discussed the necessity of kindness to the poor and humbly asked for donations to help create a convent for her and her fellow Sisters.  Fr. Oscar Lukefahr also took time out of his busy schedule to pay a visit to the eager students and spread his word.

The Campus Ministry is working hard to create new opportunities for students. Bockwinkel-Baker hopes that by the time this year's sophomore class reaches senior year, the school can have a peer mentor system. She has high hopes that if she can make this available as a course worth credit, younger students can be assisted with their problems and pray with older students for an answer. This course would be available for juniors and seniors, could be used as a study hall when no one is in need of help, and would be able to showcase the talent and ability of many of the students. Also, the Campus Ministry is hoping to have living Stations of the Cross during Lent, in order to help students to truly see what Christ endured for his children.

Students are not the only people involved in Campus Ministry. Many mothers who have children attending Helias go to the chapel on Wednesdays to pray for the students.

From planning mission trips to different states, to helping sixth graders find their vocations, the Campus Ministry changes the lives of many people for the better. By working hard and showing their enthusiasm for Christ, the members set an example for the surrounding communities. Bockwinkel-Baker and all of the members of the Campus Ministry work relentlessly to make the world a better place. By being faithful disciples of Christ, they will continue to bring the students of Helias High School and the rest of the world closer to God.

 Midwest Block & Brick

2009 Helias Hall of Fame Nominations
now being accepted
Nomination deadline: January 15, 2009

The 2009 Helias Hall of Fame event will be held at Helias on April 19, 2009.  Watch your fall Foundation newsletter for nomination forms. Nominations can also be submitted online. 

Candidates will be selected based on service to Helias since graduation.

Pictured is the 2008 Hall of Fame Inaugural Group