In 1991, after almost forty years training and educating young Catholics in their faith, St. Cecilia School was forced to close due to declining enrollment. Like many other Catholic schools, increasing educational costs made it prohibitive to continue, and after having served as a wonderful setting for the transmission of Catholic values and beliefs, St. Cecilia School could no longer operate.

But the memories of the School have continued and it was recently decided that a reunion would be held to celebrate the gift of Catholic education and friendships that were a legacy to the many graduates. On Saturday evening, November 25, many alumni gathered for a special celebration during the regularly scheduled 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening Mass. Several alumni participated as ministers during the Mass and all alumni, faculty, staff, classroom and lunch monitors, and volunteer aides were enthusiastically recognized and acknowledged by the congregation.

Following the Mass, the alumni, their families and friends, and former faculty and staff and all those who volunteered or worked at the school gathered in our Newcomb Friendship Center for a reception.

There was no overwhelming agenda – just the opportunity for friends to gather and to remember together. A visual program that featured photographs from the past that continually played on a screen, along with much St. Cecilia School memorabilia helped those assembled to remember incidents, people and events that form an important part of who they are today. The celebrants had come from far and wide, but all agreed that St. Cecilia School had been a significant part of their lives and that it was important to get together.

The overwhelming reaction was that this should be an annual event, to take place on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving weekend. The organizers hoped to make it an even bigger celebration and with the updated lists provided by the attendees that should be an attainable goal!

Stay tuned…

(November 26, 2006)