SPRING EDITION 2019

 

This is the 40th edition of the Golden Burrs Quarterly Newsletter sponsored by the Events Committee members.  With Lent ending in a few weeks, we wish you all a Happy Easter as we look forward to the arrival of the spring season.

 

 

Pieta - St. Joseph Church, Jim Thorpe, PA

 

In this issue under the "West Catholic Prep Banner" you will find details about the 61st anniversary luncheon of the West Catholic Boys Class of 1958 and information about the Annual Communion Breakfast and Burrs at the Beach; and a letter from Paul Colistra, President of West Catholic Prep and followup announcement about Brian Fluck.

 

In the "News Features" section you will find a report on the Beatification of the first Christian Brother from the United States, Brother James Alfred Miller, FSC.; thank you letters from the Christian Brothers and West Catholic Prep for Christmas donations on behalf of the West Catholic Boys Class of 1958; information about Dennis O'Leary's family donation to their local fire department; and an update on Vince Reynolds submitted by Jim Lynch.

 

We conclude this edition with mail received from our Classmates and Friends; a "Remember When".... series of  pictures from the 40's and 50's submitted by Frank Adolf;  prayers for our classmates who are ill and for our deceased classmates; and Rich Buzza's "Final Thought".

 

 

 

MARCH 17 - HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

 

 

 

EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH WEST CATHOLIC PREP

 

 

WC BOYS CLASS OF 1958 - 61st ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON - MAY 16, 2019

 

The West Catholic Boys Class of 1958 will celebrate the 61st Anniversary of their graduation from West Catholic at a luncheon on Thursday, May 16, 2019

 

WHERE: THE CLARION HOTEL - 76 INDUSTRIAL HIGHWAY, ESSINGTON, PA  19029

 

COST: Same low price of $20.00 per person, cash bar. 

 

TIME: NOON TO 3:30 P.M.

Make check payable to: WC Class of 1958

Mail by April 30th to: Frank Adolf, 1539 Ulster Way, West Chester, PA  19380

Late payment fee:  Add $5.00 if mailed after April 30th.

The overnight room rate for out-of-town travelers is $99.00

We encourage you to spread the word to friends of the Class of '58 as all are welcome.  

 

Invitations have been sent out; please advise if you did not receive your e-mail invitation.

 

The invitation can be viewed on our website at: www.goldenburrs-1958.com

 

Questions: Contact Frank Adolf at: fjapfa1539@comcast.net or call 610-761-4925 (cell).

 

 

98th ALUMNI COMMUNION BREAKFAST

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019

 

CLARION HOTEL

76 INDUSTRIAL HIGHWAY, ESSINGTON, PA  19029

 

Check the Alumni Website for further information.

www.westcatholicalumni@gmail.com

 

 

BURRS AT THE BEACH

 

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2019

 

THE INLET ON OLDE,

North Wildwood, NJ

 

(formerly Westy's Irish Pub)

 

$25.00 at the Door

 

LETTER FROM PAUL COLISTRA, PRESIDENT OF WEST CATHOLIC PREP

February 11, 2019

 

West Catholic Preparatory High School Community:

 

As you may have seen in recent media reports, our Varsity Football Coach, Brian Fluck recently stepped aside in his role as President of the Executive Committee for the Philadelphia City All-Star Football Game amid an investigation into that entity’s finances.

 

Mr. Fluck has been placed on administrative leave from his duties at West Catholic Prep.  Please be assured that the allegations are not connected to wet Catholic's finances in any way.

 

We anticipate that we will learn more about the allegations in the coming days. 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Colistra

President

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER - MARCH 6. 2019

by Aaron Carter

Brian Fluck, one of the most accomplished football coaches in Philadelphia Catholic League history, is no longer the coach at West Catholic, the school announced Wednesday in a statement.

School officials said that Fluck's contract expired at the end of last season and was not renewed.  He had been the Burrs coach since 1999.  The position was posted on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools website on Wednesday.

The statement from the school, signed by West Catholic president Paul Colistra and principal Kelly Lanza, said,

"We thank Brian for his service to the West Catholic Prep football program." 

 

NEWS FEATURES

 

BROTHER JAMES ALFRED MILLER, FSC

     TO BE BEATIFIED BY THE VATICAN

 

gleaned from the FSCDENA.ORG website

On Thursday, November 8, 2018,  Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing that De La Salle Christian Brother James Miller, FSC, age 37, was killed out of hatred for his Catholic Faith during the Guatemala's War and the first Christian Brother from the United States to be beatified.  Brother James (Brother Santiago in Guatemala) from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died as a martyr on February 12, 1982 in Huehuetenango.  While repairing a wall for the De La Salle Indian School, Brother was approached by three men who shot him three times.  He died instantly.

 

It is thought that this murder occurred because the Brothers were relentless in their efforts to keep the Indian boys from being conscripted into the military.  As a martyr, Brother James must have one miracle post-humorously attributed to him to reach the next level toward official canonization, sainthood. 

 

 

Blessed James Alfred Miller, FSC
Brother Santiago in Guatemala

May he rest in peace.

 

For more information, visit the Christian Brothers Midwest District website: cbmidwest.org

 

 

THANK YOU LETTER FROM THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

 

 

THANK YOU LETTER FROM WEST CATHOLIC

 

 

DENNIS O'LEARY'S MODEL FIRE TRUCKS

 

submitted by:  JOE GAVAGHAN 

 

As reported in the Bucks County Courier Times, the family of our deceased classmate, Dennis O'Leary, donated his collection of model fire trucks to the Lower Southampton Fire Department.

