SPIRIT Saint Columbkille Alumni News 25 Arlington Street Brighton, MA 02135 www.stcps.org/alumni
Saint Columbkille leads the way for in-person learning Saint Columbkille Partnership School eagerly opened its doors in September for full-day inperson learning. As one of the first Boston schools to open on time and with a healthy enrollment of about 400 students, the school underwent various renovations and improvements over the summer to ensure safe learning in the building. From a renovated nursing center and new flooring to improved air filters and updated technology, students and teachers alike were ready for the new school year. A full-remote option for those who needed it was also offered, with three dedicated remote teachers for the various grade levels. Throughout the summer, new Head of School Jennifer Kowieski shared images and updates of the progress to ready the school building. Each week, her messages to the school community provided encouragement and positivity during an uncertain time. The school community has persevered through the pandemic together and will continue to support each other this year and beyond.
Photo: Kindergarten students are eager to return to the classroom for in-person learning five days a week.
With new procedures and protocols in place, the school year started beautifully and has continued into December. The school’s ultimate goal and mission continues: teachers, staff and students alike are safe and learning. While we certainly look forward to the end of the pandemic, the students and teachers are resilient and move forward confidently with a positive attitude.
Saint Columbkille offers strategy for educating during a pandemic Saint Columbkille Partnership School was featured in an article in the Boston Pilot about the start of the 2020-2021 school year in midSeptember. To read the full article, please click here: Boston Pilot article, September 11, 2020. Donate today at stcps.org/donate
Spirit – Fall 2020
Message from the Head of School Today we face one of our greatest challenges. COVID-19 presents a serious risk to people’s health and safety, and it also poses a real challenge to our children’s education. Through our faith and the continuous support of our community, Saint Columbkille Partnership School has thrived under the immense pressure and uncertainty of this pandemic. In the spring, we pivoted quickly to remote learning, and our students easily adapted to the shift in protocols this fall. With full-day in-person learning and an option for remote education available to those who need it, Saint Columbkille was one of the first Boston schools to open on time in September. As we meet the challenges of this school year and beyond, we ask for your financial support. Your donation will go immediately to help ease the strain that the coronavirus has put on our school and our families. Many renovations were needed this summer and continue in order to keep us safe. Your donation will make an impact on the lives of our current and future students. If you prefer to donate online, please visit our website at www.stcps.org/donate.
Thank you for your past support of Saint Columbkille Partnership School and we hope we can count on you again this year. We wish you and your family a blessed Christmas season and a happy and healthy New Year. In gratitude,
Jennifer Kowieski
Alumni Sign your name video With so many changes happening this year, please know that one part of our school remains exactly the same: your signatures in our attic. As you may know, our graduates typically sign their name in the attic of the school. Alumni signatures represent the lasting impact that you as individuals have had on our school community, as well as the transformative education you received at Saint Cols. Please enjoy our alumni video here: https://bit.ly/SaintCols. Donate today at stcps.org/donate
Spirit – Fall 2020
Come home to columb & class reunions Our annual Come Home to Columb event has been scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2021. Join fellow alumni from all class years to honor the classes of 1970 and 1971 as the celebrate their 50th reunion. For event updates, please click here.
Photo: Guests enjoy food and each other’s company at the 2019 Come Home to Columb event
Class of 1970 Reunion The Class of 1970 invites former classmates to join them in celebrating their 50th reunion at Come Home to Columb on June 5, 2021. For more information, please click here or contact the planning committee below: Patrick Stack, stackpa@webster.edu Kathy Crowley Zieja, kmzieja@charter.net John Noonan, jnoonan950@aol.com Pierrette Perella MacGregor, bostonmom53@yahoo.com Joe Collins, bcjc75@gmail.com
Class of 1971 Reunion The Class of 1971 invites former classmates to join them in celebrating their 50th reunion on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 6 p.m. at The Stockyard in Brighton. For more information, please contact the planning committee below or click here. Patrick Scannell, patrickjscannell@gmail.com Rosalie (Caruso) Gannon, rosalieg@bfminvest.com Paula (Sullivan) MacDonald, PaulaSmacdonald@aol.com Donate today at stcps.org/donate
Spirit – fall 2020
oldest Saint Columbkille alumnus recalls his catholic education Gerard Joseph Quin, Saint Columbkille class of 1937, is believed to be the school’s oldest living alumnus. He is a member of the school’s second coed graduating class; his sister Lucy graduated in 1936 in the first coed class. Gerard, who goes by Gerry, will turn 101 in January. He is the 9th child in a family of 12 kids who grew up on Market Street just opposite St. Columbkille Church. Most of his older siblings attended Brighton High School, but his older sister Lucy, he and his younger brothers Donny and Bobby attended Saint Cols. Gerry attended Saint Columbkille from first grade through his senior year of high school. Gerry calls Saint Columbkille “a real nice school” and recently told fellow alum James Downey (class of 1962), “Those were the days my friend. I thought they would never end; they were good times.” He was number 30 on the Saint Cols football team, playing as kicker, and played shortstop on the baseball team. Of note, Bishop Joseph Maguire also graduated in 1937. When asked about receiving a Catholic education, Gerry says, “it was great. We always went to church and my Catholic faith came in handy. It taught me a lot of things: what to do, what not to do.” He’s still religious today and during the pandemic has been
Gerard Joseph Quin, Class of 1937
watching Mass on TV. After high school, Gerry went to work at New England Telephone installing telephones. He is also a World War II veteran, having fought in an infantry division in Guadalcanal. Following the war, he came back to Boston and married Mary Scahill in 1946 at St. Patrick’s in West Roxbury. The couple lived in Brighton and had three sons. They were married for 69 years before Mary’s passing in July 2015.
