Irish Update Spring 2016
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For Alumni of St. Patrick, St. Patrick Central and Bishop McNamara High School Irish Update VOLUME 34, NO. 2 • SPRING 2016 Growing and Learning Together Pictured to the left are children of Lyle Turro ‘89 and Leigh Ann Turro: Cade ‘16 Bishop McNamara, Rubeigh 2nd grade, Ronneigh 4th grade and Ramseigh PK at St. Joseph’s, Bradley In the middle, back are children of Jim ‘85 and Julie Worby: Andrew ‘16 Bishop McNamara, Mary 4th grade and Lizzie 6th grade at Maternity BVM, Bourbonnais To the right are children of Mike ‘85 and Danielle Arseneau: Jenna ‘16 Bishop McNamara, Andrew and Matthew 7th graders at Aquinas Catholic Academy, Kankakee CALENDAR OF EVENTS MISSION APRIL 15 .............................................................................Mega Mac Early Bird Raffle APRIL 15, 16, 17 ......................................................................... HONK Spring Musical STATEMENT APRIL 23 ................................................................................................ Band Craft Fair The Irish Alumni Association MAY 10 ................................................................. Senior Dinner & Awards Recognition unites more than 9000 alumni MAY 12 ..................................................................................................All School Mass of St. Patrick, St. Patrick MAY 13 ........................................................................................Annual Dinner Auction Central and Bishop McNamara MAY 13 .................................................................... $75,000 Mega Mac Raffle Drawing High School. Our mission is MAY 14 ................................................................................................................... Prom MAY 17 ....................................................................................Fine Arts Spring Concert to preserve the heritage that MAY 20 ...................................................................................Class of 2016 Graduation shaped our school, JULY 8 .........................................................................Irish Golf Classic at Oak Springs to foster the spirit of AUGUST 19 ............................................................................ Alumni Sponsored Mass camaraderie among alumni AUGUST 19 ............................................................................. Fall Sports Scrimmages and to support the mission AUGUST 20 ........................................................... Ken Klipp Classic 5K Run/2M Walk and development of Bishop OCTOBER 14-15 ...................................................................... Homecoming Weekend McNamara High School. bishopmac.com • [email protected] Irish Update 1 FROM OUR PRINCIPAL Terry Granger IRISH UPDATE McNamara Alumni, is published twice yearly by the Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has placed before us a vision of Irish Alumni Association the Church. How to both live and preach the good news of Jesus Christ, while still being relevant and able to communicate with OFFICERS the societies and cultures of our modern world. Some welcome Sarah Piggush Mickler ‘99, President this vision as a ray of hope. Others are anxious that it involves Terry Memenga ‘81, Vice President changes from past traditions and practices. There are even those LeAnne Grise Provost ‘94, Secretary who believe that Pope Francis’ vision must be actively opposed. I share this with you because in a sense, this reflection capsulizes the change in DIRECTORS the vision of Catholic education that is taking place in the greater Kankakee area. Sharon Draude ‘53 Many of you may already be aware that beginning with the 2016-17 academic year, Meghan Billadeau Elliott ‘06 there will be a change in the structure of our local Catholic schools. Beginning this Nick Elliott ‘06 August, the term Bishop McNamara will take on a new meaning. Thanks to the sup- Jenna Frazier ‘07 port of the Diocese of Joliet, especially Bishop R. Daniel Conlon and Superintendent Lisa Azzarelli Gerth ‘80 of Catholic Schools, Fr. John Belmonte, SJ, all Catholic schools in Kankakee County Lisa Ward Holt ‘92 will be regionalized into one Pre-K - 12 system. This system will be known as Bishop Lynn Tate-Harwell ‘85 McNamara Catholic School. This Catholic system will have three local sites: a Pre-K-6 Brandi Bennett Kaner ‘00 site at St. Joseph’s in Bradley and a Pre-K-6 site at Maternity BVM in Bourbonnais. Kelly Sullivan Kidd ‘05 The current high school site will house an independent grade 7 & 8 Junior High as Amy Devine Powell ‘81 well as a grades 9-12 high school (for more details see supporting article on page 4). Just as Pope Francis has the varying levels of support and