 

 

 

UPDATE ON VINCE REYNOLDS

submitted by:  JIM LYNCH

 

Frank,  I called Vince's care giver Mike Jarett to see how Vince is doing.  Mike stated he is now in a nursing home in West Chester; Pocopson Home, 1695 Lenape Rd., West Chester Pa.  He stated he cannot walk now so spends most of his days in a wheel chair.  Mike seems to think the Parkinson is getting worse as sometimes he know him then on the next visit he doesn't.  Mike said he would let me know is anything happens to Vince and I told him the entire class of 58 keeps him in our prayers through the quarterly newsletter.  Mike said that was nice of us to let our classmates know of his condition and health.  

MAIL FROM CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS

 

Barbara Mullen:  Thank you for mentioning Tom's passing.  He was always so proud that he went to West Catholic.  He had fond memories of those years and he shared them with me.  I will miss my Tom forever.  We were married happily for 54 years. 

 

Jim and Ann O'Malley:  Frank, When I think I have read the best Newsletter ever the next issue arrives and I change my mind.  Ann and I share each Newsletter with our families because it informs them abit about who we are and the environment in which we grew up.  The historical stories are particularly interesting for there broad

appeal.  Thanks to you and all the Newsletter contributors!  Go West.

 

 

Des Butler:  Another fabulous edition put together by a dedicated staff of classmates.  The history of the Philadelphia Church was particularly well done--brief but caught many highlights.  It was nice to see the Phillies of our youth: Ashburn; Ennis; and Sisler.  Keep up the good work!

 

Gerry Vernot:  Frank,  A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and the other members of the 1958 Golden Burrs Events Committee.  Best Wishes.

 

Jim Prendergast:  Hi Frank, The winter Newsletter is now on the website.  You outdid yourself with this Newsletter.  Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  Prendy

 

Bill Boyer:  Sorry, I won't be able to attend.  Frank thank you I always enjoy the updates about West Catholic hope all is well. 

Brother Robert Sentman:  Frank, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you, but I will not be able to attend the 61st Anniversary luncheon.  My work with the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order keeps me pretty busy, and I am also having physical therapy for my back problems.  Had three Epidurals in my back, but they did not work so it's PT time.  The joy of aging!  B. Robert

  

 

 

EARLIEST MEMORIES FROM THE 1940's and 1950's

 

submitted by:  FRANK ADOLF

 

Things that our grandkids can't relate to:

 

 

1952 - First TV

 

 12 1/2 inch RCA VICTOR in "Glorious Black and White" 

with  Channels 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, 29, and 48

"REMOTE - What is a remote?"

 

 

1950's Wringer Washing Machine

"Watch your fingers!"

 

 

American Bandstand

 

 

Dining Al Fresco at the Hot Shoppe

 

 

 

Drive-In Movie

"I can't find my car!"

 

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

 

Care for the Sick - Transfiguration Church

 

WE REMEMBER and ask for your prayers for those who are ill, especially Dave Crines who is recovering from a stroke, Jim Prendergast who is recovering from several surgeries, Tom Henry who is fighting Hodgkin Lymphoma, Bob DiRita who has been sidelined for the past few years with health issues, Vince Reynolds who is suffering from Parkinson's disease, Rich Loftus who is recovering from heart-bypass surgery, Brother Larry Dempsey who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and now resides at the Lincroft, NJ nursing home, Brother Robert Sentman who is dealing with back problems and Father Richard McAndrews who has Parkinson's Disease and now resides at Little Flower Manor Nursing Home.  Two former teachers from West are in need of prayers; Brother Gregory Cavalier has moved to the nursing home in Lincroft, NJ, and former Brother Gratian Joseph (John Gardiner) is in the beginning stage of Alzheimer's disease.

 

WE REMEMBER and pray for all of our deceased classmates who have gone on to their eternal reward.

 

FINAL THOUGHT

 

submitted by:  RICH BUZZA

 

When I was a young man of 15 or 16, I used to listen to my old German grandfather go on about the young people of that day and how they were going to ruin the country.  Well 60 years have gone bye since then and the country is still here and really has not done so badly.  Now, here I am the same age as my grandfather and I have the same observation about today's young people, I sure hope that this is a generational thing and 60 years from now the country is still here and my grandchildren can say the same thing.

 

Just a reminder, try and get those checks in early this year for our annual luncheon; please don't wait until the last minute as you can help the committee by sending those checks now, don't put it off.  And by the way, it is still only $20 for a really good quality buffet.  I don't know how long that we will be able to keep the price so low, a big thank you to the Clarion Hotel.

 

It is time to get the tomato seeds started for my garden, so thanks for listening and have a great Spring.

 

 

God Bless WEST CATHOLIC!   Live Jesus in our Hearts.  Forever.

  KEEP THE SPIRIT ALIVE!

 

THIS E-MAIL IS BEING SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE WEST CATHOLIC BOYS' CLASS OF 1958 AND FRIENDS OF THE CLASS.  IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO RECEIVE OUR COMMUNICATIONS OR IF YOU ARE RECEIVING UNSOLICITED E-MAILS FROM ANYONE PERTAINING TO THE CLASS OF 1958, PLEASE NOTIFY FRANK ADOLF AT:  FJAPFA1539@COMCAST.NET