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WINTER EDITION 2017

This is the 35th edition of the Golden Burrs Quarterly Newsletter sponsored by the Events Committee Members. All the committee members wish you and yours a very.....

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

Cathedral Basilica Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, PA

In this issue under the "West Catholic Prep Banner" you will find information gleaned from the West Catholic Annual Report of Donors; The 2017 West Catholic Hall of Fame Inductees; Information about the GOLDEN BURRS OF 1958'S PLANS TO CELEBRATE OUR 60th ANNIVERSARY; an update on Renovations at WCP; and Jim Lynch's reports on the West Catholic Varsity Football games.

In the "News Features" section you will find the following: a report about Visitation B.V.M. School; and the second in a series of articles by Frank Metzler and Frank Adolf on the histories of the orders of nuns who taught in our respective elementary schools, featuring The Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

We conclude this edition with Mail received from our Classmates and Friends, "Remember When".... articles submitted by Jim Lynch and Frank Adolf, and Rich Buzza's "Final Thought".

Sadly, we recently learned of the March 24, 2016 passing of Jim McCluskey, and in November of this year we lost Ted Defosse on the 4th, Joe Kady WC '59 on the 9th, Pat Touey on the 23rd and Jim Trainor on December 1st.

PAST AND UPCOMING HAPPENINGS AT WEST CATHOLIC PREP

WEST CATHOLIC ANNUAL REPORT OF DONORS

between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017

The Class of 1958 (Boys and Girls combined) placed FOURTH in the Top 10 "By Participation" with 70 classmates making donations to West Catholic for a total of $14,811.00. A total of $1,768,369 was donated to the school.

THE 2017 HALL OF FAME CLASS

The following Alumni and Alumnae were inducted into the West Catholic School Hall of Fame at a ceremony held on Thursday, December 7th at the school.

Msgr. Donald Leighton

Class of 1952

Service to the Church

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Mary Patricia McCafferty-Follman

Class of 1955

Business - Loyalty

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John Follman

Class of 1955

Business - Loyalty

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Sister Mary Flynn, IHM

Class of 1955

Service to the Church

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Edward Baxter, Esq.

Class of 1963

Law

Kyrus Freeman, Esq.

Class of 1995

Law

60TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION OF WEST CATHOLIC BOYS CLASS OF 1958

The 60th Anniversary of the Class of 1958's graduation from West Catholic Boys will be celebrated

on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

Special Occasion Dinner

Wives or significant others are encourage to attend, solo attendance is also welcome.

Where: Clarion Hotel and Conference Center (formerly the Ramada Airport Inn)

Location and Times: Crystal Ballroom

3:30 PM to 4:30 PM - Cocktail Hour (Cash Bar) with VIP board of cheeses, fruits and veggies

4:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Three Entree Buffet Dinner (Cash Bar)

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Presentations, Social Time (Cash Bar)

Price: $50.00 per person – payment in advance required by March 31, 2018 - no tickets will be issued.

Note: The dinner price increases to $60.00 per person for payments made after March 31, 2018. We are not accepting payment at the door as we have pay the hotel prior to the event.

For those who don't want to drive at night, the presentations will end at 7:00 PM. For others and those staying overnight, we have the room until 8:00 PM.

Overnight rooms are available at the Clarion at $99.00 per night. Call the Clarion Sales Office between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday at 610-521-9600, Ext. 1156, ask for Harley Toner, and mention the West Catholic Class of 1958 Dinner. This special rate is not available through the Clarion Website, their 800 number, or the reservation desk at the hotel. Booking can be scheduled now, but must be made no later than March 31, 2018.

The full information package, including buffet menu selections, is now available on our Website at www.goldenburrs-1958.com

Invitations and a return registration form will be e-mailed, and for those who don't use computers snail-mailed, in mid-February 2018.

Time is marching on, so don't miss out on this opportunity to renew old friendships and to reminisce about the great times that we had together at West Catholic in the fabulous 50's. Get your friends together and join us for this special 60th Anniversary event.

We hope to see you on May 5th, 2018.

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

RENOVATIONS AT WEST CATHOLIC PREP

gleaned from the 2017 Fall West Notes

Three major facility renovations were completed at West Catholic Prep during the summer months. Renovations took place in the former Library, the Gymnasium, and the Cafeteria.

The Library renovations were designed to create a collaborative working space for students to use, including a lounge area that students can use during lunch, study hall, or before and after school. Funding for the Student Commons was raised through the Centennial Gala hosted on May 6, 2017, which raised over $200,000.

The Gymnasium floor was renovated and named after the late Irene Mazur '64, sister of Len Mazur. The court was redesigned, with branding throughout, including the Philadelphia skyline. The second phase of the renovation will improve seating and flooring throughout the rest of the space and will begin in the coming months.

The Cafeteria received renovations to provide students with a warmer more comforting environment. The signage and painting brings life to a space that on a daily basis is the most used facility in the building.

West Catholic President, Paul Colistra, thanked Len and Helena Mazur, as well as the entire Alumni community for their generous and loyal support which made these renovations possible.

WEST CATHOLIC VARSITY FOOTBALL REPORTS

submitted by: JIM LYNCH & FRANK ADOLF

Reports and pictures gleaned from Papreplive, Pennlive, Philadelphia Inquirer, MaxPreps, WCP Twitter, Ted Silary and Facebook

August 26 - Pottsgrove 14 - West Catholic 0

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Pottsgrove	0	14	0	0	14
West Catholic	0	0	0	0	0

Losing to West Catholic last year was the driving force that caused the Falcons to come out and play a tough defensive game, limiting West Catholic to just 168 yards of total offense in a 14-0 victory at Cardinal O'Hara High School.