Written for Gerry in the 1937 yearbook:
He’s bright and cheerful all day long, With an earnest endeavor to do no wrong. God guide him and aid him to do what is right, And help him succeed in life’s hazardous fight. “The famous coffin-corner kicks of Gerard Quin” - Class Will “And Gerard, an actor for all to see” - Class Prophecy Photo: 1937 Saint Columbkille Football Team Gerard Quin is #30 in the front row Donate today at stcps.org/donate
Spirit – fall 2020
Ralph auciello ’57 Remembered fondly by family and classmates Ralph Auciello was born on October 26, 1939 and grew up on Mapleton Street in Brighton. His parents were born in Italy and he was the third child of a family of six siblings. After his father passed away in 1958, Ralph played a strong father role to his younger siblings, one which they will forever cherish. Ralph was president of the class of 1957 at Saint Columbkille. He loved the school and felt fortunate to have received a Catholic education. He was captain of the football team and a favorite student of the nuns. In his 8th grade year, Ralph played King Herod in the Cantata, the starring role of the annual Christmas performance started in 1907 at Saint Columbkille. “We were fortunate to have the upbringing we did and that’s because of Saint Cols,” says Anna Auciello Woods ’64, one of Ralph’s younger sisters. “All of us went on to further education after graduating high school.” Following high school, Ralph earned a degree in mechanical engineering at Northeastern University. After college, Ralph joined the Army overseas as a first lieutenant, serving for more than two years. After returning home from the service, Ralph became foreman of Auciello Iron Works, which his father started in 1932 on Western Ave. in Brighton. He worked alongside his two brothers Mike and Anthony. The company relocated to Hudson in 1978 and is still located there. “He was one of the most honest and hardest working individuals that I ever met,” says fellow 1957 classmate John Boyle, a loyal friend for more than 75 years. “He was a born leader, a great person to be around and a wonderful employer; he never wanted to retire.”
Ralph Auciello, class of 1957
five grandchildren and a large loving family who will continue to remember him always. Ralph passed away on August 29, 2019, three months before he would have turned 80. He suffered from heart disease and previously had two bypass surgeries and stents put in his heart. Up until the end, Ralph’s mind was strong and clear. His family knew him to be very intelligent and always a problem solver. Ever the hard worker, he continued working at Auciello Iron Works until a month or two before he passed away. Ralph’s son Justin (named for Ralph’s father) now works in the family business with Ralph’s brother Anthony. “Dad was about the journey, not the end,” said his son Justin in his eulogy at Ralph’s funeral. “Nobody ever had more love to give than Dad. His actions always spoke louder than his words.” “Generous. Selfless. Big-hearted. Finding words to describe my Dad is difficult, but these come close,” says his daughter Sarah in her eulogy at Ralph’s funeral. “He was one-of-a-kind.”
Continued on the following page… Ralph has two children, Justin and Sarah. He has Donate today at stcps.org/donate
Spirit – fall 2020
In Memoriam
Class notes
Below are alumni who the Alumni Association has learned have recently passed away. We apologize for any duplications or omissions. Please contact Mary Earls at mary.earls@yahoo.com if you would like to include a name in the next issue.
Below is a collection of class notes submitted by fellow alumni. To submit a class note for inclusion in the next digital newsletter, please click here.
