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10/18/2008
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50TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE DAY
On Saturday October 18th, almost 150 alumni, faculty, parents and students joined together to celebrate RC's rich tradition of helping those in need by joining together for a special day of community service. The day began at 8:30 with a hot breakfast served by the RC Fathers club. Work teams then were sent to a number of locations, including the Elizabeth Coalition for the Homeless, The Hillside Foodbank, a Habitat for Humanity project at the Plainfield Y, a number of homes of local elderly people, as well as a number of projects at RC.
At 4:00 everyone gathered in the gym under one of the newly painted murals and shared experiences of the day. A well deserved feast was then enjoyed by all.
Special thanks to Tom Byrnes '71, for chairing the event, as well as Mike Kirk '74, for his connections with Habitat. Gratitude is also extended to Mary Ellen and Steve Patricco for their tireless efforts in the kitchen all day preparing lunch and dinner.
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10/17/2008
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50 GOLDEN MOMENTS SPORTS BANQUET & TRIBUTE
The 50 Golden Moments sports event of Friday night, October 17th was one of the largest, most memorable alumni events in the school’s history. Over 425 alumni, family and friends were in attendance to see the unveiling of the 50 most memorable moments in RC sports history, and pay tribute to the many legends of RC athletics.
Three of RC’s most renowned coaches, who span the 50 years of RC athletics, Frank Gagliano (the 60’s), Denis Kanach (the 70’s) and Pat Hagan (from the 80’s to today), each offered fitting tributes to the athletic accomplishments, athletes and events during the years of their coaching tenures.
A spectacular DVD which counted down the 50 moments was shown for the first time and included a number of surprises including a special tribute to RC from Jim Craig, goalie on the 1980 Miracle on Ice team. Bob Wischusin, the ESPN radio voice for college football & basketball, and for the New York Jets was on the screen presenter and voice-over of the Golden Moments countdown video.
Special recognition was also given ten people who have had the most significant influence on RC's interscholastic sports reputation and the inspiration they provide to our current athletes.
To see the full listing of all 50 Golden Moments, as well as the 10 Legends of RC Athletics go to the Golden Moments tab on the alumni home page.
All of the highlights of this once in a lifetime event are captured on a special 50 Golden Moments DVD which can be ordered here online by clicking the "Online Shop" tab of the home page. You can also order the DVD by contacting Br. Dan O'Riodan.
The DVD contains the feature length video presentation of the 50 Golden Moments, plus a live video of the evening's festivities, including the honorees, attendees and the address by guest speakers, Frank Gagliano, Denis Kanach and Pat Hagan; as well as the video salute to RC by Jim Craig, goalie of the 1980 USA Hockey Team.
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9/14/2008
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50TH ANNIVERSARY MASS OF THANKSGIVING & BRUNCH
We launched our Golden Anniversary year by returning to our roots to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Joseph the Carpenter Church. The mass was concelebrated by Father Al Berner, Chaplain at RC from '79-'84. Father John Dowling, an integral force in the creation of RC, participated in the liturgy. Mike Hagan '75 will serve as deacon.
Tom Libonate ’64, Chair of the RCHS School Board, welcomed the congregation to an historic place in the annals of Roselle Catholic, the church of St. Joseph the Carpenter, where fifty years ago the first students of RCHS entered.
The Offertory procession included some of RC's "founding families" - Leo Quigley Sr, Jim Sweeney, Mabel Sierra, Jeanne Julius, Lillian Wischusen. Br. Owen Ormsby, FMS, RC President, delivered the homily. Representatives of the first and last graduating classes, John Hutchinson ‘63 and Bermude Jules ‘08, delivered the Reflection after communion. The Readers for the mass were Br. John Klein, FMS, Marist Provincial; Mary Kate Schumacher; and Rich and Debbie Biddulph, Chairs for the event.
On this day we gathered together in worship to thank God for the blessings that have been bestowed on us as the RC community. A brunch followed in the school auditorium, which gave everyone the opportunity to further share memories and strengthen friendships initiated and developed over the years. Special thanks to and Rich and Debbie Biddulph, the Chairpersons for the event, and Ryan Partnership, the event sponsor.
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9/10/2008
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TIME CAPSULE AND LABYRINTH CEREMONY
On September 10, 1959, forty three boys entered the doors of Roselle Catholic because their parents wanted to give them an education that would last a lifetime. And so, this year on September 10th the students and faculty gathered to celebrate the birth of the RC Tradition. An assembly was held in the quadrangle where during the summer the students, parents and alumni in celebration of our 50th Anniversary had constructed a labyrinth.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Mr. Donald Readlinger, Class of 1967 and a member of the RC School Board. Brother Owen welcomed back two members of the original freshmen class. Mr. Robert Brechka '63 and Mr. Ed Cooney '63, who received gifts from our students. Time Capsules were buried in the center of the labyrinth, each representing the four-year levels freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors with a fifth capsule representing the faculty & staff.
Councilman Jamel Holley presented Brother Owen, and honored guest, Father John Dowling with a proclamation declaring September 10th as "Roselle Catholic High School Day" in the Borough of Roselle.
