I graduated from Quigley North High School Seminary a long time ago, way back in 1976.
The seminary that was at the corner of Rush and Chestnut is long gone. The historic gothic building was converted into the Pastoral Center for the Archdiocese of Chicago. It now serves as the central offices for many of the departments and ministries for our local church.
In 1976, Jimmy Carter was elected president. Steve Jobs found the Apple empire. Charlie’s Angles and The Muppet Show premiered on television and the movie Rocky was launched in theaters. A gallon of gas cost 59 cents!
My 50th high school reunion took place this month. Guys who graduated from the all-boys school reunited to relive their past and share happy memories from their youth.
When you look at us now, it is hard to connect us with our graduation pictures. If we have any hair left on our heads, it is now gray. Our slim athletic bodies have been transformed into chubby potbellies of geezers. Most of the guys are now happily retired.
You would not recognize me, if I showed you my dorky graduation photo. I look like your typical teenager that hands you your order at the McDonald’s drive thru.
The only thing that hasn’t changed over the years is our personalities. The class clowns are still funny. The introverts are still shy and reserved. The overachievers and smart ones ended up having very successful careers. Some classmates are nowhere to be found, and sadly a few guys have already died.
There were 62 in our graduating class. I was the only one who ended up becoming a priest. Only the Holy Spirit knows how that happened.
What I remember most about my time in high school were the gifted and dedicated teachers who taught me. They instilled in us a passion for learning. They exposed us to the wonderful world of art, language and music. They broadened our horizons and made learning an adventure. They challenged us with compassion and concern and wanted the best for us.
Life back then was a lot simpler. Today’s teens have to navigate through a complex and confusing world, one that is filled with many more outside pressures and negative influences.
It seems hard for teens today to just be kids, because so much is expected of them. God bless parents who are there to hold their hands and assure them that it is all going to be okay.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Our teachers and students of Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph Parish School have returned from their summer break and started a new school year. The first full day of school was on Friday, August 21st.
When school is back in session the life of our parish noticeably “shifts into a higher gear.” Our two quiet campuses come back to life from the silence of summer. Just the sound of our kids playing outside during recess fosters a certain type of excitement and joy. Our school is blessed to have the leadership, enthusiasm and experience of our co‐principals‐ Katie Sullivan and Margaret Faller.
Our history has consistently shown that our school provides an excellent Catholic education and is one of the best schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Our Parish School is one of the biggest ministries of our parish. It is no small operation. There are over 50 faculty members and staff personnel serving in the school. The Operating Budget for our school is over $5 million. School families raise over $500,000 in fundraising every year. Our 200 school families represent nearly 30 various Chicago zip codes.
Let us pray for a great school year, one that is filled with many blessings. What we do for our children now will impact their future. How great it is to share this chapter of their life with them!
To learn more about ICSJ School, visit their website at icsjschool.org.
