MCAF HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & MIXER
WHEN: |
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December 17, 2011 | 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. |
WHERE: |
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at the home of Kenny (76) & Helen Martin
3714 Northland Drive, Los Angeles, California
mapquest |
ATTIRE: |
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Casual Dressy Attire / BYOB
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The purpose of this gathering is two fold in that we first seek to “rekindle fellowship amongst graduates”. In doing so you will have an opportunity to speak with current MCAF President Richard Montieh “76” as well as other foundation members concerning the group’s activities in recent years. Our mission is clear:
“Continuing the Carmelite Heritage of commitment to sustaining the spiritual, emotional, and psychological development of students in the nurturing environment of Catholic grammar and high schools through our fundraising, mentoring and college placement assistance for these future role models in the greater Los Angeles community.”
MCAF FIELD DEDICATION A HUGE SUCCESS
DEDICATION PROGRAM | DEDICATION PHOTOS | ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Approximately 300 guests showed up on Saturday, October 15, 2011 for the dedication of the Alexander-McKeever Field located on the site of the once famous Mt. Carmel High School. The day’s activities began with a 9 AM Mass at adjacent St. Raphael’s Church. The main celebrant was Fr. Gus Carter, O’Carm. ’41 who
was also a former principal at Mt. Carmel High
School and Crespi Carmelite High School in
Encino. Assisting Fr. Gus with the con-celebration
were Monsignor Al Koppes, O’Carm., Fr. Tracy
O’Sullivan, O’Carm., St. Raphael’s pastor, Fr.
William Muller, S.J., President of Verbum Dei
High School and Fr. Paul Henson, O’Carm.
Principal of Crespi Carmelite High School.
Several members of the Mount Carmel Glee
Club reunited to perform during Mass and at the
dedication ceremony. The Crusaders’ first Glee
Club director was world famous Roger Wagner.
The bar was always set high and fearless Lance
Williams, PhD ’65, stepped to the front to direct
members that had not sung together in nearly 50
years. Those in attendance were amazed by their
ability to still harmonize so beautifully. There
were a few tears observed during the singing of
the Alma Mater.
The Field today is part of the Mount Carmel
Recreation Center at 70th and Hoover St. in
South-Central. The Los Angeles Department of
Recreation and Parks’ Superintendent of the Pacific
Region, Mark Mariscal, was the dedication’s
Master of Ceremony. Marisal said it was an easy
decision to allow the field to be named in honor of
the three former Mt. Carmel teammates. Kermit
Alexander’59 and Mike & Marlin McKeever ‘57
were later named All-Americans at UCLA &
USC. The LADRP felt that the three men would serve as perpetual positive role-models for young
athletes in the old neighborhood, demonstrating
that they too can achieve great things with hard
work and a good education.
Bernard Parks, Los Angeles City Council member
from the Eighth District, a St. John Vianany High
School graduate, talked about the positive impact
Catholic school graduates from inner-city Catholic
schools have had on the growth and development
of the city of Los Angeles. The Mount Carmel
name survives and the field will serve as an
historical landmark and reminder of the Carmelite
legacy in the community. Event Chairman John
Young ’67 made naming the field possible.
When the former Detroit Tiger played his first
big league game it was in Yankee Stadium, the
founder of MLB/RBI (Reviving Baseball in the
Inner-city) shared that he recalled on that day
where it all started for him. During a gym class
on that little field his classmate Chuck Stone ’67
watched him hit a softball over the fence and
encouraged him to try out for the baseball team.
Young, Stone and Bob Zamora ’64 would win
a national championship together at Chapman
University in 1968. The three Crusaders would
eventually sign professional baseball contracts.
John has spent the last 25 years coaching,
mentoring and counseling young athletes in RBI.
He is also a board member of the Mount Carmel
Alumni Foundation, the education based 501c3
that supports inner-city Catholic schools and their
students in a variety of ways.
The MCAF co-sponsored the event with the
LADRP and during his speech Young proclaimed
that from this day forward The Alexander-
McKeever Field is hallowed ground.
MONTHLY CRUSADER LUNCH GROUP
Announcing the newly formed Crusader Lunch Group meeting the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. beginning February 8, 2011. Come join us, no reservations required. Individual menus and checks provided. Contact Jim Haire at 310.541.3688 for inquiries.
LOCATION:
The San Franciscan Restaurant
2520 W. Sepulveda Blvd.
Torrance, CA
310.325.5231
NOTE: This is in addition to the Mt. Carmel Class of 1948 Annual Christmas Luncheon which is held in December of each year since 1980.
