October 2015 - St. Paul High School Alumnae

ST. PAUL HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNAE NEWSLETTER
October 2015
FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US
WE NEVER CAN REPAY
Sister Maureen O’Brien, BVM (Matteo) passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa. A
Memorial Mass was held at Mt. Carmel on August 28, 2015 and at St. Paul’s Church on September 12, 2015.
Sister Maureen was born in San Francisco and attended Most Holy Redeemer Grammar School. Sister graduated in June
of 1954 and entered the BVM community on September 8, 1954. She professed first vows on March 19, 1957 and final
vows on July 16, 1962.
She was a secondary school teacher and principal in Chicago; Cascade, Iowa, Petaluma and San Francisco, California.
Sister Maureen served as principal of St. Paul’s High School from 1973 - 1994 and Alumnae Moderator from 1994 - 2013.
She moved to the BVM Motherhouse in Dubuque, Iowa in November, 2013 for long-term care due to a serious health condition.
Sister Maureen served on archdiocesan pastoral councils appointed by former San Francisco Archbishops Joseph McGucken,
John R. Quinn, and George Niederauer and was a member of the Sisters Council and more recently the Council of Women
Religious.
“My years at St. Paul’s will always stand out because it gave me an opportunity to work with others to make the Gospel real
in our everyday life. I loved the diversity of the families. I loved the high density of lower-income and immigrant families. I
loved the faculty and staff who worked together to give the girls an experience of a Christian community. We chose to do
some things in a little different manner and the Lord blessed us abundantly,” said Sr. Maureen.
To honor Sister Maureen the Alumnae Board has established the Sister Maureen O’Brien Scholarship to be awarded to
a tuition assistance recipient in June. If you would like to contribute, you may send your donation to St. Paul High School
Alumnae, 221 Valley Street, San Francisco, CA 94131, noting that it is for the Sister Maureen O’Brien Scholarship. These
donations will be listed as a group in the Fundraiser program.
To read the Reflection Sr. Karen gave at St. Paul’s it is on the Alumnae website: sphsalumnae@yahoo.com
BVM ALUMNAE JUBILEE
Sister Monica M. Lowry, BVM ’40
(St. Reginald) celebrated her 74th
Jubilee as a Sister of Charity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary at Mt. Carmel,
in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday,
September 6, 2015.
Sister Dolores O’Dwyer, BVM ’41
(Wilmetta) celebrated her 74th
Jubilee as Sister of Charity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary at Mt. Carmel,
in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday,
September 6, 2015.
Sister Anne Marie McKenna, BVM
’65 celebrated her 50th Golden
Jubilee as a Sister of Charity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary at Mt Carmel in
Dubuque, Iowa on Sunday, August 2,
2015.
Sr. Monica entered the BVM community on September 8, 1941 professed first vows on March 19, 1944
and final vows on August 15, 1949.
Sr. Dolores entered the BVM community on September 8, 1941, professed first vows on March 19, 1944
and final vows on August 15, 1949.
Sr. Monica taught elementary school
at St. Thomas More, San Francisco
and was superior/principal in Chicago; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Butte,
Montana; Seattle, Washington; and
for over thirty years in Stockton,
California.
Sr. Dolores taught elementary
school and was principal in Berwyn,
Illinois; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and for 39 years in
Los Angeles and Glendale, California, where she served as volunteer.
Sister Anne Marie entered the BVM
community at Guadalupe College,
Los Gatos, on July 31, 1965. She
professed her final vows on November
27, 1975.
Sr. Monica now resides at Mt Carmel.
______________________
______________________
Sr. Dolores now rsides at Mt. Carmel.
FROM IOWA TO ST. PAUL’S
On July 8, 1916, fifteen courageous Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin
Mary set out from Dubuque, Iowa, by train, to staff a new school in San Francisco - St. Paul’s. Three days later, there were met at the Oakland Pier, driven
to the Ferry Building in San Francisco, where they found five cars waiting for
them to drive them to their new home. The convent “was not complete” as yet,
and the sisters lived in “temporary” quarters in the high school.
Fr. Connolly, pastor, showed the sisters their rooms in the school - four rooms
that had been fixed up “in grand style” with furniture that he bought after the
World’s Fair. On October 12, 1916, the sisters moved into their new convent.
In July of 1925, ground was purchased adjoining the High School property
and work was begun on a new convent for the sisters teaching the high school
grades. In May, 1926, the high faculty - twelve BVMs - moved into their new
home.
—Our Herald
Page 2
While missioned in Iowa, she served
as director of student accounts at
Clarke University and as a parish
liturgy/music coordinator at St.
