The long-awaited celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Bishop McDevitt High School has begun!

As a prelude to the sacred liturgy, which marked the official beginning of the anniversary celebrations throughout the year and the opening of the 2007-2008 school year, there were various ceremonials to remind all in the school community of the importance of this special occasion.  There was a trumpet blast, which in biblical history was always symbolic of the opening of a jubilee or a great feast especially in the Hebrew scriptures!  After the blast of the trumpet, memorabilia from the school, the official banner with the school's motto, and a portrait of our patron, Bishop Philip McDevitt were presented amidst the assembly.  The ceremonials ended with the singing of our school's Alma Mater!

Following the ceremonials, the servers of the liturgy led the procession of the ministers of the liturgy, the assisting clergy, and the celebrant of the liturgy, Bishop Joseph R. Cistone, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  We were so grateful to have Bishop Cistone celebrate the liturgy for us.  His presence and his words were inspiring.  They led us to focus on catholic education, catholic identity and the meaning of our jubilee year and celebrations.  The clergy who assisted at the liturgy were friends, alumni, former teachers, and former administrators. Our school minister, Father Albert Santorsola was present along with our religion department chair, Father William Chiriaco.  Father Santorsola created the program for the event and assisted Miss Lisa Ford, our Assistant Principal for Student Affairs and our Principal, Mrs. Rosemary Naab, in the set-up and organization for the day.  Father Chiriaco was also the Master of Ceremonies for the liturgy.  The very talented, Mr. James Hogan, an upperclassman, was the leader of song for the liturgy. Other alumni, both representative of religious life and the laity were present and assisted.   Also present were the wonderful administration, faculty, staff and students of Bishop McDevitt High School who give the school it's life and vitality.

After the liturgy, Bishop Cistone blessed the new art room located on the ground floor of the building.  Sister Mary Boyer, S.S.J., faculty and art department chair, who also designed the cover artwork for the mass program and the official banner, was present at the blessing with a representative group of art students. Our President, Dr. Salvatore DiNenna, our Principal, Mrs. Rosemary Naab, administrators, alumni, faculty and students also attended.  After the ceremonials and the liturgy were completed, Bishop McDevitt High School hosted a special luncheon for our special guests.  It was a wonderful opening celebration!  We ask God to continue to bless our school community. 

May this Jubilee Year continue to be a joyous occasion which not only celebrates Bishop McDevitt's 50 years of excellence, but also our Catholic faith, our Catholic identity and our commitment to Catholic Education!

Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. ’45 has had a long and successful career in higher education. He has served as President of Catholic University (1982-92) and the University of Scranton (1975-82). In addition, he was Dean of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University of New Orleans, a Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Ethics at Georgetown University and a research professor at the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola College in Maryland.

In addition to his academic work, Fr. Byron is also a prolific writer. He pens a bi-weekly column (“Looking Around”) for the Catholic News Service and has written several books including Toward Stewardship, Quadrangle Considerations, Take Your Diploma and Run!, Finding Work Without Losing Heart, The 365 Days of Christmas, Answers From Within: Spiritual Guidelines for Managing Setbacks in Work and Life and Jesuit Saturdays: Sharing the Ignatian Spirit with Lay Colleagues and Friends. He also edited The Causes of World Hunger and Take Courage: Psalms of Support and Encouragement.

Fr. Byron is a past trustee of Georgetown University and the University of San Francisco and currently sitson the board of Georgetown University Hospital, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Washington Jesuit Academy and Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. He was a founding director and past chairman of Bread for the World, a public member of the Board of Commissioners of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and an original member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Commission on National and Community Service (now the Corporation for National Service). He holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Maryland, two theology degrees from Woodstock College and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s in economics from Saint Louis University. Fr. Byron was the 1999 recipient of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities’ Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for his contributions over the years to the advancement of Catholic higher education. In that same year, he received the Council of Independent Colleges’ Academic Leadership Award. He is also the recipient of 25 honorary degrees.

A native of Pittsburgh, Fr. Byron grew up in Philadelphia where he attended St. Joseph’s Prep, lettering in football and crew.   After service in the Army’s 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in 1945-46, he attended Saint Joseph’s University for three years before entering the Jesuit order in 1950. He was ordained a priest in 1961. 

He is currently the President of St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia.

Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist Tracy Davidson anchors the NBC 10 News program ‘All That and More.’ This hour-long news block airs weekdays at 4PM, and delivers comprehensive consumer reports and health news. Throughout the years, Davidson has informed consumers about scams and dangerous products, and she has hosted numerous successful ‘Shredder’ events throughout Greater Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, South Jersey and Delaware. These events made it possible for several thousand consumers to safely dispose of their personal and confidential documents in the NBC 10 Shredder Trucks.

Davidson joined WCAU in March 1996 after spending nearly ten years anchoring and reporting for CBS affiliate, WTVH, in Syracuse, New York. In addition to her television experience, she has a very extensive background in radio. From 1981-1986, she worked for several New York radio stations.

Davidson has earned several prestigious awards for her work in broadcasting; The Philadelphia Business Journal and the National Association of Women Business Owners honored her with “The Woman of Distinction” award in 2004, Women in Communications named her the 1995 “Communicator of the Year,” and in1992, her dedication to community service to women and children of Vera House, a battered women's shelter, earned her the Sister Mary Vera Award.

Davidson has served on the Board of Directors for CORA, an organization serving families in Northeast Philadelphia, and on an advisory board for Laurel House, a domestic violence shelter in Norristown. In 2004, Davidson was honored by Laurel House for her work and continued support of the non-profit organization. She has served as the Honorary Chair of the March of Dimes' Walk America for several years. In addition, she is a member of St. Matthias Church in Bala Cynwyd, PA where she serves as a Minister of Holy Communion. In 2006, she also trained and supported participants for the Breast Cancer 3-Day 60-mile walk.

Born in Oil City, located in Western Pennsylvania, Davidson attended the State University of New York at Geneseo. She is currently attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA where she is working toward a degree in Theology.

She and her husband reside in the Philadelphia suburbs.