Catechist shaves head
for cancer research

	JUST A BIT OFF THE TOP: Marie Steeber, religious education coordinator at Holy Cross Parish in Mishicot, smiles as her hair is cut during a fund-raiser for St. Baldrick's Foundation. Steeber challenged children in the parish's religious education program to donate to St. Baldrick's and she promised to shave her head. The Advent community service project raised $757 for St. Baldrick's, which raises money to cure children's cancer. (Sam Lucero photo)

By Sam Lucero
Compass Staff

MISHICOT -- On a night when frigid temperatures forced most Wisconsin schools to cancel the following day's classes, Marie Steeber decided to shave her head. She even invited 75 of her closest friends to watch.

Steeber's hair-cutting exploit, held Jan. 14 at Holy Cross Religious Education Center, was the culmination of an Advent community service fund-raiser for St. Baldrick's Foundation. The foundation, named after a mythical mascot, raises funds to find cures for children's cancer. To date, more than $50 million has been raised.

During Advent, Steeber challenged religious education students at Holy Cross Parish, where she serves as religious education coordinator, to help her raise awareness and support for St. Baldrick's Foundation. To entice students and their families to make a pledge, she promised to shave her head. Students donating the most money would have the honors of cutting her hair.

Steeber, who is enrolled in the diocese's Commissioned Ministry Program, said she wanted to incorporate the fund-raiser into Commissioned Ministry's learning component. She began growing her hair one year ago in preparation for the event, with the intention of donating the sheered locks to another charitable cause, Locks of Love.   Full story ...

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