The Burrs quarterback Da'vion Kidd-Jackson was pressured all night long causing him to scramble around in the pocket and never allowing him to get comfortable, limiting him to 6 of 24 attempts for 76 yards including a 59 yard connection with Seth Degree, which was the highlight of the night for West.

Pottsgrove's Bradley Delp intercepted a pass that thwarted a six-play 63 yard drive in the second quarter.

The Burrs had just 92 yards on the ground, 27 of them on a Kidd-Jackson keeper.

Da'vion Kidd-Jackson

Thirteen penalties for 109 yards did the Burrs in as they couldn't overcome a 14-0 deficit entering the half.

The Falcons Jimai Springfield finished the Burrs chances by picking off a "Hail Mary" throw by Kidd-Jackson in the closing minutes of the game.

September 2 - West Catholic 24 - Roman Catholic 0

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
West Catholic	8	0	8	8	24
Roman Catholic	0	0	0	0	0

The West Catholic Burrs won this neutral non-conference game against Roman Catholic at Maxwell Field n Wildwood, N.J. by a score of 24-0.

It was a wet and windy game and with 10:01 remaining in the first quarter the Burrs scored a touchdown and two point conversion that went unanswered by Roman.

Both Roman and West failed to put points on the board in the second quarter.

West had touchdowns with 2 point conversions in both the third and fourth quarter that went unanswered, resulting in a West Catholic shutout.

September 8 - Haverford School 21 - West Catholic 18

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Haverford School	0	0	7	14	21
West Catholic	6	0	0	12	18

The West Catholic varsity football team lost Friday's home non-conference game against Haverford School by a score of 21-18.

The numbers the Haverford School and West Catholic put up Friday night at Widener’s Quick Stadium were so similar it was eerie. The Fords amassed 13 first downs and 302 yards of total offense. Ditto for the Burrs.

Haverford School's quarterback Dan Gerber connected on 12 of 19 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also ran for a score. West’s Da'vion Kidd-Jackson was 7 for 19 for 177 yards, with one touchdown and no picks and two rushing TD's. Both teams scored three touchdowns.

The Fords were leading by 21-6 with 7:51 to play in the game. West made two TD's in the fourth quarter to bring the score to 21-18.

With the numbers so close it was not a surprise that the game came down to special teams, kicking and defense.

Haverford's Chris Clark made all three of his extra point attempts. West failed on all three attempts to score two points after each touchdown.

The Fords came up with a huge stop at the end to hold on for a 21-18 nonleague victory.

September 16 - Conwell-Egan 0 - West Catholic 38

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Conwell-Egan	0	0	0	0	0
West Catholic	0	24	8	6	38

Both teams opened their Catholic League season with this game at West's Drexel U. practice field. The Burrs dominated the game with a 38 - 0 shutout over the Eagles.

Neither team scored in the first quarter.

Damen Studstill put the Burrs on the board with a fumble return at 11:45 in the second quarter. Jacir Savoy scored two TD's in the same quarter.

Jahmere Crumpton helped with a pick in the second quarter sending the Burrs into halftime at 24-0.

Running back Jacir Savoy

Jacir Savoy scored a hat trick with a TD at 8:08 left in the third and completed the day with his fourth TD on a 39 yarder in the fourth quarter. He rushed for 239 yards on just 16 carries, earning him the city player of the week designation for week four.

Last year it was Jacir's first time as a defensive back and he earned a reputation as one of the surest tacklers, finishing with 89 solo tackles and two interceptions. This season, in his junior year he is a full-time running back, who is used in the return game and as a slot receiver. At 5-foot 7, 170 pounds, it is hard to get him on the ground.

All scoring after TD's were 2 point conversions.

September 22 - West Catholic 40 - Lansdale Catholic 28

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
West Catholic	14	0	8	18	40
Lansdale Catholic	7	7	6	8	28

Down by six points, Lansdale Catholic moved the ball 70 tough yards against a persistent West Catholic defense and a shrinking clock, but with 16 seconds to play, WC's Wilbert Mulbah intercepted a pass by Crusader quarterback Michael Dutkiewicz and raced 97 yards for the clinching score.

The Burrs held on tight to a 40-28 victory in Friday night’s Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division contest, in a game good enough to momentarily transform coaches into entertained spectators and wild enough to produce a touchdown on a 38-yard fumble return and another score on 4th-and-23.

After LC tied things up at 28 with 8:54 to play, West Catholic took over at its own 20. Then, backed up with a 3rd-and-19 at the 11 yard line, quarterback Da’vion Kidd-Jackson found his way to a 38-yard gain that got the Burrs out of trouble and on their way to a go-ahead score. The drive resulted in an 80 yard advance that he finished himself with a six-yard run score with 6:15 to play, putting his team in front 34-28. Down 34-28 with six minutes to go, the Crusaders went from their 15 to the West Catholic 15, but came up just a few breaths short of the end zone. The aforementioned 97 yard interception return and TD by West Catholic's Mulbah resulted in a final score of 40-28.

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Da'vion Kidd-Jackson

Kidd-Jackson ran for a whopping 188 yards on 17 carries throwing 2 TD's and running for two more. He received considerable assistance from feature back Jacir Savoy who scored a touchdown of his own in the third quarter. Between them, Savoy and Kidd-Jackson's speed caused the Crusaders an abundance of difficulties. West Catholic gained 183 yards through the air and a decisive 315 on the ground.

"We have a very strong running game," said Mulbah, who played many roles for the Burrs--game-winning interceptor, big-play receiver, and even a contributor to that churning running attack. "When we get the blocks down, our running game is dominant." "Heck of a game," Mulbah said.

September 30 - West Catholic 6 - Ss. Neumann-Goretti 20

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
West Catholic	0	0	0	6	6
Ss.Neumann-Goretti	0	8	6	6	20

Both teams were off to unbeaten starts in the Philadelphia Catholic League this season, and both teams have an impressive collection of skilled players. Unfortunately, West lost this away conference game played at the South Philadelphia Supersite.

