Cathedral Griffin High School - Yearbook (Springfield, IL)

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n 1930 the country was in the midst of a de- pression, yet in the summer of that year Bishop James Griffin decided that the bad times should no longer delay a plan to which he was com- mitted. Springfield had two Catholic secondary schools for girls, Ursuline Academy and Sacred Heart Academy, but there was no provision made for the sons of Catholic families who were of high school age. Bishop Griffin an- nounced plans to open such a school and stated that it would be known as Cathedral Boys' High School. He invited the Clerics of St. Viator, popularly known as the Viatorians, to staff the proposed school. !Ar0,WowJsm4wmr2naf QD. syn sqllhwdv

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Table History of Cathedral Boys High School Faculty Listings by school year 1931 1935 1939- 1942- 1946- -1952 1948 1953 1957 1934 1938 1941 1945 1947 1956 1959 Coaches listings by school year 1931-1944 1945-1955 1956-1959 Cathedral Boys High School student graduates listing History of Griffin High School Faculty listings by school year 1960- 1963 1968 1979 1982- Coaches listings by schoo 1 1960- 1964- 1968 1973 1976- 1979- 1983 1962 1967 -1971 1972- 1974- -1981 1973 1978 1984 year 1963 1967 1972 1975 1978 1981 1982 1984 Griffin High School student graduates listing Graduate priests and religious Cathedral! Griffin Alumni Association The Griffin High'School Board Jubilee year activities 25! 50 year book patrons listing Jubilee year committees listing of Contents PAGE 6 10 17 21 25 31 39 44 61 22 45 52 62 72 77 95 101 108 113 124 131 81 92 103 109 115 117 125 132 134 155 156 158 159 160 161

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St. Viator The Clerics of St. Viator The Clerics of St. Viator are a com- munity of priests and brothers founded by Reverend Louis Querbes of Lyons, France. Deeply troubled by the destruc- tion of Catholic edumtional institutions during and after the French Revolution, Pere Querbes began the work of estab- lishing a congregation of men who would fill this need. Founded in 1835, the Via- torians were sent to the New World by Father Querbes in 1837 to establish a school in St. Louis, Missouri. This first at- tempt at an American foundation failed, but in 1865 Pere Querbes' men returned to the United States, and this time their foundation was assured. In that year three Viatorians established a primary school in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Over the succeeding years, this pri- mary school led to a secondary school and then to St. Viator's College. The Viatorian community grew, and its members took up teaching duties in grade schools, high schools, colleges and universities throughout the Midwest. The leaders of the Viatorian community placed great emphasis upon the academic preparation of its members, and as a re- sult the priests and brothers enjoyed a reputation as dedicated teachers. One of Pere Querbes' aims was that the priests and brothers of the congregation be de- voted to the service of the holy altar. Wherever they were sent, Viatorians served as helpers to the diocesan clergy. This was the community Bishop Griffin invited to staff his proposed school. Father Querbes