By Bill Cleary

For the past several years we have been hearing about the plans for a new Catholic high school being built in Gloucester County. An off and on during that period it was mentioned that Gloucester Catholic would be moving from Gloucester City to the new school. At first the Camden Diocese denied the rumor but it appears now that in fact the hearsay was true.

Photo by John Ryan: Gloucester Catholic High School, (circa 1986) formerly St. Mary\’s High School, located at Monmouth and Burlington Streets.

The Philadelphia Inquirer (June 18^th issue) http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/, reported the new school will be located on Route 77 in Mullica Hill across from the county 4H Fairgrounds.

The article stated, \”The diocese is moving forward with the high school, its first in the county, at the same time a shift in the region\’s Catholic population has led it to close nine elementary schools and make plans to merge 66 parishes. Gloucester Catholic has been located in Gloucester City for 78 years. A formal announcement of the Mullica Hill project is expected this summer.\”

It saddens me that my former high school, I graduated with the Class of 1963, will be leaving our City. Even though the plans call for the name of the new school to be called Gloucester Catholic it won’t be the same.

In my view the Diocese is abandoning our Blue Collar town. And it could care less about the damage it will do to our City by leaving two vacant buildings in the heart of our community. There was some talk about making the High School into a regional grammar school but I never heard anymore about that story.

The Cleary Family has a long history with Gloucester Catholic. My sister Dolores Raube graduated in 1956 from GCHS, my brother George graduated in 1959. And other members of our family are also GCHS graduates.

My sister was a cheerleader and I can remember my grandma making her \”Pom Poms\” out of maroon and gold gray paper. I also recall the football and baseball games at the Charles Street stadium. The Friday night dances, The Black Sock and White Sock class election, our small gym where our fans became the sixth man on the court. Shooting hoops with football coach Joe Murphy who always won; hanging out with the guys from South Camden on the corner at Gords, having to wear a suit jacket and tie to class, no jeans or sneakers for us.

Back in the 60’s the majority of the teachers were the Dominican nuns and priests from throughout the diocese. There were only a small number of lay teachers. One priest we called \”Knuckles\”. If you were disrupting the class, which of course I never did, he would punish you by slapping your knuckles with a ruler. Ouch! I didn’t dare go home and tell my father that Sister \”So and So\” or Father \”So and So\” hit me as I would get punished all over again. I laugh about that memory now.

No matter what the Diocese says the new Gloucester Catholic will not be the one I remember and fondly recall.

If you are a Gloucester Catholic graduate please share your memories and your opinion about the school moving. Please include your name and the year you graduated. Send to [email protected]

http://www.nj.com/news

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court today for the first time ruled that the Second Amendment to the Constitution protects the right of individuals to own a gun for personal use.

In a 5-4 decision, the justices struck down a District of Columbia law banning handgun ownership and requiring that rifles and shotguns kept in private homes be unloaded and either disassembled or protected by a trigger lock.

read more

http://www.courierpostonline.com

The Parker McCay law firm of Marlton announced Tuesday that 16 agencies it represents will receive $40-45 million of the New Jersey money in the partial settlement.

Camden, Gloucester City, Penns Grove, Bridgeton, Point Pleasant, New Jersey American Water Co. Inc., Mount Laurel Municipal Utilities Authority and Mount Holly Water Co. are South Jersey claimants represented by the law firm.

The $422 million settlement against major oil companies in U.S. District Court in New York City was for contamination by MTBE – methyl tertiary butyl ether.
read more

 See all stories on GOOGLE ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT 

Note: if anyone finds the link to the court documents please forward it to [email protected] so I can post

Media Release

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey’s Athletic Director, John Castaldo has announced the appointment of 1993 graduate, Kelly Williams to direct its men’s basketball program. Williams, who played for the Lions from 1989 to 1993, and served as an assistant men’s coach with the Lions as well returns to his alma mater and will assume his new role on July 1.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO READ MORE

Update: I have been able to view part of the email correspondence between Gloucester City Administrator Paul Kain and Councilman Nick Marchese, City Council Finance Chairman. If you recall it was one of the Hot Topics of discussion among readers of ClearysNotebook in the past week. When Mayor Bill James was asked about a conflict between the Finance Chairman and the City Administrator, the mayor said that the City was in the midst of contract negotiations with Kain. \”There are times when things become heated and that is to be expected.\”

After reading one page it is evident that there is more going on than just heated contract talks. It is my opinion that two important people involved in the everyday workings of City government are at odds with one another. And have different notions on how the City should be operated.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO READ MORE

\”Somehow a fire gets lit under you,\”

Bernadette McGlade

By John Schmidt

Gloucester City native Bernadette V. McGlade was named the new Commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference on Tuesday June 3, in Philadelphia. McGlade is the daughter of the later Peter (former City Postmaster) and Theresa McGlade, and grew up in Gloucester City with her nine siblings.