Although the Burrs brought dual-threat quarterback Da'vion Kidd-Jackson and fleet-footed running back Jacir Savoy to South Philly, the Saints had the athletes to match their performance.

N-G suffocated the West offense for most of a chilly Saturday night, and the Saints stayed undefeated both overall and in the Philadelphia Catholic League with a 20-6 win over West Catholic.

Except for one lapse in the first half, where the Saints scored a TD in the second quarter, the Burrs defense matched N-G's. The score came when running back Leddie Brown fought his way out of a pile and took off for a 48-yard touchdown run, allowing N-G to lead at halftime by 8-0.

N-G quarterback Charles Britt rushed for two touchdowns, the first with 8:13 left in the 3rd quarter, to put the Saints up 14-0. The second TD came on a 16-yard run putting N-G up 20-0 at 7:56 in the 4th quarter.

The Saints were close to clinching a shutout after holding on fourth-down at their 5 yard line with less than three minutes remaining, but the Burrs were able to force a turnover on downs. The Burrs Jacir Savoy went in from 9 yards out with only 2:01 left on the clock.

Savoy had 108 total yards on 17 carries for the Burrs and two catches for 40 yards.

N-G improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Catholic League Blue division. West dropped to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Blue Division.

October 6 - Germantown Academy 0 - West Catholic 14

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Germantown Acad.	0	0	0	0	0
West Catholic	0	0	0	14	14

Germantown Academy wasn't able to scrape together any points, falling to West Catholic 14 - 0 in this non-conference game at Widener University.

The game went scoreless until 11:11 in the 4th quarter when the Burrs Jacir Savoy took the ball in for an 8 yard TD run and again for the 2 point conversion.

With 3:13 left in the game,Savoy returned a punt 48 yards for a TD and the final score - West 14 - Germantown 0.

The win lifted West Catholic to 4-3. Germantown Academy's record fell to 4-2 after the loss.

Next week the Burrs will square off against Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast. This meeting makes it back-to-back home games for West Catholic.

October 13 - Bonner-Prendergast 0 - West Catholic 50

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Bonner-Prendergast	0	0	0	0	0
West Catholic	6	24	8	12	50

The Burrs rolled past Bonner-Prendergast, 50-0, at Widener's Quick Stadium, with eight players scoring points. Sr. QB Da'vion Kidd-Jackson led the way with 14.

The first quarter was an ugly affair with penalties, fumbles and sloppy play. The Burrs shook off those early troubles and took a 6-0 lead behind their strong running attack. Wide receiver Aaron Jenkins took an end around and raced 81 yards for a TD to open the scoring with 1:24 left in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Kidd-Jackson scored on a 55 yard run with 9:00 left and the Burrs scored again at 4:22 on the clock. West quarterback tandem of Da'vion Kidd-Jackson and Zaire Hart-Hawkins would prove overwhelming for Bonner-Prendergast. Kidd-Jackson added another TD run, Hart-Hawkins hit Justino Griggs for a 13 yard scoring pass, and the Burrs defense notched a safety resulting from a failed snap on a punt attempt to close out the first half leading 30-0.

In the third quarter, West's Rovny Dasilva had a fumble return, and a two point conversion added 8 points to the Burrs scoring.

In the fourth quarter, Skakur Small added a defensive score, while Dai'Jon Brown rushed for a TD.

Bonner-Prendergast struggled to gain any momentum offensively against the staunch Burrs defense. It is a young program that is low in numbers, with only six seniors.

This was the Burrs' 19th 50-pointer in this century vs. Catholic League teams. How many occurred beforehand? Just one. In 1943, West powered to 59 points against St. John's of Manayunk, a small school that was in the CL for just 15 seasons (1935-49) and often absorbed major lumps. Its league record during that stretch was 17-84-13. West's leading scorer in that 1943 game was John Tulskie, who notched four touchdowns. With two games to go in the regular season, the Burrs are 5-3 Overall and 3-1 in the Catholic League Blue Division.

October 21 - West Catholic 46 - Bishop McDevitt 6

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
West Catholic	20	6	8	12	46
Bishop McDevitt	0	6	0	0	6

Both teams were at 5-3 before this game and the winner would have a solid shot at gaining a playoff berth in their division.

West Catholic's offense came in ready to rumble for this away game at Cheltenham High School, picking up 26 points in the first half to McDevitt's 6 points. Things continued to go well for the Burrs in the second half, where the defense kept McDevitt from scoring.

In the first quarter, West scored on a fumble recovery run on the first play by Da'vion Kidd-Jackson at 10:59. A two point conversion brought the score to 8-0. West scored another TD with 4:17 left in the quarter, and another TD with 28 seconds left in the quarter. Both conversion attempts failed, bringing the game score to 20-0. The Burrs Junior Jacir Savoy returned a punt 50 yards for a TD at 3:58 left in the fourth quarter, ending the game scoring at 46-6. In total Jacir ran for 117 yards and two scores on 21 carries in the game.

In the second quarter, McD scored what would be its only TD in the game. Kidd-Jackson ran 75 yards for a TD with a minute left, bringing the half-time score to West 26 - McD 6. At 5:15 left in the fourth quarter the Burrs were winning by 40-6 after another TD.

At 5:15 left in the third quarter the Burrs scored again and added a two point conversion putting them ahead at 34-6.

With 5:50 left in the fourth quarter the Burrs were winning by 40 to 6 after another TD.

The Burrs junior Jacir Savoy returned a punt 50 yards for a TD at 3:58 left in the fourth quarter, ending the game scoring at 46-6. In total, Savoy ran for 117 yards and two scores on 21 carries in the game.

Tre Johnson had a rushing TD and Kidd-Jackson threw for a TD in the game.

