St John Neumann High School - Crystal Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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50's - The Move The late forties and early fifties again saw an in- crease in enrollment. In 1951, the former Walsh Grade School at Thirteenth and Iackson Streets was added to the still growing school. This building became known as Saint Norbert Hall. The early fifties saw the death of Cardinal Dougherty, under whose direction Southeast Catholic came into existence, and the arrival of Arch- bishop Iohn O'Hara. It would be Archbishop O'Hara who would radically change the composition of Southeast Catholic, not only in name but also in location. Other championships were won in basketball and football as well as baseball, but a true history of the school would have to record the fact that the bowling team, under the moderatorship of Father George Feider, O. Praem., clinched the first Catholic League and City Title championships. In Iune of 1954, it was announced that Father Iulian Resch, O. Praem. would step down as principal of Southeast Catholic. He would be succeeded by Father Albert Koob, 0. Praem. Father Koob would be the first alumnus of Southeast Catholic to become principal. The Iune 11, 1954 Rocket gave tribute to Father Resch for his nineteen years of service to Southeast Catholic, coming to the school the second year of its existence. He saw the school grow from a few hundred students to nineteen hundred, as well as the expansion of the school plant with the additions of Sacred Heart Hall, Freshmen Hall, and Saint Norbert Hall. Father Resch had served as vice principal of the school for one year, 1945-1946, and in August of that year was ap- pointed principal. Father Resch would go on to Paoli and Our Lady of Daylesford Priory, laying the beginnings of an in- dependent Norbertine foundation in the East. In August of 1954, ten postulants would be vested as Norbertine Novices. Of the ten vested, seven would be graduates of Southeast Catholic. Father C. Albert Koob, O. Praem. would be the last principal of Southeast Catholic and the first principal of Bishop Neumann High School. It would be Father Koob who would manage the work involved in moving the student body, etc. from Seventh and Christian Streets to the new location of the school at Twenty- seventh and Moore Streets. In the Fall of 1954, the Most Rev. Iohn F. O'Hara llater Cardinall announced plans to erect a new high school to replace the old buildings of Southeast Catholic. The school was to be named Bishop Neumann High School after the fourth Ordinary of the Arch- diocese, the Venerable Iohn N. Neumann. The school would occupy a full city block from Twenty-sixth to Twenty-seventh, Moore to Mifflin Streets. The new school would accommodate 3,000 students and a Priory for the Norbertine Faculty. The Priory would be named St. Norbert Priory. The longed-for day finally came on March 7th. A steady downpour of rain was unable to dampen the en- thusiasm of more than two hundred who, led by a motorcade of one hundred cars, reported to the new building for the first time. As the student body entered the building, the Bishop Neumann band played the school song. After reporting to their classrooms, each section recited the rosary in thanksgiving for the new school and in a spirit of dedication to the Mother of God. This occasion marked the first time in twenty years that the entire school population was under one roof. On Iune 2, 1956, Bishop Neumann High School was solemnly blessed and dedicated to the Venerable Bishop. Archbishop O'Hara presided over the ceremonies. In attendance was the Rt. Rev. Sylvester M. Killeen, Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, West DePere, Wisconsin and the major superior of the Norbertines in America. As the new school year, 1956-1957 began, the school population had grown to 2,416 students. A new religious community joined the faculty. Two members of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary lC.I.C.M.j began their teaching careers, their number eventually rose to six. Diocesan priests continued on the faculty. 1 ax 'XX .L . Msgr. Reilly, Superintendent of Schools in 1956, blesses the corner stone of the new Bishop Neumann High School building at 26th and Moore Streets.

