Last St. Joseph School class now in the history books

St. Joseph School in Homewood graduated its last class on Friday, June 2.

 

After 91 years, the school is closing its doors. The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Catholic Schools based its decision, announced in January, on declining enrollment and increasing costs.

 

But none of that mattered on Friday as the 13 graduates marched up the center aisle of St. Joseph Church to the traditional notes of “Pomp and Circumstance.” At the end of the service, they received their diplomas and a host of awards to rousing applause from relatives and friends. Then they gathered for one last photo together.

 

Thousands of students have graduated from St. Joe’s, as it has been affectionately called. To them, it really doesn’t matter if their class had 100 students or a dozen.

 

“The long lasting importance of a Catholic education is hard for a public educated person to understand. St. Joseph School will always have a strong community feeling Sue and I will always cherish,” said Joe Beaudry of Homewood. He and his wife, Sue, are Class of 1963 graduates.

 

There are many who recall the sisters of the Adrian Dominican order who staffed the school for many years. Graduates from the ᾽40s, ᾽50s and ᾽60s can recall the hard work that the nuns expected of them.

 

“Sister Armella was my fourth grade teacher and the consummate taskmaster. I didn’t appreciate it then, but her passion for teaching helped instill a life-long passion for learning,” recalled Denny Bruno, Class of 1967.

 

And the one name that comes up repeatedly these days is Sister Nancy Fischer, the school’s beloved principal from 1969 to 2002.

 

As with all Catholic schools, the number of teachers from religious orders declined and lay teachers took their places.
 
 Some St. Joseph staff members stayed on for many years. Mariann Fajman Reilly, Class of 1972, may have the longest record.

 

“My initial goal was to stay for eight years and see my first class graduate. I have definitely gone past that goal! Eight years as a student and 37 years as a teacher and I realize I have spent 45 years here at St. Joseph School,” she said. During her tenure she organized the first kindergarten class in 1981, and the preschool class in 1991, which she taught for 23 years.

 

“St. Joseph School was a happy school. We loved the children and we all loved teaching them. We were a very close faculty and staff. We cared about each other and all the lives we touched,” said Barbara Hughes, who taught kindergarten from 1982 to 2008.

 

“One of the great joys of the school year for me was when my students celebrated…our American heritage in the annual States’ Fair,” said Kathleen Doherty, who taught from 1991 to 2011. The pageant was a highlight for her fourth grade classes.

 

“But my memories primarily consist of a parade of faces: Sister Nancy, my colleagues, parents and most of all those beautiful boys and girls with whom I was entrusted each and every day. I miss and cherish them all,” she added.

 

Kathy Clark, who taught for 25 years, appreciated the efforts of Sister Nancy and “the families that supported the many projects and events. Their support made for an enriching experience.”

 

“Having taught for 25 years at St. Joe’s was a true experience. The students respected the teachers and likewise the teachers respected the students. Sister Nancy was a true leader,” said Dorothy Armbruster, who taught junior high classes.

 

Armbruster’s “grammar drills were the bane of my existence for several years during my time at St. Joe’s,” admits Ellen Maro, Class of 2003, who thanks her teacher “for instilling me with the skills to write high-level essays and research papers. This foundation carried me all the way through graduate school and into my professional career, and is just one example of the exemplary education I received during my time at St. Joseph.”

 

“I’m sad to see the school closing its doors, but also realize there is a season for everything,” said Carol Zakaras, who was the school librarian for 26 years. “We’ve had many decades of reaping a bountiful harvest and graduating outstanding leaders in all walks of life; and now it’s the season to celebrate the 91-year history of St. Joseph School. 

 

“It has been a pillar of respect and strength in the Homewood community, and I’m grateful that my children are part of its history. I’m honored and grateful to have served,” she said.