Monday, April 30, 2007
The school is still committed to faith, education and service.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
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.
Faith, service
But the school's stated mission is still in effect: embracing the faith, scholarship and discipline to achieve personal excellence to serve.
"The biggest thing," the bishop said, "is getting graduates to show people in the community that it's not just religion but service in the community, helping the poor and the needy."
After the steel mill closings in 1977, Bishop Hughes said, "I saw what happened in Youngstown. Many people moved to get jobs. Now it's a struggle."
Still, the bishop said, much of the community remains the same.
Robert Banks of Boardman taught at Cardinal Mooney for 41 years.
"I enjoyed every minute of it," he said.
He was one of four Latin teachers at the school. When he retired, he said he was "the Lone Ranger."
But the Mooney family continues, he said, with everyone knowing one another and working together.
And the religious and academic education along with service to Youngstown "helps its spirit," the bishop said.
Sister Jane Marie agreed, saying the strong value system and the strong faith are part of Youngstown.
"It's something the young people are looking for," Sister Jane Marie said. "They can go farther and make a difference in the world because of who they are."
Cardinal Mooney recently obtained seven acres beside the school and added tennis courts. It has a 3.5 million annual budget.
Sister Jane Marie said Cardinal Mooney "expects to be of service for many, many years into the future."