Alumni

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Welcome to the Holy Spirit Alumni Guestbook- the best way to keep track of your elementary school friends. Check back regularly for new updates and information from your graduating class! Take a minute to leave your name and comments in the Alumni Guestbook. Please include your year of graduation. We welcome alumni photos (please email these to the webmaster).
Guest book entries will be available for public viewing.

ALUMNI GUEST BOOK

• It’s as simple as this: our family is sold on Catholic schools. No appeals are needed; we’re already wrapped up.
  Why is that? There’s the matter of experience, for one thing. All six of our children (long since grown up and on their own, by the way) are graduates of Holy Spirit School and DePaul High School. Four went on to graduate from prominent Catholic colleges, another holds a degree from a private university, and still another had a distinguished military career following studies at the U.S. Naval Academy. In other words, the groundwork they received in elementary school and high school served them well in the higher education that followed. They can thank a series of outstanding teachers and administrators for that.
  The moral training was important too, and that’s something that’s been carried over to their adult lives. Each of them lives a rich sacramental life in Catholic parishes spread across the country, and the families that each has raised (we’ve been blessed with 19 grandchildren) have followed in their parents’ footsteps. Further, two of our children found their careers in Catholic education. None of these things would have happened, we’re convinced, without the solid foundation each of them received in Catholic schools.
  These have been some general observations. We can be more specific as well. Recently the family had been through an unspeakable tragedy. Our son John and his wife, Veronica, lost their baby boy a couple of days after Christmas. Tiny Geraldo Antonio lived just 54 minutes, long enough to be baptized, and to be held and cuddled by his parents and big sisters. But for both John and Veronica, who is originally from El Salvador, faith and values played a major role in the way they soldiered through the ordeal.
  To begin with, the pregnancy was a troubled one from the start. Complications were evident right away, and eventually doctors suggested that an abortion might be in order. Veronica would hear none of it-- “not as long as the baby’s heart is beating inside me,” she said-- and John, buoyed by his training in the faith, was with her all the way.
  Last weekend we attended a Memorial Mass to celebrate Geraldo Antonio’s short life. It was a beautiful ceremony, one that masked all the careful planning that had gone into it. John chose the music himself, and as he put it, the hymns were the ones he remembered from his childhood, from his days as a youngster at Holy Spirit.
  At the end of the Mass came John’s eulogy, and in a word it was breathtaking. He spoke of love, and a strong faith, and a belief in a life to come, all in a way that reflected a lifetime of trust and hope in the Risen Lord. As he returned to his seat in the hush that followed, we whispered that we’d never been prouder of him. We meant those word from the heart.
  Those are some of the reasons we so strongly endorse Catholic schools-- some broadly general, some sadly specific. Educators have chosen as this year’s theme “Catholic schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” That sums it up neatly. But for us, appreciation of all that Catholic schools have meant isn’t limited to a week. It goes on throughout the year, and down through the years, too. Come to think of it, it probably always will.
  Jane H. Costello Gerald M. Costello
  Jane and Gerald Costello On 2012-02-07
• Class of 1972 - Amazed, but glad to see that Mr. Varsalona is still there.
  Tom Maier On 2012-01-27
• I graduated from Holy Spirit School in 1963. I have many happy memories. Sister Josephine and Sister Joanna were the Principles. The classes were large and I had only one lay teacher. Graduated and went to PTHS, got married (in Holy Spirit Church) had four children. Going on 37 years married and ready to retire. Holy Spirit helped shaped the person I became.
  Patricia Mc Hale Mc Dermott On 2010-11-16
• I graduated from HSS in the dark ages, back in 1963. Holy Sprit had just opened. I went to 1st grade @ St Mary's in Pompton Lakes and then on to Holy Spirit for 2nd.
  Paul H Moerman Sr On 2010-10-19
• I graduated Holy Spirit in 1976. Oldest of 5, 2 brothers and 2 sisters also graduated. Oldest son Michael graduated in 2002 and daughter Meghan (grade 8) and son Ryan (grade 2)currently attend! I made lifelong friends in grammer school and pray my kids are as successful in life as my siblings
  Dennis Keaveney On 2009-11-12
• I am a graduate from Holy Spirit. I graduated in 1993. I am now married with 2 sons, Matthew and Michael. my education from H.S. was great. Gave me an advantage in high school.
  Jody Neave On 2009-10-16