It
is official, Andrew
Brady has been appointed President
of West Catholic Prep.
Finally,
there is a report on West Catholic's abbreviated spring football season.
In the "News Features" section there is
an update on the plans to relocate St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
After the Spring Newsletter was sent out, we learned of the
passing of our classmate Bill Corkery in
February of 2020. Bill came to West Catholic from St.
Clement Parish. Bill and his wife Jane (WC
'61) were faithful attendees at Burrs at the
Beach.
Later we learned that Arthur
"Bud" Seeger passed away in August of 2020. Bud
came to West from the Visitation Parish.
Also, since the last newsletter we learned that Frank
McCarron passed away in April of 2020 that Wayne
Furlow passed
away in February of 2021 and Fran
Beers passed away in March of 2021. All
three classmates came
to West Catholic from Good Shepherd
Parish.
We also found an obituary for Larry
Gillespie who passed away in February of 2021.
Larry came to West from Transfiguration Parish.
Another search resulted in finding that Ed
Butler passed away in June of 2020. Ed
came to West from Our Lady of Victory
Parish. Ed was among the 15
classmates who entered the Christian Brothers Novitiate and were pictured
on page 21 of our 1958 West Catholic Yearbook.
Sadly, on April 25, 2021 we learned that Mike Bresnahan passed away early that
morning. Mike was a regular attendee at the Alumni Communion Breakfasts'
and our Class of 1958 luncheons. Since 2006, Mike attended the
50th, 55th and 60th anniversary dinners and 9 of the
class of '58 luncheons. Mike's first 4 years of grammar
school were at Transfiguration and
the final 4 years were at St. Carthage.
Angelo Sivieri, Bob Dowd and Frank Adolf attended
Mike's viewing and Requiem Mass.
As best we can determine, 204 of our fellow classmates have
gone to their eternal reward.
Rich Buzza closes this edition with his "Final
Thought".
EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH WEST CATHOLIC PREP
BLESSING OF THE
RINGS: CLASS OF 2021
Getting your class ring
is a time of fun, reflection, and tradition. It was important to us that
we find a way that our students still had this celebration, even though it
would look a bit different this year. Our solution?
A walk through ring blessing ceremony!
The walk through ring
ceremony honored our students and their families, while still keeping enough
space between them all to be safe. We welcomed them through the Chestnut
Street door, and their experience began in the cafeteria. They were lead
in the alumni pledge, and watched a video of Principal Gen Torres 02 before
seeing her later in the auditorium. Principal Torres reminded the Seniors that when they put on their ring it is more than
just an object, it is a symbol of dignity, commitment, and a continuation of Gods creation. She also shared her hope that when
you slip this ring on your hand, I hope it reminds you to always use your hands
for good, and of your commitment to faith, service, and community as a West
Catholic graduate. Father Tim then blessed the Senior Class rings, and
sprinkled them with holy water. Next they heard from President Andrew
Brady 02 about what being a graduate of West Catholic means to him and to the
families and parents he spoke directly, that as a parent I appreciate how much
it means to entrust your child to someone elses
care, I am grateful to you for entrusting us with your children. He then
reminded our students to thank their families for the sacrifices theyve made to send them to West Catholic Preparatory High
School.
Next, our families walked their
2021 graduates upstairs to enter the auditorium, only to see their face on the
big screen as their name was announced and they were given their ring. Our
students are so deserving of this recognition and special time as children of
God and people who have managed one of the most challenging Senior
years imaginable with grace and strength. As they exited the auditorium
after receiving their ring, they were each given a yellow rose and a quick time
to celebrate and take photos with their family, before the next family walked
into the auditorium. In the same way that their 2021 rings are circles
that symbolize eternity, we are forever committed to the class of 2021 and we
are so appreciative to those of you who are also rooting for them, both near
and far.
LADY
BURRS' WIN THE PIAA CLASS 3A STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
FOR ITS
FIRST EVER STATE TITLE IN PROGRAM HISTORY
WEST CATHOLIC 67, MOHAWK
56
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Giant Center, Hershey, PA
Gleaned from Jeff Reinhart,
Sports Writer and The West Catholic Website
Ciani Montgomery. West Catholic's senior sniper
turned the Giant Center's basketball court into her own personal playground,
pouring in a career high 34 points on 14-for-18 shooting, leading the Burrs to
a 67-56 win over Mohawk in the Class 3A finale. West Catholic also
reached the state finals in 2018, but were edged
out by Bellwood-Antis 45-42. The group of five starting seniors
that fought for the title this time around were
freshman in 2018. Last year the Lady Burrs won two games in the
state championship playoffs, but due to Covid-19 the games were ultimately
canceled. The Lady Burrs' left no doubt this time, out-rebounding the
Warriors 33-18 and feasting on 13 turnovers on the way to the win.
