St Rita of Cascia High School - Cascian Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Theology Reorganization To Continue Under the direction of first year Chairman Br. Timo- thy Deeter, the Theology Department has been reorga- nized and has placed a new emphasis on the fact that the primary purpose of the Theology classes at St. Rita is to call the students to faith in God and His message of truth. Br. Tim has outlined in his department syllabus what the students should be taught in the four year Theology program. The freshmen are taught the Bible, the Life of Christ. and adolescent adjustment. The sophomores are taught world religions and the sacraments. The juniors are taught morality and the seniors learn about mar- riage. According to Br. Tim, With this year by year breakdown a student is sure to get the proper Theologi- cal education that a Catholic school should offer. Students are not only being offered a more formal curriculum under Br. Tim's leadership V they are also finding changes in the amount of time Theology class is required. Beginning in the 1980-81 school year, fresh- men will be required to take a full year of Theology instead of the one semester now offered. Brother also plans to require a comprehensive exam that each senior will take to insure that the material the department offers has been absorbed. The personnel of the Theology Department has also been changed. 'Gln the two and a half years that l have been here, said Br. Tim, uthe entire staff has changed. But the change is a good one. The new teachers are younger men who have been trained according to the guidelines of the Second Vatican Councilf, Next year the department will include four more teachers, three of whom will be Augustinians. The fact that we will not only be working together but also living together will benefit the department greatly, he continued. Br. Tim has asked all of his department members to emphasize homework, text readings, and class discussions, and to use film strips and movies to better help students comprehend the material of the department. Bros. Mike and Tim supply music for the Ash Wednesday service. Br. Tim Deeter holds a M. Div. degree and began teaching here in 1978 Br. Charles Prevender is in his second year at St. Rita and teaches Theology

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dministration Conforms To State Rules As Fr. Brecht began his first year in office as Principal of the school, he put into effect several major changes in the school's administration. The members of the Board include the voting members - Mr. Bamberger fDirector of Studiesj, Fr. Neis fDean of Studentsl, Fr. Murphy CDirector of Chris- tian Formationj, Fr. Harkabus CPriorj, Mr. Segredo fAthletic Directorj, Mr. Kisicki CActivities Directorj, Mr. Dudek fPresi- dent of the Teachers Associationj, and Fr. Follmann fDirec- tor of Guidancej - and non-voting members - Fr. Sobiesk, Fr. Pazera, Mr. Brodnicki, and Mr. Riley. According to Mr. Bamberger. some of the changes affected l the frequency of meetings, the types of matters discussed, and lthe responsibilities of each of the members of the Board. Under Fr. Brecht's direction, the Board now meets twice a month instead of twice a week as we had in the past. With the reduction in formal meeting time has come an increase in the responsibilities of each of the Board's members. If an issue now arises which falls under the responsibilities of one depart- ment, the administrator for that department is expected to deal with it. In the past, we frequently discussed issues such as these with the entire Board making the decision. We are also using a more formal agenda which is published before each meeting so that each member of the Board is fully aware of the issues to be discussed and the decisions that need to be made. One of the most important issues to face the Board during the 1979-80 school year was the lengthening of the school day to satisfy state requirements. In the past the state relied on the recommendations of the North Central Association to make judgements about accreditation of schools, but this year the state has decided to send a panel of school inspectors to each of the high schools in Illinois. The state requirements are dif- ferent than the North Central requirementsf' stated Bamber- ger. We have found it necessary this year to make changes in a schedule that we have all become very accustomed tof' The Board of Administration changed the amount of passing time from five minutes to four minutes and added five minutes at the start of the day and five minutes to the end. The Board has also been very careful in drawing up next year's calendar so that the school will be in full session a minimum of l76 days. The change that will take place is not terribly significant and will not create much of an inconvenience. But anytime a change is made it takes some time for people to adjustf, Bam- berger continued. I am sure, however, that both the students and the faculty will come to accept the change with their usual good spirit. Developments during the 1979-80 school year that the Board felt pleased about according to Mr. Kisicki were the success of the sports program, the amount and quality of the activities honoring the 75th anniversary of the school, and the increase in enrollment for the upcoming year. 'SI feel that we have been able to work well together during this first year, Kisicki commented. I am glad that the changes we have seen take place this year are positive ones and I am very encouraged about progress that will continue to be made in the future. We have a strong sense of direction and a willingness to work hard enough to accomplish our goals. Bottom Row: Mr. Michael Kisicki, Fr. William Neis, Fr. David Brecht, Mr. Joseph Bamberger, Fr. Donald Harkabus. Top Row: Fr. Patrick Murphy, Mr. Edward Dudek, Mr. Michael Riley, Fr. Casimir Pazera, Fr. Rolland Follmann, Mr. Thomas Brodnicki, Fr. Martin Sobiesk, Mr. James Segredo.

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, xl , ..- ,: iw--' ssss of s.. Pat Murphy returned to St. Rita alter an eight year absence to teach junior and senior Theology. Fr. William Neis, a newcomer to Rita, holds an M.A. holds a M. Div. degree from the Catholical Theological Union. He moderates the Father's Club from Notre Dame and is the head disciplinarian. He mod- in his spare time enjoys travel and golf. erates the ski and camping clubs. Fr. Murphy lends Ralph Florio a helping hand alter the distribution of ashes. Br Thomas Griffin has B Bs. from Depaul and coaches the golf team.