As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we all have so many reasons to be thankful. In spite of the many difficulties we face, we can see God's gifts all around us: the love of family and friends, the stark beauty of nature in late autumn, good physical and mental health, and our faith in the mercy and goodness of our Lord. As we gather to celebrate this Thanksgiving, may we truly give thanks for all that we have and ask for God's continued blessings. Saint Joseph High School is thankful for the support of its alumni in fulfilling our mission of transforming students in heart and mind, preparing them to serve God, the Church and the world. Know that the intentions of all alumni are remembered in each edition of the Saint Joe Prayer Corner. We wish you a happy Thanksgiving and a prayerful Advent season.

This is a full issue of Alumni Soundings with numerous accounts of alumni achievements and current campus activities. I hope you enjoy it.  

Henry Chandler, '67

Alumni Coordinator

We are excited to feature Cat Swick '17 in this issue of Alumni Soundings!

Cat shared her journey from being homeschooled and attending Holy Cross for middle school to becoming both a Saint Joe alumna and now a faculty member. She chose Saint Joe because it was a family tradition; she was the sixth Swick to enroll and she fondly remembers how easy it was to get involved in different activities while still feeling connected to each community, whether through soccer, choir, campus ministry, or musicals. After graduation, Cat earned her B.A. in English from Holy Cross College and her M.Ed. from the University of Notre Dame. Though she never envisioned returning as a teacher, she felt Saint Joe was the perfect place to resume classroom teaching after working in higher education. She notes that the student body has become more diverse since her time as a student, something she celebrates as a positive change. Her advice for current Saint Joe seniors is to embrace uncertainty: “There is no one right answer, and you most certainly do not need to have everything figured out by the time you're 18 (or even 26!). Just be open to trying new things, and see what happens.”

We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2025-26 Fund for Saint Joseph! We are dedicated to the mission of making excellent Catholic education accessible – families like you make dreams possible for generations of Saint Joe students. You Light the Way.

At Saint Joseph High School, we believe each student is created by God with unique gifts waiting to be discovered and shared. Inspired by the words of Psalm 119, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” we strive to guide students along a journey of faith and discovery. Through the dedication of our teachers, the encouragement of families, and the strength of our Saint Joe community, students grow in wisdom and confidence, seeking purpose and living with integrity and compassion.

When God calls, we answer. Will you answer His call to light the way for Saint Joe? By supplementing tuition revenue, your support of the Fund for Saint Joseph provides the flexibility to strengthen academic and co-curricular programs, maintain our facilities, and respond to emerging needs.

Each year, our students, families, and staff come together for the annual H.O.P.E. Thanksgiving Food Drive, a cherished Saint Joe tradition that provides meals and support to local families in need during the holiday season.

This year’s effort has grown tremendously, more than doubling the number of families sponsored and raising over $22,000 more than last year. The outpouring of generosity reflects the spirit of compassion and community that defines Saint Joe.

On Sunday, November 24, students will gather for Mass at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel, followed by pizza, Christmas music, and the packing of food boxes, complete with handmade cards for each family. It’s a heartwarming day of faith, service, and fellowship as our students live out the call to serve others. Families will then pick up their food boxes later in the week, ensuring a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving for many throughout our community.

Carson Legault '21 officially joined B Shift with the South Bend Fire Department! After months of rigorous training and preparation, he’s now serving the community as part of Engine 10. We’re proud of Carson’s dedication, service, and commitment to keeping our city safe.

Pictured from left to right front row: Dennis Jordan ‘74, Pat Delahanty’73, Ralph Deranek ‘73, Frank Johnson ‘75, Al “Buddy” Kirsits ‘73, Jim Gadacz ‘73 and back row: Wendell Walsh ‘73, Mike Ladewski ‘73 and Ron Hecklinski ‘74.

The November 6 Alumni Memorial Mass was celebrated by Saint Joe Chaplain Father Noah Junge and remembered Saint Joe alumni and faculty and staff who had passed away since the last Memorial Mass in June. Among the attendees was a large group of friends and teammates of recently deceased alum Dave Kuzmicz '73. 

Sean McFadden '15 and his wife, Keenan White McFadden '15 are bringing new life to a piece of South Bend and Notre Dame history as they restore the former home of legendary football coach Knute Rockne. The Rockne family lived in the house from 1920 to 1929, and while it was later moved from Saint Vincent Street to Foster Street, the McFaddens have made it their mission to preserve its historic charm. Their restoration carefully maintains original 1920s features, including Rockne’s old closet, now repurposed for their nursery. Neighbors have praised the couple’s dedication, noting how their investment helps preserve the character of the neighborhood in an area increasingly filled with short-term rentals. The project beautifully blends local history and family life, reflecting the McFaddens’ commitment to honoring South Bend’s storied past while creating new memories for the future.