Mohawk's Hannah McDanel splashed
a 3-pointer and the Warriors sliced West Catholic's lead down to 53-49 with
3:19 to go. After that, it was all Burrs. Montgomery scored on
back-to-back trips, including a nifty pull-up jumper in traffic. Destiney
McPhaul, West Catholic's leading scorer and Virginia
Tech recruit, quickly added a conventional three-point play and another hoop in
the lane, and Montgomery went 4-for-4 at the line in the waning seconds to help
the Burrs ice it.
McPhaul, who was a thorn in Mohawk's side the
whole night with 16 points and 11 rebounds, helped slam the door and bring a
gold trophy back to Philly. Teammate Daziy
Wilson scored six of the Lady Burrs' 16 points in the opening quarter.
"This is a
big accomplishment because we've never won (a state title) in girls
basketball," said Montgomery, a Lincoln University recruit. "This
means a lot for our community and our families and our support system."
"I don't feel like this has even hit me yet, because I've wanted
this for eight years," West Catholic coach Beulah Osueke said.
"I've worked and I've built and I've sacrificed and I'm so proud of
everybody. But yeah, I'm still in shock a little bit."
Congratulations to Coach Osueke and the LADY BURRS'
ANDREW BRADY NAMED
PRESIDENT OF WEST
|
Dear
Members of the West Catholic Preparatory High School Community, It is my
sincere hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones well during this
Easter Season. I'm pleased to share
with you that Mr. Andrew Brady has been selected as President of West
Catholic Preparatory High School (WCPHS) effective Monday,
April 12, 2021. Last May, we shared the appointment of
Mr. Brady, as Interim President while a national search continued for the
appointment of President. At the conclusion of that search process, it
was clear Mr. Brady was the right choice to continue to lead West Catholic
Preparatory High School. As you all know, he is a proud West Catholic
alumnus (Class of 2002) and prior to serving as Interim President he served
as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Mr. Brady
served WCPHS first as a faculty member 2006-2010 and returned in January 2013
for a two year stint as Director of Annual Giving. He then served as
Development Director for Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools
(BLOCS) before coming back to WCPHS in 2016. Along with the
WCPHS Board of Directors, we express sincere gratitude for the immense and
extraordinary work he's done as Interim President, during a very challenging
year, in the face of a global pandemic, and offer Mr. Brady heartfelt
congratulations for this appointment. His exemplary leadership and
collaboration with West Catholic administrators and faculty embodies the
Lasallian spirit and work ethic. Over the last year, in his role as
Interim President, accomplishments have included; partnering with the Office
of Catholic Education (OCE) and Faith in the Future to recruit and hire a school
Principal who began in August of 2020; coordinating a fundraising effort and
awarding of Covid-19 emergency scholarships to families dealing with the
financial impact of Covid-19, minimizing the effect of the pandemic on the
school's enrollment; and the creation of the school's Health and Safety
Reopening Plan. Mr. Brady has proven time and again his commitment to
this school and its over 100 years-long
history. This commitment will continue in collaboration with the school
leadership team to further advance the mission of West Catholic Preparatory
High School, preparing young men and women for their future. We at Faith in
the Future and the Office of Catholic Education are committed to the belief
that every student should be provided with the knowledge and skills necessary
to succeed throughout their high school years and beyond. Please know of
my continued gratitude for the sacrifices you make to provide the gift of a
quality education for your children and for your ongoing support of this historic
and beloved institution of secondary education in West Philadelphia. Sincerely, |
|
Our fall football season was canceled due to
Covid-19.
Luckily, we were still able to have an
abbreviated season this spring. Even though it was short, Junior Ethan
Brown appreciated the ability to play.
"When the decision was made to cancel the
season in the fall, I was bummed, but looking back I think it was the
right decision. I'm glad we got to play this spring and I'm looking forward to
next season."
