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

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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.

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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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There was much cause for rejoicing in the Arch- diocese and especially at Bishop Neumann High School when His Holiness Pope Paul VI announced that he would elevate the humble Bishop to Sainthood. The canonization took place in Rome on Iune 19, 1977. Many of the priests and laity of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, led by Cardinal Krol were in attendance. Cardinal Krol officially changed the name of the school to Saint Iohn Neumann High School on August 11, 1978. Father Cox remained principal for six years. He left the school in Iune of 1980. Fr. Bond distributes communion to one ofthe students. 80's - Iubilee Father Edward I. Smith, O. Praem. became principal in Iune of 1980. He continued the good work of his predecessors in refurbishing the school building. It can truly be said that the present school building is a finer one than that which opened in 1956. Father Robert W. Gaghan, O. Praem. became prin- cipal in Iune, 1981. During his tenure, the computer program was greatly expanded. Beginning in the sum- mer of 1982, Summer Computer Camps were established. Many grade school children came faith- fully for three-week courses. With the 1983-1984 school year, every Freshman had a course in com- puters. Father Gaghan remained as principal until Iune of 1984. Father William F. Leonard, O. Praem. succeeded Father Gaghan, Since assuming his responsibilities as principal, Father Leonard has spent countless hours overseeing all the facets that go into making our Golden Iubilee a complete success. We have attempted to present a short history of the fifty years of Southeast Catholic-Bishop Neumann - St. Iohn Neumann High School. We are aware that much more could be saidg that many more individuals could be mentioned and that many accomplishments could be noted. We are proud of the various professions among our graduates and the strong Alum- ni Association. We are mindful of all the past faculty members who built the fine traditions of Southeast Catholic-Bishop Neumann-Saint Iohn Neumann High School, which enjoys today the respect of all as a worthy institution of Catholic secondary learning. ,N 7 ,I ni Students diligently take notes in one of their classes.