GOLDEN BURRS EVENTS COMMITTEE
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
CLASS OF 1958
WINTER/HOLIDAY EDITION 2010-2011
THE NATIVITY
Dominguez
With this SIXTH edition of the 1958 Class
Newsletter we find ourselves in the midst of the
Holiday Season, Christmas shopping, holiday parties
and good cheer, but let us not forget the reason for
the season...Remember to "Keep the Christ in
Christmas."
From the Editorial staff and all of the
Golden Burrs Events Committee we wish you all a very
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
Left to right standing: John Staiber, Jim
Prendergast, Jim Clark, Rich Buzza, Jim Lynch
Left to right seated: Bill Marella, Frank
Metzler, Frank Adolf, George Light
You will find in this newsletter a
Graduation Report, Principal's Notebook by Sister
Mary Bur, an update on the class of '58's
contributions to the "Keep West Best" Campaign,
a report on the Alumni Communion Breakfast, West
Catholic High School's Events Calendar, comments
received from classmates and friends
regarding the fall newsletter, West Football
scores and our feature section "REMEMBERING THE GOOD
OLD DAYS" with an article by Jim Clark followed by
an update on MBS artifacts.
We encourage you to let us know just what is
happening in your life. Anyone wishing to send
information for the newsletter, i.e. requesting prayers
for the sick, the deceased, information regarding
family, birth of grandchildren, marriages, trips,
retirement, etc., may contact Rich Buzza at
richbuzza@comcast.net, Frank Adolf
at
fjapfa@netzero.net, or
Frank Metzler at
fjmetzler@gmail.com .
No information will be printed in the newsletter
unless we receive the information from the class member
himself.
PAST AND UPCOMING EVENTS
WEST CATHOLIC CLASS OF 2010
GRADUATION REPORT
Graduates
129 Graduates
110 Attending a 4 year school
13 Attending a 2 year school
4 Unknown
1 Working
1 Military
College Attendance Rate
95% College Attendance Rate
85% 4 Year College Attendance
15% 2 Year College Attendance
Scholarship Awards
83 Seniors Awarded scholarships and grants
68% of the senior class was awarded scholarships
Total Scholarships for the Class of 2010 =
$11,380,095.00
|
Principal's Notebook
by Sister Mary Bur
copied from Fall 2010 Edition of West
Notes |
Why is it so important to
keep West Catholic opened?
I know that West is not the school you
attended any more than you are the same person who
graduated from West those many years ago. But do not
let that fact influence your desire to help keep West
alive. The reasons for families to send their sons and
daughters to West are really not that different from
your day!
In your day it was an automatic choice to
go from the parish grade school to West, an extension of
the elementary school where family values were upheld.
Today parents look for a school whose values match
theirs. While all our students at WEST may not be
Catholic a strong, positive Catholic base exemplifies
all that we do. For many of our students this high
school experience fortifies their own Christian lives
that they value. The very fact that we are able to
conduct our own RCIA program to bring new Catholics into
the Church speaks volumes about the atmosphere at 45th
and Chestnut. I believe that the presence of Faith on
this corner of the city is the first reason we must
fight to stay alive.
Secondly, our students come from families
who want their sons and daughters to have a fighting
chance in bettering their lives. Last June I called to
my office a young man who was playing foolishly with his
life at West Catholic. I told him that I was
considering asking him to leave because he was wasting
his time, our time, his parents' money and the money of
anyone who had supported him with a grant. This young
tough began to cry openly. He told me that if he didn't
have West in his life, he had nothing and begged me to
give him another chance. Of course tears from a young
man have great weight! I relented and placed this lad
on an academic and behavior contract. This June he
walked across the stage to accept his diploma with a
pride and strength that thrilled me! He will be
attending Widener University in September and I suspect
he may be the first in his family to attend college.
The statistics just for this year -
95% of our graduates will attend college
and these
young people were offered over
11
million dollars in grants and scholarships. The long
term benefits to society cannot be overlooked because
from our young men and women who come back to visit we
learn of doctors, lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs,
teachers, trainers, nurses, EMTs, fashion designers,
authors, veterinarians, Day Care owners, ... etc.
