THE CRUSADERS’ NEWS

MARCH—IMPORTANT DATES

• MARCH 16th: End of Third Quarter

• MARCH 17th: NO SCHOOL

• MARCH 19th: LATIN MASS 2:15 P.M. HOLY HILL

• MARCH 20th: Third Quarter Report Cards

• MARCH 23rd: Scrip Orders Due

• MARCH 25th: Fundraising Meeting (8:00 A.M.)

IN MEMORIA: DANIEL ZIGNEGO, SAS BOARD MEMBER -Requiem Mass Sermon, Canon Luke Zignego (February 25, 2020)

Dearest Family and Friends of Uncle

Dan: On this day, two sentiments

well up within our souls. The first and most

obvious is that of sadness, a deep, shocked,

and legitimate grief upon the loss of our

beloved spouse, father, grandfather, broth-

er, uncle, and friend, Daniel Alan Zignego.

We were blindsided by his passing, and our

tears flowed and continue to flow copiously

forth form our eyes which so often looked

upon his gracious and loving smile. This sentiment of sorrow should not be rejected, for it is the

natural human response that arises from the encounter of a death of a loved one, and even more

so a death that is so sudden and unexpected. This sorrow is expressed today even in the rite of

the Holy Mass, with the black vestments, the plaintive cry of the heavenly chant, the texts of the

liturgy, and the silence which reigns. Holy Mother Church, our dear and beloved Mother, shares in

our grief and finds the perfect expression to it and this act of adoration and homage we offer to

Our Lord Jesus Christ, uniting our sorrow and our sufferings to His. Did He too not weep at the

death of his beloved friend Lazarus?

Yet, dear family and friends of Dan, this sorrow is not the only nor the last sentiment that we

experience or rather conviction we have this day. This second sentiment, which is more

knowledge and conviction than emotion, and which comes to temper and soften the incredible

sorrow we have, is that of Christian hope. Yes, it is the hope of the resurrection in Jesus

Christ, which we have for dear Uncle Dan and for each one of us here, provided we fol-

low his example. This sentiment too is expressed by Holy Mother Church in the liturgy,

for in the Epistle Saint Paul instructs us to not lose hope for those who have fallen asleep

in Our Lord. “And we will not have you ignorant, brethren, he says, concerning them that

are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope. For if we be-

lieve that Jesus died, and rose again; even so them who have slept through Jesus, will

God bring with him … Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.” And Our

Savior Himself, in the Holy Gospel, says to Martha just before He raises her brother Laza-

rus from the dead, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although

he be dead, shall live: And every one that liveth, and beliveth in me, although he be

dead, shall live: And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever.”

And truly this is our sure and secure hope, for by his life and his actions, Daniel Zignego

showed that he lived the life of grace in Christ, and believed faithfully in Him.

(Continued on page 5…)

March 2020 - Vol. 1, Issue 5

“WITH HANDS AND HEARTS

TO GOD WE STRIVE FOR

EXCELLENCE IN FAITH +

TRADITION+ DISCIPLINE +

SCHOLARSHIP

On February 19th, Saint Augustine School lost a valu-

able friend, supporter, and school board member of

many years, Daniel Zignego. His life was a witness of

service, and he was devoted to the mission of preserving

the traditions of the Church. He will be greatly missed by

the community and by his family. We give thanks for his

faithful Catholic witness and publish here the sermon

remembering his faithful life, written by a SAS alumnus,

his nephew, Canon Luke ZIgnego.

ACCREDITATION PROCESS UPDATE By: Ms. Savannah Pankow

2

The 2019-2020 school year has been passing quickly, and that means SAS is getting closer to taking the next step in the accred-

itation process with the official site visit in the fall. The process towards accreditation is supposed to be a community wide effort with

the help and input of all members of the community: teachers, parents, students, and benefactors. The goal is to keep the process trans-

parent and keep all members of the school community up to-date on the process. With this update we also want to remind people about

the purpose of accreditation and to once again assure the community that the accreditation process will in no way threaten the freedom

of Saint Augustine School from remaining true to its mission of teaching the traditional Catholic faith with a classical curriculum.

The accreditation agency (WIRSA in our case) has no intention to attack the identity or mission of independent schools.

WRISA understands that each independent school is run for its own unique purposes and to promote a certain educational philosophy.

