Cardinal Mooney celebrates '50 Years of Excellence'

According to Cardinal Mooney High School Principal Steve Christie, one goal of the “50 years of Excellence” gala was to attract alums back to the school. Many classes were represented, including a table of grads from Mooney’s first graduating class of 1962. There sat Ron Brenner, who remembered that the school had temporary walls when he attended, because they didn’t know how big to make the building.

“I taught, I cleaned the floors; I did everything in those days, including build a meditation chapel,” said Monsignor Frank Mouch, school president from 1966 to 1968.

Many long-term faculty also attended the party, among them Frank Morusiewicz, who taught there for 38 years. There was a friendly competition between him and Bob Fottler, who has been teaching at CMH for 39 years.

“Now you can retire,” Morusiewicz kidded.

Chairwoman of the event was Ginger Judge, whose two sons and two grandsons all attended Cardinal Mooney. She was ably assisted by Amy Bronston, director of events and alumni relations, and a large committee. Honorary Chairs Bishop Frank J. Dewane, school President Sister Mary Lucia Haas, Mouch and Christie were all present.

The task of creating the “gold room” and “silver room” was led by committee member and parent Christine Fenner, of Artistic Occasions, with floral arrangements from Becki Creighton, of Flowers by Fudgie. All the food was donated by Bonefish Grill, Cattlemen Café, Cosimo’s, Daiquiri Deck, Dove Chocolate, Keva Juice, JR’s Old Packinghouse Café, The Butcher’s Block and RX Catering.

The gala was the culmination of a year-long celebration. The school kicked off its big anniversary year at the season’s first home football game. It honored the 1977 football team, the school’s only state championship team; many of the players were in attendance.