West Catholic gives her young men and
women an extra boost that can hardly be attained in the
local city high schools. What a loss to future
generations of young people who want a little better if
WEST were to close. Long ago when a grade school that I
had worked very hard in was closed by the diocese, I was
devastated. My father told me that I should be proud of
the children and the work that I did with them while the
school was there. But I cannot help but be saddened and
depressed to think that if West closes there will be the
hundreds of lives that will never be touched by the
compassion and support of the WEST family.
We do not have much time to make the
future of WEST, not a possibility, but a reality and the
plea that we make now must be more than a finger in the
dike! It must be the beginning of a long-range promise
to West Philadelphia and to all West Catholic Grads
everywhere.
Live Jesus in our hearts----forever.
Live Jesus at West---forever!
CLASS OF 1958 CONTRIBUTIONS TO "KEEP WEST BEST"
CAMPAIGN
submitted by: GEORGE LIGHT and FRANK
ADOLF
The total contributions from the Class of
1958 toward the "Keep West Best" Campaign is at
$3,865.00. West "Boys" donated $3,205.00 and the
"Girls" donated $660.00. It is not too late to make a
donation to help achieve the class goal of $10,000.
Your check should be made payable to: Friends of West
Catholic and mailed to West Catholic High School, 4501
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139. We thank you
for considering this worthy cause.
WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION ANNUAL COMMUNION BREAKFAST
submitted by: RICH BUZZA
More than 330 Loyal Alumni, friends and
family gathered together on Sunday November 7, 2010
at the Springfield Country Club to celebrate the
West Catholic Alumni Association's 90th Annual
Communion Breakfast. The celebration of Mass
commenced at 9:00 AM with Father Edward J. Dixey
O.S.A. (Class of 1947) as the Main Celebrant and
Homilist, along with members of the 50 year Class of
1961 who presented the Gifts, lectured and lead the
Prayer of the Faithful. A beautiful musical program
for the liturgy was performed by Cantor Sarah Agnew
- Masters Program at Immaculata
University, Violinists Robert Rossi '55, and Patti
Georges on the piano.
After a hearty breakfast our Master of
Ceremonies Thomas DeFelice '64 proceeded to welcome
one and all. This year there were 9
Alumni Association Award Recipients...THOMAS M.
DORRIAN '61 - 50th Anniversary Golden Burr
Award...CAPTAIN KEVIN HODGES '77 - Brother Martin
Strickroth Award...REV. MSGR. DANIEL KEHOE - Brother
Edwin Anselm Award...BROTHER LEONARD RHODES F.S.C.
- Bishop McCort Award...JAMES J. MADDEN '54
- Brother G. John Owens Award...JOSEPH R. MANFRE '61
- 50th Anniversary Golden Burr Award...JAMES J.
RICHARDSON '37 - Brother D. Aloysius Award...THOMAS
J. SIMPSON '47 - Golden Burr Award...STEPHEN A.
TULLI '84 - William H. McGarvey Award.
The class of 1958 was well represented by:
Frank Adolf, Joe Bradley, Rich Buzza, Brother Steve
Casale, Jim Clark, Larry Doran, Anthony
Evangelista, Ken Hemphill, Bill Kohlenberg, George
Light, Jim Lynch, Bob Madden, Bill Marella, Frank
Metzler, and Mike Wishing.
It is always
a wonderful experience to gather with classmates and
fellow alums at our Annual Communion Breakfast. If
you are new to the Alumni or an old timer who has
drifted away, plan to attend next years Alumni
Communion Breakfast, you will be warmly welcomed.
WEST
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2011
For
information contact George Light at 610-386-2244
Ext. 260
March
26, 2011 - Sports Hall of Fame Inductions
TBA -
Spring Fest
May
11, 2011 - Cardinal John O'Connor Golf Outing
June
11, 2011 - Class of 2011 Graduation
July
17, 2011 - Burrs At The Beach
WC
BOYS CLASS OF 1958 - 53RD ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON
MAY 12, 2011
submitted by: FRANK ADOLF
Mark your
calendar for the
53rd
Anniversary Luncheon which will be held on Thursday,
May 12, 2011.