The win bumped West Catholic's record up to 6-3 with one more regular season game next week.

October 27 - Cardinal O'Hara 14 - West Catholic 20

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Card. O'Hara	7	0	7	0	14
West Catholic	0	12	0	8	20

Last year West Catholic lost the matchup against O'Hara by a nail-biting score of 27-26 in double OT. This year the rematch didn't go the same way, as Cardinal O'Hara was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap with the Burrs winning by a score of 20 to 14 in this home divisional game at Widener University.

O'Hara scored on its first drive with a 40 yard receiving touchdown. The Burrs failed to answer, putting the score at the end of the first quarter at 7-0.

The Burrs came alive in the second quarter scoring 12 unanswered points. The score at half-time was West 12, O'Hara 7.

The Lions scored a TD in the third quarter which went unanswered by the Burrs. At the end of the third quarter the score was West - 12, O'Hara - 14.

Moving to the fourth quarter, at 8:05 left West scored a TD and two point conversion putting them up at 20-14. O'Hara took eight plays to get from its own 20 yard line to the West 15 late in the quarter. It looked like O'Hara was a sure bet to score a go ahead TD and point after and win the game as the Burrs, clinging to a six-point lead, could not keep the Lions in check. The key play was a third down conversion that set the Lions up on the West 15. One play later, it was the beginning of the end for O'Hara, as Jamir Redd struggled for yards the ball popped out and West recovered, dashing the Lions hopes.

The problem for the Lions (6-3, 3-3), was that they couldn’t keep the tandem of West QB Da’vion Kidd-Jackson and Jacir Savoy in check. Kidd-Jackson threw for 58 yards and ran for 95, including an incredible 57 yard touchdown scamper right before the first half ended. It was a terrific play, Kidd-Jackson bobbled the snap, recovered the ball and found an alley before cutting back on the last man for the touchdown. Savoy was even better, toting the ball 26 times for 136 yards and an 18-yard touchdown run to get the Burrs (7-3, 5-1) on the board in the second quarter. The slippery tailback weaved his way in and out of lanes and was particularly efficient on counters.

As a team, the Lions rushed for 13 yards on 22 carries and a lung of seven from Nick Kutufaris. The passing game, though, came alive despite the absence of All-Delco receiver Justin Santilla, and later, Chris Kirby.

No. 3 West Catholic will play No. 2 Bristol in the District 1-12 Class 2A Sub-regional, Semi-final game next weekend.

Pre-Game Prediction by John Knebels of CatholicPhilly.com

District 1-12 Class 2A Sub-regional: West Catholic vs. Bristol, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 at Bristol High School. West Catholic's only Blue Division loss was a 20-6 setback against undefeated Neumann-Goretti. The Burrs (7-3) haven't lost since.

"In order for us to win, we just have to stick with what we've been doing and believe in what our coaches have been putting in for us," said senior fullback/defensive end Keith Jenkins. "That includes playing fundamental football and being good sportsmen."

Prediction: The Burrs are among the area's most underrated programs, as suggested by a convincing 30-6 success.

November 3 - West Catholic 50 - Bristol 6

PIAA District 1-12 - Class 2A Sub-regional Semi-final

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
West Catholic	28	22	0	0	50
Bristol	6	0	0	0	6

Well John Knebels prediction was correct, West Catholic won by a big margin, 20 points higher than his forecast, and Bristol only scored 6 points.

In the first quarter the Burrs scored 8 points in their first possession. Eric Bell ran for a 65 yard TD on Bristol's first offensive play making it a 8-6 game at 31 seconds in. The West scorers continued to check in big time ending with 28 points on the board vs. 6 for Bristol in the quarter.

With 7 minutes to go in the second quarter, the Burrs Jacir Savoy ran for a 25 yard TD resulting in a 34-6 score. The two point conversion failed.

Savoy scored again with a 20 yard TD, bringing the score to 40-6. Da'vion Kidd-Jackson rushed for the 2 point conversion -West Catholic 42 - Bristol 6.

With a minute to go in the second quarter, Zahir Booker ran for a 12 yard TD. Tre Johnson rushed for a 2 point conversion bringing the score to West Catholic 50, Bristol 6 at half-time.

Neither team scored in the second half.

In total, Jacir Savoy netted 137 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries.

On November 11th, West Catholic travels to the South Philly Supersite to face undefeated Ss. Neumann-Goretti who won their Sub-regional Semi-final game against Strawberry Mansion by 54-6.

Pre-Game Predictions by Rick O'Brien and John Knebels

Rick O'Brien of the Philadelphia Inquirer had this to say about the upcoming game: "Can Jacir Savoy and the Burrs reverse a 20-6 loss to the Saints? Pick: Neumann-Goretti 22-20." Here's hoping he is wrong.

Prediction by John Knebels of CatholicPhilly.com: "Neumann-Goretti is undefeated but was not nearly as dominant in late league wins over Cardinal O'Hara and Conwell-Egan. West Catholic stuns the Saints, 28-27, and the Burrs await their PIAA state foe." We hope he is correct.

November 11 - West Catholic 0 - Ss. Neumann-Goretti 18

PIAA District 1-12 - Class 2A Sub-regional Final

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
West Catholic	0	0	0	0	0
Ss.Neumann-Goretti	6	0	6	6	18

In spite of the predictions of a close game, Neumann-Goretti shutout West Catholic 18-0 in this Sub-regional Final playoff game. The N-G defense limited their Catholic League Blue Division rival to 107 yards rushing on 30 attempts. The Burrs' quarterback Da'vion Kidd-Jackson was only able to complete 4 of 15 passes for 23 yards.

In the first quarter, on the third play from scrimmage N-G's quarterback Charles Britt connected with wideout Dymir Cave on a slant pattern for a 87 yard TD. The 2 point conversion attempt failed. The quarter ended at 6-0 in favor of NG.