Saint
Charles Borromeo Seminary will spend $10 million to buy a portion of Gwynedd Mercy Universitys campus
to establish a new home, Gwynedd and the Roman
Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia said Monday.
The
seminary, which sold its palatial Wynnewood property in 2019 for $43.5 million,
continues to occupy the site under a lease.
The new campus will cover 15 acres on the
northern border of Gwynedd Mercys
property. The university occupies 314 acres on Sumneytown
Pike between Routes 309 and 202 in Lower Gwynedd
Township. The parcel being sold has two buildings, including a 204-bed resident
hall.
Gwynedd Mercy Universitys
Alexandria Hall is part
of the property that St. Charles Borromeo Seminary has agreed to acquire for
its new campus.
As part of the agreement the Maguire Foundation, a
West Conshohocken based private foundation that supports education here with no
emphasis an Catholic institutions, will donate $3
million to Gwynedd Mercy.
The
Saint Charles Seminary community is thrilled to have found such a wonderful new
home, and grateful for the generous support of the Maguire Foundation in making
this transaction possible, said Bishop Timothy C.
Senior, the seminarys rector. St. Charles
Borromeo and Gwynedd Mercy are not merging, and the
extent of their affiliation will be worked out in the future, Senior
said. The goal is for the move to be completed in time for the
2024-25 academic year.
St.
Charles Borromeo had 147 seminarians at the beginning of the spring semester,
Senior said. Its students come from 14 dioceses, mostly in the
Mid-Atlantic, and from six religious congregations, such as the
Vincentians.
The agreement
with Gwynedd Mercy brings the seminary closer to a goal set in 2013 to reduce its
footprint from the 75 acres it has occupied for generations at the intersection
of City and Lancaster Avenues in Lower Merion. The seminary was founded
in 1832 and moved to that location in 1871.
The seminary
said it plans to build a new chapel and student life center, which will include a
dining hall, classrooms, library, administrative offices and fitness center,
plus additional housing for seminarians and resident faculty. But it had
no estimate of the cost.
At the end of
June, the seminary had more than $50 million in cash and investments, but will
need to raise additional money to fulfill its plans for the new campus and to
build its endowment.
MAIL FROM CLASSMATES AND
FRIENDS
Bill Marella:
Frank, Excellent Newsletter.
Jim Clark:
Thank you Frank for the Spring Edition of 2021. - Clarkie
Msgr. Gene Driscoll: Frank,
Keep up the good work. I enjoyed hearing the news about the seminary and
the parishes. I grew up in St. Clement's
and was ordained there in 1970. I have lived here in Lubbock, Tx. for 32 years. It was nice to hear about the old
neighborhoods.
Andy Marino:
Frank, Bob Bell's photo was delightful - so many high-school and college
(Joe McCandless) classmates. I remember flipping cards with Bob Bell in
1953 (I won, and if he denies it he's wrong!). Thanks for all the hard
work you and our other classmates do to keep us award of people and events that
were so much a part of our lives. Like our classmates, I was 17, now I'm 80, and I have no present sense of so much past
time. Your work helps the remembering - that's why I appreciate it so
much. Please tell Prendo he is in my
thoughts and prayers. He was the guy who taught me how to cup a cigarette
so that Brother Dennis wouldn't see it as we walked around the block after
lunch. Andy
Dick Boyle: Dear
Frank, thanks for your publications. They bring
back great memories of growing up and attending West.
Also, memories of
lifetime friendship. A special thanks to Bob
Bell for the cards. I truly forgot all about them. Now I have to go
up into the attic and see if I can find them.
Bob Giampietro
'68: Well done! Thank you, Frank. I
appreciate your sharing this fine newsletter! Regards.
Jack Fullman: Thanks
Frank and as always a terrific job. The best and be safe.
Jim O'Malley: Frank,
Thru thick and thin, Covid and recovery, you and your team deliver a fact based
newsletter that is
both thoughtful and engaging.
Ann (Ascension Parish and Little Flower) and I look forward to
receiving every edition.
Thanks
for all you do and for keeping us up to date. Be safe.
Joe Stubblebine: Jim, It was a pleasant
surprise to see you this morning. Thanks for the news
letter. Joe
Jack Neuschel: Frank, Thank you for your well
wishes and prayers. I am grateful to be alive after the head on
collision. A young man tried to pass a car and pulled into my lane and we
hit head on. I had two bowel surgeries. Spent 4.5 days in ICU and
was discharged on the ninth day from the accident which happened on February
9. I am recovering well at home although I still have weight restrictions
until April 10. The Lord was with me. I was fortunate not to have
any facial injuries nor broken bones. I look
forward to returning to the Y for a walk the track and use the weight machines.
