The annual bazaar to benefit Sacred Heart Catholic School (located in the Main Street corridor of downtown Morrilton) is scheduled to return during the weekend of June 4-5.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s bazaar (2020) was forced to cancel all in-person activities and become a “Stay at Home Bazaar.” In response to encouragement to donate what they would normally spend during the bazaar weekend, patrons and parishioners stepped up big-time and contributed well over the $80,000 goal.
This year, the bazaar committee set out to meet several goals: ensure that the school receives the financial support necessary, as 11% of the school’s budget is raised through the bazaar; support local businesses who support the school and have been impacted by the pandemic; and provide a fun and safe event for those who wish to attend.
According to Development Director Alisha Koonce, the theme for this year’s bazaar is “Give Back.”
Thanks to sponsors and donors, all prizes for the raffle were purchased from local businesses that may have been impacted by the pandemic. The Grand Prize is a 2021 Ford Ranger; 2nd prize—XRX/R Trailmaster Go Kart; 3rd prize—$900 Shopping in Morrilton package; 4th prize—$800 Dining in Morrilton package.
Raffle tickets may be purchased from Sacred Heart parents, parishioners, or by downloading and printing here. All tickets and money must be turned in at 106 N. St. Joseph by June 4, 2021.
Even though this year’s bazaar is a “go,” don’t expect it to be “normal.” As of May 11, 2021, organizers announced plans for a modified version. Some of the new/modified events and dates are as follows.
Friday, June 4 — (*Precautions will be taken to meet pandemic safety guidelines.)
(11:00 AM- 1:00 PM) Cost $9 — Burger lunch fundraiser on school parking lot and includes burger and trimmings, chips, cookie, and drink. Group orders can be delivered at no charge. Call 501.354.8113 to preorder by Friday, May 28. *Walk ups welcome if burgers are still available after preorders are filled.
(5:00-8:00 PM) Cost $10 — Local families will be cooking and serving up authentic street taco dinner boxes for take-out/outdoor dining at on-site picnic tables.
(5:00-8:00 PM) Guests may peruse the silent auction items displayed in the gym; enjoy the modified midway where they can purchase raffle tickets; enjoy bingo for cash prizes; purchase pull tabs; and enjoy other games for all ages.
Saturday, June 5 — (*Precautions will be taken to meet pandemic safety guidelines.)
(4:00-7:00 PM) PRE-ORDERS ENCOURAGED! Cost $15 — Carry-out spaghetti dinners. Picnic tables will be available for on-site dining. More information can be found on the school website.
(5:00-9:00 PM) Silent auction (ends at 8 PM); bingo for cash prizes; pull tabs; and other games for all ages will be available. The evening will conclude at 9:00 PM with the raffle drawings.
“We hope that this focus on our local businesses will help drive traffic into these establishments and encourage our friends and families to support the people who are here every day building up our community,” stated Sacred Heart School Principal Buddy Greeson. “When you buy a raffle ticket, you are helping Sacred Heart and a local business.”
If you are unable to attend the 2021 Sacred Heart Catholic School Bazaar, donations are gratefully accepted.
History of Sacred Heart School
In 1878, Most Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, D.D., Bishop of Little Rock, issued an appeal for clergy to come to the area. In response, the Very Rev. Joseph Strub, a Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers in the U.S., responded. After extensive exploration, Father Strub made Morrilton the center of his St. Joseph colony (original site was a monastery located north of town on a plateau now known as Monastery Ridge.)
In January 1879, Father Strub invited a mission band of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, France to Morrilton. The Sisters erected a three story building of imported brick for service as convent/school/and chapel. The building was located on five acres of land that was donated by a Mr. Brown, a non-Catholic friend of Father Strub. It was dedicated to St. Joseph on March 31, 1800. This was the beginning of Sacred Heart School (which is still located on the corner of St. Joseph Street.)
In 1898, the Sisters of St. Joseph returned to Cluny, France. On September 12, 1899, Mother Bonaventure, S.S.N.D. from the Poor School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived with two teaching sisters and a novice to serve as cook. There were no class or grade divisions so records indicate there were 23 ‘large” pupils and 14 “small” ones.
By 1916, four teachers comprised the faculty and regular division of grades had been accomplished. The first year of a high school curriculum was initiate in September 1919. The classical four year high school began in 1921. The first class of high school graduates completed their courses in 1925.
On December 18, 1956, a fire of unknown origin destroyed the original building constructed in 1880. The “new” grade school, still in place today, was occupied by November 25, 1957. The “new” high school with gymnasium and cafeteria was dedicated on July 18, 1965.
In 1984, the School Sisters of Notre Dame departed from Sacred Heart School, but that did not impact growth or effectiveness in serving the families in the Arkansas River Valley. Sacred Heart School remains as one of only two Pre-K-12 Catholic Schools in the state (St. Joseph- Conway is the other one.).
Recent remodeling and updating of the physical buildings has greatly changed the school’s appearance, but the staff and students continue to exemplify the school motto: “Enlightening Minds, Enriching Souls, and Inspiring Hearts.”
To read more about the history of Sacred Heart Catholic School and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, follow this link. Be sure to click the NEXT button at the bottom of the page to continue to the second page of the article.
**Historical information was taken from the book “Sacred Heart Parish: The First 100 Years (1879-1979) and the Sacred Heart School website.
-Article Contributions by Alisha Koonce, Development Director of Sacred Heart School