March 28, 2017

                                             Special Centennial Blog 
                          Happy 100th Birthday 
                       St. Katharine of Siena School 
      

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,
        
             Thank you for those of you who were able to attend the SKS Centennial Mass and party this past Saturday. The Mass was heartwarming as our SKS Student Choir sang so beautifully. I was approached by one grandmother (who happened to be a graduate from SKS), with tears in her eyes after the Mass.  It was so nice to see Msgr. Jagodzinski, who con-celebrated and gave the homily, and the many IHM sisters who attended too.  

            The brief gathering after Mass in school with many former alumni (many from past years as long ago as 1949 !) was as touching. Many alums walked through the halls and classrooms remembering their past and their time here.

            The Centennial party in the gym and parish center had over 325 people there. It was a diverse crowd of former and current SKS families and friends, all who shared a common thread:Their love for St. Katharine of Siena School. 

           Anne Condello and David Heacock , Centennial Co-Chairs did a masterful job in planning a "funtastic" event.  Msgr. Brouwers gave a warm and heartfelt blessing. The food from AAA Catering in Lansdale was great and The Lucky Stiffs had everyone up dancing including many all stars: Faculty/staff, parents, and one incredibly older alumnus who stole the show.  Below is the toast that was given in honor of our hundred years and counting as an institution:  

     "The theme for tonight you see on each table is:

                          “SKS: Roots Run Deep"

And our roots have run deep from generation to generation since September of 1916, when this school first opened.

We are blessed and fortunate to be in parish that still has a school. 

   

As we celebrate here tonight we are appreciative of those in the past who paved the way for us to be here tonight: The commitment and dedication of past priests, IHM sisters, other religious, lay teachers/ staff, and the parishioners that served and supported our school. There are many Catholic families, all who sacrificed greatly, to make this school one of the best choices a family could make on the Main Line. Their past efforts stood the test of time.  We, who have followed, would not be here, and it’s safe to say we would not be celebrating here tonight without the leadership from those who preceded us.  

We are grateful for the present - for the presence of everyone who is here tonight and all who support our school.  Everyone here has a strong connection to the school, each of us in our own special way, and because of your belief, commitment and love for SKS, we have flourished as a parish school.

As we look to the future, we believe it is a bright one.

As we celebrate tonight, we look toward the future with a vision that this parish school will remain at the forefront of Catholic education for many years to come. 

So please now raise your glasses, and your hearts, with me as we toast St. Katharine of Siena School:

To those in the past that paved the way for us.

To those in the present who continue to show their faith and dedication to our school. 

And to the future, that our parish school will continue to produce people of great faith and leadership for years to come  

Here’s to the next 100 years at St. Katharine of Siena School! 

"Cheer for St. Katharine’s, let the cheer resound....."

Take care,


Bud 

                               SKS Centennial Party