The mission and philosophy of each school is respected. The accreditation process benefits the school by making it analyze its philoso-

phy, resources, programs, organizations, etc. and look for areas to improve itself so that it can best carry out the school’s particular edu-

cational goals and mission. WRISA describes the purposes of accreditation as follows:

• Ensure all stakeholders/community members of school are connected to the school’s Foundational Statements

• To recognize and affirm excellent programs/qualities of the school

• To recognize how the teachers, staff, and school culture all contribute to a high quality learning environment that is based in the

school’s Foundational Statements

• To ensure accountability from the school to its community members

• To provide opportunities for professional growth for the school community

• To help the school gather information, analyze, and create a plan for future improvement and development.

Due to the demands on everyone’s schedule with classes and maintenance of the school during the academic year, progress on

the standards has been slow. Currently the subcommittees are working through their assigned standards and making notes on what areas

the school does not meet the standards. The committees brainstorm ways the school can address these shortfalls and improve on areas of

weakness that have been identified. The next steps will be to meet with the SAS Board and make concrete decisions on how to meet

these needs. The summer break will be dedicated to working intensely on making any improvements or changes that have been identi

fied by the committees and approved by the SAS Board. Most of these improvements are going to fall under the category of becoming

more organized in procedures and administration related aspects related to running the school.

While this process has placed extra demands on people’s schedules, workloads, and resources, overall, the experience is provi

ng to be a beneficial one for the school. The standards have required many members of the school body to work together and

communicate in a way that has been very healthy for the community. Communication on

weaknesses and strengths people observe is helping to foster a greater interest in

the well-being and the future of the school. Areas that have long been areas of weakness and

in need of improvement are finally being addressed, because we are being held up to a sys

tematic evaluation process. The process is helping to make the school more financially stable

for the future, and more importantly, with access to school choice the possibility for families

who desire a traditional Catholic education for their children now may have the option of

fulfilling this desire. The number of applications for next year under school choice has

aleady seen a dramatic increase. With the highest enrollment ever this academic year, and t

hese increased number of inquiries, it looks like in the future the school could potentially

reach capacityand may have to turn away interested families, due to limited space.

BUILDING SCHOOL SPIRIT AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT—Areas of improve

ment we have already begun working on this year include improving school spirit and providing oppor-

tunities for students to have engaging experiences, on

fieldtrips, with more student activities through student council

planning, and a greater interaction between the upper and

lower grade levels.

NOTICE: BABY ITEM COLLECTION Throughout the month

of March the school will

be collecting donations of

baby items for the Seeds

of Hope Pregnancy Cen-

ter. A collection center

has been set up in the

entrance of the school where donations

can be placed. Thank you for your contri-

butions to help build a culture of life!

The 5th-6th graders having fun on an astronomy fieldtrip and

with classroom celebrations appropriate to the liturgical seasons

(feasting before Lent)!

A new buddy readers pro-

gram allows older students

to be positive role models.

SCHOOL HAPPENINGS

SPECIAL CLASSROOM VISITOR

MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS

3rd/4th GRADE: CLASSROOM NEWS

• Third grade has been reading Little House in the Big

Woods, and had a special classroom visitor (see school

happenings).

• Fourth grade is reading The Wizard of Oz and working

hard at reading it as a classic piece of literature. They

are doing a chapter summary after each chapter pre-

paring for their first book report. They are identifying main characters, setting,

problems, and solutions for each chapter. For me as a teacher it's been exciting

to see all points being identified for some of the

chapters by the students.

• For Lent we have added the prayer, Sorrow for

the Suffering of Jesus, to our morning prayers, a

silent lunch on Wednesdays, and we are doing Sta-

tions of the Cross as a class every Friday.

• We finished our unit on shells in Science. They

tried canned oysters and clam, clam chowder,

boiled a fresh clam and opened a fresh oyster. They fin

ished with a great project on clam shells, conch shells, and marbled shells. 3

• The Kindergartners had fun playing with

snow inside, and had fun exchanging valen-

tines and treats with each other.

• They look forward to their Buddy Readers

who come every Monday to read to them.

• The Kindergartner classroom has a new doc-

tor center that the kids are enjoying ‘playing

doctor’ with.

• The 1st and 2nd graders are studying the digestive system in Science. The stu-

dents ate food and discussed how their body digested what they just con-

sumed. The 2nd graders started reading the chapter book, Animal Adventures,

which is part of the Little House on the Prairie

Series. The 1st graders are studying solid figures

and recognizing

the shapes in the

objects through-

out the room.

K4/K5 and 1st/2nd GRADES: CLASSROOM NEWS

By: Annaliese Forro and Natalie Zignego

By: Allison Forro, Anastasia Kusik, and Angelina Zignego

The 3rd and 4th grade class

recently had Jacki from Roden Dairy

Farm come in to give a presentation

on cheese making. They watched a

video on the top five cheese makers

in Wisconsin and learned how

cheese is made. We were able to

sample eight different cheeses and

we certainly picked our favorites! The 4K class playing with snow—inside!

