What do CM’s past and present share? The values and traditions that span generations of students imbuing them with the gifts of friendship, school pride, and faith.
As a Christian Brothers school, Catholic Memorial subscribes to the Church’s belief that seven elements are essential to a religious life. But these elements can also be translated to a good life or a good school life which are fulfilling and fortifying. Some of the elements speak to standing in solidarity with those marginalized by poverty and injustice, fostering and invigorating a community of faith, celebrating the value and dignity of each person, and the big one which is almost the unofficial battle cry of CM, pursuing excellence in all endeavors. These same values were established in 1957 when Catholic Memorial first opened it’s doors to the first class of 225 boys. While students have changed, they are not unlike those who came before them in their goal of becoming men of faith and character who excel in academics, arts, athletics, and campus ministry. What follows is a now-and-then comparison showing these values represented in images of the past contrasted with images of today reminding us that these essential elements endure through school traditions and faithful instruction.
“When I was a student here, giving back was important to what it meant to be a CM Knight, which we reiterate with the themes of caring for our neighbors. Having led the walk and now sharing that tradition with our middle school students who are new to the community, it’s important they get that because that’s our mission. It’s also important because the Sea of Red is so famous and a huge part of the community. For a seventh grader to join that small community within the greater CM community is a good way for them to understand those values.” — CM Middle School Vice Principal Michael Dermody '06 on the importance of new traditions such as “Making Strides,” our annual charity walk to support the American Cancer Society's fight against breast cancer, which teaches students the value of standing with those in need of help
“A decision was made over a decade ago that being a captain meant that you were going to be a co-coach, and you were responsible for the progression of this program. The captains have made it their business to continue the legacy and are very tied to making sure that excellence doesn’t die on their graduation day. They have taken an interest in how things are going. It’s why we have so many alumni, some remote, in California helping us out. They realize what being able to speak well has done for them in college, business, and beyond.” — Speech and Debate Team Head Coach Br. Anthony Cavet on the traditions and values that have led to the team's success.
CM English teacher Ellen Eberly P'99, '05 on the traditions and values of the middle school
"These traditions create community and a strong sense of family. They identify what behaviors and attitudes we highly value. Some of our traditions help us create fond and funny memories. Other memories help us celebrate important moments in our lives as a grade level and as a school and as a Christian community.”
MATTHEW ST. MARTIN ’24 ON THE BASKETBALL TEAM’S VALUES AND TRADITIONS
| “For me, I think our traditions extend to carrying out the legacy people have left. One of the things we talk about is playing for the name on our jerseys because we don’t have our names on them, only Catholic Memorial.” | “That’s something our coaches like my dad (Dave St. Martin ’91), and Brandon Twitty ’16 tell us because they’ve experienced it. We play fast-paced basketball, but they understand that we can mold ourselves and our game while maintaining CM values and a sense of tradition.” |
My two brothers went here and were peer ministers and Kairos leaders. By watching the amount of time they dedicated to service, it conveyed to me the values of giving back and helping others. Seeing the work they put into their service inspired me to give back in my own way by being a peer minister and Kairos leader like them, and also a Eucharistic Minister. We may have done things differently, but we all share CM’s values of faith and service.” — Eoin Mcgurran '24
“The values of CM changed the person I am today. As someone who came from a public school, a Catholic school was a new experience for me.
Entering Donahue Hall as a seventh grader, I never expected to be so accepted as a person straight off the bat and loved in a way that I never was before. Since arriving, I’ve admired people who joined peer ministry and acted as role models for younger students. I never thought I had those qualifications, but now, being able to join that group is important to me because it allows me to teach our values to those middle school students who are in the position that was in.” — WES CHERY ‘26