Catholic Schools Week -- January 26, 2014

Today is the start of Catholic Schools Week.

I'm grateful that my parents put me in Catholic schools for 12 years.  I'm also grateful to my teachers. 

Good Shepherd in Pacifica gave our daughter a great education and continues to do the same for many other children. They are having an open house today from 11am to 2pm.  The school is worth considering if you live in or near Pacifica: http://goodshepherdschool.us/

Saint Monicas Reunion -- October 5, 2013

It was very warm today.  We went to 5 o'clock mass at Good Shepherd.  My wife and I did the census and we were Eucharistic ministers.  Then we drove to Saint Monica's for a class reunion, our first.  One classmate said he thought I would be the only person he would recognize.  The black-framed glasses probably helped.  I was surprised how many people remembered me.  Sister Barbara, our old English teacher, was there.  I told here I have made much use of her lessons.  It was a nice evening and I'm grateful to the classmates who organized it and found so many of us. 

I took the photo on 23-October-2011. 

4 Star Theater -- April 10, 2013

When I went to Saint Monica's School up the street, they used to block off 23rd Avenue so we could play there at recess time because there were too many kids to fit in the yard.  I liked to look at the marquee of the 4-Star Theater.  At the time I did not know it had opened in 1912 as the La Bonita.  It has been threatened many times over the years, but it still survives. 

Saint Monica's 100 #2 -- October 23, 2011

Today I took my mom to the special 10:30 mass to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Saint Monica's parish.  Bishop Robert McElroy was the celebrant.  Archbishop Niederauer is still recovering from his heart trouble.  Concelebrants included pastor Father Greene, Father Sakowski, pastor of Saint Thomas Apostle, two other priests, and a deacon.  Father Greene started his homily by mentioning that there were three things in the church to remind us of the first mass in January, 1911.  He held up the chalice used in that mass.  He mentioned a 101 year old lady who was there, and he mentioned a 90 year old lady whose mother and grandparents were there.

There was a buffet in the large hall after mass.  I met one classmate and several parents of classmates.

The weather was nice and warm.  I took the photo this morning.

Saint Monicas 100 -- May 14, 2011

We picked up my mother and went to 5 o'clock mass at Saint Monicas. There was a nice turnout and the choir was excellent. We went down to Foudy Hall for wine and hors d'oeuvres before the 100th anniversary banquet. They had a display of newspaper articles about the building of the church and old class photos. I spoke to Father Green and the parents of some old classmates. Dinner was in the large hall, which doesn't seem all that large now. We had chicken.

Tommy Bermejo, RIP -- March 10, 2011

Tommy's Mexican Restaurant, across the street from Saint Monicas Church and School, opened in 1965. Tommy Bermejo and his wife Elmy served Mexican food influenced by the Yucatan. My family ate there many times and they always greeted us warmly. They were always willing to feed the sisters and the priests. They were very generous to the church and the school. Tommy was a wonderful guy and I was sad to learned that he had passed away last week. Fortunately, the kids are keeping the restaurant going.

Catholic Schools Week and Old Teachers -- January 27, 2008

Today is the start of Catholic Schools Week. I'm grateful that my parents put me in Catholic schools for 12 years.

I don't usually read the Irish Sporting Green, but my mother pointed out that Thursday's obituaries listed two of my old teachers, in consecutive entries.

Anne Bagdonas was my Fifth Grade teacher at Saint Monicas. I will always be grateful because she was the first teacher who encouraged me to write stories and use my imagination. She also let me be the Wizard in a puppet production of The Wizard of Oz. I remember other teachers sending people over to have her make me rehearse more quietly.

Father John Becker, SJ, was my Junior year English teacher at Saint Ignatius. He encouraged me to write more analytically and to read more critically. It is because of Father Becker that I can still recite most of the prologue of The Canterbury Tales from memory. Sadly, I seem to have forgotten most of Richard III's oration before the Battle of Bosworth Field. "Amaze the welkin with your broken staves" has always stuck in my mind.

We drove by Sharp Park Golf Course today and saw that Laguna Salada has again returned. There was lots of rain overnight.