Honoring Bishop Joseph Cotter’s 180th Birthday with Wreath Laying Ceremony

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Cotter Schools commemorated the 180th birthday of its namesake, Bishop Joseph Cotter, with a wreath-laying ceremony at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. The event included a brief prayer service to honor the legacy of the first bishop of the Diocese of Winona.

Bishop Joseph Cotter, renowned for his dedication to education and faith, remained a guiding figure for Cotter Schools since its inception. The ceremony paid tribute to his enduring influence on the school’s mission and community values. Gary Meyerl, Director of Mission Integration, said “As a Catholic learning community we proudly wear the Cotter name in honor of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Winona whose influence continues to be felt to this day.” 

Students from each grade spanning grades 4 through 12 participated in the event. This gathering not only served as a moment of reflection and respect but also provided students with an opportunity to connect with the school’s history and the legacy of the figure whose vision laid the foundation for their education.

Mary Eileen Fitch, President of Cotter Schools, shared “Our Catholic faith and the Winona community benefit from the work of those who have gone before us. It is important that our students recognize the contributions made many decades ago still positively impact their experience today. By celebrating the leadership, faith, and sacrifices of Bishop Cotter, we hope to impress upon our students the importance of commitment to community and using their lives in service of others.

The prayer service and the symbolic act of laying the wreath reinforced Cotter’s commitment to faith, tradition, and unity. Members of the Cotter community joined in spirit to support the students as they celebrated the life and legacy of Bishop Joseph Cotter, a leader whose values continued to inspire generations.