Remembering the past, shaping the future

Alumni groups keep traditions alive

By Eileen Jevis Staff writer

The friendships, lessons and memories we recall from our school days help shape us into the people we are today. It is the shared values and common beliefs we learn in a Catholic school that bind us together despite physical distance, life changes and the passing of time. These lifelong connections are why there are alumni groups throughout the diocese that encourage involvement and membership — even if the school is no longer open.

Kimberly Johnson is the executive director of advancement and president of the Catholic Schools of Broome County (CSBC). She attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, St. James School and Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton. She said the alumni group is very active and her office works diligently to engage alumni from all the schools in the area. “We want them to know we are a resource for them, whether they are looking for a former classmate or helping to plan a reunion,” she said. Johnson said the office helps keep the Catholic Schools of Broome County connected. “The office creates a space where memories and traditions are shared and provides current students the opportunity to connect with alumni who are a resource for networking, mentoring and internship opportunities,” she said.

Sybil Preski, an artist, taught at Rome Free Academy for 30 years. She currently teaches art at Rome Catholic Elementary School. While she did not attend a Catholic school, her husband, mother, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins all attended various Catholic Schools in Rome.

As an art teacher and parishioner at St. Peter’s Church, Preski became aware of the exceptional education students received at a Catholic school. She and her husband were so impressed with values taught at Rome Catholic School, they enrolled both their children. At the time, the school offered instruction for kindergarten to 12th grade. Now, it serves K-6. When the high school closed in 2013, some students transitioned to Notre Dame High School.

As a teacher, Preski recognized that students from Rome Catholic schools were responsible, respectful and involved. “They had a love for learning and for participating in events and clubs that benefited the community,” she said. It was that commitment based on loyalty and service to others that spurred Preski to create the alumni group, Catholic Schools Association of Rome (CSAR).

The committee currently has seven members and is inviting others to join.

“We plan a big event that brings alumni from all Catholic schools together for one night of celebration while letting the public know what a positive impact a Catholic education can have on a community.”

Jim Wright, an alumnus of St. Anthony of Padua in the heart of

Syracuse, echoes Preski’s beliefs that his Catholic education had a positive impact on his life. Wright graduated from St. Anthony’s in 1970. “It provided ‘a road map and guard rails’ to live by for the rest of my life. We were taught morals, respect, discipline, a good work ethic and faith in God,” he said. Wright said he has very fond memories of his school days — Friday night basketball games, Sunday afternoon baseball games against the other parochial schools, the annual May crowning, a graduation breakfast and serving as an altar boy. The high school closed in 1974 and the elementary school closed in 1985. He and his wife have been members of the parish since being baptized there.

“Our alumni group is very active with class reunions that are attended by several hundred former students,” said Wright. “Our membership totals over 1,000 grads and friends of St. Anthony’s.” The group hosts holiday parties and golf events and publishes the annual newsletter. “The alumni group is steeped in the traditions and memories of St. Anthony’s and how much our

Catholic education meant to us.”

Father James Serowik, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul/Blessed Sacrament in Vestal, works closely with the Broome County Catholic Schools alumni. He said alumni groups act as ambassadors for our schools and for Catholic education. “They invest their time, talents and treasure in support of our schools. They also support our schools by enrolling their children, the next generation of Catholics, in our school system,” he said. “Alumni groups are an important part of the Catholic schools family throughout the diocese.”

Student ambassador Phil McGarvey, from Bishop Ludden Jr./Sr. High School, speaks at the Light a Child’s Future Syracuse Diocese Catholic Schools Golf Tournament on June 19 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. Listening are, from left, student ambassadors Sean Noon from Utica Notre Dame; Nate Abernethy from Bishop Grimes in East Syracuse; and Joe Tiderencel from Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton. At right is the banquet’s MC, Adrienne Smith, NewsChannel 9’s Weekend Morning News Anchor and a general assignment reporter during the week. She is a 2016 graduate of Utica Notre Dame. See more photos at www.thecatholicsun.com. (Sun photo | Tom Maguire)

GOLF, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 by any means,” he said. “But you know, I can get out there and fumble around up there for a little bit. So, we’ll see. It’s exciting. I’m very excited for it, should be really fun. Hope to learn a lot and hope to meet some more friends.”

Feeling fortunate to attend a “fantastic Catholic school,” McGarvey knows the importance of thanking parents, grandparents and teachers. “Thank everyone for helping you with a question,” he said, “staying after, responding to an email, making dinner, making sure the school uniform's ready for the next day. I appreciate every one of you for your contribution” to Catholic schools, he told the banquet audience. “It has helped me and all of us here today tenfold, and we won’t be able to thank you guys enough.”

“We have so many families who would benefit from a Catholic school education” but just cannot reach that plateau, said William Crist, the Catholic schools superintendent who retired days after the golf fundraiser, which he said is a way to make a Catholic school education affordable for families. The golf entry fees and sponsors help the cause.

Bishop Douglas J. Lucia played in the golf event and said, “I gotta get better.” He noted that investing in the Catholic schools is an “investment in our young people, so that they can make the world a better place.” What Catholic schools do, he said, is “to show the face of God.”

Golf Results

Closest to the Pin #3 Brennan Kelly, 7”

Longest Drive #10

Men: Tyler Button

Women: Sarah Falgiatano

Mixed First Place: 53 (-19)

Charlie Falgiatano

Vinny Falgiatano

Sarah Falgiatano

Colleen Falgiatano

Men’s First Place: 64 (-8)

Peter Capponi

Anthony Falgiatano

Alex VanTassel

Random Team: 63 (-9)

Lynn Chapman

Deb Enders

Nikki Fowler

Pat LaBacz

Skins

3 on #8

George Armond

David Malone

John Mirabito

Ross Mirabito

A newlywed couple exchanges a zucchetto with Pope Francis as he greets visitors after his weekly general audience June 28, 2023, in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) e Church of the Nativity at St. Joseph, LaFayette

We congratulate you on your well-deserved retirement and thank you for all that you have taught us through your personal witness to the faith for 57 years.

Televised Mass air times youtube.com/syrdio

Syracuse area:

Sun., 6:30 a.m., Channel 9 (WSYR, Syracuse)

Sat., 8:30 p.m., Channel 98*

Binghamton area: Sun., 6 a.m., Channel 12 (WBNG, Binghamton)

Utica / Rome area:

Sun., 6:00 a.m., Channel 2 (WKTV, Utica)

Thu., 6:30 p.m., Channel 99*

* Denotes Public Access station. Stations will attempt to air the Mass at the times listed, however, the Mass could be preempted without notice.