St. Vincent de Paul School celebrates golden jubilee

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester (far left), Father John Norman, pastor, John and Jean Henkels, and their son Larry Henkels, all former school parents, process into the anniversary Mass with the school banner. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — The Saint Vincent de Paul School community kicked off its 50th year with a Founder’s Day Mass Sept. 26 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

The Mass was concelebrated by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, and Father John Norman, pastor.

"I’m excited we are celebrating 50 years at St. Vincent School," said Mark Longe, principal. "The Presentation Sisters who came to the school in 1965 left a great heritage and legacy, and those that came before me really made the foundation strong academically and spiritually. When you ask people what they like about the school, it tends to be the community and the genuine relationships they form here among families and the children. A lot of these children form life-long friendships."

A 1981 St. Vincent de Paul School graduate and parent Gina Trentman Williford feels a close sense of community at the school "that can’t be found elsewhere," she said. "When we send our children off to school we are sending them to their extended family. It is here that I remember receiving an excellent faith-based education, and it is here that I remember learning self-respect, acceptance of others and empathy. ... and this is where we wanted to send our kids."

In his homily, Bishop Wester talked about how St. Vincent de Paul, the school’s patron saint, cared about and took pity on people, especially the poor, which "is a beautiful expression of what it means to be a human being," he said. "Jesus made us in such a way as to care for one another. ... I’m very grateful to all of you for being wonderful examples of the charism of St. Vincent de Paul."

In 1963 Louise Best realized a need for a Catholic school in the area and approached Father Mark Benvegnu, then pastor, of the parish when it was located on Wasatch Street in Murray. At the time she was teaching third grade at Bishop Glass School in Salt Lake City.

The school started with 64 kindergarten students and a class was added each subsequent year until it served grades K-8, said Best.

Best is amazed to see how the school has grown. "I get weepy when I see what they are doing and how the school has progressed," Best said. "It’s wonderful to see the graduates become so successful."

One such graduate is Patrick Lambert, principal of Saint Joseph Catholic High School. "He was actually a bit of a spitfire when he was here, but stayed out of trouble for the most part," said his mother, Cathy Lambert. "The nuns thought my husband and I were overly strict because we were worried about his future and they adored him and would protect him, which is so contrary to what people feel about nuns; they just had unconditional love."

Scott Larrabee, St. Vincent de Paul band and choir director, composed the Founder’s Day song "Jubilee," which the students performed during the Mass.

"The music came to me immediately," Larrabee said. "Jubilee is such a great word. I woke up one morning and knew exactly what the tune was, and jotted it down, but the words were a bit more of a struggle. I used the last few psalms of the Bible; Psalm 148 is one that I’ve always liked, and certain other phrases fit like a glove."

The anniversary celebration will continue on April 26, when the school will host a gala event featuring former teachers, alumni and some Presentation sisters, who arrived at the school in 1965 and left in 1994.

"We are inviting alumni to come back to tour the school throughout the year," said Carol Barman, St. Vincent de Paul advancement director.