The Holy Angels and St. Raphael Alumni Association serves as a prime example of what can happen when people from two communities make a concerted effort to work together, forge bonds and build a new, stronger and more unified community.
Since 2012 when the association was established, alumni of the two Hamilton Township schools which are located about two miles apart on South Broad Street, have made it a point to gather once a year to celebrate the gift of the Catholic education they had received years ago, renew old and new friendships and share camaraderie.
Such was the occasion April 17 when more than 70 alumni from both schools, along with their family members, convened for the fifth year in St. Raphael Church for a Mass celebrated by Father John Chang, pastor of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, and the luncheon that followed. Also present were parents of alumni, fellow parishioners, teachers from both schools and current St. Raphael School principal, Ann Cwirko.
“There was a lot of great spirit,” said association chair, Colleen White, as she described highlights of the gathering that included the recognition of the oldest graduate in attendance, Catherine McGrath McHale, a member of Holy Angel’s Class of 1942. In addition, all alumni were presented with an angel pin and enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce while browsing archived photos, yearbooks and other memorabilia dating back to the 1930s from Holy Angels School and the 1960s from St. Raphael School.
White said the alumni association’s name is significant because even though the parish is named St. Raphael-Holy Angels, the association chose Holy Angels and St. Raphael because Holy Angels was the first to be established. The school was opened in 1922 and was closed in the early 2000s as part of a consolidation of four Trenton area grammar schools with the former McCorristin Catholic High School. St. Raphael School continues to serve as the parish school.
Headed by a steering committee of nine people, White said the association is comprised of several thousand alumni from both schools. Other events the association sponsors includes the annual Mass and lunch, which is “our major event,” as well as a wine and cheese gathering and a “pizzeria showdown” during which funds are raised to benefit the Mass and lunch. The association sponsors an essay contest in which eighth grade students address the question, “How will my Catholic education benefit me in the future?” Cash awards and certificates are presented to the two winning essays, White said.