170th Anniversary Celebration

Oracle Park was a sea of green on September 10th, as the Sacred Heart Cathedral community gathered to celebrate 170 years of education in San Francisco. Beneath a bold school banner on the side of the Willie Mays clock tower, the 60-student pep band played under the direction of Mr. Tiv Cumberbatch and provided a warm welcome. Traffic slowed and music filled the neighborhood. Seventeen hundred attendees including alumni, faculty, staff, students, families, and Fightin’ Irish fans took over the home of the SF Giants for the evening.

The get-together provided a chance to socialize while honoring the school’s Vincentian and Lasallian roots. “It was a fun event and a great representation of everyone — from my dad’s time in the late 60s, and people I knew growing up in the 90s, to current students and teachers,” said Kathleen Butler, mom of Emma ’22, Sean ’26 and Ryan ’26. “It was cool to meet people and understand their connections to SHC, and hear about all the multigenerational families.” Butler’s father, George Lynch ’67, was on the planning committee. Emcees James Jordan and Br. V. Kenneth, FSC kept the event flowing while Kaila Nobriga-Allen ’22 and Kevin Buckley ’13 hosted the stadium’s on-screen broadcast with their bits and banter. A family-friendly area provided a spirits-free environment for kids to do spin art and paint shades and frisbees. Artists worked their magic face painting shamrocks, tigers, butterflies, fairies, and characters, and applying glitter and airbrush tattoos. A spirit wall was a patchwork of handmade posters and those from past athletic and performing arts events. In ballpark fashion, figurines and larger-than-life bobblehead cutouts of Sr. Frances Meyers, DC and Br. Joseph Fabiano, FSC were produced. A Heritage Museum featured historical photos and scannable QR codes that provided backstories narrated by Br. Kenneth. Stacks of yearbooks were set out for guests to flip through and reminisce. “I was very happy with the celebration honoring the beginnings of the Daughters of Charity and of the Brothers here in San Francisco,” said Sr. Frances who has been with the school for 35 years. “The videos with the history were well done and it was a great lesson on what sacrifices were made to arrive in the place in history we hold today.” Br. Joseph, who joined SHC in 1966, fondly remembered his first interaction with the community as a faculty member at Sacred Heart High School in Sacramento when the Fightin’ Irish basketball team traveled there for a game. “These highly consistent players and vociferous loyal fans not only ignited my first impression of SHC, but have over the years demonstrated the true attitude of excellence of SHC at all levels of our academic, spiritual, recreational, and educational family,” he said.

“You couldn’t get more than a step without Sr. Frances or Br. Joseph being stopped by guests,” said Kirra Steel, Director of Advancement, who escorted them to the field for an interview. “Their wonderful work, selflessness, and humility in helping others is something we should rally around.” Drinks were poured and festive fare was served. The batting cages were open for those looking to perfect their swing and ballpark tours were taken. Caricature artists created guest portraits. A pop-up shop sold limited edition gold shamrock apparel including jackets, shirts, and beanies designed to honor the milestone. On loan from St. Ignatius Preparatory, the Bruce-Mahoney trophy provided a backdrop for photos. It also served as a reminder to bring the award home this season. “Schools faced a huge challenge maintaining momentum with COVID, and somehow it seems like SHC has only grown stronger. The amount of positivity we heard from parents at that event, the way the whole community is all rowing in the same direction for the kids, and the pride they have in the athletics programs,” said Anna Van, a prospective parent. “This is a very happy community that’s on the same page about the values that matter and the success of its students.” To close out the night, Boombox, a local 10-piece band played for those wanting to hit the dance floor and move to tunes of the decades.“I was dancing and looked down and two little boys were wiggling, wide-eyed watching the musicians,” said Caroline Williams, mom of Jacob ’21. “It was the highlight of my night — the freedom for the kids to just have fun.” Williams brought a crew of prospective parents from her daughter’s class with her. “You have to see this,” she said of SHC, “It’s special.” When the stadium lights dimmed, a crowd continued on to Underdogs Cantina for the afterparty. The yearlong homage to 170 years will culminate on January 14, 2023 with a semi-formal ball at the Palace Hotel. The location is the original site of the Daughters of Charity school in San Francisco.