Joseph the Worker Parish, both in
Dubuque.
She was an elementary school teacher
at St. Bridget in Chicago; St. Clare
in Portland, Oregon; St Paul’s in San
Francisco, and St. Thomas Apostle in
West Hempstead, N.Y.
She served as director of liturgy and
music at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
in Palo Alto, and St. Catherine of
Sienna in Burlingame, California
where she continues to minister in
that role since 2003.
Celebrating with Sr. Anne at Mt
Carmel, were her two sisters, Katie
McKenna ’78 and Mary McKenna
Shannon ‘72.
______________________
ALUMNA WALKS “THE WAY”
Rose Carter Milani ’63 (sister of Lilly ’60, Lucy ‘60,
Carlota ’61 and Ruth ’64) and her husband Frank walked
the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in northwestern
Spain in April of this year.
SISTER KAREN CELEBRATES
AT ST. PAUL’S
“Our pilgrimage was a spiritual one. We decided that we
would pray for all our family, relatives, and friends who
have supported us over the years since the death of our
son Vincent in 2000, for people suffering from serious
illnesses and for all the wonderful people in our lives.”
“As we drew near to the Cathedral of Santiago (St.
James the Apostle) we were excited to have completed
100 kilometers (almost 80 miles) in six days and to
receive our Compostela (certificate of completion). All of
the above people walked into the Cathedral with us. It
was truly an awe-inspiring experience.”
“We have so many fine memories of fellow pilgrims
we have met along The Way from all over the world,
the beautiful countryside, delicious food, and the warm
hospitality of the Spanish people. We will not forget. God
has been very good to us.”
_____________________________________
CANDLELIGHTING
Our beloved tradition, Candlelighting, will be held on
Thursday, December 10, 2015, at 7 p.m. in St. Paul’s
Church.
It’s such a beautiful way to put us in the Christmas spirit
and to celebrate the REAL meaning of Christmas.
A reception will follow in the meeting room under the
Church.
Mark your calendar!
_____________________________________
NEEDED: VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
EDITOR AND CONTRIBUTORS
We are looking for an editor for our Newsletter.
Three 8-page Newletters are published for the
3,200 Alumnae members each year: October,
March and July.
Alumnae Board members: Sue White Barberini ’62,
Maureen Kelleher Lennon ’59, Angela Barberini
Johnson ’59 , Marilyn Highlander-Pool ’63, Sr, Karen
Conover, BVM, Lillian Carter ’60, Vicki Hoyos Hansel ’57
On Saturday, August 8, 2015 Sr. Karen celebrated her
Golden Jubilee, 50 years as a BVM, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Sr. Karen said: “There was a
wonderful cross-section of people from my life in SF over
these 35 years: parishioners, teachers/from faculty from
SPHS and Holy Name High School, Oakland, BVMs
and Associates, SNJM Sisters, former prisoners, San
Quentin volunteers, SPHS Alumnae, former and current
students, Sr. Maureen’s family, friends from near and far.
I had fun making music with so many, using the old
banners which Sr. Maureen designed and had made for
the 75th anniversary of the high school in 1992, sharing
my reflections about the odyssey of these 50 years - my
own personal “salvation history” - and greeting everyone
with hugs and kisses.
These past three weekends -Santa Barbara high school
50th reunion, Dubuque BVM Jubilee and now San
Francisco Jubilee with my ‘home’ community have been
a wonderful series of events! What a way to wind down
and get through the ‘last push’ to head to Dubuque.”
Please contact President Marilyn HighlanderPool at sphsalumnae@yahoo.com.
Page 3
THE PARTY LINE
PRAYER REQUESTS OCTOBER 2015
(Ed. note: Interesting news
and tidbits about alums,
their families, endeavors,
moves, work, etc. will appear
here. Births and deaths will
continue to be gathered into
the traditional “Alumnae
News.” Contact the Alumnae
with items for publication).
Barbara Domingues Medina ’59 requests
prayers for her daughter-in-law, who continues to
have seizures and blackouts from a brain tumor.
There is concern of a possible new tumor. Her
family needs support during this emotional
rollercoaster.
Lily Tacata-Chand ’85 bumped into Sr Karen Conover,
BVM (Faculty 1980-94) in the Diamond Heights Safeway
in mid-July. She lives in San Bruno and was shopping for
her sister Charlotte Chun ’62. Lily has two children: a
daughter (20) studying nursing at Sacramento State and
a son (19) pursuing computer design at SF State. She
is very much looking forward to her 30th class reunion
at the end of July. This will be her first reunion since
graduation.
