Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Regional Catholic School
Over a Century of Faith & Learning. . .
Mon-Fri 8:00am-3:30pm
M,W,F 9AM-2PM / Tues & Thurs 9AM-3PM
Father Mark Reyling
Parish Programs & Groups
Youth Ministry/PSR
RCIA/OCIA
Our History
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School, formerly known as St. Mary's, was established in 1912, to educate the children of Italian immigrant families that were moving into the region to work in the coal mines. In 1901, St. Mary's Church, began construction and was completed in 1907. The members of St. Mary's Parish made plans for a school to educate the children of the parish.
In 1912, a three room building was constructed at the rear of the church. When the school opened in September, there were 104 students in grades one through three registered for school. Initially, there were two teachers that taught the student body for two years until the arrival of the Precious Blood Sisters in 1914, at the request of the pastor, Father Ermenegildo Senese. At this time, an addition was added to the school. In 1915, a second story to the school was constructed. Students helped select the school mascot, the Crusaders, and the school colors of blue and red. St. Mary's Church officially was named Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1925, after a larger church was built.
The new school grew rapidly in enrollment during the early years. In 1920, the enrollment reached 365 students. The largest graduating class in the school's history was during 1930 with a total of 54 students. By 1940, a brand new fire-proof school was erected. It took seven more years before the large gymnasium was completed. Then in 1947, the school was expanded to add a library, cafeteria, and an extra classroom. Around this time, The School Sisters of Notre Dame took over the teaching responsibilities.
The Catholic High School opened in 1947, but was forced to close its doors three years later due to low enrollment. That same year, The School Committee was formed to help raise funds for the school, as it still does today. In 1960, the school yard was blacktopped, and curriculum was expanded to include Spanish and music. The following year ushered in school uniforms for all female students. A Board of Education was established in 1968. There were many improvements to the school during the 1970's, including the switch from coal to oil, library renovations, new windows for the old building, and the addition of kindergarten classes.
In the 1990's, the lower gym was renovated and air conditioning was installed. A mobile classroom building was moved onto the parking lot to hold middle school students due to a double kindergarten class. In 1995, under the pastorate of Monsignor Kenneth Schaefer, a state of the art computer lab was added to the facility.
In 2000, there were new bleachers and doors installed in the gym, and its bathrooms were entirely updated complete with tile floors. The following year, the parish purchased the building now known as Cabrini Hall (in honor of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini). The building was renovated to include seven classrooms, as well as a large multi-purpose room. The Pre-Kindergarten Program was added in 2006. Further facility improvements include new kitchen stoves, a walk-in freezer and another renovation to the library.
Today, this Pre-K through 8th grade school continues to extend the traditions of our Catholic faith to students in the 21st century. OLMC has been a permanent fixture in Herrin, Illinois for over one hundred years. It has provided continuous Catholic education to the community of Williamson County and beyond, since its humble beginnings. Currently, properties were purchased a brand new school was built in 2017. Future plans include building a new gymnasium/cafeteria.
Donations
What is WeShare?
WeShare is an online giving management system, which allows our parishioners to manage their donations to our parish efficiently, effectively, and securely. It is an automated means for our parishioners to support us financially through one-time or recurring contributions, as well as a tool to manage all their transactions (special event tickets, fundraising collections, etc.).
Is on-line giving really necessary?
Although the offertory basket will continue, it is important that as a parish we prepare for the future, as well as, accommodate those parishioners who pay the majority of their bills already from the convenience of their home computer. Many of our younger parishioners do not even have a check book. In an era of growing online banking, as a church we don’t want to be left behind by people who don’t use checks.
Can I still donate using weekly envelopes?
Absolutely! Although online giving replaces the need for weekly envelopes, donating through WeShare is not mandatory. We understand that not all parishioners are comfortable using a computer. We are thankful to receive your contributions anyway you want to give them to us.
What if I feel uncomfortable not having something to physically drop into the collection basket?
Don’t worry! WeShare provides a printable form that you can drop into the collection basket that says, “We lovingly made our donation through WeShare.”
How do I change my personal information such as my bank account number, mailing address, or donation amount?
You can make these changes by yourself by visiting our parish website and clicking on the WeShare link, or by calling the parish office at (618) 942-3114. You can plan your contributions for the entire year—or you can change you donation amount online whenever you like.
Which payment methods are accepted?
We allow contributions from checking accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, and major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Do I receive a receipt for my donations?
Yes, all contributors enrolled with WeShare can elect to receive receipts via e-mail.
I need help getting started?
Not a problem! Call the parish office at (618) 942-3114 or stop by and we will assist you.
Is WeShare safe?
Yes. WeShare is certified with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS) as a Level 1 Service Provider. WeShare implements the safest security standards for online transactions. No one in the parish has access to the credit card or bank account information that you provide WeShare.
