Cardinal Mooney celebrates a milestone

YOUNGSTOWN — Jessica Burkey and Brittany Brenner were helping at a reception Sunday at Cardinal Mooney High School for the school’s 50th anniversary.

The girls, both of Struthers, are sophomores.

They said they liked the school, especially, said Brittany, because the advanced classes are more academically challenging.

And both said — in a flash — that they would not hesitate to send their children to Cardinal Mooney.

They were just two of the hundreds of people who attended a Mass at St. Columba Cathedral and the reception to observe and celebrate the anniversary.

The times have changed, but not the Catholic school’s emphasis on faith and service to the community.

Retired Bishop William A. Hughes of Covington, Ky., the founding principal of Cardinal Mooney, came back to help celebrate.

Within four years, the school had more than 1,200 students, he said.

That’s down to just a little over 600 students today, said the principal, Sister Jane Marie Kudlacz of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary.

But the school’s stated mission is still in effect: embracing the faith, scholarship and discipline to achieve personal excellence to serve.

For complete story, see Monday's Vindicator or www.vindy.com.