Cathedral Griffin High School - Yearbook (Springfield, IL)

Page 54 text:

Father joseph Canella, C.S.V. Father Jospeph Canella made hisghrst appearance at Cathedral in 1954. He introduced a course in remedial reading which was significant. Padre, as he liked to be called, was alwaysfond ofthe student who needed help. Over his years at Cathedral and then Griffin, Father Canella would also teach Spanish to which, as his students no doubt remember, he brought a great deal of color, spirit andfun. He succeeded Fr. Sullivan as Principal and it was during his term that the new school was planned and built. Father Canella was the spearhead behind the annual Mostaccioli Dinner which gradually became and remains a main fund raising eventfor the school and which celebrated its twentyqfifth anni- versary on March 4, 1984. Following the end of his prin- cipalshtp, Father Canella served as pastor of St. Mary is parish in Kankakee, Illinois, and then be- came pastor of' St. Patricks parish also in that city. When he completed his term as pastor of St. Pats, he asked to re- turn to Griffin. He spent his last years as a teacher, counselor and friend to thelfaculty and students ofthe school he loved. Father Canella passed away in his sleep . . Q-.ef.-Arai' on August 10, 1982, at the Griffin .. I faculty residence. Fr. Canella brought spirit and fun to the classroom. 9 I f at-Q The Mostaccioli Dinner became and remains the majorfund raiserfor the school. ,Xie if-5

Page 53 text:

wenty-five years had passed since the opening of Cathedral Boys High School in 1930, and the administration and staff spent a great deal of time preparing for the Silver Anniversary of the school. Decisions at the plate. The yearbook for that year opened with a brief history of the school under its six principals. Mr. Gleason had resigned at the end of the previous school year and the new Athletic Direc- tor was Mr. Jack Finigan with Mr. Joseph Beja as his assistant. While the teams turned in their The Camera Club with lenses set az vario l , 5 if Brother Paradiso moderated the Slide Rule Club. usual respectable records, 1955 was not a great year for the school in athletics. New clubs were appearing on the scene, the Slide Rule Club and the Camera Club being twog Father Spiekerman continued to direct the Variety Show which was becoming ever more elabo- rate, but even more time consum- ing. The Silver Jubilee Celebration begun late in the 1954-55 school year culminated in a major event held on St. Viator's feast day, 1955. Since St. .Ioseph's parish had been given to the Viatorians at the same time as Cathedral was opened, ajoint celebration of both anniversaries was held. Father Donald Glenn, C.S.V. of PEVHILIFES. St. Joseph's and Father Joseph Sum from the school organized the activities. A Solemn Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by Bishop O'Connor, was the high- light of the 25th anniversary events. Many former faculty members and many alumni were present for the mass and banquet following. This year also saw the arrival of Fr. Hopkins and Fr. Shaw. There was one other arrival, that of Father Joseph Canella. Padre as he was to become known would spend many years at Cathedral and at Griffin and became one of the most influential and best loved men in the Springfield community. WA M04 F john Finigan Jos. Beja

Page 55 text:

Student enrollment made the walls burst at the seams. Frs. Joseph Sum. Thomas Kin- ney and Eugene Lutzjoined the staff. Brother Patrick Cahill, who had come the previous year, took over the duties of freshmen foot- ball, basketball and baseball coach. Mr. Myron Layendecker became the first layman to direct the Glee Club. The class historian noted that the football team won only one of The Glee Club of1956 its nine games and the basketball team seven wins out of twenty-six starts. Still members of the teams were named to All City and All Conference Teams. Enrollment jumped to the point that the old walls of the Converse school groaned under the pres- sure. Rapid remodeling and many improvisations helped somewhat. Myron Layendecker V Bro. Cahill coached freshmen. Fr, Jos. Sum Fr. Thos. Kinney Myron would defy gravity when he pranced . . . in 1939 he got statewide attention for it. As a grade schooler, I was impressed Jim Kolis 46 gwewe Myron Layendecker- li precursor ofthe Limbo W 47 I llnlfl If er