Cathedral School Alumni Association
Our History 1996 to Current
It was in 1995, a Sunday morning get-together the “day after” the wedding of Vivian and Christopher Rennie in the basement of Ricky Rennie’s house. The large gathering definitely felt that formulating the Cathedral School Alumni Association (CSAA) would be a worthwhile enterprise. Cecelia Cooper agreed to chair a committee to host the first ever Alumni Association meeting in the summer of 1996 in Maryland area.
What took place in the community room of a Maryland Park was perhaps our most humble assembly, but in many ways the most exciting. Alumni and former students gathered, sharing memories. J. Fonati Koffa, Esq. was elected the first national president, and the Association was launched.
The very existence of the CSAA today owes much to the selection of Fonati as the president. He was always willing to travel from one location to another to make sure chapters were being formed.
The Association was duly incorporated, the treasury started growing as dues came in, and plans were made to hold the second annual Convention in New York.
When the Cats met in New York in 1997, there was a great air of excitement. At the plenary session, Fonati made what his most significant contribution by announcing the establishment of the Cathedral School Educational Foundation, and Mr. Robert J. Schwarz was named its first chair. A post he still holds today.
In the years that followed, Conventions were held in Atlanta, (1998), Raleigh, (1999), Minnesota, (2000), Maryland/DC/VA (2001) (where we were blessed to have Archbishop Michael Francis join us), New York/New Jersey (2002), Atlanta (2003), Philadelphia (Tri-State) (2004), and Maryland-DC-VA (2005), a celebration of our 10th Anniversary and 25th anniversary of the first graduating high school class from Cathedral.
Fonati Koffa’s, 3-year tenure was followed by the 2-year presidency of El-Tumu Trueh. Since his term of office, Tumu has remained very active in the organization, and we owe the development of our first website development to his tireless efforts.
Tumu was succeeded by Jeremiah Nabwe as President. Jeremiah never hesitated to find his way back East for meetings to advance the Association. Jeremiah was succeeded by Dr. J. Clarence Yaskey. Dr. Yaskey has harnessed technology for his executive meetings, usually held as conference calls, thereby overcoming the geographic constraints of his far-flung board of officers. The current president, Anthony S. Nah, Jr., has appointed several leadership teams: the National Membership Committee, charged with the responsibility of addressing concerns related to recruitment and retention of our members; the revitalization of inactive chapters; the dwindling attendance by younger graduates at our convention and the decline in the timely payment of national dues; the National Membership Outreach Committee, responsible for ensuring that the National Association representation is extended when members are bereaved, and congratulating members when they’ve made accomplishments.
He has restructured the former fundraising committee, as the newly National Fundraising Board, whose additional task is to seek alternative means of raising funds through seeking support from U. S. Corporations and other Catholic Organizations.
As the Cathedral School Alumni Association continues to grow, it is hoped that more and more alumni will form active chapters in their areas and contribute to the betterment of their alma mater. This is a critical time in Liberia’s history, and our investment in the education of today’s youth will help build a better future for the country as a whole. Together, we can enable the next generation to strive forward in the same way.
This special relationship between the Alumni Association and their alma mater has resulted into a well-stocked library, relatively equipped laboratory, a vibrant financial assistance program, sports materials and other enviable and commendable activities.
Cathedral Catholic School
The Historical Perspective
Justice Olive Wendell Holmes wrote, "Historic continuity with the past is not a duty, it is only a necessity”. So we deem it necessary to reflect on the personalities and events that shape the destiny of this our noble institution.
The school we know as Cathedral Catholic School, in spite of all it endured has withstood the test of time to become today the bedrock of the Catholic School System.
Purposely established to offer a good Christian education to all that enter its walls, Cathedral has made many to become mature and complete individuals.
In the business of making many to “recognize their full potentials and limitations in order to cope successfully in life,” it keeps on preparing students to “fit in the society by better making them ready for whatever careers they may choose.”
Above all, she commits her students, indiscriminately, to their fellow men and God. These have been the aims and objectives of this noble institution throughout its brief but influential history.
The Origin
Established, owned, and operated by the Catholic Church of Liberia, Cathedral Catholic School emerged from St Patrick’s School. In 1939, Dr. John Collins (after whom Bishop John Collins Teachers College and Bishop John Collins Clinic, Logan Town are named) established St. Patrick’s School where Cathedral School is now located. Somewhere between 1951 and 1953, St. Patrick’s School was transferred to the Sinker campus occupied by Don Osco Polytechnic.
Meanwhile, the Ashmun Street campus served as and was known as St. Patrick’s Elementary School.
However, after 16 unbroken years of serving as a feeder school for St. Patrick’s High, this school severed the academic umbilical cord and gained her independence under Sr. Juanita and the Bernardino Sisters in 1968.
During their tenure, the school became known as Cathedral School and for the first time in its history enrolled females. Thus it became co-educational. Over time, it was gradually elevated from an elementary to a junior high school.
Regardless of its short history as a junior high school, Cathedral School has reaped the experience of a. succession of renowned administrators. These include Sr. Henry who served from July 1972 to Dec. 1972; Sr. Mary Lauren, January 1973 - July 1973; Sr. Bernardino, August 1973 -Dec. 1976; Sr. Francela, January 1977- Dec. 1977; Sr. Rose Gabriel, Jan. 1978, who met her untimely death in September of that same year.
Remarkably, before she died, she initiated the gradual elevation of this school to the senior high level by adding the tenth grade in 1978.
To complete Sr. Rose Gabriel’s term, Sr. Bernadine administered for the second time the affairs of Cathedral up to the end of 1978.
In 1979, Prof. Stephen Thomas became principal. He served in this capacity up to 1996.
During his tenure, a number of significant developments, both infrastructure and otherwise occurred. These include the construction of the New Building, which presently contains the elementary and junior high sections.
Besides, it was during his tenure that Cathedral became a full-fledged high school and graduated its first students in 1980.
Cathedral Catholic School was left standing during the Liberian civil war, but it was severely looted. All books, furniture, the many trophies won for academic and athletic excellence, and even the electrical wiring and windowpanes were stolen. As a result, the school has had to be refurnished from the ground up.
After the April 6, 1996 war, Mr. Siewon Nagbe, current deputy education secretary of the Catholic Education Secretariat served for a year as principal. At this time, the special ties between the Cathedral Catholic School Alumni Association of North America was duly established.
This relation has yielded unimaginable results during the time of subsequent administrations including Mr. Julius Sekle (1997 – 1999), Prince Andrews (1999 – 2001) and the incumbent Timothy K. Kie.
Cathedral Catholic School houses two sessions per day of students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. Though the school operates as part of the Catholic School System of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, religious faith is not a criterion for attendance. It is open to all students seeking the quality educational experience for which the school has become renowned.