This week is a short one due to Ascension Thursday and Friday’s Marist Community holidays. And it is a good thing, too, because this is Prom Week — Senior Prom is scheduled for Wednesday night.

This past weekend was busy with the Penn Relays, The Christ the King — Cheerleading and Step Team Competition, Senior Retreat, and The St. Ann’s Communion Breakfast.

The Stanner Golf Classic — Time is running out!

As anyone who has ever met Maria Ford (even casually) knows that next week is The Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic. A few corporate sponsorships remain, and the dinner and reunion celebrating the inauguration of the John Gibbons Memorial Trophy will be held that evening… tickets are still available for the dinner. And, YES, Raffle tickets are available up until the time of the drawing. If you would like to contact Maria Ford, her direct dial number is 718-943-3148.

Athletics

The Christ the King Step Competition — CHSAA

The Step Competition was an interesting event. For me, as a “first-timer” there was a lot to learn about protocol and the value of practice. I showed up about 30 minutes prior to the gate opening and there were at least 1000 people in line. Many wore tee-shirts supporting the various teams. Coach Lonergan and her sidekick Deacon Bob Lonergan had the team sequestered as they did their final preparations. The call came and the “game” was on. Now, you might not think that there is strategy involved in this competition, but there is. Placement on the list, prior performance at various competitions and then there is the timing issue. Three minutes. Not a lot of time to show your strength, power and pride. Well, long story short, the “First Ladies” of Molloy were nothing less that stunning. They brought the house down. More than 2000 competitors, parents and friends gave them the reaction they so deserved. They made me proud to be a Stanner.

In spite of a world-class performance, they did “run long” and the time cost them points. The First Ladies brought home the Second Place trophy and the memory of the crowds reaction. But there is more. Watching them after the performance told the story of being a true Stanner. They understood their victory, and phrases like — “remember ladies, this is the first time we have placed in this competition”, and my personal favorite — “We did it!”. Congratulations, Ladies — and to the Lonergan’s a special word of thanks for your perseverance and dedication to this outstanding group of students.

The Penn Relays

Molloy had a good showing in the Penn Relays. Jeff Gallagher

Arianna (Check spelling) Dussie - Alexandra Jean Joseph - Monica Martinez and Jessica Conter broke the Archbishop Molloy Record in the 400 Meter Relay by running 50.89 seconds at the 2008 Penn Relays - Jarenn Stewart long jumped 22′2.5 just missing finals in the Championship of America Long Jump. The boy’s 1600 Meter Relays gathered silver medals running 3:30.24. Sean Collins led off this relay in 52.1 seconds, followed by Leroy Herbert (53.3), Matt Flynn (52.6) and anchored by Danny Waters (52.0)

On all other fronts

Varsity Softball is heading toward the playoffs, the B/Q Freshman/Sophomore Track Championships are scheduled for next week. The Baseball and Softball seasons may have to be extended due to the extended period of rain we have experienced. The golf team is 7-0 for the season.

Coach Curran Named to the Top 100 Irish in America by the Irish America Magazine

Jack Curran

As reported in the Irish America Magazine

For fifty years Jack Curran has coached basketball and baseball at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, New York. In that time he has coached and mentored thousands of kids in the local community. And not without success either.

Curran and Archbishop Molloy have won the double — the New York City basketball and baseball title in the same year — four times. No other school has even done it once. In fact, with five basketball titles and 17 baseball titles, the Molloy trophy cabinet is pretty full. In terms of wins, in basketball Curran is around the 900 mark and in baseball he is hovering around 1,600.

But coaching was not his first calling. Curran was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a pitcher and ended up in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system in the early 50s before a back injury put an end to his playing career. After working as a recreations director, Spalding rep and building material salesman, Curran came across a newspaper ad for a coaching position at Archbishop Molloy. The rest, as they say. . .

During his time, six former Stanners (as the basketball players are named) have gone on to the NBA, but as Curran told The New York Times in an interview recently, “I’ve been told that the true measure of a coach is the quality of the people he has turned out long after they have left him. In that regard, I think I measure up pretty good.”

Spiritual

St. Ann’s Communion Breakfast

The St. Ann’s Communion Breakfast was held on Sunday at St. Jean’s church near where St. Ann’s Academy was located. There were 59 in attendance and they ranged in class from 1942 through 1958. We celebrated five members from the class of 1958 with special certificates and Mr. Sherry then gave a brief history lesson about Molloy’s 50th Anniversary. He commented on the St. Ann’s Courtyard entrance which will be undergoing some renovations this year, the statue of St. Ann and the old School Bell. He pointed out that we maintain a St. Ann’s exhibit wall and a special place on our new Hall of Fame exhibit wall for the Stanner’s of St. Ann’s.

At the end of his remarks he invited all to attend next year’s Communion Breakfast which will be held at Molloy next year. We will have Mass in St. Ann’s Chapel in the Brothers Residence and have breakfast and a tour of the school as part of the day. The overall response was good and we look forward to a great reunion with the class of 1958 on November 1 at Molloy. They will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary at that time and will receive their Stanner Alumni Association Golden Anniversary medallion that night.

Sophomore Retreat

Two busloads of sophomores left the building on Friday and came back Sunday ready to face the next two years of work at Molloy. The theme of this spiritual journey was “Call and Respond” — God Calls and we Respond. In one of the activities entitled “Being a Modern Day Disciple”, Students wrote job descriptions about being a modern day disciple. As always they played Flag, and the senior leaders had a moment toward the end when they realized that this was their final retreat. Perhaps that moment in time will inspire them to continue their leadership in other spiritual endeavors as they move into college life.

This week 92 freshmen take to the roadways…Esopus beware! The theme is self-esteem.

In the course of a year, more than 700 Stanners go on retreat or encounters.

Academic Non Scholae — Sed Vitae

Class of ’03

Ivan Pereira ’03 has won Rookie Reporter of the Year in the annual New York Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest this year. Ivan is a spot reporter for the TimesLedger Newspapers. He is often seen around Molloy following up on stories about his alma mater. His most recent story was on our 50th Anniversary Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Congratulations Ivan for work well done!

Class of ’92

Brendan Cawley ’92 recently won recognition from the Borough President for his work in protecting the Borough as a Firefighter in the Bronx. The award recognized prominent Irish citizens in The Bronx for their contributions to the community. The event was held on March 19th.

Class of ’67

Reports from the field tell us that Vinny Taggart ’67 had a heart attack recently and is resting at home. Perhaps a note from some of his classmates would cheer him up a bit and speed up his recovery.

Dear Stanners:

In your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Michael Mullin.

Br. Michael’s wake and funeral arrangements are shown below:

Wake: Thursday, May 1 - 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Greenville Memorial Home
374 Danforth Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07305
Tel: 201-333-8000

Mass of Resurrection: Thursday, May 1 - 7:00 PM
St. Andrew’s R.C. Church
4th Street & Broadway
Bayonne, NJ 07002
Tel: 201-437-0833

Wake: Friday, May 2 - 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Marist Brothers Retreat House Chapel
Esopus, NY
Burial & Commital Service: 4:30 PM - Marist Brothers Cemetery

Messages of Condolence may be sent to:
The Marist Brothers
P. O. Box 197
Esopus, NY 12429-0197

and to Br. Michael’s mother:
Mrs. Elizabeth Mullin
2237 East 28th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11229