Central Catholic’s 50th Advent Pilgrimage to Rosary Cathedral Scheduled for Dec. 19
On Tuesday, December 19, Central Catholic will hold its 50th Advent Pilgrimage to Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral to celebrate Mass. This tradition began in 1973 and is an opportunity for the entire Irish family to come together in a most sacred place as we prepare for Christmas.
To mark this important anniversary, Central Catholic invites alumni to walk along with our students and staff from the school to the church, and/or to attend Mass with the Central Catholic community.
We would love to get at least 50 people from Class of 1974 to join us this year, since they were the class that started this tradition. The classes of 1975, 1976, and 1977 were a part of the first pilgrimage as well, and we would like to see members from those classes join us this year. Central Catholic’s goal is to get as many alumni and previous faculty and staff as possible to participate in this year’s pilgrimage. It would be an amazing statement to have at least one representative attend from each class since 1974!
“The first pilgrimage was a wonderful way to bring the student body and staff together during a turbulent period for the school and society,” Mark Tooman ’74 recalled. “It was a reminder of our long heritage as a coed Catholic school and the importance our faith played in coming together as one in preparation for Christmas and the new year ahead. It's great that this event has become a 50-year tradition, and I'm proud that the Class of ’74 was able to lead the first procession to the Cathedral."
“Fifty years ago, we started a tradition by walking to the Cathedral for Mass from Central Catholic,” said Dennis Seibert ’74, former class president. “Since then, we join in when we can to make that same walk from our alma mater, and it sure brings back great memories and a sense of pride. I am proud to be a CCHS graduate!”
“Over the last 50 years, the Class of ’74 has experienced many great accomplishments along with some challenges,” said Timothy Pedro ’74, former student council president. “However, one thing that continues is the friendship that still exists today with our classmates. So let’s all plan to walk to Rosary Cathedral from Central Catholic High School on December 19 as we did back in 1973. Remember, just like Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon, our class BLAZED the trail with the Christmas pilgrimage to the Cathedral. Go Irish!”
The Advent Pilgrimage was started by the Class of 1974, who were seniors when the tradition began in December 1973, as a way to show our connection with the local neighborhood and the City of Toledo. The walk from CCHS to Rosary Cathedral for Mass has been a tradition for 50 years, and it expresses Central Catholic's commitment to our Catholic faith and local community.
On December 19, our pilgrimage will begin on the front sidewalk of the school at 11:30 a.m. The procession will be led by administrators and student leaders across Cherry Street, down Rosalind Place to Melrose Avenue, and then to Rosary Cathedral at 2535 Collingwood Blvd. Please join us in our procession and help us pack the Cathedral with Irish Spirit!