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By the war's end, the list would grow to more than two thousand students of Southeast Catholic who served in the Armed Forces. It was during this time also that the school schedule would be adjusted to allow for seniors of draft age to serve in the Armed For- ces. In Iune of 1943, Father Iohn Keough, Pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, would distribute diplomas to two hun- dred and eight seniors, many of whom wore the unifor- ms of their respective branches of the service. Those not present were represented by one of their parents to whom their diplomas were presented. The first mid-year graduation was held on Ianuary 24, 1944 in Sacred Heart Hall. Twenty-one diplomas were given to seniors who were of draft age and would be going into the Armed Forces. After nine years as principal of Southeast Catholic and superior of the Norbertine Community, Father Michael McKeough was sent to Washington, D.C. During Father McKeough's time as principal, many changes occured at Southeast, not the least of which was the tremendous increase in enrollment. The student population went from about five hundred in 1937 to more than twelve hundred in 1945. Father L. A. V. DeCleene, O. Praem. became the third principal of Southeast Catholic, coming to the school from St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin. Father Iulian Resch, O. Praem. was named vice principal suc- ceeding Father David Rondou, O. Praem. During the 1945-1946 school year, the first class reunion took place under the direction of Father Francis McHugh, O. Praem. In the spring of 1946, Mr. Paul Bartolomeo was named football coach of Southeast Catholic. Bart as he came to be called, remained in this capacity for many years, leading the Pirates to victory in football and baseball. The 1946-1947 year saw Fr. Iulian Resch, O. Praem. replace Fr. L. A. V. DeCleene, O., Praem. as principal of Southeast Catholic. There was also a change in the composition of the faculty. Twelve diocesan priests were assigned by Cardinal Dougherty to teach at Southeast. Father Resch was no stranger to Southeast, having served as vice principal, teacher, and moderator of many activities. He would remain as principal until 1954. During these years under Father Resch, many changes took place in the school. The football team came into prominance under Bart, with one out- standing player, Bill Brannau, receiving the Maxwell Award for the first time in the history of the school. This same football squad was the first to take the Catholic League Football Championship, defeating West Catholic at Shibe Park before a crowd of more than thirty thousand people. Congratulations were ex- tended to all the team as well as the coaching staff-Bartolomeo, Matthews, and Cunningham. The City Title was shared with Frankford in a tie game, 6-6, at Franklin Field. Some forty-five thousand people at- tended the game. It wouldn't be until 1954 when Southeast Catholic would meet Frankford again and finally claim their first City Title in football, 34-0. The Victory Corp of Southeast Catholic High School marches in for- mation.

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Again because of increased enrollment, another religious community was added to the faculty in Sep- tember, 1958. Five members of the Order of Friars Minor lO.F.M.J arrived from Wisconsin to assume their teaching duties. The faculty now consisted of Nor- bertine Fathers, Diocesan Priests, T.O.R. Fathers, C.I.C.M. Fathers, O.F.M. Fathers and laymen, Event- ually, the T.O.R. Community would leave Neumann to found Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills. The Friars Minor founded Archbishop Ryan High School for Boys in Philadelphia and the C.I.C.M. Fathers founded Archbishop Wood High School for Boys in Warminster. In Iune of 1958, the diocesan Priest faculty members were assigned to other high schools. This was the first time Diocesan Priests were not on the faculty since 1944. Many more lay teachers assumed teaching assignments at the school. 60's - Expansion In Iune of 1960, the school was privileged with a visit from Cardinal Giovanni Montini, Archbishop of Milan. The visit caused great excitement because he was already being talked of as becoming the next Pope. He did, in fact, later become Pope Paul VI. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia in general, and Bishop Neumann High School in particular, were greatly saddened with the death of Iohn Cardinal O'Hara on August 28, 1960. He had been in failing health for some time. He was completely dedicated to Catholic education and saw to the construction of many Catholic schools. Archbishop Iohn Krol llater Cardinalj, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, was installed on March 22, 1961 to succeed Cardinal O'Hara. To this day, Cardinal Krol has continued to dedicate himself to Catholic education. We take great pride in the Archdiocesan school system. It is one of the finest in the country. In Iune of 1961, Father C. Albert Koob, O. Praem., principal, left to accept the office of associate director of the National Catholic Education Association. He was the last principal for seven years and saw the student population grow from 1,998 to 2,730 students. Father Koob was succeeded by Father Iohn E. Neit- zel, O. Praem., who had been a former faculty member. Father Neitzel formed the Fathers' Club and the Mothers' Club as separate organizations, to replace the former Parents' Association. Father Neitzel remained as principal until Iune, 1963 when he was named the major superior of the Norbertines in the East. On November 13, 1963, Daylesford Priory was established as a canonically independent priory. On April 7, 1971, Father Neitzel was elected the first Abbot of Daylesford Abbey. He was blessed as Abbot on Iune 17, 1971 by Iohn Cardinal Krol. He presently remains in that position. Father Iohn M. Cagney, O. Praem. succeeded Father Neitzel as principal. He remained in that position for four years. The student population continued to grow, reaching its peak in the 1966-1967 school year with 2,889 students. Father Anthony W. Polini, O. Praem. became prin- cipal in Iune of 1967. The Diocesan Priests' presence and influence was re-introduced to the school with the assignment of two Diocesan Priests to the faculty. Diocesan Priests have remained on the faculty to the present time. Father Polini remained in that position for seven years. In Iune of 1974, he was appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. After his canonization, the Mothers' Club commissioned a wooden sculpture of St. Iohn Neumann. The statue, which stands in the foyer, was solemnly blessed by Cardinal Krol. 7 0's - Adjustments Father Iohn I. Cox assumed the position as principal in Iune of 1974. Bishop Neumann High School felt the effects of the population shifts in South Philadelphia and there began a gradual decrease in the student enrollment. Father Cox used this reality to a great ad- vantage. Under his direction, several classrooms were converted for other purposes. We now have a large conference room used for special meetings, offices for the Dean of Student Life, the School Minister, and college counseling and two computer laboratories.