Donna Vennarucci Gurule’ 68 and her sister,
Susan Vennarucci ’69 were the students in the July
2015 Newsletter assembling the new school desks.
_____________________________________________
REUNIONS
Class of 1945 is ready to celebrate its 70th
anniversary! Contact Edna Condon Leonard at
(650) 341-0431 or edna971@hotmail.com for more
information and to assist with the planning. Once she
has a sense of the number who are interested, more
details can be decided. In addition, she is hoping that
some of the class members are in touch with the men
who graduate from St. Paul’s Grammar School in 1941
and would come to share their stories too.
Class of 1963 is gathering at the annual Mass
and Luncheon on November 7th to celebrate their
70th birthday together.
_____________________________________________
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, November 14, 2015
St. Paul’s Annual Auction & Dinner Dance
Saturday, April 30, 2016
St. Paul’s Grammar School
Centennial Gala Celebration
4:00 p.m. Mass
Reception to follow in the Parish Hall
Page 4
Eleanor Gomez Rosenblum ’71 was
hospitalized for over three months, including a
transfer to San Francisco, since medical facilities
in the Valley could not provide what she needed.
She is home since April and recovering slowly
and is grateful for prayerful support.
Rose Marie Gamma Samson ’42 had a stroke in
June and is paralyzed on one side. Her sister
Lucille Gamma Smith ’44 requests prayers.
Sister Mary Rose, O.Carm ’58 (Frances Patrich)
is undergoing treatment for cancer, and prayers
are requested as she goes through her chemo
regimen.
Georgia Kresno Buettner ’63 writes: “Thirteen
months ago on July 7, 2014, my youngest son
Eric and his wife Celia gave birth to triplet boys:
Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - named after the
Archangels. The boys arrived three months early.
Michael and Raphael weighed close to two
pounds, and Gabriel one and half pounds.
Everyone worried that Gabriel would not survive.
Now, the “munchkins” are growing and gaining
weight, although Gabriel and Raphael still
struggle with health issues. They have come a
long way and we believe it is because of constant
prayer and the love and attention that so many
have given them. Thank to all who have held
them in prayer and I ask for your prayers as they
continue to progress.”
_____________________________________________
TRYING TO LOCATE:
Sheila McCafferty ‘60; Daniellle Perez ‘67, Melva Lopez
‘67, Nancy Clark ‘67, Sharon Ayala ‘72, Linda Bentley ‘72,
Cynthia Kilian ‘72, Carole Guiney ‘73, Lilibeth Mascarinas ‘89, Alma Rivera ‘89, Raquel Sarmiento ‘89, Maria
Rugama ‘89, Verina Tucker ‘89, Yuffa Palacios Caldera
‘90, Aubrey Tudo ‘91, Claudia Jauequi ‘92 and Alicia
Pera ‘94
Please email Marilyn Highlander-Pool at:
sphsalumnae@yahoo.com
ALWAYS A TEACHER
ST. PAUL’S:
MORE THAN A HIGH SCHOOL
Sister Dolores Doohan BVM ’46 (Sarah Jane)
thinks she may hold the record for greatest
number of years in the teaching ministry! She has
amassed a grand total of 59 years as a full-time teacher
plus seven years as tutor.
Growing up in San Francisco, Dolly was taught by the
BVMs at St. Paul’s Grammar School and St. Paul’s High
School. In her senior year she decided become a BVM.
Dolly taught for three years in Chicago, followed
by eleven years in Sacramento. Next was seven years
in Kauai, Hawaii. Dolly then spent the next 38 years
missioned at St. Clare in Portland, Oregon where she
tutored first through fourth grade children.
Retired now at Mt Carmel for the past eight years, Dolly
sings in the choir and is a member of the Sisters Development Network, where she keeps in touch with donors
through phone calls and emails.
She regularly sends them cards for special
occasions, each with a hand-written personal note from
her. She always focuses on the donors and their physical
and spiritual well-being because, Dolly says, “I am very
grateful for the support that they give to the sisters at Mt.
Carmel.”
_____________________________________________
A THANK YOU
Thank you for the Newsletter. I look forward to reading
every issue. It is so important - it keeps Paulites
connected. I’m very thankful that we have a strong
alumnae association. I still feel grateful for the education
I received and the caring of the BVMs. I am so grateful for
the friendship of classmates that I still have. I can’t help
but feel that graduates of St. Paul’s have a special bond.