Location and
time will be announced at a later date.
NEWSLETTER NOW ON ALUMNI WEBSITE
submitted by: RICH BUZZA
Since the editors felt that the
Newsletter contained articles of interest not only
to the Class of 1958 but to all of the Alumni, it
was decided to ask the Alumni Association's
Webmaster, Rich McCann, if they would like to
publish the Newsletter on their Website. Rich, who
is returning to his duties after a hospital stay,
graciously accepted our proposal and on October, 1,
2010 our summer and fall editions appeared on the
site at:
http://www.westcatholicalumni.org/
MAIL FROM CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS
submitted by: FRANK ADOLF
Joe Gavaghan: Hey Frank!
Welcome home from your cruise. I was in Houston last
weekend for a family wedding. The weather was brutal-95
& probably 95% humidity. I came home to great weather
though and a Phillies winning streak including last
night where it was cool at the Cit. I head to Atlanta,
Monday the (September) 27th to visit my niece & nephew
and their families. We have tix for the Phillies/Braves
game on Friday, Oct. 1st. Thank you & your "staff" for
keeping us up on what's happening with our
class..... They better keep that "palace" up around
Pottstown packed for a lot of years to cover the cost,
it has everything but the "kitchen sink" in amenities. (refers
to the new Pope John Paul II High School). I just
don't know how much longer families can afford catholic
school education. Next year, one of my 8th graders
joins her brother & sister at Ryan and they still have a
4th child at St. Charles. That will be at least $20k in
tuition alone. That's scary. cheers, Joe
Jim English: Hi Frank, After a
really hot Summer at the Jersey shore, beautiful
September is here at last. I've been doing well with my
phony leg and am getting out and about. I can drive my
truck, which has been adapted so I can drive it with my
left foot. I was able to go to Boy Scout camp for a
week at the end of June: Good Time. Off to Gettysburg
for eight days starting October 5th, with my trailer.
Our Boy Scout Troop will be out for four days, over
Columbus Day weekend, so i can play "Battlefield
Guide". Now that Summer is finally over, our Scout
meetings have resumed. We've chartered the "Starfish"
for a four hour fishing trip on October 2nd. All the
kids and their families are invited (It's a big boat!).
After the Class of '58, there is no finer group of
people to spend time with than the kids and parents of
Boy Scout Troop 76. So hello to everyone and you have
my permission to share my contact information. I'm also
on facebook, Search: "James English". Another great job
on the News Letter. Anyone who wants Jim's contact
information should e-mail Frank Adolf at fjapfa@netzero.net.
Denny Brennan: Thanks to you and
everyone for the note and the news. I really appreciate
it. We booked our usual New Years Eve dinner
reservations. I had the opportunity to go to an
afternoon Phillies game a few weeks ago with a lot of
friends from our 'old SW Philly neighborhood (St.
Barnabas Schoolyard). Jack Woods, Bob Madden, Tom
Hughes and Tom McNeill were also there along with
several dozen other former West, Bartram, etc. guys.
Matt Senior (West Grad) does a great job getting
everyone together each year for a ball game. Thanks
again.
Ann Cahill '59: RICH, Thanks. I
enjoy reading the news letter. Hope all are well!
Joe Murphy: Frank: Nice job at keeping us up to
date. Regards Joe
John Kraft '57: I want to thank you all for the
publicity regarding the MBS fund raiser. You guy's
should be commended on your on-going interest in West
Catholic. I can remember when they closed our school at
49th and Chestnut Sts. and my thought was to
disassociate myself from any WC activities in the
future. Well this thought lasted but a few day's
because I realize that the building was made of bricks
and stone, but the men who went there still live on and
their spirit never dies. Your class is the epitome of
this manner of thinking. Thank you all. John
Bob Dougherty: Very nice stuff here. A
great read, thanx for your efforts. By the way
Philly's Best is a chain with about 15 locations in
So Cal. Sláinte Bobby Doc
Joe Grimley: Great Job, I look forward to
receiving the news letter.
