St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School

Back to School Night - September 15, 2005

80 years ago this week, a pastor by the name of Fr John Degan opened the doors to the newly constructed St Mary Star of the Sea Parish School. The year was 1925 – It had only been 7 short years since the Red Sox had last won the World Series! In June of 1932, the first eighth grade graduation took place - 18 boys and 21 girls graduated that year. Three months later, in September of 1932, 21 girls entered St Mary’s High School. And yes, the High School was also right here in this building - 12 total grades under one roof … grades 1-8 elementary for boys and girls, and grades 9-12 for girls. Monsignor Degan remained pastor of St Mary parish for 42 years and it was during his tenure, along with the selfless dedication of the Sisters of Notre Dame, that the school’s legacy was born.

80 years ago, our school began as a place where young people would learn to know, to serve, and to love God - A place where they would grow in Christ. 80 years later, our school remains rooted in that same mission, that same journey. 80 years is, quite literally, a lifetime. So much can and does happen in 80 years. St Mary’s School has, in fact, endured the test of time. The school has survived times of war, times of uncertainty, good times and bad times, even within its own walls. For instance, the school has seen first grade classes with as many as 54 students and first grade classes with as few as 6 students. Recently, I spoke with an SMS alumna, an individual who went through 12 years of St Mary’s, graduating St Mary’s high school in 1952. I was touched by the stories, the memories, and the joy. What stuck me most however, was the school’s consistency -- consistency throughout the decades and continuing today, in staying true to its reason for being, its core values, its faith. The fact is, few schools remain today that can talk of an 80 year legacy. Even fewer can do so with such conviction.

As parents of Catholic school children, we’ve made a choice. We’ve made a choice to make a difference in the lives of our children. What a gift we’ve given to them! And with that choice shouldn’t come a sense of entitlement, rather a sense of humility and a sense of gratitude. 80 years ago, when St Mary Star of the Sea School was founded, it was done so not only for the children of that day, but for the generations of St Mary’s students to follow. In the spirit of that legacy, let’s pray, persevere, and sacrifice together not only for our children, but for our children’s children and for generations to come. May God continue to bless St Mary Star of the Sea School.

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