Geri DePace Spurgeon ’60
“The new high school of St. Paul is beyond
questions one of the most perfectly constructed,
best planned, and most beautiful of the buildings
of our city, dedicated to the same purpose. It
contains some twenty-five classrooms, perfectly
illuminated, including all departments devoted to
the sciences, literature, botany, biology, chemistry,
physics and mathematics, together with complete
commercial courses. Its lecture rooms and art
studio are charmingly arranged...With its
highly cultured and devoted religious instructors,
the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
who enjoy a nationwide reputation as successful
educators, and who have so efficiently directed
the intellectual training of the pupils of St. Paul’s
School since opening in 1916, this new high
school is certainly destined to become a noted
centre of learning and Catholic culture in San
Francisco.”
— Dedication, December 3, 1924
St. Paul’s High School opened its doors on July
30, 1917 in borrowed space. Some of the early
students remembered attending classes in the
attic of the grade school, the ground floor of the
primary building, the roof of the grade school, and
the basement of the rectory.
In 1917, students mastered Latin, English,
General Science, Algebra, Religion and Ancient
History. One year later, the first year of
commercial subjects were introduced with the
second years of academic program starting in
1919. Later, three successive years of academic
high school classes were begun with the first
graduates of the four year academic program in
June of 1925. At the time, the tuition was one
dollar a month with special rates available for
financially struggling families.
The largest class of graduates was in 1937 with
106 girls. By 1951, 84 young women had entered
the religious life after graduating from the school.
The last graduates (1994) numbered 54.
— Salt Magazine
Page 5
ALUMNAE NEWS
Congratulations: … Nan (Eleanor) Loughran Scarpino ’50 and husband Frank celebrated their 60th anniversary of their
wedding at St. Paul’s Church 5/28/15... Beverly O’Keefe Ferrero ‘48 and husband Leo celebrated their 60th anniversary
of their wedding at Church of the Epiphany 9/17/15
May They Rest in Peace:
Alumnae Members: … Ann Harrington Ivons ’42, sister of Peggy Harrington Strehlow ’43 (dec) on 3/18/14; ...Anna Marie
Perez ’77, sister of Lilia Perez-Swanson ’71 and Raquel Kilmartin (Perez-Morales) ’93 on 3/26/15; ...Evelyn Thude ’60, on
4/10/15; … Rosaleen Farrelly ’42, on 5/16/15; … Thelma Dop Rasmussen ’48, on 6/13/15; … Mary McEvoy Delodocivi
’39, sister of Katherine McEvoy Knapp ’37 (dec) and Gertrude McEvoy Cantwell ’40 (dec), on 6/16/14; … Mary Desmond
Puccinelli ’39, sister of Katherine Desmond Welchert ’40 and Betty Desmond Revilla ’46;... on 7/3/15; Kathleen Murphy
’57, sister of Sr. Marguerite Murphy, BVM ’61, on 7/17/15; … Theresa Sexton Cafferkey ’67, sister of Maureen Sexton Cafferkey ’64, on 7/18/15; … Rena Villatore Abel ’69, sister of Regina Villatore ’72, on 7/21/15; … Ann Mary Lehane Willis
’32, on July 30, 2015;... Sister Maureen O’Brien, BVM, ‘54, sister of Terry (Ann Theresa) O’Brien Riordan ‘53, on 8/16/15;...
Matilda Schaukowitch O’Toole ‘43 on 9/08/15
Extended Family: … Richard Anderson, husband of Diane Leonard Anderson ’57, on 7/17/15; …Walter E. Glynn, Jr.,
brother of Alice Glynn ’58 and Peggy Glynn Brandt ’61, cousin of Rita King Barberini ’51, Sis Barberini Firpo ’51 (dec),
Josephine Barberini ’55, Angela Barberini Johnson ’59, Mary Barberini ’65, and Bernadette Barberini, on 6/30/15; … Gloria
L. Wolgamott, mother of Lucille Wolgamott Matelli ’63 on 7/24/15; ... Michael Lionberger, husband of Joan Morris Lionberger ‘63, on 9/17/15
Correction:
EDITOR’S NOTE: Please send information about birth of children, degrees earned, and death of fellow alums and immediate family members of alumnae so that we may pray for one another. It is also very helpful to indicate all immediate family
members of the deceased who are alumnae of St. Paul High School (and year of graduation, if possible). This information
and these connections are not always known unless we are informed. Send information to: SPHS Alumnae, 221 Valley St.,
San Francisco, CA 94131 or via email to <sphsalumnae@yahoo.com> Thank you.
____________________________________________________________________________________
ANNUAL DUES
Many alums (221) heard the plea about paying dues. A number sent more than the $20 for annual dues ($30, $50, even
$100 and $200). But the biggest surprise was a check for $120 from an alum from whom we have not heard since 2003
who wrote: “Thank you for continuing to share St. Paul ‘news.’ I have been remiss in sending dues. Enclosed please find a
check that should cover several years of ‘negligence’.” Another from 1966 wrote: “I can’t believe I’ve never done this before
(not Panda-like at all!).” Thank you to each of you who have already sent dues! And it is not too late to do your share. You
can use the reservation form that is included in this Newsletter, whether or not you plan to attend the Mass and Luncheon
for the Golden Belles.