Jim Lynch: All, a few
lines to say newsletter is great keep up the good
work. Lynchie
Dennis Young '60: Dear Frank: Thanks so much
for the edition of the events committee. I always
look forward to receiving information on the class
of '58. I have always been closer to your class
than mine because of you and John. You are doing a
great job. I only wish the class of '60 would
follow suit. Hope you and Penny are well. I will
be going to China for a month in November to visit
friends living there. I may fly back thru Phila or
NYC to visit with my son and will call. Bring you
some chopsticks or US $ since they have all of ours.
John Salvey:
Thanks for the update,
it was well written and seeing the picture of
Brother John being so well recognized, it brought
back pleasant memories. The comments on the Philly
cheese steaks hit a familiar nerve, my wife and I
drive around North Texas tasting all the Texas style
Philly cheese steaks and Hoagies and we finally
found a guy who opened a small shop about 6 years
ago. We kept going back as he was the only real
example due to imported amoroso bread and tastykakes.
The guy is from Overbrook high and he now has 10
locations. It caught on so well, lunch times are
packed at all locations everyday.
Hope the Texas
Rangers meet the PHILLIES in the world series.
Andy Jaskolka: Thanks for this and the
Spring and Summer issues. Retired though I am, I
have postponed too long reading these. It is always
good to read of former classmates and our parishes.
Sad to hear of Transfiguration's Church demolition,
but good to know that many of their artifacts are
being re-used. All the best to you, the Committee
and fellow alumni.
Joe Stubblebine: Hi Frank: Just
finished reading the Fall Edition and I
enjoyed it very much. First I would like to
pass my best wishes and prayers to our
classmates who have undergone surgery. I
hope all goes well for them.
Thanks to Phil Killian and his
update on Transfiguration parish. It is
hard to believe how vibrant the parish was
during the forties and fifties. Every
Sunday there were two well attended masses
hourly from 6:00AM till 11:00AM. I am glad
I was part of it.
Back to the present - we are looking
forward to a Phillies win tonight against
the Nationals so we can wrap up the
division. The last month has
been remarkable for them especially since I
had the Phillies pitching staff on my
fantasy baseball team. Keep up the good
work.
Charlie Donnley '69 - Rich Buzza
received a very friendly phone call from
Charlie who was interested in the MBS
Luncheon benefiting St. Bede's Parish.
Thanks Charlie for the nice conversation
about the old neighborhood.
Dave "Murphy" Crines - !Ahoy!
Jim Prendergast: Thank you for the
Birthday note - It was neat,
or should I say for us from the
'50's > It was COOL....
Spent the day's lunch time at the
WC 'Class of 60' Luncheon. I have
a lot of friends in that Class from my
Parish - St. Barnabas. I was 71, But I
told some of the guys at the Luncheon
that I was '39'.
Catching on to my lie > There was some
WC wisenhimmers that made
remarks like:
"You don't even have a waist of
'39'," -and- "Yea!! It's the
39th anniversary of your 39th
Birthday......"
Thank you again, - Don't know your
Birthday, but I wish you a very Happy
Birthday.....
Have a great Holiday.
~Dave (Murphy) Crines~
"Let your voices soar up to the endless
sky"
Tom W. Mullen: Thanks (for the
Birthday greeting). I enjoyed my 70th
in Paris, France. My wife surprised me
with the trip and my b/d dinner on the
Eiffel Tower. What a birthday, almost
makes 70 not so bad.
Note: The
following responses received from
two classmates concerning the health
issues
experienced by
Jim McGrath and Frank McCarthy
are examples of the positive results of
the newsletter.
FRANK & JIM, You may remember seeing Ann &
I at the 50th. They had an OR table scheduled for
me the week following the reunion. They said I
could go to the reunion, but no golfing, and
definitely no jitterbugging....I asked how bout
drinking, they said yeah that's actually good "get
them to buy you doubles".