I
appreciate your newsletters that you sent out to keep the class of 58 informed
of what is happening. Keep up the good work. Enjoy the rest of
Lent. Jack
Andy Jaskolka:
Thanks to all responsible for another great issue!
Brother Robert Sentman,
OCD: Dear Frank, Thanks for sending the SPRING
NEWSLETTER. Another excellent job. Special thanks to Frank Metzler for getting my new email address to
you. I had several problems with AOL, so I had to switch to gmail. I have to use a walker now, and travel only to
doctor appointments. I appreciate all the prayers, and know that I keep
all of our classmates, both living and deceased, in daily prayer.
Robert, OCD
Frank Metzler: Joseph
Kelly, the former Brother David Hilary, passed away on May 29, 2021 at the
age of 91. Brother David taught Freshmen classes
when we were in our Junior year. He transferred to La Salle College
in 1957. Here is a link to his obituary. https://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=david-h-kelly&pid=198861262
His natural brother was
Brother Geoffrey Benilde Kelly, who also
taught at West Catholic and La Salle College and is now deceased. May
they both rest in peace. Please pray for
them.
Comments received about the passing of Bud Seeger:
Joe Grimley:
Thanks Frank, Bud and I were good friends.
Jim
Gallagher: Thanks Frank, one more Viso/Burr
guy gone. Keep The Faith.
Comments received about the passing of Mike Bresnahan:
Bob
Dowd: 4/25/2021
Sad to report that Mike Bresnahan
has died.....his cousin Nancy Schumaker Beck called
me a few minutes ago and said Mike died early Sunday morning. Funeral
arrangements are pending. He and wife Trish live near Longwood Gardens in
Kennett Square. I think the parish is Saint Patrick.
Charlie W. Johnson:
Frank, Thank you for letting me know this very sad news. I really thought a lot of
Mike, "Sleepy" and I went the hospital after we both were injured in
the West Catholic / Father Judge football game.
We spent a week together, two beds in the same room. Mike was a
decent man, a good player, more importantly a genuinely wonderful human
being. I am sure his family will miss him dearly. God rest his soul
and give his wife and family some comfort. Best, Charlie.
PS please advise details.
Tom Hughes: Hi
Frank, Just saw your e-mail about the death of Mike Bresnahan. I am so sorry to hear about Mike.
The last time I saw Mike was at our 58 luncheon a couple of years ago. We
talked about some football teams and had a couple of laughs about the West days
and playing football together. Mike was a great team mate and was a tough
center. The team really missed him and Charlie Johnson when they were
injured in the Judge game. Lost a few good football players our senior
year. Best Regards, Tom Hughes
Jim Clark: Holy
Cow ! Unbelievable !
So sorry to hear this Tragic news. Mike is
in my prayers and may Mike be with Our Lord right now amen. -
Clarkie
Gerry Vernot: Frank,
So sorry to learn this. May he rest in peace.
Gerry
John Salvey:
Sorry to hear about Mike.
Bob Drill:
Thanks Frank.
Dick
Boyle:
Frank, I am sorry to hear the news. Mike and I had several classes
together.
Bob Dowd:
Frank- 4/29/2021 FYI - Mike's brother Patrick
called me this morning to tell me about Mike. He was surprised when
I told him I knew about his passing and then told him about you sending out the
notice to all in our WC '58...more than 200 still active from our class.
He was elated and said Mike told him about the newsletter going out every
quarter for many years. I have not spoken with Patrick in many
years-sounded just like his brother. Just wanted you to know how much
good communications can mean to everyone-keep it going Frank Adolf.!
Jim Gallagher:
Frank, could you send me Mike's address.
Thanks for all you do for the class of "58". Go Burrs!
THANK YOU NOTE FROM TRISH AND PAT BRESNAHAN TO FRANK ADOLF
THANK YOU NOTE FROM TRISH AND PAT BRESNAHAN TO
CHARLIE AND KATHY JOHNSON
Charlie Johnson: Frank,
Bumped into Bobby Dowd at a local shopping center. It was great to see him, he is the same as always, upbeat and fun to be around
with! Point, we got to speaking about Mike B, thought I would send you
his wife and family's note. Mike was a special guy. Hope you and
your family are well, Charlie
John Staiber: Appreciate your considerable efforts in finding and
sharing these obituaries. Our school and particularly our class of 58 are
fortunate to have you.
