My memories of St Chris are similar to that of most former students. Some of the teachers, nuns and priests included, acted in an un-Christ-like manner. I am not judging them, I only know what I witnessed. Others were very good.

I remember counting the number of hours until the school year ended! This usually began every Fall. After St Chris, I went to Bremen and then on to college. I managed to get 2 graduate degrees (chemistry and business) and I have been working as a chemist for the past 30 years.

I have many fond memories of St. Chris School. I remember the nuns in full habit, great recess games, and roller skating in the gym on Friday nights. Music we listened to were the Beatles, the Monkeys, and whoever sang "Moni Moni". Classes were large - up to 40, I think. I remember a certain fearful male lay teacher and his flying erasers, lysol spray during flu season, and face slaps. There was always a bit of apprehension on report card days when a priest would pass out report cards. I remember Father Bruno who used to call me "whitey" because of my white/blonde hair.

I went to Bremen High School and then on to NIU. After college I became a special education teacher and have been one for 30 years. I have been married for 27 years and have two children; a boy 19 and a girl 24.

I didn't actually graduate from St Christopher's, only went through 4th grade. I was reading through the info already posted and really enjoying the memories. Does anyone remember Sister Bertha Marie? I had her for 3rd grade in the old annex, remember the annex!! Every day it rained she would say "nice weather for ducks".I remember going to Father Gales "Hootenany"(not sure of spelling). Loved going to the fiesta every year and having all our relatives come out and have the Chicken Dinner. I also have a vague memory of when one of the basketball teams did really well, and Father Gale(I think) took everyone back to the cafeteria and ordered pizza. I also loved the bazaar on St Pats day, we would get out of school for awhile. I remember skating in the gym. I really enjoyed school there and all the nuns. I also remember Father Gale would come into our classroom and hand out the report cards, I would be so scared that he would yell at me!!! And he did once, I did not get a very good grade in Conduct-do you remember getting grades in conduct-like talking too much in line on the way to somewhere.

Well after I left St Christopher's we moved to Minnesota and I graduated from another Catholic grade school. Did not marry until a little later in life. I have 2 great sons. One is currently a Freshman at the University of Minnesota and the other a Junior in High School. I married a man I meant on a blind date, and it has been a perfect match for 20 years. Looking forward to hearing from more of my classmates. I had 2 siblings who also attended St Chris's one graduated in 1961 and the other went through 7th grade and would have graduated in 1965.

What good memories growing up. I usually don't respond to these things. My Dad, who is still alive and lives on Karlov across 147th from the school taught me Latin early and I remember serving my first public Mass when the 7&8th grade servers went to the ball game. The nuns always used to call me to serve at the convent when a visiting priest was in. We always tried to get to serve 6:30 or 7AM Mass during the week so we could stay home and play basketball while everyone else was in church. I went to the Franciscan seminary in Westmont for two and a half years - poor study habits. I ended up graduating from Joliet Catholic High School. My claim to fame there is that I graduated with "Rudy" of Notre Dame fame.

I have lived in Denver since coming back from Vietnam in 1970. I married late in life and we have one child, a special gift from God. Very smart, very tall and very pretty. She will be graduating next year from the IB program in Denver Public Schools. I wanted Catholic education, but they couldn't keep her challenged. My older sister Kath is a Servite nun, the ones that taught at Mother of Sorrows. She is in Italy, has been for the past 8 years. She initially went over to be the consigliore to the Mother General. When her term was up, they kept her there to run their pensione in Piazze Navonne. My sister Marie died when she was in 7th grade, in Sister Victoria's class. My sister Bernadette married a farmer, though not at the time and lives in Northwest Iowa, and is now an empty nester after 5 kids. My brother Tom takes care of my Dad. The next younger, Regina (Jean) lives in the city and has one child and the youngest Anne, lives in McHenry and has two of 5 still at home. I get home to see my Dad once in a while. What good times growing up. I tell my daughter about all the stuff and ALL the kids in the neighborhood all the time, and I don't think she believes me. Jerry grcka@msn.com

I didn’t attend St. Christopher until the 5th Grade in 1957 when my family moved to Midlothian from Oak Lawn. We lived next door to the Goetzinger’s on 148th Street.

Like Joe Landeck, I too remember the day when Larry Cebulski was hit and killed by a train. It really left an impression on me as I think of him every time I take the train into the City. Similar to President Kennedy’s assassination and 911, I can still picture where I was at the time I heard that it had happened.

I was an altar boy at the old church and old convent chapel. Remember the “Knights of the Altar”. I still have my Page, Knight and Grand Knight pins. http://www.stjosephschurch.net/handbook.pdf. I also still remember that Fr. Gale always wanted as little wine as possible when it came time for the cruet mix. I think he was a beer man myself. Since I lived so close to the church the nuns allowed me to keep each set (Regular B/W, Red/Gold Fringe, Black/Black Fringe) of vestments at home so that I could be called to “serve” at a moments notice.