I had a quadruple and went home in three days taking
only Advil for pain as there was none, and I gave up
the Advil in a week. I was very lucky in many
ways. The biggest was they caught it before a heart
attack. Ann & I are walkers and one day I couldn't
go as far, so we jumped on the medical community and
after many tests they discovered the blockage, with
no damage to the heart. The Drs were a no nonsense
group and made me pledge a commitment to the rehab
saying " we did great work in there don't screw it
up". The next best thing I did was to push myself
during the rehab...seems like the rehab lasted for
10-12 weeks 3 x/wk
45 min - 1 hr and Ann came and worked out at
the same time in another room. I was able to return
to every activity within 6 mos..we still walk 3
miles, I play golf, ski with the grand kids and
still climb ladders and paint houses. Oh yeah, I
can now jitterbug. The only vestige of the event is
the great looking scar. The grand kids love looking
at it !!!! Bob Dougherty. Anyone who wants Bobby
Doc's contact information should e-mail Frank Adolf
at fjapfa@netzero.net
After I retired from education I returned to school
and received my Nursing degree. I spent ten years
in Cardiac Rehab as an RN and several months as a
patient (Aortic valve replacement and RCA bypass)
If there are any questions I would be happy to
help. R. Malachy Ward
Anyone who wants Bob Malachy's contact
information should e-mail Frank Adolf at fjapfa@netzero.net
WEST
CATHOLIC FOOTBALL
submitted by: JIM LYNCH
Continuing the report on West
Catholic Football, after one win and two losses, the
Burrs came on strong beating all of their opponents by
wide margins in the regular season and then competed in
the playoffs. Below are the results of each game.
September 25th - West
Catholic vs. Haverford School - (submitted
by
Frank
Adolf, as Jim Lynch didn't want to blow his own horn).
The Sports Headline in the September 26, 2010
Delaware County Sunday Times read as
follows:
"LYNCH
A BURR IN HAVERFORD SCHOOL'S SIDE"
West which scored
twice on The Haverford School in the first half then gave up
a touchdown early in the second half, regained control of
the game with two second-half TD's. When the West players
headed off the field, DE Jim Lynch (6-4, 210) was carrying
his helmet, and shoulder pads as well as the game ball.
Lynch helped West hold the Fords to an average of 3 yards on
55 plays from scrimmage. Lynch began his football career at
age 5 with the Collingdale AA midgets, then played for the
St. Joseph (Collingdale) CYO Spartans before attending West.
Both his grandfathers (one is our own Jim Lynch) graduated
from West. West 27 - Haverford
School 7
October
2nd -
West
Catholic vs. Archbishop Ryan - The Burrs traveled to
Northeast H.S. for their game with Archbishop Ryan. It
now looks like the offense has regained control of
things once again. With a total 466 yards of offense
in the game; 264 yards rushing and another 202 in the
air, the score was 20-0 before Ryan was able to get on
the board. The next four games are with Division
rivals. West 40 - Archbishop Ryan 6
October 8th - West Catholic vs.
Bishop McDevitt - This win gave Head Coach Brian Fluck
his 100th career win at West. McDevitt was thinking
possible upset at the half as they were up 7-6, but West
answered in the 2nd half with 29 points. West
35 - Bishop McDevitt 14
October 16th - West Catholic
vs. Conwell-Egan Catholic - West moved the ball at
will. C-E had very little offense and very few players
dressed for the game. West had 416 yards rushing with
all of their scoring on the ground. Defensively, West
held C-E to minus 16 yards on the ground. West
49 - Conwell-Egan 0
October 23rd - West Catholic vs.
Neumann-Goretti - The score after the 1st 4 minutes of
play was West 14 - N-G 0. West sprinted to a 41-6 half
time score with the mercy rule coming into effect after
35 unanswered points. This was accomplished with 283
rushing yards and 55 yards in the air after just 18
offensive plays. The second half saw the clock
continually running with West Catholic's 2nd offense and
defense on the field the entire time.
West 41 - Neumann-Goretti
12
October 29th - West Catholic vs.
