Providence Catholic Celebrates
25 Years of Augustinian Leadership
Providence Catholic High School has had much
to celebrate in the past two years. Last year, the school
commemorated its 90th anniversary. This year, the school is
honoring the Augustinian Friars who have served at the helm
for the past twenty-five years.
In June, 1985, the Augustinians of the
Midwest Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel officially
began their tenure at Providence High School after signing a
five-year renewable contract with the Diocese of Joliet to
administer and staff the school. Fr. Richard McGrath was
appointed principal. At that time, enrollment at the school
was 926 students.
One of the Augustinians’ first
official acts was to change the name of the school to
Providence Catholic High School to affirm its Catholic
nature and identity. Fr. Mike O’Connor became the first
Pastoral Director of the school and was responsible for all
things religious. Over the years, the Pastoral Department
has become a central part of daily life at Providence
Catholic and is responsible for all-school Masses, daily
Mass, daily communal prayer, all retreat programs, the
A.C.T.S. service program, and all other religious
opportunities. Fr. John Merkelis has served as Pastoral
Director since 2002.
With the assistance of an
administrative team which included an Assistant Principal
and several department chairpersons, Fr. McGrath redefined
the school’s academic agenda. A college preparatory
curriculum was created and graduation requirements were
raised. In addition, developmental, honors and Advanced
Placement programs were introduced. An Academic Adjustment
Program and Peer Tutoring Program were implemented. A
Curriculum Guide was written which included course outlines
and descriptions for every academic class offered at the
school. By 1991, the school was fully accredited by the
North Central Association.
The Augustinians also tackled the job of
improving the buildings, grounds and facilities on the
Providence Catholic campus. With the input of the Buildings
and Grounds Committee and the financial support of the
parent clubs and countless other benefactors, Fr. McGrath
made numerous upgrades to the school building, student
computer lab and athletic facilities. He also established
the preschool, now known as Providence Catholic Children’s
Academy, in 1992.
By 1993, student enrollment had
grown to 1,140. The complexities of operating a modern
Catholic secondary school had also grown considerably and as
a consequence, Providence Catholic changed to the
President-Principal administrative model in 1994. Fr.
McGrath became President of the school and Fr. John Merkelis
was appointed as Principal. Mr. Donald Sebestyen has served
as Principal since 2001.
As President, Fr. McGrath continued to pursue
his quest to make Providence Catholic the premier Catholic
High School in the area. His most ambitious undertaking was
the “Building a Vision … Forming A Future” capital campaign
to build the 36,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art science and
fine arts wing that officially opened in 2002. In addition,
the Celtic Learning Center (CLC) which assists students with
mild diagnosed learning disabilities, opened in 2006. The
CLC currently serves over 80 students and is a tremendous
factor in their academic success.
Today, enrollment at Providence
Catholic stands at approximately 1165 students and the
school is in as strong a position as it has ever been. This
is due in large part to the caring and dedicated faculty and
staff who believe so strongly in the mission of the school.
Moreover, parents are willing to make the necessary
financial sacrifices because they have confidence that their
children will receive an outstanding education in a loving,
nurturing environment where God is ever-present.
Please support PCHS Habitat for Humanity by
collecting your used ink cartridges and turning them in to
Mrs. Maratea in room 118. This fundraiser will help
PCHS students fund their annual Habitat trip during the
summer of 2009! Ultimately, your contributions will
help a family who is in need of a home.
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