1956 1956 1957 1961 1961 1962 1962 1962 1962 1964 1964 1964 1964 1964 1966 1968 1970 1977 1986
Janet (McKenna) Tambascio Fraher Patricia Geary Margaret (Ryan) Collins James Maguire (attended through his freshman year) Frank Bryson, Jr. Kathryn A. (McCarthy) Zmijewski Margaret “Margie” (Driscoll) Carvour John F. Cronin Earnest “Ernie” Erickson John J. Cahalane Patricia (Dillon) Cerasuolo Diane (Mazerall) McLaughlin Ellen McLaughlin Grace (Pellegrini) Shanahan Michael Haynes Judith Steinkrauss Thomas B. Lynch Gary Bushey Tracey Noble
Frank Simonetti ‘52 Frank is looking to connect with classmates from the class of 1952. Feel free to call him at 781-6651818. John Reino ‘55 I retired from teaching at Greenfield Community College and from the USMCR and Navy Reserve. My wife, a retired Mount Auburn nurse, and I have four children and live in South Deerfield. I would like to hear from any members of the class of 1955. johnreino@verizon.net or 413-665-3934 Paul Cotter ‘62 I had a great day 10/11/20. Got to go to Mass for the first time since the pandemic and saw the film by Jim Downey ('62) and Bob Greim ('73). Stay safe everyone!
Ralph Auciello article continued from the previous page Ralph’s faith meant a lot to him; he was helpful to everyone and never gave up. Ralph also had a great sense of humor, though his family maintains he was terrible at telling jokes. Ralph’s parents instilled a lot of good values in their children and their family had many blessings. “The world was a better place with Ralph in it,” says his sister Anna. “He was a life-changing kind of person and stuck with people through thick and thin.” Thank you, Ralph, for the mark you have left on Saint Columbkille, your family, and this community.
Donate today at stcps.org/donate
Spirit – fall 2020
STCPS VETERANS Day Celebration Honors Alumni Veterans On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, distinguished guests joined Saint Columbkille Partnership School administrators for a dedication ceremony honoring Saint Cols alumni who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Through the generosity of the Brighton Marine Health Center, the Brighton Elks Lodge, and the current students of Saint Columbkille, the school dedicated a flag and the surrounding grounds on Arlington Street to the alumni who have served in the armed forces. The flag pole has been restored and a new flag now proudly flies at the front entrance. A plaque in front of the flag pole reads, “Dedicated to the Saint Columbkille Veteran Alumni who served our great nation in the United States Armed Forces, November 11, 2020.” “Our mission statement says that we prepare our students for lives of faith, lives of service and lives of leadership,” said Jennifer Kowieski, Head of School at Saint Columbkille Partnership School, at the event. “We are so very grateful to our veterans that lead by example.” “This really is directly in our mission – to ensure that the flag is remembered, the veterans are remembered,” said Marlene Calisi, Vice President
of Administration and Finance at Brighton Marine Health Center, in her remarks. “And anywhere we can display [the flag], we help to display it, so thank you for the opportunity.” In attendance were: • Marlene (Conroy) Calisi (’87), Vice President of Administration and Finance at Brighton Marine Health Center • Paul Bletzer (’73), Exalted Ruler of the Brighton Elks Lodge • Jim Coffey (’62) • Paul Ward (’62) • Jack Keating (’63) • Kelly McGrath (’89) • Jen Lynch (‘90E), STCPS Administrative Assistant • Jennifer Kowieski, STCPS Head of School • Kate Ward, STCPS Chief Advancement & Enrollment Officer • Rachel Rumely, STCPS Assistant Head of School, Grades pre-K – 4 • Fr. Christopher Bae, St. Columbkille Church A virtual event was also held following the inperson event to share a video of the event and thank our alumni. To watch the full video of the event, please click here.