The Newsletter is sent by first class U.S. mail to approximately 2,700 alumnae. Many alums tell us they are so happy to stay
in touch. Why not be a part of the group that helps to make it possible? If you like receiving the Newsletter, remember
it takes money to get it to you, even if you are among the 370 who receive it in the on-line form. If the dues collected
do not cover the costs of mailing, the balance is taken from the proceeds of the Fundraiser, diminishing what can
support tuition assistance.
BOTTOM LINE: There surely must be MORE that a mere 221 people, about 15% of the alumnae members, who can
support us with $20!
Page 6
ANNUAL LUNCHEON REQUIRES RESERVATION
To give the caterer an accurate count and to insure that sufficient seating is set up for everyone,
RESERVATIONS AND PRE-PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED and should be
POST MARKED BY OCTOBER 23rd. We regret that WALK-INS cannot be accommodated.
The Alumnae appreciate your cooperation, as this helps the planning committee
to make this a special event for the Golden Belles and for all the attendees.
The cost of $45.00 includes lunch, tax, gratuity, rental of tables and
linens, some beverages and decorations.
**ANNUAL MASS & LUNCHEON RESERVATION**
Saturday, November 7, 2015 ** 11:30 a.m. Mass - Luncheon follows
Name_______________________________________________ Class of___________
First
Maiden
Married
Address___________________________________Phone (
)__________________
(only if different from reverse) Street address, City, State, Zip
Current email ________________________________________________
LUNCHEON....................................................$ 45.00 $________
Baby green salad, with fresh berries and candied pecans
Julienne vegetables, wild rice pilaf • Rolls & butter
Triple chocolate mousse mini-cake
Wine, coffee, tea & lemonade
Indicate entree choice
______Chicken Marsala
______Spinach-stuffed Portabello Mushroom (no dairy)
DUES (2015-16) ............................................$20.00 $______
TOTAL enclosed.........................................................$______
* NOTE: ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. WALK-INS cannot be
ACCEPTED. We MUST have an accurate pre-count for the caterer and committee!
Make check payable to:
SPHS ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
221 Valley Street San Francisco, CA 94131
PLEASE POSTMARK NO LATER THAN FRIDAY OCTOBER 23, 2015.
MUST BE RECEIVED BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 26th TO SECURE A RESERVATION.
Page 7
ST. PAUL HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION
221 VALLEY STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 94131-2320
www.sphsalumnae.org
sphsalumnae@yahoo.com
RETURN SERVICE REQUEST
Includes:
RESERVATION FORM
for November 7, 2015
Annual Mass & Luncheon
Honoring the Golden Belles of 1966
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015
Annual Mass and Luncheon
Mass at 11:30 a.m. St. Paul Church
Lunch follows in the Parish Hall
Class of 1966 Golden Belles
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Alumnae Meeting
1:00 p.m. Rectory
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016
Little Christmas Mass & Pot Luck
11:00 a.m. Rectory
______________________________
Nov 21 Sat
8:30 a.m.
Masses for
Dec
12
Sat
8:30
a.m.
Alumnae and
Jan
17
Sun
12:15
p.m.
Benefactors
Feb
14
Sun
12:15
p.m.
Living and
Mar 19 Sat
8:30 a.m.
Deceased
______________________________
Do you know someone from SPHS (a sister,
cousin, friend, classmate, neighbor) who does
NOT receive a Newsletter?
Send us her information:
sphsalumnae@yahoo.com.
CONTACT US
St. Paul High School has a web site.
www.sphsalumnae.org
There are the regular features (such as history
of the school, school song, information about
transcript requests, Alumnae Officers, year-long
calendar of events, etc. It is also where the
Newsletter can be accessed in a pdf. format.
Current and all archived issues since March 2000
are available.
There is also a link in the Newsletter to photo
galleries of major events, so you can see more
than the few photos which can be published and
printed. For all correspondences regarding the
Alumnae, send a message to the Newsletter Editor
sphsalumnae@yahoo.com
______________________________
St. Paul High School Alumnae Newsletter
* Published three times a year: March, July and October
* Sent to all alumnae, former faculty and staff
* Printing and mailing costs are provided in part by dues and supported from proceeds of the annual Fundraiser
* Deadline for submission of articles or information is the first day of March, July and October