I had Miss Kelly in the 6th Grade. When my parents went in for a parent teacher conference one night she asked my dad if United Air Lines was hiring stewardesses. My dad, who worked for United, checked into it for her. At the end of the school year she left teaching and went on to become one.

Does anyone remember the “Hansel and Gretel” school play? Or Mrs. Fenwick’s class presentation of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”? John Carmen, John Fredette and I did a lot of work on the background scenery for her. We also turned the well constructed “gingerbread house” used in “Hansel and Gretel” into a log cabin. John Carmen MC’d the event, John Fredette played “Jim”, and I helped work the lights.

Anyone ever go fishing at “Shedd’s Pond” behind the school or at the pond next to Bachelor's Grove cemetery? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2NRtnCMg4c

Are you aware that Bachelor's Grove cemetery was recently listed in USA Today as #6 out of 10 great places to get spooked by your surroundings: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2007-10-25-10-great_N.htm?POE=click-refer

John Fredette, John Carmen and I use to fish in the pond next to the cemetery on Holy Days when we were off from school at St. Christopher. Bachelor's Grove was even "spooky" in the daytime. One time we were walking around the graves and John Fredette, who was shorter than me at the time (I am 5’ 6” now), sunk up to his waist when he stepped on a grave. We all ran away and left him there in the "sink hole". He was really mad at us.

Other than the Larry Cebulski incident, those were really great times.

I live in a "55+" adult community in Crest Hill..Carillon Lakes. Prior to that, I lived in Oak Forest while a student at St. Chris and again later for 24 years with my wife. I too remember Fr. Potter, Fr. Peter, Fr. Gale and Fr. Bruno. I played basketball as an 8th grader (I stunk) and I remember Fr. Peter running our of patience with me because I never played-up to my potential. Some buddies included "Doc" Dorsey, Fred Sanito, Pat Ryan (who we lost after graduation to cancer), Chester Banaczak, Dick House, Larry Williams, Charlie Lewis and Tony Kweder. I recall having my first lay teacher in 5th Grade... Miss Fish. 6th Grade was Sr. Danita; 7th Grade was Sr. Mary Alodia, and 8th Grade was Sr. Huberta..who fostered some of us into St. Vincent DePaul's Seminary in Lemont...before we all quit within a year of entering! I also recall spending 4th grade out in the mobiles and after battling & bruising the girls on the playground, they split the 4th grade into a "boys" and "girls" classroom. 1st Grade was Sr. Ricardo; the Principal was Sr. Patricia...I don't know what happened to me in 2nd and 3rd grade...maybe somebody can fill-in the blanks!!!

I spent 34 years in Tinley Park as a teacher and junior high administrator before retiring in 2001. I congratulate St. Chris on its years of service to kids and for the memories it provided. I'm looking forward to some kind of communication and reconnection if possible. Thank you!

Hi - It was a fluke that I found this site a few months back during a search on Midlothian. Kudos to those who are so organized! The whole St. Chris site is great; I found photos of family members & myself in the Fiesta archive gallery, too --- along with promo articles written, photos taken by friends for life, Bette & Fred Soth. This is the second time I've posted but for some reason didn't see the original attempt didn't make it on, so hello again folks!

I saw Joe Landeck and Mary Pavilon's fun & detailed posting and enjoyed! Joe's right about Fr Gale, he seemed to mean business though nice guy he was - I remember Fr Potter for heaven sake! Yes Fr. Bruno & then Fr. Peter in fatigues as he was a chaplain in Army NG I suppose. I recall being rather impressed when Fr Gale lifted a lanky Dennis Dykstra up high and out of the way of some fracas (had to be maybe 5th grade?)

I went on to Bremen after St. Chris but with father's location transfer w/Rheem, at mid sophmore year I ended up in Kalamazoo MI (think WMU?) - still live in rural area few miles west. I am only sibling left in the area rather due to another transfer. Brothers Miles & Dorian are in Arlington TX, Matt in Ft. Smith, AR, sister in VA. I worked locally in accounting (me!) for two medical firms but last ten yrs since our move west? (we are so spoiled around here) -- I've been involved in antique/home furnishing shop. Husband Richard recently retired; one son data dev mgr, another Lt Col USMC and daughter a commercial designer. No grands so far!

I certainly remember involvement and doings of the July Fiesta, hundreds of chrome crusted cycles, blessings with crowds watching, waiting tables Sunday afternoons for patient cycle riders -- certainly enjoying the carnival rides (also one guy with touchy tummy looking envious or annoyed? having to hold our loot as we girls rode the big yellow "Round-Up"). And Joe I sure remember the car raffle, I was standing there watching the fun. Wow!