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Spirit – fall 2020
Three Saint Columbkille Alumni Featured in BC Article Saint Columbkille Partnership School graduates Jonathan Pierre '07, Carlos Tamayo '13 and Red Molina ‘17 were featured in an article in the December 2020 issue of the Boston College Chronicle newspaper. Their stories embody our school's mission of educating students of all backgrounds as we prepare them for lives of faith, service and leadership. We are so proud of all they have accomplished. Click here to read the full article. Jonathan Pierre ‘07
Carlos Tamayo ‘13
Red Molina ‘17
Grandparent & Special Elder virtual event Saint Columbkille Partnership School hosted its first-ever virtual Grandparent & Special Elder Day on Thursday, November 19 via Zoom. The event included guests from all over the world and the United States. A welcome from Head of School Jennifer Kowieski was followed by remarks from Kate Ward, Chief Advancement & Enrollment Officer. A message from Fr. Fitz at St. Columbkille Church was followed by a blessing from Assistant Head of School Rachel Rumely. Then, each classroom shared a video of their students, including our remote classrooms, to share with all of the special elders watching. The event ended with a special request to match donations from a current grandmother and a Celtic blessing song from our students. Thank you to all who attended this special event! Photo: Saint Columbkille students in K1 (left) and Grade 3 (right) participate in a video montage for their special elders as part of the event
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Spirit – fall 2020
2020 Graduate Shares why she’s thankful for Saint cols Katherine Duque-Maquiz graduated from Saint Columbkille Partnership School in June 2020 and is now a freshman at Saint Joseph Prepatory High School. In the first quarter of this school year, she was awarded the Saint Joseph the Worker award for her exceptional work ethic. Her parents are beyond proud of her and, as humble as she is, she’s proud, too. Katherine is an only child who is currently attending school remotely due to high-risk relatives at home. When asked about how difficult it must be to learn completely at home, Katherine is upbeat and positive, saying that school is actually a lot easier for her at home. She’s more focused, less stressed and in a much calmer space. So far, she enjoys Saint Joseph’s and says she was prepared academically for the rigor of high school. She wants to help people when she grows up, though she’s not sure exactly how yet. One guiding principle that Katherine shares from her time at Saint Cols is, “know a person for who they are, not what they look like.”
Katherine Duque-Maquiz 8th grade photo 2019
These traits of helpfulness and consideration stems directly from how she was taught at Saint Columbkille. Loyola Academy English and Language Arts (ELA) teacher Emily O’Brien says of Katherine, “She was always a hard worker and took great pride in her academics. She is an excellent example of Magis - always striving to do more. It is great to see her recognized for her efforts at the high school level. We are so proud of her!” In terms of her Catholic faith, she says that attending Saint Columbkille and Saint Joseph’s is very important to her family and helped her grow spiritually. After coming to Saint Cols in 2nd grade, Katherine says, “Not everyone [in my family] was able to go to a Catholic school. [They] really loved that I was learning more about my faith [and] asked me questions about it. The spiritual community at Saint Joe’s is very similar and was helpful to carry on from Saint Cols.” Though she didn’t have a typical graduation ceremony upon leaving Saint Columbkille, she was able to participate in an important and long-standing tradition at the school. She and a few other students were able to sign their names in the attic, among the other graduates, when helping fetch Nativity supplies and props before Christmas last year. “We did manage to sign our names [last year],” she says. “It was a nice way to say goodbye to Saint Cols. There will always be a piece of us at Saint Cols.” When thinking back to her years at the school, she says, “I loved every second at Saint Cols.” Further, she recommends to those still at the school, “Make sure you make the most of your time there. It’s something you’re never going to forget.”
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Spirit – fall 2020
Alumni Association Board 2020-2021 Academic Year Jack Keating ‘63 jkpk@comcast.net Mary Earls ‘65 mary.earls@yahoo.com Mary Battles ‘66 marybattles@comcast.net Dan Cence ‘68 cence76@comcast.net John Noonan ‘70 jnoonan950@aol.com Kelly McGrath ‘89 kelly9175@gmail.com Jen Geaney Lynch ‘90E jlynch@stcps.org
Upcoming events Virtual Teacher Basket Raffle Saint Cols teachers created beautiful baskets for our virtual raffle. Please use this link to view the baskets and purchase online raffle tickets for $2 each. Deadline is 12/13 at 8 p.m. and winners will be announced 12/15. Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, December 11, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. Facebook & Instagram Live event Virtual Nativity Performance Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 6 p.m. Register here for the Zoom webinar
Upcoming Alumni Newsletters We continue to send electronic newsletters with recent news and upcoming events for our alumni. Please share your email address with us at alumni@stcps.org to make sure you are included on the distribution list.
Memorial Gifts
Your Gift is Important
Memorial gifts made in honor of a loved one are gratefully accepted and thoughtfully acknowledged to families of the deceased. For more information, please call Kate Ward at 617254-3110 x.147.
Alumni support is a key ingredient of our success. Your gift demonstrates appreciation for your Saint Cols experience and ensures that the same highquality Catholic education in a caring community is available to a new generation. Each year, alumni support the Alumni Scholarship Fund to provide financial aid to students who need it most. Please show your support and donate online at www.stcps.org/donate.
Stay in Touch! Sign up for our bi-weekly school e-newsletter by sending an email to alumni@stcps.org. Follow us on social media:
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Spirit is a publication of Saint Columbkille Partnership School. Please contact Kate Ward at 617-254-3110 x.147 or kward@stcps.org if you wish to get involved, submit news or simply reconnect with former classmates. We apologize for any errors included in this newsletter, and encourage you to let us know if you spot any incorrect information. Donate today at stcps.org/donate