To see photo gallery of the Time Capsule Ceremony, as well as construction of the Labyrinth, click the "see the gallery" tab to the right.
Originally the idea of Mr. Michael Good and the RC History Dept., the members of our Founder Scholars Program worked over the past months ensure that the capsules are a true representation of the student body. The capsules were made by Eastern Sheet Metal (Tom Fischetti ’70), who was also the sponsor for the event.
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7/8/2008
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RC STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA FOR WORLD YOUTH DAYS
Beginning July 8th, 11 students from Roselle Catholic will join Br. Dan O'Riordan for two weeks in Sydney, Australia at two amazing youth events.
The first will be an International Marist Youth Festival with students from Marist Schools from 48 countries around the world. The second week, the RC students will join with Pope Benedict and over 250,000 young people from all over the world for the 2008 World Youth Days. If you would like to view pictures or videos of their daily experiences from down-under, simply click the link below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcsydney2008
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6/17/2008
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SUMMER SERVICE DAYS
Over 110 students and 25 faculty as well as many parents, alumni parents and RC and GC Alumni joined forces for three days of hard work and service to Roselle Catholic and its surrounding community.
Each day began with breakfast at 8:30 followed by prayer. Teams of volunteers were then given their work assignments for the day, which included: the Elizabeth Coalition for the homeless, the Hillside Food Bank, St. Joseph the Carpenter School, where the school’s cafeteria was painted as well creating a computer lab with tables and computers that were donated from Roselle Catholic.
Other teams of students at RC and worked on painting the field house on Ed Chakey Field, creation of a Gazebo as well as building a meditative labyrinth in the school quad. This Labyrinth has special significance to many recent RC students as the Marist retreat program in Esopus NY uses this ancient meditative form of prayer.
At the end of the work day, the entire group then gathered for a sharing of stories and insights form the day’s experience and then enjoyed a well deserved dinner.
On September 10th, Roselle Catholic will officially begin the celebration of its 50th Anniversary with the Time Capsule Event. On this symbolic day time capsules will be buried in the center of the Labyrinth.
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5/20/2008
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JOHN G. ALLEN FITNESS CENTER DEDICATED
On Saturday May 10th, 2008 the John G. Allen Fitness Center was dedicated and opened. The new fitness center honors John Allen ’71, who was a track and field standout on our renowned teams of the late 60’s and early 70’s, and who still holds the school record in Shot Put at 60 feet 8 inches. But this tribute is more about the impact John has continued to have on Roselle Catholic and the RC community over the years as a dedicated alumnus.
The evening began with a presentation by Br. Owen, RC Principal. In his remarks, Br. Owen shared John’s continued contributions to the Roselle Catholic community. Over the past number of years, John has played a vital role in many of the renovation projects at the school and has also donated his time to join faculty and students for a weeklong service trip to the forgotten poor of Appalachia in West Virginia.
After Br. Owen’s presentation, Joe Skrec ‘84, the Roselle Catholic Athletic Director highlighted John’s exceptional athletic career, and his spending many hours in RC’s much smaller weight room at the time. John was then presented with a special award to commemorate the occasion by former teammate, Bob Parducci ‘71. After a ribbon breaking ceremony by John, a dedication service was conducted by Roselle Catholic’s Campus Minister Maureen Hagan and students, Ellen Salmi and Luigi Cordina. A BBQ and festive celebration followed and was greatly enjoyed by all in attendance. John Allen’s lifelong friend and classmate, Pat Hagan offered the toast during the celebration.
His family, many friends, classmates and former teammates joined John at the Saturday evening celebration.
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4/18/2008
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CLASS OF ’73 HOLDS 35TH REUNION
RC & GC ALUMS CELEBRATE TOGETHER
The RC & GC Class of ’73 celebrated their respective 35th reunion on Saturday, April 19. As RC was all boys at the time, the reunion was jointly held with its “sister” school, Girls Catholic. Over 130 attendees gathered on a beautiful spring evening to reconnect, with classmates making the trip from China, California and Vermont.
The reunion weekend kicked-off with a raucous Friday night gathering at Frenchy's. Saturday's events began in the school chapel with mass by Father Mitch Walters (Class of ’73). As Father Mitch summed it up, RC was and is the cornerstone of our lives. From there, the festivities moved to the catered gymnasium, where John Jago MC-ed the evening's events, which featured reminiscences by Betty Ann Hundlley McKenna and Joe Hutchinson. Digital slideshows of yearbook and other photos (many of unrecognizable kids with funny hair and goofy clothes) ran non-stop. Friendships were renewed, stories (both old and new) were exchanged, and the class unity of 35 years ago was quickly rekindled.
Reactions were summed up in these words: “It is really amazing how a friendship carries over the years. Maybe the word bond applies here.” “Who would have thought our class would have produced a movie star, a priest, doctors, lawyers, accountants, film makers, entrepreneurs, surgeons and other success stories.” “Overall, the reunion has shown me that it definitely has been a wonderful life for all of us.”
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