Cathedral Griffin High School - Yearbook (Springfield, IL)

Page 14 text:

ery Reverend John P. O,Mahoney, C.S.V., newly appointed Provincial of the American Province, chose three men to be the founders of the new school: Father Daniel O'Connor, Father James Sees, Father John E. Wil- liams. Father O'Connor, ap- pointed as the first principal of Cathedral, was also appointed to serve as pastor of St. Joseph's parish. Father Williams served as both assistant principal and assis- tant pastor, and Father Sees be- came the athletic director of the school. The doors of the first Catholic boys' secondary school in Spring- field opened on September 2, 1930. Ninety-two young men, led by David McGrath as the first up to the registration table, arrived as the opening class of Cathedral Boys' High School. The first home for the school was three classrooms in the Cathedral grade school. At the beginning of the second semester. Brother John T. Ryan and Rev. John Bradoc and Brother Ray- mond Wilken joined the faculty. After the first year in what had always been intended as tempo- rary quarters, the school moved to the old St. Mary's grade school at Seventh and Monroe Streets. With the completion of the new Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the school, former rectory, and Church of St. Mary's became the permanent home of Cathedral Boys High School. .T.fiQY'M Q-Qi AAA! JK Q 'H' n-zu Cathedral Grade School: First C. B.H.S. classes, 3 rooms on Istfloor. Fr. Daniel 0'Connor, Principal Fr. j. E. Williams Bot. row, l. to r.:Rev. J. T. Ryan, Bro. J. A. Toolan, Rev. D. A. 0'Connor, Mr. Earl Reavy, Bro. Emmett Capps, Rev. M. P. Loughran. Mia' row: Rev. T. B. Nolan, Bro. C. A. Carlon, Bro. Michael Frames, Rev. S. A. Swikoski, Bro. J. L. Drolet. Top row: Bro. G. M. LaMarre, Rev. J. T Sees, Rev. E. J. Surprenant, Bro. Timothy Kelly.

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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

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Top: Class of 34, thejirst to graduate. Father Sees wrestled football linemen, two at a time, sort of a one man tag team. Lou DeMarc'o 34 E will Q st T uri VN Q wma. ' . 1 X , J Fr. james Sees Mr. Earl Reavy First athletic director. First basketball coach. Old St. Marys School-cramped quartersfor students andfaculty alike. L. to R. top: Bro. Ray Wilken, Mr. Earl Reavy, Bro. John Brown, Mid.: Bro. Gerald LaMarre, Bro, Jos. Drolet. Bot.: J. E. Williams, Fr. Daniel 0'Connor, Fr. James Sees.