A great science project

Lucas Zignego

having fun working

on a science project

The classrooms celebrated with

fun and some treats before they

began to get serious about

beginning their penances and

prayers. The 5th-8th grade girls’

homeroom exchanged Valentine’s

gifts and both 5th-8th grade

homerooms had a pizza party.

The kindergartners

healing patients in their

new doctor center. Valentine’s Day Celebrations

RIDDLES OF THE MONTH

By: Sarah Bilicki

1. Which is faster, hot or cold?

2. Who is the strongest thief?

3. Where can you find the big-

gest diamond in the world?

4. What is the biggest baseball

team?

See last page for answers.

JUNIOR HIGH NEWS By:: John Zignego, Demetrius Kusik

• PHYSICS : We are studying satellite projectiles and orbits.

• THE ROMAN CATECHISM: We finished studying each of

the seven sacraments in depth and have no moved on to the

other essential source of grace—prayer. After reading the types

and importance of prayer in the Catechism of Trent, students will

read excerpts from great spiritual masters on prayer including St. Teresa of Avila on the levels of prayer

and the great spiritual classic The Soul of the Apostolate.

• AMERICAN HISTORY: After completing the study of the Civil War the students have moved on to

studying the turbulent era of healing the wounds of the nation during the era of Reconstruction. They

studied the massive economic growth America experienced during the Gilded Age, making it the wealth-

iest country, and the consequences of an industrialized nation. How would America deal with a nation of a small number of vastly

wealthy individuals and a growing class of working poor. Various political responses to deal with this issue such as Labor Unions

and government regulations were studied, along with the Church’s response to this question in Pope Leo XII’s encyclical, Rerum

Novarum.

• LITERATURE: American Literature students are currently reading the charming sketches and essay from The Leonard Feeney Omni-

bus: A Collection of Prose and Verses. Highly recommended wholesome Catholic American literature even during Lent. Christian

Historical Fiction students are nearing the final chapters of The Tenth Region of the Night (Book II of the Sword and Serpent trilogy)

by Dr. Taylor Marshall.

• THEOLOGY: Senior Apologetics students recently finished reading Humanum Genus (On Freemasonry) by Pope Leo XIII. Gabriella

Zignego and Alexander Devoid will be conducting their required student teaching units on

Embryonic Adoption and Purgatory respectively. Juniors and seniors in their Philosophy of

Man course are studying the vegetative powers of the soul and the hylemorphism. 4

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Winners of the 5th-8th grade ‘War Museum’

project: Allison Forro and Sarah Bilicki

7th and 8th grade students

drawing geometric solids

• Astronomy: The students are learning to make digital slides

using Google Docs or Powerpoint. They are making slides

about themselves first, and then eventually the Mars Mis-

sion. We are lending out a telescope to one student per

week for their own use at home.

• American History: The 5th-8th grade History class finished up their unit about ‘manifest

destiny’ and how America came to spread from sea to shining sea. In partners they complet-

ed a project building a museum exhibit of the first four wars American wars. They are now

beginning studying the impact of slavery on the nation and the Civil War.

• Religion: We are taking a break from studying the mysteries and marvels of the lives of indi-

vidual saints and have begun to study how one becomes a saint! The students are learning

the definitions of the virtues and how to grow in them. Currently they are in the process of

writing plays where they will act out scenarios with people successfully displaying a virtue

and a scenario where they fail to live out that particular virtue.

• Literature: Students in grades 5-8 are currently reading and analyzing Brandon Mull's con-

temporary young adult fantasy novel entitled Beyonders: A World Without Heroes.

• Grammar: Students have made it through all the parts of speech and will be starting to

learn sentence diagramming. They also practiced making outlines for essays and wrote their

own persuasive essays.

