The Class of 1951 Returns to Renovate the 63-Year-Old Grotto and STP Is
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 11, No. 2 2011 The Class of 1951 returns to renovate the 63-year-old Grotto and STP is BLESSEDTWICE 8 ~ Oct 94 ob BLESSED 1 e n February 11, 1858, the Virgin Mary ap- , Philip Class of 1951 and built by 47-year-old 8 r Opeared to Bernadette Soubirous for the r 8 Jeff Smith, owner of Smith Masonry. Jeff first time at the Grotto of Massabielle in , was assisted by his good friend of nearly e 2 Lourdes, France. Ninety years later to the b 0 twenty years, Dick, who helps on bigger o day, the St. Philip class of 1951 started a t 1 projects. Jeff learned stone masonry at Sodality project to construct a grotto on c 1 the age of fifteen from his brother, Rick, the parish grounds. The students’ ef- O who in turn had learned the trade from forts were overseen by Sister Thaddea, a German man. I.H.M., who taught in the high school. Jeff had nieces and nephews who at- Improvements to the parish cam- tended St. Philip School, so he is very pus resulted in the grotto being torn much aware of the importance and down in 2008. The statues of Mary sentiments attached to the old grotto. and Bernadette were salvaged and While the task was back-breaking at placed on the lawn of the Seton Cen- times and extremely uncomfortable ter, waiting for a new home. Once during the several days of ninety de- construction of the new grotto was gree heat, Jeff and Dick are honored started, the statues were cleaned and to have been chosen as contractors for painted, and then stored on the Seton the new grotto, knowing it will stand Center’s back porch on the very spot for several decades as a monument to where Sister Marie Loretta used to play Our Lady of Lourdes. The new grotto marbles when the building was a convent. will be evidence of the commitment of Our new grotto, located on the front the Class of 1951 and to the entire parish, lawn of the Seton Center at the corner of and to the quality of Jeff and Dick’s work. Capital and Cherry, was paid for by the St. MATT DAVIS, CLASS OF 1979 Inside this issue of Alumni News Celebrating The Grotto Homecoming 2011 Smiles & Milestones Alumni Updates 2011 Points of Pride Upcoming Events Tracking Today’s Tigers BCACS News Challenge of the Decades & Much More Have STP Alumni News to Share? Call 269.963.4771 or email [email protected] page 1 Alumni’s Guide to Who, What, Where, When & Why TAKE A LOOK WITH YOUR CALENDAR BOOK 16th Annual Alumni Homecoming Reunion Don’t forget to like us! All alumni and friends are invited Oc- all of the STP Alumni and remember those STP’s on tober 6, 2012, to the 16th Annual Alumni who have gone before us. The Class of Facebook: Homecoming Reunion. Invitations for 1962 will be recognized as they mark their Saint Philip this day of nostalgia, food and fun will be 50th Class Reunion. mailed in July 2012. A cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. Alumni The day begins with a 10:00 a.m. Alumni at the St. Philip Parish Center, followed by Association Meeting and Continental Breakfast in the dinner. Alumni Room 101. The Tiger Tailgate starts The 2012 Distinguished Alumni will be at 12:00 noon and Big RED Football kicks honored and the school will be open for all off at 1:30 p.m. During the game, we will alumni to explore. Reconnect and reminisce PLANNING A REUNION? honor the 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame. while wandering the hallways and class- The festivities continue at the 4:30 Mass rooms of your alma mater. Don’t miss a HAVESU STPMM ERALUMNI FUN NEWS? at St. Philip Church where we will honor moment of fun. Mark your calendars today! WE WRUNANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! CALLING ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLASSES OF Alumni News 1927, 1932, 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 269.963.4771 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, [email protected] 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002 & 2007 CELEBRATE YOUR MILESTONE YEAR HOMECOMING WEEKEND DRAWDOWN FEBRUARY 18, 2012 AUGUST 11, 2012 UMMER IN THE ITY Caribbean Cruisin’ S C Contact Vicky Groat 5K Run & 1-mile Fun Run/Walk [email protected] or 269.963.4503 Summer Block Party AUGUST 11, 2012 BAILEY PARK Watch bcacs.org,the STP Alumni Facebook LL AINTS UPERFEST page at “SaintPhilipAlumniAssociation”, and Contact Kevin Long A S S your mailbox for more details [email protected] St. Joseph Parish SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2012 All Proceeds Support BCACS Scholarships Contact Ed Bauman