From: AL SHILLING [mailto:ashilling9@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2011 2:53 PM
To: Rich ard
Subject: Fw: CD Cross
From: Mcquillanassocs@aol.com [mailto: Mcquillanassocs@aol.com ]
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 8:57 PM
Subject: CD Cross
Dear CD alumnus:
As you may be aware our school was sold to a charter school this past summer. The cross and lettering that was on the roof over the main entrance had to be removed and the cross is now being stored at the warehouse of the contractor who removed it.
This past year Frank Osborne '59, and I have had some dealings with Dr. Sal Dinenna, President of Bishop McDevitt High School, as we are involved in awarding both the Jack St. Clair Scholarships and financial aid to needy students who had attended CD from the funds left over from the Capital Giving Campaign.
Sal is a former Vice-Principal at CD and was extremely accommodating to the large number of students who transferred to McDevitt after the school was closed, going so far as to have some of his teachers take advanced placement courses during the summer months so the CD kids could continue their studies in those disciplines as those courses were not offered by McDevitt at that time. I'm sure that Sal's efforts contributed to the fact that the top three students in academics who graduated last year were former CD students and the current student Class President is also from Dougherty.
On November 29th I received a call from Sal who asked me for my opinion and possible support of our alumni, to have the CD cross installed at McDevitt because of the strong connection between the two schools. You may remember that students designated for McDevitt attended CD until their school was built, and now a great majority of students from CD attend McDevitt because of the closing.
The cross, which had to be cut, is now almost 6 feet high. Sal, with guidance from the contractor, hopes to mount it on a 7 foot high steel "I" beam planted in the earth and anchored by concrete. River rocks and shrubbery would surround the base. The "I" beam would be shrouded in aluminum and the plaque bearing the school's motto along with the history between the two schools would be mounted thereon. The structure would be placed at a side of the school that has picnic tables where students eat lunch and which acts as a pickup and drop off point for parents transporting their kids.
(The below attachments contain an artist's conception of the cross and wording on the plaque, which may likely be edited a bit.) If you have trouble opening up the document that contains the wording, open the pdf version.
The cost was quoted as $10,000, with the Office of Catholic Education picking up $5000. Sal has since talked with the contractor who is knocking off another couple of thousand. The remaining cost would be $2,000 to $3,000.
I told him it was a great idea, but that CD supporters of the past have deep feelings of betrayal because of the closing (myself included) after contributing to the Capital Campaign, and might not want to support this effort. However, after learning that the cost was substantially reduced, I told him I would contact those few Alumni who are on my mailing list and solicit their support.
The contractor would like to start around the first of the year to avoid a hard frost.
If you would like to donate to this project please make your check out to: Bishop McDevitt High School and put "CD Cross" in the memo line. Please insure that your name and address is somewhere on the check or envelope as if we don't reach our goal, the monies will be returned to you. Please send to:
Joseph G. McQuillan
1300 Dillon Rd.
Fort Washington, PA
19034-1716
Thank you!
Fraternally yours'
Joe McQuillan '59
CRUCIS IN SIGNO VINCES
Conquer in the Sign of the Cross
(motto of Cardinal Dougherty High School 1956-2010)
The first students enrolled at Bishop McDevitt High School , the classes of 1961 and 1962, began their studies at Cardinal Dougherty High School at 6301 N. Second Street in the Olney section of Philadelphia . These students relocated to this site on December 9, 1958 while the school was under construction. This cross that once adorned the top of the Cardinal Dougherty High School building was relocated to the Bishop McDevitt High School campus in September of 2011 to honor the memory of that great school which closed in 2010. The Office of Catholic Education erected this monument as a tribute to Cardinal Dougherty High School ’s loyal alumni and dedicated faculty and staff who diligently pursued wisdom and truth under this cross. Ever mindful of its early ties to Cardinal Dougherty High School , The Bishop McDevitt High School Community cherishes its role as custodian of this important symbol of our Faith.
