Spring Clarion 2010 - St. Mary's High School

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advancement news A Mission Visit By: Eric G. Eckhardt ‘61 In April of 1965, my military duties took me from the Canal Zone in Panama to Bolivia with an overnight rest and refueling stop in Lima, Peru. On the trip from the airport to my hotel in Lima, I was wondering what I would do with my free time. I’d been up since 3:00 am and it was now about 3:00 pm. Crashing out in the hotel room for a few hours seemed like the logical choice. Somehow, as I was deciding on what to do, I happened to recalled stories the brothers and priests at St. Mary’s had related about their missionary work in the Lima area. Several of my teachers had been or were schedules to be posted to the Marianist mission in Peru. I thought it would be great to maybe even see some of my former teachers. Hailing a cab in downtown Lima, I tried to use my limited Spanish while recalling anything the brothers had said which would give me a clue as to where to go in this city of million plus. It was like a scene from the current TV show “Amazing Race” except without competing teams. My competition was the clock, a foreign language, and complete lack of any directions or specific address. All I could recall was that the brothers had talked of a high school in a section of Lima called “Monto Rico.” Somehow after a lengthy cab ride and discussion with the unfortunate driver I managed to arrive at the school despite my linguistic inability. The Brother who greeted me was completely surprised by his visitor from not only the US by St. Louis and St. Mary’s! I explained the purpose of my visit and was informed unfortunately that there were no brothers from St. Mary’s in the area. There was, he said, a priest who might know serving at a parish in Lima, Fr. Bernard Blemker. I had known Fr. Blemker quite well. He had been the Chaplain, Sodality Moderator, and one of my Latin teachers while I was at St. Mary’s. Father had lost some of his remaining hair listening to my feeble attempted 3rd year Latin translations. As an answer to his prayers, however, and that of my fellow students, I did not continue with a 4th year of latin. The brother telephoned and found our Father was not at the rectory but was scheduled to return shortly. After serving some welcomed and refreshing ice-tea and cookies we were off driving to meet Father at his downtown parish. We arrived at the parish rectory just as Fr. Blemker was returning from his afternoon work The two of us approached Father. He immediately recognized the brother from Monto Rico but with me he wasn’t quite sure. A faint expression of recognition appeared on Father’s face followed then by a look of puzzlement, surprise, and finally jubilation. I introduced myself with something like, “Father you probably don’t remember me but…” He responded almost simultaneously “Remember you Of course I remember you Eric!” with his big grin, “but what are you doing here” I briefly explained to Father my stop in Lima. He was utterly surprised and happy to see a friendly face from his years at St. Mary’s. He couldn’t get over the idea that I would take the time to see him. He had a previous commitment that evening but we had enough time for a visit. Father insisted that he drive me back to the hotel. I continued my update and we renewed our times at St. Mary’s for the next 30 minutes as Father skillfully drove like a native through the downtown maze of traffic. Arriving too quickly at my hotel, I thanked Father for the ride and more importantly for all of his assistance while I was at St. Mary’s. We exchanged our final good-byes and he was off into the sea of early evening Lima traffic, returning to his mission parish. It had been a long and hectic day for me, but Fr. Blemker’s reaction made any small effort on my part well worth it. The older I get, unfortunately, the more I wish I would have made a greater effort to always thank those who have assisted me on my life’s journey. I was most fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit and thank Fr. Blemker that afternoon, a time long ago, in a place far away from St. Mary’s High School. “Requiescant in Pace.” 18 Clarion • Spring 2010
St. Mary’s Alum Elected Mayor of Sunset Hills Alderman William J. Nolan ’60 was elected Mayor of Sunset Hills this past April in a highly contested race with incumbent Mayor Mike Svoboda. Nolan won the election with a slim 11% margin, “I’d like to thank all the people who voted for me,” said Nolan. “I can’t thank the people of Sunset Hills enough. What a marvelous city we live in.” Nolan, 67, was elected Ward 1 alderman a year ago. He is president of Interior Planning Associates, doing business as Nolan Office Interiors for the past 26 years, and a 21-year resident of Sunset Hills. Congratulations William, may you continue to serve as an example of what St. Mary’s Men are capable of. Scholarship Given in Memory of Alumnus By: Mary Schillinger Our father, Eugene Coughlin, graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1947. His time at St. Mary’s was very influential in his life and he always talked fondly of his high school years. Our parents believed very strongly in Catholic education and made sure all six of their children attended Catholic schools. Last year for our Father’s 80th birthday, we wanted to set up a scholarship in his name to help a young man receive an education at St. Mary’s High School. Eugene passed away three weeks before his birthday but we felt this was the perfect way to honor our dad. We know he would be very happy and proud. Kevin Coughlin, Cathy Coughlin, James Coughlin, Dan Coughlin, Mick Coughlin, Mary Eileen (Coughlin) Schillinger James C. Conrads ‘37 By: Kevin Hacker St. Mary’s is deeply saddened to announce the death James C. Conrads class of 1937. Mr. Conrads was born on June 15, 1919. He graduated from St. Mary’s (which was South Side Catholic at that time) in 1937. Mr. Conrads was actively involved in the Catholic Church and was inducted as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for his dedication. Both he and his wife were also invested in their communities and established the Conrads Family Fund and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to provide grants to various charitable organizations. His charitable nature also extended back to his Alma Mater: “Over the last ten years St. Mary’s has built an endowment of one million dollars. Interest from this endowment has enabled us to help our families to afford Catholic Education. Mr. James C. Conrads has been a generous supporter of this endowment. In the short story The Bridges At Toko-Ri by James Michener, an admiral makes a comment on the men who pilot the planes that take off and land on the carrier in transit to and from many a dangerous mission. He says, “Where do we get such men” We at St. Mary’s can ask the same question when thinking about Mr. Conrads. For many years he has made certain that our students were able to experience the gift of Catholic Education. Without a doubt all of us can say that James C. Conrads was truly a “gift” to the students of St. Mary’s High School. He and the entire Conrads Family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.” -Kevin Hacker Mr. Conrads was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Virginia “Jinny” Conrads, in April, 2009. Survivors include brother-in-law, Paul Rafter; children, Karen Conrads Wibell and her husband, Peter O. Wibell, Heitzso, Linda A. Conrads, Nancy Conrads Pendergast, Michael C. Conrads and his wife, Cindy Beatty Conrads; grandchildren, Katie and Sarah Wibell, Aaron and Michael Harden, Tripp, Jim, Meghan, and David Pendergast, Nick and Jenny Conrads. advancement news Clarion • Spring 2010 19
Page 1 and 2: St. Mary’s High School St. Louis,
Page 3 and 4: St. Mary’s High School St. Louis,
Page 5 and 6: A Message from the Principal Dear C
Page 7 and 8: American Legion Missouri Boy’s Co
Page 9 and 10: February 20, 2010 Wellness Symposiu
Page 11 and 12: kilpers clubs continued tree planti
Page 13 and 14: During the event we announced the n
Page 15 and 16: Dennis P. Long Soccer Practice Faci
Page 17: Varsity Basketball Dragons 2009-201
Page 21 and 22: Planned Giving “They all ate and
Page 23 and 24: St. Mary’s High School In The New

Spring Clarion 2010 - St. Mary's High School

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