• Latin: In addition to studying the Latin language, the 5th-6th grade Latin class has been stud-

ying the history of the Roman Empire this year. They

have made it through the periods of the Monarchy and

Republic and have now entered in the Imperial period

after reading about the life of Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar Comic:

Angelina Zignego

A few summers ago, when I was still a seminarian, I was blessed to be able to go on a day trip to JMJ family cabin in Bowler with

Uncle Dan. We traveled to the cabin and surrounding property, one that he personally invested so much time and effort into for the

benefit of the whole family, and on the way to and from, spent several hours in pleasant but also deep spiritual conversation. And

that day I learned, or rather realized what all you have known all along, Dan Zignego was a man of profound faith, of sincere and

unassuming humility, and of unbridled generosity. We spoke of the goodness of God, which he marveled at aloud to me, counting

the blessings he received from the divine bounty, naming among them the treasures of his family, his faith, his material blessings,

taking none of them for granted, but with the humility of a simple soul that cannot see how beloved it is of God, worried at how he

would be judged as a steward of all these gifts that God had given him. Dearest family of Dan, he now knows, for the name Daniel

means in Hebrew, “God is my judge.” And from all that he showed in his life, God has judged Daniel Alan Zignego a just man.

In the Bible, several men are described as “a just man”, but the one that we are most familiar with in regards to this title was

admirably imitated by Uncle Dan in his life and even in his death. This man of course is Saint Joseph. The way in which Daniel Zigne-

go imitated this glorious patriarch is both inspiring and consoling. Saint Joseph lived an entire life of innocence and holiness, just

and righteous all the days of his life. Dan was, as one of his siblings put it on the night of his passing, “a righteous man, his entire

life, even in his youth.” Saint Joseph is invoked in his litany as Joseph most faithful, and in his life, Uncle Dan was a man of deep

faith, which manifested itself in his fidelity to the practices of the Catholic faith, his loving involvement here at Saint Stanislaus Ora-

tory, his spiritual home, his generous help with setting up the creche ,the church auction which gave him an opportunity to tell his

cheesy jokes which we remember so fondly, and countless other activities. Saint Joseph was the Protector of the Virgin Mary Moth-

er of God. Uncle Dan was a devoted son of His Holy Mother, praying the Rosary every day on the way home from work, every time

he drove up and back from Bowler, and at almost every opportunity he had in the car. He would religiously fulfill Our Lady of Fati-

ma’s wishes for the First Saturdays of reparation, dragging his lazy children (their words not mine) to Mass, to honor His Mother

and His Queen.

Saint Joseph was the one to whom was confided the care of providing for all the material needs of the Son of God made Man,

and did so perfectly. Uncle Dance was so generous to the Mystical Body of Christ, like Saint Joseph in a discreet and unassuming

way, the extent of which is only beginning to be known. He loved to support his dear friend Canon Fragelli in his African missions,

and I ask you to allow me to quote from this touching letter that Canon sent from Africa, upon learning of Dan’s passing. “Losing

Dan,” he wrote, “believe me, the Mission lost one of its greatest friends. And I would like that in his funeral eulogy. Someone men-

tion that.” Today, thanks to your generosity (the Zignego family), but mainly Dan’s 325 children in Africa receive a beautiful Catholic

education. Two years ago, when we were struggling and not knowing if we could open the school that year or not, we got a sur-

prise check in the mail from Dan with these beautiful and unpretentious words, “money was just sitting in the bank… what for? Let

it go to good use.” The fact is today, St. Francis de Sales School exists because of Dan. Eighty children will receive Baptism and Frist

Communion this coming Easter because of Dan.” Just as Saint Joseph is a father

to all the Church, Dan, by his generosity has become a father, a spiritual foster

father to all those children. St. Joseph loved more than anything the Blessed

Virgin and the Christ Child. It goes without saying that Dan’s love for his spouse

and his children and grandchildren was both natural, supernatural, and simply

beautiful. Lastly, Saint Joseph died before Jesus and Mary, when they still had

much to accomplish, leaving them for a little while, his mission done, or rather

just beginning as he awaited them in the Limbo of the Fathers, but already in-

terceding for his family, the fledgling Church. So too has Dan gone on ahead of

us, and we say goodbye for now, but realize that he is still with us. Let us not

forget then to pray for him, for that is what in his humility he would have asked

us to do.

Lastly, is it any coincidence that Dan was called home on February 19th,

exactly one month before the Feast of St. Joseph, on a Wednesday, the day

traditionally dedicated to the Holy Patriarch? The Blessed Virgin of Fatima said,

“I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation

all those who, in order to make reparation to me accomplish the first Saturday

devotions”, which Dan did time and again. So, while we await our reunion with

Dan, let us follow his example, let us live as he lived, and let us take comfort. Yes, supernatural

consolation and hope, in the fact that Dan died as he lived, just as St.. Joseph, in the holy arms

of Jesus and Mary. Amen. 5

In Memoria: Daniel Zignego (Continued from page 1…)

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL & THE MISSION

ST. THERESE OF THE INFANT JESUS

The mission that Dan was such a faithful supporter of is

flourishing and is described on their site as a, “rapidly

growing and joyful flock of souls hungry for the Holy

Sacrifice of the Mass and the sacraments. The grace of

God and protection of Our Blessed Mother is every-

where evident. Here the faith is real and active...

against all kinds of adversities, lack of conveniences,

and a constant shortage of resources.”

