50th Reunion of the Class of 1975 Should be Epic

When Fr. Richard Rinn, C.S.V., celebrates Mass Saturday for the 50th reunion of the classes of 1975 from Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary high schools, it will be a homecoming.

Fr. Rinn attended Saint Viator, commuting daily by train from his home in Crystal Lake, and graduated in 1966. Taught mostly by Viatorians, his teachers made such a profound impact on him that he entered the Viatorian novitiate one month after graduating. He professed his first vows in 1967.

After earning his education degree from Loyola University, Fr. Rinn would return to Saint Viator in 1971 as a teacher in the social studies department. Consequently, he started his first year of teaching with members of the class of 1975. Like his own teachers, Fr. Rinn would make a lasting impact on his students.

“His style was calming and interactive, yet challenging and demanding,” says Gary Zimmerman ’75. “My memory of his classes was that they evoked great passion and interest. A particular memory was his “Election ‘76” class, where we all adopted active U.S. senators and vigorously but respectfully debated the issues of the day.”

Another former student, Lance Griesmaier, also fondly remembered Fr. Rinn. He even asked Fr. Rinn to celebrate his wedding to Lynn Hogan '75, where he remembered his teacher gently encouraging the couple to keep faith at the center of their marriage and family.

“Fr. Rinn embodies the best of the Saint Viator spirit: faith-filled, compassionate, and dedicated to the Viatorian Community,” Griesmaier says. “He was always quick to share his love of history with others; he made learning fun.”

Expect Fr. Rinn to feature his trademark three-part homily when he celebrates Mass in the Alumni Memorial Chapel. He has been a popular homilist wherever he served, most recently at St. Viator Parish in Las Vegas, where he retired last year after 20 years as its pastor.

The milestone reunion has drawn a good number of attendees, committee members say, with 25% of both Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary alumni in attendance. Katy Augustin Lamantia ’75 describes the weekend as “epic,” with separate gatherings Friday night, for alumnae from Sacred Heart gathering in a private room at Armand’s Pizzeria. At the same time, Saint Viator alumni meet at Eddie’s Restaurant, both in Arlington Heights. 

Saturday’s activities begin with a tour of the school, during which guests will see its renovated classrooms, Burk’s Place wellness bar and chapel, as well as the building additions and air conditioning.

Dinner includes a string quartet playing during the opening reception and dinner, generously donated by a class member, with a band playing hits of the ‘70s after dinner, reflecting their days attending sock hops together in the former Red Lion Room.

However, a highlight of the reunion will be gathering together at Mass, with members of both classes noting that it was the presence of the religious at their schools that left a lasting impact.

At Sacred Heart of Mary, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, who had founded the school in 1961, would leave in 1972, turning the school over to the Archdiocese of Chicago. Consequently, they were there for only one year for members of the Class of 1975, but their time was memorable.

“The nuns were liberated women in my eyes, along with the mostly female staff,” says Peggy O’Grady Leetzow ’75. “I think what we all learned from them was to aspire to be strong and independent like they were. I loved my time at Sacred Heart and always remember high school fondly.”

Augustin agrees, adding that even after the sisters left, the culture they established at the all-girls school remained.

“Care, concern, support -- all of these things were offered unconditionally, and I needed them junior year when my parents divorced,” Augustin says. “From Sally Griffith to my chemistry teacher to Jim Marx; I got a lot of support, went to college, and pursued a great career as a high school teacher and administrator.”

After working for months to organize the milestone reunion, committee members are pleased with the more than 100 people who will be in attendance on Saturday, coming from 23 states, as well as former faculty from both schools. Guests coming from Sacred Heart include Judy Wapach Amberg, Jim Lee, Pat Philbin, and Liz Myers. Representing Saint Viator will be Fr. Rinn, Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, Pete Tantillo, and Pat Mahoney, the former dean of men.

“I’m thrilled with so many people coming,” Augustin says. “I am hoping that our reunion will bring people back to witness the greatness of Sacred Heart and Saint Viator.”