Bob Dowd:
Frank - Thanks for letting me know about Eddie Butler's passing. This
picture is of three WC guys who first met at OLV. We were
in 6th grade at the time and my sister was getting married. My family had
moved from the parish to St. Carthage, but she wanted to be married at OLV and
the pastor there gave his Ok. She then said: "Can my
brother and two of his friends be the altar boys"? He also said
OK. Pictured is Jimmy Bloomer, me, and Eddie Butler.
Jimmy and Eddie were still at OLV; Jimmy lived down my street and Eddie around
the corner on Hoopes St. That was on October
6th, 1951. My sisters marriage lasted 64
years. The three of us met up again at West Catholic!
MEMORIES FROM THE 1940's and 1950's
Below
are the remaining Class of 1958 Calling Cards
submitted by Bob Bell. Thanks again Bob.
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,
Tom Henry who
is battling Hodgkin Lymphoma, Brother
Robert Sentman who
is dealing with back problems, Father
Richard McAndrews
who has Parkinson's disease and now resides at Little Flower
Manor Nursing Home, and Barry Carey who
suffered a heart attack in May of 2020.
Our Webmaster
Jim Prendergast is
continuing his battle with cancer. On June 9th he began a new round
of Chemo treatments to stop the spread. Jim has a very positive
attitude considering all that he has gone through. Please keep your
prayers coming. PS: While all this is going on in his life, Jim
continues to maintain the Website by uploading the obituaries for our most
recent deceased classmates and by posting the quarterly newsletters.
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 to their eternal reward, especially
Bill Corkery, Frank
McCarron, Ed Butler, Bud Seeger, Larry Gillespie, Wayne Furlow,
Fran Beers and Mike Bresnahan.
WILLIAM B. CORKERY - FEBRUARY 18, 2020
FRANCIS L. MCCARRON - APRIL 15, 2020
EDWARD P. BUTLER - JUNE 22, 2020
ARTHUR W."BUD" SEEGER - AUGUST 29, 2020
LAURENCE W. GILLESPIE - FEBRUARY 5, 2021
WAYNE J. FURLOW - FEBRUARY 13, 2021
FRANCIS J. BEERS - MARCH 24, 2021
MICHAEL J. BRESNAHAN - APRIL 25, 2021
May Bill, Frank, Ed, Bud, Larry, Wayne, Fran and
Mike Rest In Peace.
Their
obituaries can be viewed on our website at: www.goldenburrs-1958.com
FINAL THOUGHT
submitted
by: RICH BUZZA
This is the story of a man who I
knew and loved. He was a kind and gentle man, that is, when he was not
drinking. All year long he would drink to the point where he could forget,
but come Lent he would not touch a drop, but come Easter Monday all hell would
break loose and he would be on a tear. Living in a small town where
everyone knows each other he was tolerated and simply known as the town
drunk. If you saw him on a drunk and did not know him you might wonder
what makes a man do this to himself. Well, I am going to try to answer
this question.
You see this man like many other men of his
generation served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy. He
was honorably discharged and put back into society, but these were the days
before PTSD and the man simply could not handle the stress caused by his
wartime experiences. His drinking to forget sometimes had
the opposite effect and he would relive the horror of war. You see,
he was in the June 6, 1944 Normandy Landing in France. He drove a landing
craft transporting the G.I.'s to the beach. The man witnessed the mass
slaughter of humanity first hand as he lowered the door and the troops hit
the water for the assault onto the beach. On his second trip after
unloading his troops his boat took a direct hit and was blown out of the water
leaving him to swim for the beach. In the chaos of the landing he was
declared missing in action while surviving on the beach for two days.
On his many drunks he would
relive this landing and cry for the many good men that he drove to their
death and falsely blamed himself. Many other men went through the war and
coped with their experiences, but this man could not handle the alcoholism and
the PTSD and the guilt which he carried in his soul to the day of his
death. I was honored to hand salute his military honors at his internment
I am proud of my uncle Gerard A.
Rubright USN as
he was part of THE GREATEST GENERATION and
will always be my hero. Amen.
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