For more information: www.friendsofthe mission.com

.BACKGROUND: At one point in Edmund Campion’s life, he became an Anglican deacon and

Queen Elizabeth I was so taken by his brilliance. He became prideful and people fed his vanity.

He took the Oath of Supremacy and acknowledged the Queen as the head of the Church. Soon

after, Edmund realized his wrong doings and came to the

Catholic faith. After this, people suspected him of being,

“too Catholic”. He was hunted down as a priest, thrown in

prison and condemned and killed for treason.

It was the second day of the third month of imprisonment

for Edmund Campion. It was a dark and rainy day out, and

the sun was hiding behind the clouds. The door of the tow-

er creaked open and a guard stood in the doorway. “Your

sister is here to see you. Make it quick!” he said. Relief

flooded over Edmund. It had been such a long time since

any of his family had come to see him, or anyone at all, for

that matter.

His sister appeared in the doorway, her face lit up as she

saw Edmund. “It is so nice to see you!” he said. “I haven’t

seen anyone for so long!”

“I’m glad I could come,” she answered. They sat down on the cold stone floor of the tower and

talked for a couple of minutes, his sister catching him up on all the latest family news. At one point,

his sister’s smile turned into a frown, and tears started to form in her eyes. “What’s wrong?” Ed-

mund asked.

“I hate seeing you like this, Edmund! You are half-starved and you look sick. This nasty tower

won’t just do you any good either. I just—I just wish…” her voice trailed off.

“Wish what?” Edmund asked.

“I wish you would just stop this little game of yours. Mother and father left that religion of yours to follow Queen Elizabeth I. You

not only went against Elizabeth, but also our parents. Don’t you think they were trying to do what was best for you? You were highly

respected as an Anglican deacon and many peopled liked you! Now, many people can’t even look at you. You are treated very poorly

and with not as much respect,” she blurted out.

Edmund let out a deep sigh. He should have seen this coming all along. It was true, his parents left the Catholic Church after Eliza-

beth re-established the Anglican Church. He should have known that she wasn’t here to comfort him or get him through any of this. He

stood up and walked over to the only window of the tower and took a deep breath. “Is this what you come to do? To try and make me

give up the one and only truth faith I believe in?” he asked. “I want you to know that I am trying to help you, Edmund! I care about you

and only want what is best for you, and you know that,” she answered, sounding hurt.

Edmund turned away from the window and looked at his sister. “The best thing for me would be to let me continue to serve the one

true God who deserves all love. He died on a cross to save all of us, even you, and you want me to give up on Him just like that? Espe-

cially just for the people to like me again? Do not speak such foolishness!” he replied, sounding firm and confident in what he had said.

“I can’t believe this,” said his sister as she stood up off the ground, “not even for your own family? You know how hurt our parents

were after they found out what you did How do you think they feel knowing you could be killed for these ‘things’ you believe in.”

“I’m sorry that I have to hurt them, but this is what’s right. Nobody can change my mind at all!” he said promptly.

As his sister was about so say something else, Edmund stopped her and said, “I will not go back to that nonsense. Your temptations

and tricks have not worked on me, and you are wasting your time here. I think you should go now, sister.”

She looked him in the eyes and replied, “I’m sorry that you can’t see the truth, Edmund.”

“And I hope that one day you will know the real truth and ask for forgiveness from Our Lord,” he replied.

“She shook her head, “I won’t be seeing you again, goodbye Edmund,” she said as she walked out of the

door.

It pained Edmund to see her like that. He had overcome the temptation of failing back to that false reli-

gion. He knew he had done the right thing, and in a short while he would be martyred for Christ and the real

truth!

FEATURED STUDENT WORK: Temptation By: Gracie Zignego, 9th grade

CREATIVE WRITING

The high school Ameri-

can Literature class re-

cently read the play,

The Murder in the Cathe-

dral by T.S. Elliot, which

recounts the story of St.

Thomas Beckett’s mar-

tyrdom

The students were

assigned to write an

imaginative journal in-

spired by this genre.

They chose a saint and

described a scenario

where the saint would

experience being tempt-

ed to give up their faith

for worldly benefits.

Answers to Riddles: 1. Hot, because you can

catch a cold

2. Shoplifter

3. A baseball diamond

4. The Giants