Upcoming Reunions

Classmates interested in organizing a class reunion may contact the Alumni Office at (574) 233-6137, ext. 547, or email Alumni Coordinator Henry Chandler at hchandler@saintjoehigh.com​​​​​​​ to get started.

Class of 1971 

55 Year Reunion – July 18, 2026

Contact Mira Gasko at miragasko@att.net or 574-292-5847 for more information.

Class of 1976 

50 Year Reunion – August 8, 2026

Contact Donna O'Hara at dmo102257@comcast.net for more information.

Elena B. Roper ’13 is making her mark in the legal field as an associate in the Chicago office of Jackson Lewis P.C., where she is part of the employment litigation practice group. She regularly defends clients in disputes before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, and advises on a wide range of employment matters, including workplace investigations, compliance, personnel policies, and employee discipline. Elena’s passion for labor and employment law began during law school with an externship at the Department of Labor’s Chicago office and has continued as she supports businesses, healthcare organizations, universities, and local governments. Before joining Jackson Lewis, she gained experience at a boutique law firm specializing in local government and school law. During law school, Elena also served as a Managing Editor for the Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality and as third-year representative to the Student Bar Association.

Growing up in South Bend, Chris Everett ’69 was deeply influenced by the Brothers of Holy Cross, both through his family’s ties to Christ the King Parish and his education at Saint Joseph High School. His brother, Brother James Everett, CSC, a 1952 South Bend Central Catholic grad, played a key role in shaping his faith and career. After college, Chris pursued a successful career in market research, founding The Kensington Group in Indianapolis. Together with his wife Debbie, he has supported the work of the Brothers and various faith-based organizations for decades. Reflecting on his journey, Chris credits the Brothers for inspiring his values and encourages others to support their ongoing mission through faith and service.

The Saint Joe Theatre Program recently wrapped up its fall play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, performed at Washington Hall on the University of Notre Dame’s campus. Led by Saint Joe Theatre stalwarts Samuel Mark and Anna Pruitt as John and Elizabeth Proctor, along with newcomer Megan Barnes as Abigail Williams, the cast delivered outstanding performances across the board.



Over 60 students were involved across the cast and crew, showcasing their remarkable talent and dedication. They performed to packed houses of more than 200 attendees on both Thursday and Friday nights, earning well-deserved praise for their exceptional work.

Hosted by WSBT’s Pete Byrne, this past weekend’s Trivia Night, benefitting athletics and extracurricular programs, was a smashing success. There were nearly 300 people packed into the Alumni Gym for a fun night of obscure facts and community building. The Saint Joe Quiz Bowl team, led by teacher Mr. Dillon, were the stars of the night, having devised the questions that left participants in the room stumped. Thanks to all who attended – we hope to see you back next year!

Another successful Open House! On Sunday, November 2, we welcomed more than 185 students through our doors and shared the very best of what makes Saint Joe so special. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day a great success!

Saint Joseph High School

Athletics Update

The Throwback Throwdown will be a first of its kind in Alumni Gym at South Bend Saint Joe. On November 29 at 5:00 p.m., come join your State Champs in a display of skill, competition, and some friendly alumni vs. alumni basketball. The evening will consist of a dunk contest, a skill competition, and an alumni versus alumni game, coached by your current Huskies Basketball team. We are asking all alumni to come out and join us, even if you don’t intend to play. There will be Barnaby’s pizza for purchase, as well as full concessions, just in case your Thanksgiving leftovers have run out by then. Alumni admission is free, as long as you RSVP by November 26. Family, friends, and community members who want to come watch can purchase tickets for $5. Please RSVP to Dani Gaff via email dgaff@saintjoehigh.com or text (909) 522-7980 with your name, graduating year, and if you intend to play in the alumni game. 

Members of the Boys Basketball program, currently ranked 24th in the nation by MaxPreps, had the opportunity to meet with basketball legend and 1972 Saint Joe graduate, Tom Abernethy. He shared an important message with our players—on and off the court, the most important thing is to keep Christ at the center of their lives.

If you or an alumnus you know is not receiving communications from Saint Joseph High School — we can fix that! We want to make sure everyone receives this monthly newsletter, Focus magazine, and any other news. Please contact Alumni Coordinator Henry Chandler to receive communications.