Lansdale Catholic - First quarter was close, LC was up
by 1 the score 13-12, but then West exploded. Lansdale
was not to score again. On the ground West gained 475
yards in 37 plays backed up with 105 yards in the air.
A complete team effort with the defense holding LC to
235 total yards, just 49 yards in the 2nd half. This
game ended the regular season schedule.
West 45 - Lansdale Catholic 13
NOW OFF TO THE P.I.A.A. PLAYOFFS!! GO
BURRS!!
DISTRICT 12 CLASS AA - CATHOLIC LEAGUE FINAL
November
6th - West Catholic vs. Bishop McDevitt - West Catholic
has done what no other school in the Catholic League has
ever accomplished, that is to win five consecutive
Catholic League Championships. West Catholic did
this with the resounding defeat of Bishop McDevitt to
again become the Catholic League Champions. The score
at the half was West 34 - McDevitt 0. At this point
West had out gained McDevitt 385 yds. to their 76.
West 47 - Bishop McDevitt 7
DISTRICT 12 CLASS AA - FIRST
ROUND PLAYOFF
November 13th - West Catholic vs.
Delaware-Valley Charter - West
completely dominated the game; score at the half was
West 36 Del-Val 8. Only the Burrs scored in the second
half, compiling a game total of 478 offensive yards,
with 164 yards in the air. West 56 - Del-Val 8
DISTRICT 12 CLASS AA - FINAL
PLAYOFF - CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
November 20th -
West Catholic vs. Bok Vo-Tech - As usual
for a day game the Burrs started off very sluggish. Bok
was actually ahead 6-0 at the end of the 1st quarter,
but then the boys came alive scoring 6 in the 2nd, 14 in
the 3rd and 14 in the 4th. Total offense 369 yards, 71
of them in the air. Once again defense was a big key in
the game. Bok in the waning seconds drove to the 5 yard
line, then with 1st and goal the defense stopped them
on four straight running plays. A kneel down with 13
seconds left in the game was all that was needed. The
turnout of West fans (students, parents and
alumni) completely filled the stands on our side of the
field. West 34 - Bok 6
CLASS AA - STATE EASTERN
CONFERENCE QUARTER FINAL
December 3rd -
West Catholic vs. Northern Lehigh -
NL's first offensive play of the
game resulted in a turnover to WC on NL's 32 yd
line; 5 plays later West was up 7-0. WC's defense
was very stingy; held NL's best RB to just 79 yards
on 19 carries. West had a combined 247 yards
rushing before the halftime break; score at the half
was 29-7. Two WC running backs went over 100 yards
on our way to 8 rushing TD's. NL's defense could
not stop West; the first down chains were constantly
moving forward toward the end zone.
West 55 - Northern Lehigh 14
CLASS AA - STATE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
December
11th - West Catholic vs. Lewisburg - West
started off fast scoring on their first drive making
the score 7-0; it took a few extra plays though with
all the laundry on the field. The half ended with
the same score.
West went on to score in the 3rd quarter making
it 14-0; but a bad snap over the QBs head
enabled
Lewisburg to recover and score. Nail biting
time, score 14-7 they had some life but the
defense came to the rescue once again holding
back Lewisburg. With 3:51 left to play in the
game West scored on a spectacular sideline run
of 65 yards.
West Catholic's defense held Lewisburg to just
91 offensive yards. Our offense tallied 346
yards on the ground with 14 in the air. Going
back to laundry, West was called for 11
penalties for a total of 97 yards, that is more
yards than Lewisburg's total yardage for the
game. Oh, well !!! Ancient history, now on to
the State Championship December 18, 2010 at
Hersheypark Stadium. Go Burrs !!! West
21 - Lewisburg 7
CLASS AA - STATE FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
December 18th - West
Catholic (District 12) vs. South Fayette (District
7) -
| Quarter |
1
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
Final |
| South Fayette |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
|
West Catholic |
6 |
30 |
8 |
6 |
50 |
Scoring:
- SF: Challingsworth 8 pass
from Brumbaugh (Lee kick)
- WC: Williams 81 run (kickfailed)
- WC: Strong-Rankin 75 pass
from Reid (Kent run)
- WC: Reid 7 run (kick
failed)
- SF: Challingsworth 20 pass
from Brumbaugh (Lee kick)
- WC: Hollomon 16 run (Lynch
pass from Reid)
- WC: Strong-Rankin 25 pass
from Reid (Kent run)
- WC: Williams 4 run (Mathis
run)
- WC: Mathis 26 run (kick
failed)
West Catholic finished the
game with 531 yards of offense and 23 first
downs. In the air 3 for 6 for 124 yards and
2 touchdowns. In the words of Coach Brian
Fluck the theme for this game was
atonement.
