The 100th Anniversary Celebration of St. Raphael School is September 11-13, 2015. The 100th Anniversary Committee is searching for alumni who may not have received a recent "Save the Dates" mailing. If you would like to learn more about the celebration planned and be included on the alumni list submit your information to Beth Petraglia McKinstry at emckin1135@aol.com. Meanwhile, check out the Facebook page:St.RaphaelPghAlumni to keep up-to-date on the latest happenings. 

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St. Raphael School alumni look back fondly

Friday, October 23, 2015 - Updated: 7:00 am

“Walking into a few of the classrooms and I immediately remembered what it looked like, or the view from the window reminded me of something,” he said. “I was surprised by what came back just walking into a classroom.”

There were many such experiences as St. Raphael, in Pittsburgh’s Morningside neighborhood, celebrated its 100th anniversary with an open house in September. More than 400 alumni returned for the celebration that included a cabaret and refreshments.

A jubilee Mass featuring former pastors and assistants was held Sept. 12, and it was followed by a celebration dinner at the Doubletree Hotel at the Monroeville Convention Center.

A 1977 graduate of the school, Staresinic pointed out that while it was good to see members of his class, it was nice to see members of other classes because many of the students were from large families. The nine kids of his family, he noted, were in various classes with the siblings of other large families, and it was good to catch up on how the families were doing.

“The school was like one large family with distant relatives, where you know who everyone is and how they are related to everyone else,” he said.

Still known as Bobby by his classmates, he spoke of the many memories that he still carries. Of being at the front of the line because he was the shortest; the green, white and red stripes in the knee socks of a classmate who proudly shared her Italian heritage on St. Patrick’s Day; playing TV theme songs such as “S.W.A.T.” and “Hawaii Five-O” in the band; marching in parades in Downtown Pittsburgh; and making a rug during his middle-school years.

“The things that made it special were the fact that it was a neighborhood school, where we walked to and from school, and went home for lunch,” Staresinic said. “My classmates were my neighbors and friends. They were the same people that I saw in church on Sunday.”

He noted that his sense of morality was fostered by the influence of the teachers and staff, and he said that he understands the importance of volunteering in service to others because of the witness of adults at the school and church.

“It was just a good environment to learn in,” he said.

Nan Pischke enjoyed being able to hook up with many “Raphaelites,” not just from her class but with former neighbors from other classes whom she had not seen in years.

“It felt like time stopped and you were back 30 to 40 years, seeing them walk through the halls,” she said.

Pischke recalled receiving a set of blue rosary beads in the first grade; her fourth-grade teacher telling her why we make the sign of the cross on our foreheads, lips and heart; being in a Stephen Foster play in the fifth grade; her fear of entering the sixth grade; and her joy of graduating.

“The school was special because the teachers cared about you, and you made friends for a lifetime,” she said.

St. Raphael opened its doors on Sept. 8, 1915, under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden. A new wing of the school opened in 1940. By 1966, enrollment had grown to more than 600. 

St. Joseph Sister Judith Kenaan, the last religious to serve as principal, retired in 2009. Anna Watt became the first lay principal that fall, and Robert Munz, the first lay male principal in 2011.

Among its alumni was the late dancer, actor and singer Gene Kelly, who graduated from the school in 1925. The auditorium was rededicated in his honor in 2004.

There are currently 186 students in preschool through the eighth grade. 

The parish also operated St. Raphael High School, which closed in 1973.

Munz spoke of the importance of being able to meet many alumni and get an understanding of the culture that was the foundation of the school.

“It was great hearing their stories and why St. Raphael was special for them,” he said. He noted the number of former pastors who attended the jubilee Mass and how they shared their vision of a positive future for the school.

An additional open house was held Sept. 13 for those who were unable to attend the earlier gathering.

More information on the school is available at www.straphaelelementaryschool.net, or by calling 412-661-0288.