concern in communicating Adrian Provost ‘92 his vision of our Church in the world today, we too have these same levels of support Judy Purcell Todnem ‘78 and concern regarding the change in our Catholic schools. The changes in the structure STAFF of our Catholic schools, difficult as they may be for some, are essential for the future Terry Granger ‘76, Principal of Catholic education in our community. I’m reminded of the Gospel of John, after Sandy LaMotte Malpasuto ‘82, Thomas came to believe only after actually touching the wounds on the hands and Coordinator of Advancement side of the Risen Christ. Jesus tells him, “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ These powerful words were not just meant for the disciples in the upper room, but rather it was addressed If you are interested in becoming a member of the to all Christians of all times, including all of us, the faithful of today. Irish Alumni Association Board, please contact To that end let us ponder our role within the Church today. What are we as individuals Sandy LaMotte Malpasuto ‘82 at (815) 933-7620 doing to promote the growth of our Church through the power of the Holy Spirit? or send her an email at [email protected]. Pope Francis has publicly stated that it is through our Catholic schools that we can View the Irish Update online at bishopmac.com evangelize to our children. Thus, it is critical that we venture into this new and exciting time not only for Catholic education, but for our local Church. I welcome you to join me as a fellow believer in this new vision of Catholic education, and trust that I will be able to count on you, the alumni of Bishop McNamara, to be there FROM OUR ALUMNI PRESIDENT in both prayer and sacrifice, both of which are worthy of God’s grace for the benefit Sarah Piggush Mickler of all. The McNamara family has time and time again risen to the challenge and I ask that you continue to support this new vision so that we together can provide a viable Dear Irish Alumni and Friends, and sustainable Catholic education for many more generations to come. I have had the great pleasure May the grace of the Risen Christ be with you and your families. of serving as your Alumni Terry Granger ‘76 President for the past 2 years. Principal I hope that I have given just as much as the wonderful group FROM OUR COORDINATOR OF ADVANCEMENT I worked with have given to me. Thank you to the great Sandy LaMotte Malpasuto response for the 2015-16 Annual Fund and Phonation. We are very lucky to Dear Irish Alumni & Friends, A warm welcome to all of you! With spring in the air, I hope have such supportive Alumni. As we move to a new everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of getting outdoors year of transition with Bishop McNamara Catholic to experience the feeling of new energy and rejuvenation. This time School, let us be reminded of our mission to unite of year always brings a great sense of enthusiasm as we all look more than 9,000 alumni of St. Patrick, St. Patrick forward to what is to come over the summer months. Central and Bishop McNamara High School. The The Irish Alumni Association has started planning for several Alumni Association will continue to preserve the upcoming events. Our goal is to keep our graduates connected with their alma heritage that has shaped our school to what it is mater and the alumni association and, to help foster relationships with classmates today. The Irish Alumni Association will continue to and friends. The alumni association members are able to assist with bringing people foster the spirit of camaraderie among alumni and to together at reunions, with homecoming weekend activities and a variety of events support the mission and development of the Bishop during the year such as the golf outing, Ken Klipp 5k run/2 mile walk, the hall of honor McNamara Catholic School. I encourage all alumni induction ceremony-reception, and with our twice yearly Irish Update publication. to reach out and become advocates for Catholic The drive and passion of the alumni association has been fantastic and it is moving to see so many people give back to Bishop McNamara so future Irish can have great Education in our community, as we continue to experiences too. We will continue to support Catholic education in our community engage future alumni who choose to be more. with great enthusiasm. We are very proud to be IRISH. May God continue to bless you and your As always, THANK YOU for all that you do to help support Bishop McNamara. families! With great gratitude, Sarah Piggush Mickler ‘99 Sandy LaMotte Malpasuto ‘82 Irish Alumni Association President Coordinator of Advancement 2 Irish Update [email protected] • bishopmac.com Bishop McNamara’s 32nd Annual Dinner Auction Bishop McNamara’s 32nd Annual Dinner Auction, “Our Way”