Page 5 - 2019 CMH Student Planner

COMMUNITY:
• Accepting that “catholic” means “universal”, as a Catholic faith community we take seriously our
responsibility to be welcoming and hospitable to all, especially those new to Catholic Memorial.
• Employees and students are invited and encouraged, in the light of Catholic social teaching, to show
compassion and respect to all persons regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status or religion.
• All clubs, extracurricular activities, and events open to the public are opportunities for members of
the Catholic Memorial community to proudly witness to their Catholic faith and to demonstrate in
Omnibus (Charity in All Things).
• Retreats on all levels are designed to build up and nurture our relationship with God and with others:
students, faculty, and staff.
SERVICE:
• Service opportunities are built around identified needs to assist others within this school community,
at the students’ home parishes, in the local community, and on a national and global level.
• All school prayer services, daily morning and afternoon prayers, and classroom/team and activity
prayers, consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church on social justice and respect for the
dignity of the person, are implemented throughout the school year.
• As members of this school faith community, we are challenged to live out on a daily basis our Catholic
Memorial motto, Caritas in Omnibus (Charity in All Things).
HISTORY
Catholic Memorial High School was founded out of the dream of visionaries in the Waukesha County
area. In the early 1920’s, the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish raised a fund of $10,000 for a future
high school. Their goal of providing a high-quality Catholic education for the area’s youth remained
strong and unwavering. Not even the Great Depression could shake the determination of this dedicated
group. Even as businesses failed and individual livelihoods were threatened, dollars were put away to
invest in this dream.
This fervent hope became reality in 1949 when CMH opened its doors as a parochial school for St.
Joseph Parish in Waukesha. Ninety-seven freshmen started attending classes in September of that
year. The school was named in gratitude as a memorial to the twenty-three young men of St. Joseph’s
who gave their lives for their country in World War II. Later, the dedication of the school was extended
to include all graduates of Catholic Memorial who have died in service to their country. When the doors
of the school opened, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc were here and opened
their hearts to our community. For more than fifty years, CMH relied on their constant service, their
tremendous presence, and their considerable care. The Sisters left CMH in June of 2002.
The growth and vitality of CMH soon resulted in the school’s serving as the first home of a new parish
in Waukesha, St. Mary’s. The parish even held its first Masses at CMH. During the first ten years of its
existence, enrollment at CMH grew to more than 500 (the stated capacity of the original building). In
1959 it became an Archdiocesan Catholic high school for the parishes of Waukesha County. An addition
was completed for use beginning in September 1961 which included more classrooms, a cafeteria, and
the first gym. Six years later, the chapel, library, and theater were added. These two projects spoke to
all of the needs of the developing student: spiritual, academic, physical, and social. Phase I of another
addition was completed in 1991. This new wing at the southwest corner of the building houses science,
art, math, and foreign language facilities. In 1993, a gift from a will made by Stephen Weber more than
40 years earlier was given to the school. This gift remains the school’s largest donation. Subsequently,
the original 1961 gym was named to honor Stephen’s mother, Julia Weber. Phase II was started in
1997 and was completed in 1998. This included the new INPRO ATHLETIC CENTER, named after the
company of a generous donor. This phase also included needed repairs on the original building, two
new computer labs, and a renovated theater. During this effort, the theater’s stage was named “The
Grasch Family Stage,” in gratitude for a generous gift.
Throughout its history, the school’s mission of educating the whole person has remained constant
and unshakable. CMH provides young people with an academically strong education, a firm Catholic
foundation, and an awareness of their own self-worth and that of others.

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