Neither team scored in the second quarter, leaving the halftime score at NG 6, West 0.

Chris Wells' 44 yard dart made it 12-0 with just under 8 minutes remaining the third quarter. The 2 point conversion attempt failed.

Mid-way through the fourth quarter, N-G's Britt completed a 4 yard pass to Jayvonne Campfield for a TD, capping the scoring at 18-0.

This season ending defeat caused West's record to fall to 8-4.

First-year N-G coach Albie Crosby, who guided Imhotep Charter to a 53-6 record and a Class 3A state crown in four seasons, once served as assistant coach at West Catholic prior to Imhotep. The new look Saints at 10-0 are heading into the PIAA District 12, Class 2A second round playoff against District 11's Schuykill Haven (8-4) on November 19.

ALL-CATHOLIC BLUE DIVISION ALL-STARS

The following West Catholic players were selected by the league as Blue Division All-Stars.

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

LINE - Calvin Pressley

QB - Da'vion Kidd-Jackson

RB - Jacir Savoy

FB - Dai'Jon Brown

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

LINE - Calvin Pressley

LB - Tre Johnson

LB - Rovny Dasilva

BACK - Jahmere Crumpton

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

CENTER - Rickquan Rivera

TE - Rovny Dasilva

WR - Seth Degree

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

LINE - Keith Jenkins

Thanks to the Burrs players and coaches for an exciting season. Go WEST CATHOLIC IN 2018.

NEWS FEATURES

VISITATION B.V.M. SCHOOL

submitted by: JIM GALLAGHER & JOE GAVAGHAN

Hello,

I am beyond excited to share the news that Visitation has been selected as the 1st prize winner for a grant contest hosted by the National Constitution Center promoting Civic Literacy. We will be awarded $100,000 over the next few years which well help fund a fully functioning School Senate. We will be at the Constitution Center for the official announcement during the kick off to Constitution Day. We are incredibly excited to get this program up and running this school year.

Kathleen Britt

Development Director

Visitation B.V.M. School

300 East Lehigh Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19125

215.634.7280

www.vizobvm.org

SOCIETY OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS (SHCJ)

submitted by: FRANK METZLER & FRANK ADOLF

Commonly called the Sisters of the Holy Child, the Society was founded in England by Philadelphia-born Cornelia (Peacock) Connelly in 1846.

Cornelia Peacock was born in Center City Philadelphia, on January 15, 1809 into an upstanding and large Presbyterian family. Her father died when she was 9 years old and her mother died when she was 14 at which time she went to live with her married sister Isabelle. Her sister's family were Episcopal and through their connection she met a young Episcopal priest, Pierce Connelly, who was a curate at Philadelphia's Christ Church. They fell in love, and Cornelia joined the Episcopal Church and she and Pierce were married

on December 1, 1831.

Believed to be the wedding picture of Cornelia Connelly

Pierce accepted an assignment to a small rural church in Natchez, Mississippi.

Pierce resigned from the Episcopal Church in 1835. They both converted to the Roman Catholic religion; first Cornelia in 1835 followed by Pierce shortly thereafter. Over the next decade the Connelly's had five children, two of whom died, which was a common occurrence in those days.

In 1840, while Cornelia was pregnant with her fifth child, Pierce announced that he wanted to be ordained as a Catholic Priest. Cornelia was heart broken but accepted his decision as God's will. Pierce petitioned Rome for acceptance of his desire to become a priest. Before it would consider Pierce's request, the church required Cornelia's full consent to a marriage separation and a vow of perpetual chastity of a nun and he would have to make the promise of celibacy.

In December 1843, the Connelly family traveled to Rome to petition Pope Gregory XVI to grant them a Deed of Separation. The Deed of Separation was granted in 1844, but legally they remained lawfully married until her death.

The eldest child was placed in a Catholic boarding school and Cornelia and the younger children took residence with the Society of the Sacred Heart. However, at the request of Pope Gregory XVI she decided to found her own congregation and, inspired by her own children and the Holy Spirit, it would be known as The Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

As the Pope desired, Cornelia's new order would establish its Motherhouse in England. She accepted an invitation from Bishop (later Cardinal) Nicholas Wiseman to establish the first foundation in the city of Derby, England. She was installed by Bishop Wiseman as the superior-general of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, on December 21, 1847.

In 1848 the Society's Motherhouse was moved to St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, England where a school was established and a church was built.

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St. Leonards-on-Sea Motherhouse

Pierce was an impediment to Cornelia's vocation. While they were in Rome he was permitted weekly visitation, but in England Bishop Wiseman forbade the visits. When Cornelia would not see him he became enraged, took the children and placed them in private schools, forbidding any communication with Cornelia. Ultimately Pierce left the Catholic priesthood and returned to the Episcopal Church. He made every effort, including lawsuits, to force Cornelia to come back to him as his wife and to renounce her religious vows. Cornelia stood her ground and refused his request. She once wrote: "The will of God is the only happiness and the only thing worth living for".

In 1863, Mother Connelly came upon the "Old Palace" at the idyllic village of Mayfield, some 40 miles from London. The Palace was originally a holiday residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury during the 14th and 15th centuries. King Henry VIII took over the Palace during the Reformation and gave it to several leading noblemen of the day.

The estate was purchased by a wealthy patroness, Louise, Dowager Duchess of Leeds, and presented to the Society as a gift. The Society opened a school at the Palace. A Mass was celebrated on November 18, 1863 at Mayfield for the first time since the mid-16th century. In 1953, the original school at St. Leonards-on-Sea and the school at Mayfield merged to form the current combined school. Today the teachers are mostly lay staff, but the nuns still maintain a strong presence as members of the Board of Governors.