I absolutely remember the winning basketball team! And the St. Pat's Day bazaar in midst of Lent! Yes to rollerskating Friday nights and then hey - the Sunday evening mixer's we could attend after graduation. There were some lightweight & fun dance contests; I did a couple w/Bill Holtgen (his sister Pat is married to pro coach Marty Shottenheimer - FYI ..) I missed all of that when I got up to MI, ended up with new ice skates for local park and city rink. There was constant snow and folks here were really into winter sports. (Think ski clubs. Nope, I skipped that.) I took to skating, determined maybe as I skated once before on a big "puddle" down in Midlothian when I was like, six. That was kitty-corner from that little mom/pop grocery in Bremen Heights. And I am amazed that that name came forward ! We lived within walking distance as we were on Kolmar #14444 when I was very young (Soths lived down the street) - then were back to area for 4th grade at St Chris, in Oak Forest then, via Harvey.

It was fun to read the postings. Like you I hope more get on there. About ten years ago I was flying through Chicago and was able to phone Lynn Roe after contacting her mom; said we'd meet next time I was making a connection but I can tell you it didn't happen. Det or Cin or Clev got in the way. You have an active alum group it seems and good for you all. I looked at photos from alum events but with no names listed I wasn't sure just who was there. Thought I recognized Susan Fisher in one? Remember, for many of you it's been since 8th grade that I laid eyes on you. Best to you all, Colleen

Colleen.....Yes, I believe Terrence O'Halloran is the correct name. I'm gonna have to dig out our class picture. Like you, I can't make anything out on the pix posted on this website....too small. Laurie O'Shea....So glad you're living your dream! You were my day nurse back in the mid-80's when I had day surgery at Ingalls. You were so kind to me, a true Florence Nightengale.

My "kids" are 31, 29, 25 and I have a 5-year old granddaughter and a 4 month old grandson. I am truly blessed. Life IS good!

Oh the memories from St. Chris. I too lived right down the block and went home everyday for lunch. Mass every morning - 6 days a week when school was in session. Sister Rosemary, 1st grade - the sweetest nun, loved children and beamed with all of the cute things we said as little kids. Does anyone remember having air raid drills and going out in the hall and putting our heads between our knees. And the sonic booms that regularly occured when I was in 5th and 6th grade. How about a TV brought in by a well to do family to watch a space capsule landing in the ocean??? Sr. Timothy was my 2nd or 3rd grade teacher - she took all of the left handers to one side of the room and taught us how to write cursive without wrenching our hand. We put our paper with the lines vertical and wrote up the paper. To this day I am complimented on my penmanship. Sister Gustave - my 6th grade teacher - cried when Pres. Kennedy died and we all knelt on the classroom floor and said the rosary. She loved my Dad. I always thought she had a crush on him. Sister Carmen - 7th grade, what a witch she was - making us memorize word for word those mimeograph science assignments. That was a tortuous assignment. And how about Sr. Corinne. Did anyone get by without her wrath. I also remember Sr. Jacinta - my brother Tom came home with black and blue marks on his upper arms from her pinching him. Boy was my dad mad about that.

Fiesta was a great time - remember the motorcycle blessing and all of the bikers would be down at Cottons Corner. And the Sunday lunches in the gym? My mom would make 5 lb. of potato salad and I would wait tables and make a lot of money in tips. We all hoped our families would win the new car from Jack O'Donnell Chev. The Friday night skating was probably my best memory. I was there every single Friday. I broke my arm when Mark Wilma tripped and a slew of kids fell on us. Mr. Tumpane wisked me up and called my parents. I also loved the Bazaar we would have every St. Joseph??? day. May it was St. Pat's day. Can't remember. Those Sunday afternoon movies were a hit also. And Father Gale - hell and brimstone every Sunday from the pulpit. He scared me. What an angry man he was. And Fr. Bruno was the sweetest, most mild-mannered man. Fr. Edwin was just plain crabby. I almost had heart failure if Fr. Gale was passing out report cards. My last rememberence of being at St. Chris School was sitting on the front door steps with my friends Pam Foster and Debbie Swider. The roof had recently been tarred and there was little chunks of tar all over. We wrote our names on the risers of the steps with the tar, they are there for many years.

Loved reading Colleen Benedict and Kay Hallahan's news. I will tell everyone I see from St. Chris about the Alumni Assoc. Hope to hear more about our class.

I remember Father Bruno fondly; he was a gentle fellow. Father Gale was a funny, hot-headed guy. He like to come across the street and have my dad make him a cocktail. I remember Father Gale passing out report cards (were they yellow in a gold yellow envelope?) He'd beat some of the boys after he looked at their grades. Looking back, some of those kids probably had some form of learning disability, whether dyslexia or ADHD. Need I comment further. . .

