Fifty years of Catholic school excellence

By Christine Urio
MONROE — Fifty years is a milestone in life, in marriage, and now for Sacred Heart School.

The Monroe school will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Aug. 30 with a reunion picnic and barbecue on the grounds behind the school from 1 to 6 p.m.

To recognize this achievement, alumni, teachers, staff and coaches are invited to attend and reminisce about the past and look forward to the future of their school.

Catherine Muenkel, who has served as Sacred Heart School’s principal for the past 10 years, said the Archdiocese of New York has always celebrated the 50th anniversary of its member schools.

“It is a milestone in any institution and especially in these changing times where so many Catholic schools have had to close their doors,” she said. “To have reached our 50th year and to continue as a vibrant school in this economy is no small feat; it is because of our passion for education and the belief that our Catholic schools are the greatest evangelization tool the Catholic Church has that we rejoice in this institution and want to celebrate with alumni, friends and family.”

Challenges, rewardsLaura Sullivan Gralton, a graduate of Sacred Heart School and a member of the reunion committee, also realizes what an enormous milestone 50 years is for any school.

“We, the parents, feel especially challenged today, with the demands of common core curriculum from the Archdiocese of New York, paying public school tax and the desire to maintain a solid Catholic education for our children,” she said. “We are taking the opportunity to thank and honor those who came before us and we hope to enrich the bond that so many people feel after spending time at Sacred Heart School.”

Gralton was in the first kindergarten class at Sacred Heart School, along with her three sisters and four brothers who also attended throughout the years. She keeps up the family legacy with her daughters, the eldest who recently graduated in June and the youngest who is entering kindergarten in September.

“I personally feel at home at Sacred Heart School,” Gralton said. “I enjoy running into people who attended years ago during my era, or before my time and we have so much in common with all the stories and the laughs.”

While Sacred Heart School is mainly a place for children, it is a haven for parents as well.

Parents as the driving force“Our parents are the driving force behind this successful school,” Muenkel said. “Their desire to provide their children with a safe, secure, Christ-centered learning environment has not changed but only deepened.”

This is proven through the dedication of parents such as Mary Muscarello.

“I was a parent at Sacred Heart School for 21 straight years,” said Muscarello. “I was a cheerleading coach for 12 years, had three years on the parent board, one of which was as president, and I started working there eight years ago as a lunch monitor.”

For the past three years, Muscarello has been in charge of the aftercare program and also subs as an aide.

“Needless to say, I love Sacred Heart School,” she said.

Muscarello’s pride of being a part of the Sacred Heart School community has been passed down to her six children, all who graduated from Sacred Heart School. Her three daughters have even stayed involved as cheerleading coaches for the past 10 years.

“We are very proud of helping our Saints teams win countless championships,” Muscarello said. “All of my kids are very proud that they attended Sacred Heart. Growing up, it was their home away from home.”

The role of the pastorThe past 50 years has produced a plethora of memories, but an outstanding moment that Muenkel recalls is when the new church was built in 1990, for the students now had a daily sacramental experience and could be in close communion with parish priests.

“Another outstanding moment was when the Rev. Thomas J. Byrnes became the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish,” she said. “His pastoral mission as ‘Good Shepherd’ to his congregation and the fact that he was trained as a physics teacher led to many educational endeavors that have continued to have a rewarding effect on the school.”

As time has progressed, the school has seen changes over the past 50 years.

“I believe we've really come a long way as far as curriculum goes,” said Muscarello. “We've had Spanish offered for grades K through, 8 which is a real plus, and our teachers are very dedicated to the kids.”

With the support of the parish, Sacred Heart School has been able to continue to provide a strong academic and religious foundation for its students

“Our school prides itself on its ability to live up to its motto ‘Academic Excellence Rooted in Faith,’” Muenkel said. “This is not an easy feat in such a secular society but it is necessary to keep up with the times, embrace technology and challenge our young students’ potential on a shoestring budget.”

In the next 50 years, Sacred Heart School hopes to strengthen its role in education under the new vision of the Archdiocese of New York with “Pathways to Excellence.”

“Under the proper guidance and leadership, I hope to see Sacred Heart School among the leaders in this newly envisioned regionalization process,” said Muenkel. “With the proper marketing tools and the continued support of parents, teachers and administrators, as we carry out our mission ‘to educate the whole child,’ I feel we will be a continued success story.”

Sacred Heart School has affected the lives of children, parents, and faculty alike.

“Sacred Heart School has influenced who I am and how I lead my life,” said Muenkel. “It has allowed me to meet wonderful families and build close relationships with teachers, parents and school administrators across the Archdiocese—teaching at Sacred Heart School for the past 25 years has been an unexpected blessing, for it has allowed me the opportunity to teach, lead and guide God’s most treasured gift, His children.”

Every morning the children are greeted by the principal and Byrnes and sent off with a good bye at the end of each day.

“Sacred Heart is a family,” Muscarello said. “Always open for returning alumni, one I am grateful and happy to be a part of and always will.”

Essential informationTo attend the reunion, email shsmonroereunion@gmail.com.

Tickets are $10 per person or a family of four for $30.

Children under 12 are $7 and those under 5 are free.

Make checks payable to SHS Reunion Sacred Heart School, 26 Still Road, Monroe N.Y. 10950.

To learn more, call: 783-0365.