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Venerable Mother Cornelia Connelly

1809 - 1879

The same Duchess of Leeds provided the Society with a farm in Towanda Pennsylvania, on the condition that a branch of the Society be established in America. In 1862, six Sisters of the Society came to the United States and a week later arrived in Towanda, Pennsylvania to establish the Society's first American convent and school. Unfortunately, the attempt at Towanda did not take root and proved to be unsuccessful.

First Convent and School in America - Towanda, PA

In 1864, Mother Connelly, was informed that an estate called Sharon, home of the Jackson Female Academy in Darby, Pennsylvania was for sale and that it would be a suitable location for a convent and a school. Sharon was located off the Chester Turnpike, which today is Chester Pike. Mother Connelly purchased the property, and soon a group of six Sisters set out from Philadelphia to Darby to staff the order's newest school which would be known as Holy Child Academy. In addition to the school and the convent, there was also a farm and a dairy. Mother Connelly visited the school a few years after its founding and was pleased with what she and Sisters had accomplished.

The Society was officially approved in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII. The same Pope confirmed and ratified the rules and constitutions of the Society in 1893.

On April 18, 1879, Mother Connelly died at Mayfield, England, 33 years to the day after she left Rome to start her order. She is buried at the School Chapel, Mayfield, Wealden District, East Sussex, England.

Tomb of Venerable Cornelia Connelly

In 1890, Sharon, PA ceded from the town of Darby, PA and was incorporated as the Borough of Sharon Hill.

Also, in 1890 a four-story red brick school building was built to replace the existing structure that had housed the Jackson Female Academy. In 1899, a Gothic-style chapel was added to the Holy Child Academy campus.

Sharon Hill Convent, School and Chapel of the Holy Child Jesus

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Interior of Sharon Hill Chapel of the Holy Child Jesus

In 1891, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus donated land belonging to the Holy Child Academy for a mission chapel of Saint Clement parish. On November 18, 1894 the original mission chapel in Sharon Hill was dedicated by the Archbishop of Philadelphia as a parish

under the title of the Holy Spirit. The Sisters of the Holy Child staffed Holy Spirit School. In the late 1990's, because of a lack of religious personnel, the school eventually fell under the administration of a lay faculty. In 2003, declining enrollment resulted in the closure of Holy Spirit school.

In 1921, the Society founded Rosemont College, an independent liberal arts institution in the Catholic tradition situated on 56 acres in Rosemont, Pennsylvania.

In 1927, the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus acquired the Joseph Sinnott Mansion for $1.00 to serve as the school campus. One of the oldest Catholic women's colleges in the region, Rosemont originally "had a reputation for educating the daughters of more well-to-do Catholics". In the fall of 2009, the traditionally women's undergraduate college began accepting male students.

Rosemont College - Main Building

The College's Immaculate Conception Chapel is one of only two chapels in the United States whose stained-glass windows depict only women, a project conceived by Rosemont's second president, Mother Mary Ignatius Carroll.

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Immaculate Conception Chapel Windows

Founded in 1927 by the Society, Holy Child Academy on Shadeland Avenue in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania is the only independent Catholic school for boys and girls providing Nursery through Grade 8 education in Delaware County, PA. Today there is a population of 160 students with an 8.1 student teacher ratio. The student body represents a mixture of races and religions with 38% people of color and 35% non-Catholic. Collectively, 65% of the past five graduating classes have earned academic scholarships to private high schools.

In 1927, four Holy Child Sisters were among the founding faculty at the West Philadelphia High School for Girls.

Sharon's convent served as the Novitiate and American Provincial House for the Sisters of the Holy Child. A cemetery was established on the property for the Holy Child Sisters. In the 1940's the Society moved the Novitiate and Provincial House to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

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Bryn Mawr Novitiate and Provincial House - Society of the Holy Child Jesus

In 1949, the School of the Holy Child Jesus opened in Rosemont, Pennsylvania with 22 boys and girls, in preschool, 1st and 2nd grades. The Society referred to the school as "New Sharon". The children were taught in the Tudor mansion designed by Horace Trumbauer, the famous Philadelphia architect responsible for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and many Main Line Mansions.

The school grew until it encompassed Kindergarten through 8th grade. By the late 1960's more space was needed, so the School embarked on its first of three building campaigns. Further expansion continued in the 1970's and 1990's. Holy Child School at Rosemont continued to grow into the 21st century, dedicating a new gymnasium, a turf field, and an expanded Academic Center that was completed in 2008.

Holy Child Academy in Sharon Hill was regarded as one of the most prestigious girls' private schools in the Philadelphia area, and when the enrollment reached several hundred students in the 1960's a new and bigger school was built. In 1963, a new white and gray modern-style school building was dedicated by Cardinal Krol at Holy Child Academy. Unfortunately, not to long after that dedication

the beginning of the end began for Sharon. In 1969, the enrollment had plummeted and there was a lack of Sisters to teach at the school. The last graduating class of seventy-six students departed Sharon and the school as closed in May 1973. Today, the site is the home of a branch of the Academy Park High School.

In 1974, the remains of those Sisters who were originally buried at the Holy Child Jesus Cemetery were moved to Holy Sepulchre

Cemetery in Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia, the Society founded St. Leonard Academy on Chestnut Street in 1867 and St. James School in 1870, until the Christian Brothers took over the school in 1896. The Brother's residence at that time was located in the 3700 block of Sansom Street. In 1901 the Holy Child Sisters resumed teaching at St. James. St. James School closed in 1967 due to low enrollment (55 students). In August of 1976 the Archdiocese merged St. Agatha and St. James Parishes, and the combined school of St. Agatha/St. James, was located at St. Agatha and was staffed by the Immaculate Heart Sisters. A fire destroyed St. Agatha School, forcing the re-opening of the old St. James School. Once again the school closed in 1987 due to low enrollment. St. Leonard's Academy is still open but the school was purchased in 2008 and is run by a private company.