Michael J. Hume [email protected] Sheila Guerra The 3rd Memorial Golf Outing 22nd Annual BIG RED OPEN Sunday, September 16, 2012 SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012 BINDER PARK GOLF COURSE November 23, 2012 Allwyn Downs Contact Mary Rabbitt to register Contact Vicky Groat Contact Nick Buckley, Class of 2003 [email protected] ~ 269.963.4503 [email protected] or 269.963.4503 [email protected] Have STP Alumni News to Share? Call 269.963.4771 or email [email protected] page 2 (Left) Allyson Riley, Class of 2003 and Brandon McKnight are engaged to marry in July, 2012. (Right) Joel and Brooke (Rainier) Schmitz, Class of 2000, were united in marriage in December, 2010. Class Reunions *Engageme * n t s s e * i t r W a e P STP ALUMni d d y i a n d g i l s o SMILES anD * H A * n s n t i n v e MiLEstONES e r s m a M l a i c e p S * s e i b a B * s e i r o Juleah and Jovin are the children of Wyatt Daniel is the son of Kim and Robyn and Mark Albert, Class of 2002. Ben Duval, Class of 1999. Ava Mae is the daughter of Tracy and Taylor Albert, Class of 2003. Henry Jameson is the son of Heather and James Rabbitt, Class of 1998. Sarah and Abigail Sheets are the daughters of Tricia and Steven Caleb Francisco is the son of Kelly Abby Smith, Class of 2006, and David Sheets, (Fitzgerald) Francisco, Class of 1999 Sirovica were married on September Class of and Jason Francisco, Class of 2000. 23, 2011 at Sacred Heart of Mary 2000. Church in Dowagiac, Michigan Have STP Alumni News to Share? Call 269.963.4771 or email [email protected] page 3 THE BCACS NEWS St. Philip Catholic Central High School welcomes its new principal KATHY GALLAGHER AND CATHY ERSKINE, BCACS FOUNDATION on Shafer describes being principal of St. Philip as his “dream active involvement and volunteerism and increasing our alumni Djob.” When this administrative position became available, he presence within the high school. Don looks forward to meeting our had no doubt that this was the Spirit calling him. He attended St. alumni in the coming months. Augustine Cathedral School and is a 1989 “I am honored to welcome Don to the graduate of Hackett Catholic Central “We have something very special in Battle Creek. Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools fam- High School. Mr. Shafer has a Bachelor That is our Pre-K through Grade 12 Catholic school ily,” said Rev. Robert Creagan. “Don’s of Science from Western Michigan Uni- system. I know how much I gained through my o u t s t a n d i n g versity and a Master of Education from Catholic education. Our children deserve that very leadership skills the University of Phoenix. He was most and ability to recently a life skills/technology instructor same opportunity.” ~ Don Shafer, STP Principal positively impact at Harper Creek Community Schools in the lives of chil- the Battle Creek area. Additionally Shafer has extensive academic dren and parents coupled with his passion for and coaching experience both locally and at the university level. Catholic education will help strengthen our When Reverend Robert Creagan notified him that Bishop Bradley school community.” appointed him principal, Don was in his new office that afternoon. Don and his wife, Marian have three He possesses great vision and many goals for our high school includ- children, Brian, age 11, Benjamin, age 8 and ing engaging our alumni in support of Catholic education, promoting Margaret, age 5. STP Alumni: a room of your own Welcome Back, Fr. John Seated are Adam KATHY GALLAGHER, BCACS FOUNDATION Dingwall, Director his fall, we welcomed Father John Fleckenstein of Student Services, Tback to Battle Creek. Father John served as Associ- Nancy Lassen and ate Pastor at St. Philip from 2002 to 2004 and Pastor of Pamela Ingalls, Saint Joseph’s from 2004 to 2009. During this time, he was Pastor Administrator for our schools. In addition BCACS parents and to serving as Pastor at St. Philip and Pastor Administra- STP principal, Don tor for the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools, the Very Shafer. Reverend John D. Fleckenstein serves as Episcopal Vicar for Education for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. “When Bishop Bradley provided me the opportunity t’s been six months since I began games at St. Philip and will serve as to return to Battle Creek and the Battle Creek Area Imy journey as principal and there a gathering room for St. Philip sup- Catholic Schools, I was delighted,” said Father John. “I have been many changes at St. Philip porters. We hope that this is only the hope and pray that, together, we can build on the foun- High School.