Remember how the nuns would pack into their station wagon to run their errands? The priests got a new Cadillac from time to time from Jack O'Donnell Chevrolet. Remember when they burned the old wooden church down? Was that in the late 1950s? The fire department came and did the honors. I still remember the sunny day with the flames shooting up. It was so dramatic! My dad salvaged one of the doors from the little old church, raised it on some 2x4 posts and built a dandy rabbit cage that lasted through plenty of pet bunnies and many years. Father Ted was the old Polish priest (Thaddeusz Woloszyk, or close to that, as I recall). I worked in the rectory in my early teens and he'd get letters from Poland. He was nearly blind so he'd have me read them to him, as best I could -- they were in Polish. Then he'd dictate his response in Polish. He was a charming, sweet man with great stories. I still know a few Polish phrases.

I remember when the interior schoolyard was all gravel and grass before they blacktopped it. The little library/gift shop in the middle of the schoolyard-- is it still there? (I haven't seen the school since about 1970.) When we were in school, the left half of the little building was the library and I loved it, became a lifelong reader there. The right half was the religious gift shop. What a collection of holy cards! They were in little boxes on the front counter and I'd flip through, looking for the gold-edged ones or particularly gorey (bloody saints) or pretty ones. In daily morning Mass I'd sort through my collection. There was occasional surreptitious holy card trading in the pews. Remember the announcement over the P.A. that President Kennedy had been killed?

I wish I remembered the names of more of my classmates. I've looked at the 1966 graduation photo, even with a magnifying glass, and can't make out names. I recall Catherine O'Halloran was the smartest, most mature person I'd ever met. Where are you, Catherine? I remember Tom Dorsey being really nice. I recall that in about the 4th or 5th grade Terry Kasziewicz (spelling?) died in September or October and the sister put a black cloth on his desk and his photo. It was traumatic -- the first death of anyone I knew. I vaguely recall the story being that he stepped on a rake and it flew up and hit him in the head. Sometime in the 8th grade, Rocky Cardillo reached over and kissed me, fast and clumsy, on the mouth. I didn't know what to think! We were so innocent then.

I cherish my childhood and school years at St. Chris. My parents, God love and bless them, wanted all 8 of the Benedict girls to get a Catholic education. My mom, Lois, was so active in Altar Rosary Society and other activities. My dad was such a great supporter of the church and school even though he wasn't Catholic. He'd be in the Italian sausage and beer booth at the Fiesta, sweating and laughing with the other men, flipping sausages, grilling peppers and onions!

I live in Thousand Oaks, CA. Catholic education all the way - Marquette U. nursing, University of San Diego Law. I'm happily married (2nd marriage) with a great, goofy 15 year old son. My best wishes to all classes but especially graduates of 1966. Colleen Benedict Newkirk

My wife and I have been living in Colorado for the past 10 years. Recently, at my son's wedding back in Chicago, Jim Pignatiello told me about the Alumni Web page. So I thought I would check it out! It has been a wonderful experience and reading Justin's comments sure brought back some fond memories. I attended the 30 year class reunion at Hackney's in 1989 and was amazed at the number of classmates who attended. What a great class! It was great to reconnect with them all. And Sister Patricia, who looked wonderful, really helped to make the evening memorable.

I will always cherish the friendships that were made "back in the day" and those friendships that have endured through these many years.The 50th Reunion will definitely be worth the trip back to Chicago. Life is good...we have enjoyed many blessings from God. I hope that many more of the 59ers will share some information. It would be great to start catching up early! Best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Stan Banaszak

My younger sister, Pat Hogan, now Pat Kwiakowski, graduated in 1951. She has never moved very far, she now lives in Crest Wood, Il

I have been living in WI since 1962. Glad to be retired. Would love to hear from Rob or Ray Ritchie, Tom Burke, Tom Blakemore, Ruth Fetcho, Anita Flynn, Peggy Sch--- from Avers Ave., or anyone else from those years.

I definitely remember Sister Angelice (spelling). I was one of the guys who worked at Cavallini's in Midlothian. Anyone out there remember the resturant. The guys I stay somewhat in touch with are Jack Keth, Bob Vandewall, Terry Fox. Bob and Jack were from Midlothian. P.S. Hoping to hear from some of you out there. Tom Hogan

Just an introduction; I went to St Chris all 8 years then on to TTHS. All priests and nuns were Fransiscan at that time. Clergy started with Fr Clarence who died of a heart attack, was replaced by Fr Potter who was an army chaplain. Assistant was Fr Reinhard. Nuns; Sisters Scholistica, Emily, Viva, Angelise, Maureen( Principal) then Patricia (replacement principal) and sister Salome (Music).I can't remember the 4th grade nun but it will come to me.

The shrine was built while I was in school. Of course the school was the old brick building and there were 2 portables with pot bellied stoves. Have to run for now. Let me know if you need any more info from the 40's. Regards, Jack