The Society also staffed Visitation B.V.M. School from 1883 to 1911 when they were replaced by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

After opening schools on the East Coast, the Sisters traveled west to Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Illinois, Wyoming and California, where they continued to open schools and live out their mission of helping individuals to identify and develop their God-given gifts.

The Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus live out the motto of the Society, "Actions Not Words," in a variety of ministries striving to live the apostolic life as Cornelia did, seeking to meet the wants of the age through spiritual mercy.

Today, the Society has three provinces: North America, Africa, and Europe.

On June 13, 1992 Pope John Paul II declared Mother Connelly Venerable.

Anyone who has had an interesting experience with the Holy Child nuns and wishes to share it, please email your story to Frank Adolf at: fjapfa1539@comcast.net

The Spring 2018 edition will feature the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

MAIL FROM CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS

Denny Brennan: Thanks Frank, I look forward to reading the histories of the Nuns. A lot of us took many "clickers" to the head, and Pointers and Yardsticks to the back and wherever else they landed, but they were great times and I believe most of the "knocks" that I took were deserved and those few that were not deserved were 'make-ups' for times that I should have gotten punished! Somehow, we all learned and had a lot of fun, I think we all have a great deal of respect for the nuns. God bless them all.

Paul Colistra - WCP President: Great job Frank!

Jim Clark: Hello Frank, Very well done. I always wanted to see Our Mother of Sorrows Church; because that was my Mother's Parish, as well as my Wife Retta's too. Clarkie

Joe Grimley: Thank You, Great Job.

Jim Prendergast: Hi Frank, The Fall Edition 2017 is now up on the web, Great newsletter. I really like the information on our IHM Nuns. Pretty interesting. Keep up the good work. Prendy

Bob Dougherty: FRANKS, as always very nice job and it somehow caught the eye of a younger W C BURR Mike Mullen 59 or 60?? who lived down the street from me on Greenway Ave. He writes to me "This class from West Catholic, your class, does a fantastic job of communicating. Are you on the mailing list? I was going to send them your fishing pics."

Mike lives out here in Ca, is brother to Johnny '57, Jim '55, and Kathleen ?. He and I have been yakkin it up for a couple of years now. Again thanks guys, nice job, sláinte Bobby Doc

Mike Mullen '59: Even though I'm not from the '58 class I enjoy your emails. I have a few friends from your class, including Bob Dougherty, who recently moved out here to Southern California, on the ocean near Laguna and Newport areas. Bob has a very nice boat and he is quite the fisherman as attested by the attached photo.

Bob and I were neighbors on Greenway Avenue in Southwest Philly. I was one-year behind Bob at MBS, West Catholic, and La Salle University. We have quite a few Burr alumni out here and I forward them your newsletters. KEEP UP THE QUALITY WORK. Mike Mullen class of '59.

Joe Gavaghan: Good morning Frank, My great niece, Karen Davis, is at WC on an 8 week assignment as a counselor. Her husband, Chris, graduated from West at the present location 2 years after the move from 49th Street. She is on her way to a doctorate in counseling on line. She also has to go to a physical site for a weekend or longer. Education is so different today. Cheers, Joe

Brother Joseph Grabenstein: Hi Frank, I’m Bro. Joe Grabenstein, Archivist for the Christian Brothers. Thanks so very much for the time and attention which you (and colleagues) give to your quality “Golden Burrs” newsletter every several months. I have been archiving them as they come along for their historical content and perspectives. As of the moment, I have from Fall 2013 through the most recent. Can you send me attachments for the various issues BEFORE Fall 2013? I don’t want to miss your research and productivity!

Thanks very much, Frank. Blessings on what you do, and how you do it! Brother Joe G.

RESPONSE: Hi Brother Joe: Thank you so much for your kind words about the "Golden Burrs" newsletters. It is very meaningful to me and our contributors that you find the content of the newsletters worthy of archiving.

We started this effort in the fall of 2009 so you are missing 16 editions plus two special editions from January, 2011 and January, 2012. I will get to work on sending you these 18 editions. Because of e-mail size limitations, I will send them to you the same way they were originally sent, as individual newsletters starting with #1. I will start the process on Monday morning.

Thanks again for your comments and for taking the time to preserve the West Catholic Boys Class of 1958's Newsletters in your archives. Frank Adolf

Brother Joseph Grabenstein: Hello men, Thanks so very, very much for your sending me the Golden Burrs newsletters which I needed. Excellent response to a need, and much appreciated. I’m now your “branch office”! All the very best to you folks. Bro Joe

Patricia Defosse: I am sorry to inform you and the class of 1958 that Ted Defosse of St. Clement passed on Nov. 4, 2017. He was looking forward to attending the 60th. A memorial Mass will be at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Onley, VA. on Dec. 2, 2017. Thank you for all the work you do to keep us informed of West Catholic happenings.

Dick (Huck) Boyle: It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I inform you that my life long friend, confident, and partner in crime, Joe Kady has passed away suddenly. Joe was diagnosed about three months ago with cancer of the Esophagus which was considered to be in the very early stages. The plan was an operation to remove the cancer and he was to stay in the hospital 8 to 10 days and be sent home to recover. Well, without going into all of the specifics every thing that could go wrong went wrong in Joe's case. He was in a critical care unit of the hospital with one problem after another. He was recently transferred to a long term care facility about three weeks ago. What was suppose to be 8 to 10 days turned out to be almost two months in intensive. God called Joe home last night (Nov. 9). There will be no services as of now, but should that change I will be in touch. What I would ask that each person reading this will stop for a few minutes and say a few prayers for the Happy Repose of the Soul of Joe and for his widow. Thank You, Huck

Hugh Gilmore: Thanks Frank, I'm touched, all too often, to learn the demise of a former classmate. And I'm always pleasantly surprised to read about his life and the family and friends he made along the way.

