Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, announces a year-long celebration commemorating its 125th year as a Catholic educational institution and 50th year in the current Cherry Hill location.
The celebration officially kicks-off Friday, Sept. 21, as the current student body hosts a 125th birthday party and Mercy Day celebration followed by a football game and alumni football team gathering that evening.
The school was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in Camden in 1887, and Camden Catholic has continued to honor Mercy Day annually. This year the school will honor Sister Philomena Gini, a Sister of Mercy for more than 55 years and school administrator for more than 30 years, who continues to volunteer as a guidance counselor at Camden Catholic.
The kickoff week will also include the This Moment in CCHS History competition for students hosted by CCTV, the school’s in-house television station. Clues focusing on important moments in the school’s 125 year history will be hidden throughout the campus inviting students to participate for a $125 cash prize.
The evening of Sept. 21, as the Fighting Irish football team prepares to take on Moorestown at 7 p.m. at Shamrock Field, alumni football players will meet for a pre-game gathering and then be recognized publicly during the team introductions.
The CCHS class of 1962, the last graduates of the original school in Camden, will commence their 50th reunion weekend by enjoying a pre-game tailgate together prior to the football game at Shamrock Field.
On Saturday, Sept. 22, the school will host the Fighting Irish 5K Run (http://www.camdencatholic.org/run).
Starting and ending at the Cherry Hill school, runners will follow a route through Merchantville. Al Anderer ’59 is running in honor of his deceased classmates and has garnered donations from the class of 1959 in their memory for this event. The event is sponsored by the Haddonfield Running Company.
The culmination of the 125th Anniversary Weekend occurs on Sunday, Sept. 23, with the anniversary Mass and brunch honoring the class of 1962 and the graduating class of 2013 (http://www.camdencatholic.org/brunch).
Msgr. Andrew Martin, president emeritus and an administrator for more than 40 years, will preside, and Father Scott Pilarz, SJ ‘77, president of the Board of Trustees and current president of Marquette University, will preach the homily. Bishop Joseph Galante will be present.
Singing at the Mass will be mezzo-soprano Barbara Dever ’69, accompanied by the CCHS Liturgical Choir and student musicians. Several graduates from the 1930s will be honored at the Mass.
“Although so much has changed since 1887, when the first group of school children were taught by eight Sisters of Mercy in a room provided by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden Catholic continues to stay true to our founding ideals of honor, faith, and loyalty,” commented Father Pilarz. “The tradition of excellent academics, meaningful activities, and competitive athletics, tied-together with a spiritual understanding, enables Camden Catholic to continue to thrive as a top college preparatory school. We are inspired by our past and excited for the future,” he said.
At the brunch following Mass the class of 1962 will present a brick from the original school building in Camden to be placed in the school archives. Members of the class of 2013 will present the class of 1962 with the 1887 Award, bestowed on the class that most represents the spirit of CCHS.
Events will continue throughout the year. Events next month include:
— Oct. 24, 6 p.m. Boys Soccer vs. PVI, Alumni Night amd Honoring Original Team (1983)
— Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Football Game vs. Gloucester Catholic
— Oct. 27, 10:30 a.m. Field Hockey Alumni Game and BBQ
— Oct. 27, 5 and 7 p.m. Girls and Boys Soccer “Rudderow Cup” vs. Pennsauken
• Gold Star Mass Honoring Alumni Veterans: Sunday, November 11 at 9:30 a.m. at CCHS
• “Celebrity” Bartenders Night: Friday, January 4, 2013 at 7 p.m., P.J. Whelihan’s Cherry Hill
• Alumni Wrestling Night: Friday, January 18, 2013 (Varsity match vs. South Plainfield)
• Alumni Basketball Day: Saturday, January 19, 2013 (Varsity double-header vs. Pleasantville)
• Hall of Fame Golf Outing: Friday, April 19, 2013, Pennsauken Country Club
• Alumni Revue of Past Play Performances: Sunday, May 4, 2013 at CCHS
Event details can be found online at http://www.camdencatholic.org/125. For more information, contact Kate Madden Bieg ’98, 125th Anniversary Project Manager: kbieg@camdencatholic.org or (856) 663-2247 ext. 51.
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