West
Catholic 50 - South Fayette 14
THE WEST CATHOLIC BURRS
2010 DIVISION AA STATE
CHAMPIONS
"REMEMBERING
THE GOOD OLD DAYS"
A FEATURE ABOUT GOING DOWN MEMORY LANE
SEND US YOUR REMEMBRANCES OF THE 40's & 50'S
FOR PUBLICATION IN A FUTURE NEWSLETTER
MY FIRST BASEBALL GAME
submitted by: JIM CLARK
I can remember my 1st
Baseball game with my Dad. It was 1948, the Summer
after 2nd grade at MBS. My Dad was a car & truck
salesman for Thornton Fuller Dodge & Plymouth. They
had a contest for the salesmen with many prizes to
win from a catalog. Dad won a new living room set
for Mom, Bunk beds for my Brother Danny & I, and a
brand new car for himself. It was the 4th of July
weekend, and Dad took me to my 1st ballgame at Shibe
Park. The game was between the Philadelphia A's &
the Boston Red Sox. The biggest player on the field
was a Red Sox, who had just returned to baseball in
1946 after serving in World War II as a U. S. Marine
Corps Fighter Pilot. His name was Ted Williams (the
Splendid Splinter) and the fastest guy on the field
too. My Dad was rooting for the A's, but I liked
this guy Williams. In the last inning with the game
tied up, Williams came up to bat. Now the right
field wall was 40 some feet high; and down the right
field foul line was a yellow foul pole on top of the
wall that extended up to & attached to the roof of
the bleachers and then some, with a little flag at
the top. Ted Williams hit a homerun that went right
past that little flag and the ball was still going
up to win the game for the Red Sox. What a powerful
Guy he was, ending up with 521 homeruns while
missing three full seasons during WWII and almost
two seasons during the Korean Conflict.
UPDATE
ON MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT ARTIFACTS
submitted
by: FRANK METZLER
In the September 23rd issue of The Catholic
Standard and Times, freelance journalist Elizabeth
Fisher reported that when the renovations at St.
Bede The Venerable Church in Holland, PA are
completed sometime next year, John Kraft (West '57)
will feel right at home. That's because many of the
religious artifacts that adorned his home parish -
Most Blessed Sacrament in Southwest
Philadelphia--will find places of honor at St.
Bede's.
A side altar which was an
original artifact of Most Blessed Sacrament Church
in Southwest Philadelphia is now part of St. Bede's
in Holland, PA.
Ms. Fisher continued in the article that
Kraft graduated from MBS in 1953 and from West
Catholic in 1957, and until he moved away, he
attended MBS Church. In 2008, after 117 years of
service, Most Blessed Sacrament closed its doors.
Fisher stated that St. Bede's had a luncheon
last winter to show former MBS parishioners a film
on how the artifacts would be used. John Kraft and
his wife attended, and were deeply moved by the
warmth and acceptance he and his wife received by
the St. Bede's members and their Pastor, Msgr. John
Marine. Because of that welcome, John and is wife
now attend St. Bede's and are looking forward to
seeing the items he took for granted at his old
parish.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
WE REMEMBER and ask for your prayers for
those in our lives who are ill, and for all our
family, friends, classmates, and former
teachers, who have gone to their eternal reward,
especially Jack Sheridan, WC Class of 1958, who
passed away on September 24, 2010.
St. John Baptist De LaSalle, pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!
KEEP
THE SPIRIT ALIVE!
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