Bob Dougherty: Here's a picture of Charley Bonner, me and our two Annies about to leave the dock after having a super lunch @ The Blue Water Grill in Newport Harbor. We put the boat in at Dana Point and do a 45 minute ocean run, then about the same time covering Newport Harbor looking at zillion $ boats & homes. Fun day.

Bobby & Annie Dougherty with Charley and Annie Bonner

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Thank you note from Mary Ellen Sweeney

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Thank you note received from Joan McCluskey

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Thank you note and prayer card received from Pat Defosse

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EARLIEST MEMORIES FROM THE 1940'S and 1950's

MY FIRST DAY IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

submitted by: JIM LYNCH

The year 1950, I was attending catholic school for the first time at Good Shepherd in Southwest Philly. We all got seated in the classroom and a brand new nun came into the room, introduced herself as Sister Daniel Mary, then proceeded to arrange the class seating by last name in alphabetical order. Seeing that we had no books as yet, she stated we would review religion and asked the class “What is Grace”? She looked around the room and pointed to me to stand up, give my name, and give her the answer to her question. I stood up, stated my name, then said I don’t know what is grace, I thought she was going to faint. She said she could not believe a catholic boy in the 5^th grade did not know what Grace was. Just then the boy sitting behind me, Jack Mather, raised his hand and told sister this was my first day in catholic school as I was a convert to the Catholic religion. After receiving this information, she asked me to sit down, and from then on I was one of her favorites.

About 25 years later, while visiting my mom, who still lived in the parish, she advised me Sister Daniel Mary was back in Good Shepherd. As it was on my way home, I stopped at the convent and asked to see her. Seated in a waiting room she entered, not the young nun I remembered as she had aged and did look like she shrunk but maybe I grew. Anyway I asked her if she remembered me but she stated so many children, so many faces. I asked her a question, Sister “What is Grace”? She replied Jimmy Lynch. I guess my first day did make an impression on her.

NOTE: Sister Daniel Mary Smyth, I.H.M. - MARY THERESE SMYTH, passed away on March 2, 2005 at the age of 89. She is interred at Immaculata Cemetery.

FIRST GRADE AT TRANSFIGURATION

submitted by: FRANK ADOLF

Some of you may have heard this story before, but I thought of it once again after working on the history of the I.H.M. nuns.

The year was 1946 when I entered first grade at Transfiguration school. We had approximately 100 kids in the room with about 50 desks, meaning that we had to sit two to a desk.

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Our teacher was Sister Miriam Michael, a petite nun with a winning smile and usually a gentle personality.

However, on one Friday afternoon just before dismissal, Sister announced that because we had misbehaved she was going to lock us in for the weekend. With that she proceeded to close the windows, pull down the shades and shut off the lights. She reached into the huge side pocket of her habit and pulled out the key to the door, and very dramatically, with the key held in the air, exited the room locking the door behind her.

Bob "The Beach" Merenda, followed by Tony Gargiule, decided that they weren't going to be locked up all weekend and proceeded to look for an escape route. Bob opened a window to survey the possibilities.

We were on the second floor and he saw that the drainpipe from the roof gutter was close to the window. The drainpipe was not the skinny flimsy pipes we have today, it was a large heavy duty copper pipe that was anchored to the stone wall. Beach told us that we could all shimmy down the drainpipe to freedom. As he climbed up on the windowsill with Tony's assist, Sister, who was watching the event unfold from a peep hole in the coat closet wall, charged into the room and put an end to the escape plan. Bob and Tony were sent to the Mother Superior's office and the rest of us were dismissed.

NOTE: Sister Miriam Michael I.H.M. - ELIZABETH C. VOLPE, passed away on June 23, 2012 at the age of 92. She is interred at Immaculata Cemetery.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

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 back operations and a heart procedure, Tom Wallace, aka German John, who is battling cancer, Tom Henry who is fighting Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Bob DiRita who has been sidelined for the past few years with health issues.

Please pray for all of our deceased friends and classmates, especially Jim McCluskey, Ted Defosse, and Joe Kady WC Class of '59, Pat Touey and Jim Trainor. Joe was a loyal attendee at the Class of 1958's annual luncheons and at Burrs at the Beach.

James L. McCluskey - March 25, 2016

Theodore C. Defosse Jr. - November 4, 2017

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Joseph Kady WC '59 - November 9, 2017

Patrick V. Touey - November 23, 2017

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James J. Trainor - December 1, 2017

May Jim, Ted, Joe, Pat and Jim Rest in Peace.

FINAL THOUGHT

submitted by: RICH BUZZA

You all remember that the old grotto. which originally stood at our West Catholic campus, well it was saved when the school was torn down for future use somewhere unknown at that time. The original grotto was donated by Mothers of West Catholic and dedicated to the West Catholic Alums who fought and died in World War II. It has now been painstakingly reassembled at the new West Catholic 4501 Chestnut St. and there is always an open invitation to drop by and visit the school and see the grotto. \

On Friday, November 10th the Veteran's Committee of the West Catholic Alumni Association held their 5th Annual Veterans Appreciation Mass in the chapel at the school. Immediately following the Mass, a presentation put together by WC Alumni Veterans Committee and the Gold Star Mothers of America was held in the auditorium with the Veterans, guests and student body in attendance. After the presentation, the Veterans, guests and Student Council members attended the dedication and blessing of the Grotto in the cold and windy parking lot. As I read somewhere, someone said "Now there is a connection between the current West Catholic and the Boys school for the classes of '89 and before!"

The rebuilt grotto was rededicated to all of those who have lost their lives in service to our country. Much thanks for his dedication and hard work on this project to Johnnie Walker, W. C. Alumni Veterans Committee Chair.

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

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