By Brother Patrick McCormack, CFC
Special to The Montana Catholic

July 7 and 8 were historic dates, long anticipated and planned for, as they marked a century of extraordinary success for Butte Central, the oldest Catholic high school in Montana and one of the first Catholic “central” schools in the nation.

Bishop George Leo Thomas, a 1968 alumnus, wrote to the Central family, “It is with great joy that I salute you on the occasion of the Centennial celebration of Butte Central Catholic High School...Milestones allow us to pause and reflect in gratitude for all the gifts of our loving and provident God. This milepost reminds us of all those who, from the beginning, made the reality of Butte Central a vibrant part of the Butte landscape, doing the work that Catholic education has always done, forming Catholic leaders, handing on the faith, providing academic rigor and excellence, discipline and models for discipleship.”

The celebrations were planned and executed by many loyal and dedicated Central alumni, parents and students under the cochairmanship of Don Peoples Sr. of the class of 1957 and Pat Kearney of the class of 1973.

The centerpiece of the historical occasion was the Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at St. Ann’s Church. Butte Central High School students greeted approximately 1,000 guests as they entered the church.

Before the liturgy began, the specially organized Butte Central Alumni Centennial Choir sang several hymns followed by soloists. Singers were Shannon Davis ’08, Sister Anita Sullivan SCL ’50, and Tim Downey ’69. World-renowned pianist Tom Schumacher ’54, played.

Leading the entrance procession was a color guard composed of Central elementary students bearing the papal and national flags, followed by classmates carrying maroon and white flags. Seventeen religious sisters and brothers led a large delegation of present and past lay teachers and office personnel. The liturgical section of the procession included the cross bearer, diocesan seminarian Patrick Hurley, and acolytes Polly Bartoletti ’10 and Francis Banks ’10. They were followed by lectors for the Mass, Tim Norbeck ’82, principal of Butte Central High School, and Carolyn Trudnowski ’86, principal of Central’s elementary and junior high schools; Deacon Dan McGrath, carried the Gospel book, followed by the priest-concelebrants. Chris Johnson ’73, Tony Jory ’73 and Ron Gallardo ’92 coordinated the procession.

Father John Darragh ’60, presider at the Mass, was assisted by Father Thomas Haffey, master of ceremonies, and Deacon Dan McGrath. Other concelebrants were Fathers Gregory Burke, Edward Courtney ’47, Patrick McGurk ’50, James Sullivan ’52, Robert Noonan ’56, William Dornbos ’60, Dan Driscoll ’68, Edward Stupca, Robert Hall, and Frank Wright and Joseph Dadire, both Society of African Missions priests. Father Darragh delivered an inspiring and timely homily.

Most of the music for the liturgy came from the hauntingly beautiful “Sacred Story,” composed by Father Liam Lawton of the Diocese of Kildare in Ireland. It was commissioned in 1996 for a liturgy commemorating the beatification of Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers.

Directed by Colleen Hossfeld ’68 with accompanist Jo Ann Lewis ’57, choir members included Casey Boyle ’06, Anna Jean Chouinard ’70, Lori Cleavinger ’74, Ruth Davis ’78, Shannon Davis ’08, Ross DeNeal ’67, Tim Downey ’69, Dr. Jim Drynan ’58, Sister Eileen Marie Johnson, SCL, Denise Kagie ’60, Joan Lynch ’53, John Mack ’58, Matt Matich ’50, Candice O’Brien ’92, Guy Ossello ’56, Sister Anita Sullivan, SCL ’50, Evelyn Trudeau ’49, John Orizotti, Jack Russell, Warren and Patricia Scarrah ’53. Tim Downey is a member of the choir.

Petitions at the Prayer of the Faithful were offered by Sister Paula Tweet. SCL ’55, Brother Patrick McCormack, CFC ’44, Hon. Jack Whelan ’48, Maureen Yelenich ’53, Sandi Skender ’62, Danise Mansanti ’75, Dr. Dan McGeehan ’84, John Keeley ’93 and Kyle McGree ’02.

Offertory gifts were presented by Sister Pat Canty, SCL ’54, Brother John Dornbos, CFC ’55. Sister Lynn Lester , BVM ’59 and former Butte Central principal, Sister Anne Frawley, PBVM.

Ushers were Tom Kenneally Sr. ’42, John Maticich, Bernie Lazzari ’43, Jack Henry ’62, Tom Pelletier ’70, Bernie Boyle ’71, Mitch Mihailovich ’72, Dr. Mike Bartoletti ’73, Pat Dudley ’74 and Knute Oaas ’75.

The liturgical ceremony concluded with the recessional hymn “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.” The congregation sang Katherine Bates’ “America the Beautiful.” And the closing song was “All Hail Central,” Butte Central’s original school song written by 1936 graduate John Mack.

Immediately following the Mass, a reception was held at St. Ann’s parish hall.

Other centennial activities were also well attended and highly organized by the various committees of loyal Central supporters. The McArthur-O’Brien Golf Tournament held at Fairmont Hot Springs attracted a large number of players. Many other guests availed of the hourly guided tours of the Central kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high schools, the Old Boys’ Central, St. Patrick’s Church and the Knights of Columbus hall.

A family and class reunion picnic was held at Central’s Torger Oaas Field. It included tents and other shaded areas with tables and chairs, a food court, beverages, play areas and music spanning the ’40s to today, provided by Central’s own Tom O’Neill.

Inside the Maroon Activities Center was the Historical Museum where people enjoyed 100 years of Central history.

The museum featured pictures and memorabilia, vintage uniforms, clothing and other artifacts from the old parish grade schools (St. Patrick’s, St. Mary’s, St. Lawrence, Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, Holy Savior, Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph’s, St. Ann’s and St. John’s), Old Girls’ Central and Old Boys’ Central.

Pictures of every Irish Christian Brother who taught and/or came from Butte were displayed in the lobby.

Other exhibits portrayed Central’s band, choir, musicals, cheer leaders, twirlers and tumblers. One hundred years of sports were recognized with banners in the gym and pictures in Championship Lane. Input from current Butte Central students addressed Catholic education in Butte today.

The final event of the two-day celebration was the sumptuous Gala Banquet held in the gym, artfully transformed, under the direction of Becky Peoples ’93, into a luxurious and glittering dining area.

Honored guests at the dinner included many priests and religious associated with the school. William “Bubba” Maloney ’76 excelled as the ever witty and captivating master of ceremonies. Ed Renouard ’55, retired Boeing vice-president and general manager, electrified the audience with his thoroughly researched, gripping, and often humorous rendition of Butte Central’s extraordinary hundred-year story. Pianist and comedian Mark Staples entertained with musical selections and amusing commentary.

Bishop Thomas captured Central’s influence in these words: “Our diocese has been richly blessed with the vocations to Priesthood that have been part of the legacy of Butte Central and congregations of men and women religious have received their sons and daughters to serve literally all over the globe in service to the Gospel of Christ. Catholic leaders, graduates of Butte Central, have been leading lights in our parishes and Diocese, providing sage counsel and wise direction to our religious and civic communities.”

Priests and ministers at the centennial Mass for Butte Central School are pictured from left to right: Deacon Dan McGrath, acolyte Polly Bartoletti, Father William Dornbos, acolyte Francis Banks, Fathers Robert Noonan, Patrick McGurk, Thomas Haffey, James Sullivan, Robert Hall, Gregory Burke, Frank Wright SMA, John Darragh, Daniel Driscoll, Joseph Dadire SMA, Edward Stupca and Edward Courtney. (Photo provided).


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 25, No. 8, August 21, 2009.