McGlade started her track to a career in athletics playing basketball at St. Mary’s Grammar School and Gloucester Catholic High School.

\”Gloucester City is a community that really rallies around the schools and sports teams,\” McGlade said. McGlade remembers the support she received from the community during her time at St. Mary’s and Gloucester Catholic. \”It is a unique place,\” she said.

During her time at Gloucester Catholic, McGlade played with three of her sisters, Mickey, Agnus and Theresa for legendary girls basketball coach the late Bert Nolan. During her time as a player McGlade helped to guide the lady rams to three state titles in 1973, 1975 and 1976.

McGlade first starting playing basketball when her father built a basketball net in the backyard. She remembers playing all summer long. \”Somehow a fire gets lit under you,\” McGlade said.

Although McGlade’s professional career has taken her too many places but never back to where her love for basketball and athletics started. \”It’s great to be coming back to the Philly / South Jersey area,\” McGlade said. McGlade said she is looking forward to it.

McGlade’s first day as Commissioner of the Atlantic 10 will be on July 15. \”I am looking forward to starting a working relationship with a brand new set of individuals, administrators and coaches,\” McGlade said.

All Things McGlade
 

http://www.gcba.info/minutes.htm

May 27, 2008, Caps, 5;30 pm

President Stallwood opened meeting

No Secretary\’s Report. Will include in June General meeting.

Treasurers Report- Current Balance $ 2094.32. Motion to accept MacAdams. Second Berglund

Special Event Updates-

Catfish Tournament- Lower turnout than 2007. 29 boats entered tournament. Next year we will coordinate with other tournaments and coop advertising. The Business Association will be reimbursed thru the UEZ.

Golf Tournament- This year\’s event was larger and well received.

Car Show- June 28, 2008- WZLT radio, Vineland will participate in this year\’s event and will air a 3 hour live radio event at the show. The street banners are in and vendors are being assembled.

CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO READ MORE………………

 
Bill’s Point of View:

• · CHEERS: Congratulations to The Reverend Monsignor Michael Doyle, who celebrated his 40^th anniversary earlier this month (June 15^th) as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in South Camden, N.J. A film Poet of Poverty based on the writings of Monsignor Doyle and narrated by actor Martin Sheen will be shown Friday, June 27, at Sacred Heart Parish. The story is about urban problems and Christian hope.
• CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO READ MORE…………..

 

Bill,

I wanted to pass on some sad news to you that your readers would also want to know. My brother in law Larry Rudnicki died a few days ago. He and my sister Marianne Danks had been married for twenty nine years.

Larry was a member of the Class of 1965 at Gloucester Catholic, and a classmate of my sister\’s. He was a great athlete, excelling in football and baseball and was liked by everyone who knew him.

Larry grew up in Westville and he and George Anastasia were lifelong friends. Larry also played a terrific Captain Von Trapp in their class\’ performance of \”The Sound of Music\”. He was a professor of English at Madonna College in Southern Michigan. He was survived by his son Larry who lives in Colorado and a daughter Genevieve who lives in New Mexico.

My sister\’s e-mail address is: [email protected] at the St. Joseph\’s Hospital in Ann Arbor,MI where she is a hospital chaplain.

Best Wishes Bill,

Gus

June 21, 2008

Rotary\’s Mark Siebert singled home Patrick Rafferty with two outs in the bottom of the 6th inning to give Rotary a 6-5 win over a stubborn Barron\’s team in the Gloucester City Major League Division.

On Championship Saturday as the sun baked down on the \”Earl Moore Field\” hundreds of fans gathered eating free food provided by the Ladies Auxilary waiting in anticipation for the Major League Championship battle.

The match up of the first place Rotary and last year\’s runner-up Barron\’s provided the fans with more than anyone expected. It took every last ball, strike and out before the Champion was crowned.