Alumnae News
Alumnae News
THE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION ADDRESS IS PO BOX 805, BROOMALL, PA 19008.
Attention Class Reunion Planners: Please email us at admin@westcatholicgirlsalumnae.com with the details of your upcoming reunion plans and we will post them on this web site and in the Harvester. Include the contact information you would like to see posted
Alumnae Association: The Alumnae Board is comprised of representatives from various classes. We meet on the 2nd Sunday of each month from September through May. The Board would like to expand and welcomes any graduate who would like to join. Our By-Laws allow for up to 6 members from each class. If you are interested, please contact Pat McLaughlin on 610-544-0708 or send an email via this website, admin@westcatholicgirlsalumnae.com We look forward to hearing from you.
2019 Annual Alumnae Communion Breakfast: Our 91th Annual Communion Breakfast was held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at Drexelbrook , 4700 Drexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. The Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Robert Carroll. Anne Datte provided the music for the mass. The Mass and luncheon were well attended with over 190 in attendance. We were fortunate to have several guests join us Brother Richard Kestler, FSC former President of West and 2 members of the West Boys’ Alumni. Thank you and congratulations to our co-chairs, Kathleen Schultz Buchanan, ’66 who made all the arrangements and Sr. Denise Ware, SFCC, ’70 for handling all the Mass details and developing and providing the Mass program.
CONGRATULATIONS to our three chance ticket winners. John Ferguson, son of Eileen Jackson Ferguson, Class of 1951 held the $1,000 1st prize winning ticket, 2nd prize winning ticket of $500 went to Fran Crawley, Vice President of the Alumni Association, West Boys’ Class of 1977 and 3rd prize winning ticket of $300 went to Marlene Pella Anthony, Class of 1956.
2019 Annual Spring Luncheon and Fundraiser…. Our annual Spring Luncheon was held April 14, 2019 at the Porch at Lamb Tavern in Springfield, PA with over 170 in attendance. We had raffles for baskets donated by our Alumnae board members and door prizes, as well as, our chance drive for two mini vacations in Sea Isle City and Townsend Inlet, generously donated by Mary Maxwell Flynn, ’50 and Peggy Henry Glancey, ’55. All proceeds from the chances go to the Alumnae Scholarship Fund for deserving West Catholic Prep female students. This year’s co-chairs Lucille Madalion, ’68 and Peggy Ford Rhoades, ’71 chose a theme of “Music of Our Lives” with a DJ playing tunes from our past. Congratulations to our two winners, first prize went to Karen DeCesare and the second prize was won by Karen James. Thank you to all who attended, purchased chances and/or raffles, and contributed in any way. The day was a successful fundraiser for our Scholarship Fund.
Congratulations to Pat McLaughlin, Class of 1961 on receiving the Margaret Porter Blue and Gold Award at the Alumni Communion Breakfast on April 28, 2019. Pat was recognized for her tireless hard work in support of both the Alumnae Association and WCP. Pat has served as the President of the Alumnae Association for the past 4 years and during that time has worn many hats to meet the needs of the Alumnae Association. She wishes a special thank you to Betsy Gleason Cunningham, Class of 1961 for being her mentor and assisting her in her role as President. Thank You Pat for all you do for our Alma Mater.
Alumnae Appreciation Day…The West Girls’ Basketball Team, “The Lady Burrs”, held an Alumnae Appreciation Day on Sunday, January 27, 2019 in conjunction with their game against Central Bucks West. The team won by 63-58. At half time all Alumnae in attendance were recognized by the team, each lady was presented with a red rose by a member of the team. After the game a reception was held for all Alumnae in attendance. Thank you and congratulations to the team, the coaches, and the Administration at WCP. Pictures from the day were posted on the West Catholic Alums Facebook page by Tom McGinn.
Alumnae Gifts for Sale
All West Catholic Alumnae gift items can be purchased by mailing a check payable to WCGAA to Mrs. Rosalie McNeff, 5 Park Ave, Norwood, PA 19074. Rosalie can be reached on 610-532-1827 or by email, mcneffr@yahoo.com. If ordering more than one item, please check with Rosalie first as combined shipping may reduce the postage.
All items are also sold at all West Girls’ Alumnae events.
Our pens have WEST CATHOLIC GIRLS’ ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION imprinted on them. The pens are blue metal and are a combination ball point pen and stylus. They are $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00. Postage is $4.00.
Blankets/ Throws…This is a blue blanket with our seal in gold in the center. This versatile item can be used as a beach blanket or a throw for over a chair, back of the sofa, on the bed, or in the car. The cost is $20.00 plus $8.00 shipping.
Note Cards depicting a sketch of the school are now available. West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School is written beneath the sketch of the school. The cards were designed by Michael Venezia, grandson of our Vice President, Mary Maguin Small,’60. Packages of 5 cards are $6.00 plus $4.00 postage.
Due to poplar demand we have reordered the 4 emblem magnet. The magnet is still $3.00 plus the $4.00 postage.
Sweatshirts are now in stock. We have 2 styles to choose from, a regular crewneck and a zippered hoodie. Both are available in our West Catholic Girls’ Blue with our seal in gold on the left front of the shirts. The crew neck is $20.00 plus $8.00 postage and the hoodie is $30.00 plus $8.00 postage, Both are available in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL.
Our popular West Catholic bracelets are back in stock. The bracelets are $12.00 and $4.00 postage. To order your bracelet, send your check made payable to WCGAA to Mrs. Rosalie McNeff, 5 Park Ave, Norwood PA 19074. Rosalie can be reached on 610-532-1827 or 484-467-0918. Her email is mcneffr@yahoo.com. The bracelets are presently SOLD OUT.
These are just 2 of the note cards designed by the Art Students at WCP, They have designed 6 note cards that are available for sale. The cost is $5.00 plus $4.00 postage. Each pack contains 6 cards, each card is a different design and the cards are blank on the inside. The back of the card is marked “Created by West Catholic Prep Students”. To order send a check for $9.00 (includes $4.00 postage) to Mrs. Rosalie McNeff, 5 Park Ave, Norwood, PA 19074. SOLD OUT
Our latest gift item is a clear Lucite ornament with a picture of the school and engraved with the words, “West Catholic Girls High School”. The ornament is $10.00 and can be ordered by sending a check for $14.00 (includes $4.00 shipping cost) to Mrs. Rosalie McNeff, 5 Park Ave, Norwood, PA 19074. SOLD OUT
West Catholic Girls’ History
Original West Girls’ Seal…We have located and purchased the original drawing of our school seal. Thanks to Hannah Dougherty Campbell, ’69 for locating this on Ebay. The drawing of the seal along with the original envelope post marked 1930 and addressed to Rev. Burns, the first principal of the school was placed on Ebay after it was found in a box of papers purchased at an auction in Lancaster. It is a mystery who had it and how it left the school. The seal has been framed and presented to the school, where it will be displayed.
1936 HOW and WHAT Handbook…This book was also found on Ebay. It appears to be a handbook for new students on how to find their way around the building and also what is expected of them as students.
School News
If you’re looking for what’s happening at West Catholic Prep, you can access their website at http://westcatholic.org. You can also find their Facebook page by clicking on the Facebook Icon that appears on each page of their site.
ETC/OSTC If you own a business in the state of Pennsylvania you can help West Catholic. Your business tax can be redirected to the school through the OSTC program. The tax dollars are then used to assist low income families who live within the boundaries of underperforming schools to attend private schools. In addition to helping children get the education they deserve you can write off the contribution on both your State and Federal tax returns.
If you wish to learn more about this program contact Andrew Brady at West Catholic Prep at 610-386-2244.
Alumni News
If you would like to keep abreast of activities and events of our brother schools you can view their websites by clicking on the links below:
For St. Thomas More’s Alumni click here. For West Catholic Boys’ Alumni click here.
