A Heartfelt Story about Steve Prendergast, By Joe Behe

We've been going back over 50 years to remember classmates and what it was like as teenagers in Bishop McDevitt High School.  And then, in present day, we are getting to know classmates like we could not have known them then.

Planning for the Bishop McDevitt Class of 67's 50th Year Reunion has been quite an inspirational and enlightening experience.  Some classmates I have not seen in 50 years, many I knew then, and many I did not know in the class of 400.  I have been impacted in viewing and updating the list of classmates no longer with us, from the very first one, Harry Beech who died in 1969 while serving in Viet Nam, and the most recent Joyce Donato Zeiger, who passed this month on September 5.

Joe Behee

In connecting with classmates, I discovered that there are great stories to be told, memories we have of ourselves and our classmates; stories that reveal the true heart of individuals; stories that tell what was and is inside our heads that we did not directly reveal then, may have even hidden from public view, and still may be hidden; stories that tell what we did not know about classmates then, but are learning about them now, a half century later.  I have come upon one such story that needs to be shared with our classmates and beyond.  It's from Joe Behe, who now lives in Ireland.  It's about Steve Prendergast.  I have permission from Joe to publish it, so here it is in Joe's words as sent to me by email.

I title this story . . . . 

"My Soft-Spoken Friend, Steve, Had Steel "

Dear Jim (aka 'Bear')

These are my recollections of Steve Prendergast, our classmate.  I am an old man now so I beg you forgive vagaries of memory and grammar.

Steve Prendergast was a quiet, modest, unassuming friend and classmate of mine, a member of our Bishop McDevitt graduating class of 1967; and thereafter, a long-welcomed acquaintance of my own family.  I cannot recall Steve ever raising his voice in anger or excitement.  He was simply 'there', a soft voice when one was needed if only to tamp-down the teenage excesses to which some of his fellow classmates (myself included) were occasionally inclined during the unsettled and boisterous mid-1960s. 

Quiet, Steve, might have passed unnoticed on our adolescent radar screens for four years; however, there was one occasion when he flashed across the night sky in a defiant flare-up at (of all people) the late Larry Bekelja, who ran our Phys Ed class with all the grim determination and intensity one would expect from the motivated football coach Mr. Bekelja was.  

Steve did not play football.

I happened to have Phys Ed classes one year with Steve; likely it was 1965.  One afternoon we reported to Tracy Hall for our Phys Ed class and noticed several thick hemp ropes lashed to the ceiling and trailing down to the hardwood gym floor.  The floor beneath each rope was covered with a thin foam wrestling mat, the same mats we used for running and 'tumbling' over one another the previous week and which resulted in more student casualties than General Sherman wreaked at the Battle of Atlanta. 

Mr. Bekelja blew the ever present whistle hung round his neck and informed all of us in no uncertain terms that we were going to climb up and down one of those ropes before we left.  There were 30-35 in the class.  Informed of the drill, most (myself included) huddled up in a mass not wanting to be first called.

Not to be outmaneuvered, Mr. Bekelja came over to the mostly cowed crowd and touched each on the shoulder pronouncing "Group 1; Group 2; Group 3; now break-up in three groups and stand behind one of the three ropes."

I recall that my line included, (the late) John Murphy, (the late) Melvin Quintana, myself, and Steve Prendergast, who would be first up to face the rope.

Glancing sidelong, we could not help but see the struggles, slips, falls, and hear the rope-burn wailing coming from the other 'rope a dopes' who had already begun their ascent.

Steve stood silently watching the others.  A whistle blew.  'Prendergast!  Get up that rope!  You're not leaving here 'till you do.'

The answer came whispering back from Steve: "No, Coach."  Steve repeated ever so slightly louder: "No, Coach."

The Coach was not at all pleased.

Even the threat of detention did not dissuade Steve from his decision.  He would not climb the rope.  Asked for a show of hands as to how many others joined Steve in his refusal, several went up and all were excused.   

I don't know if anyone ever served detention for the defiance.  Time allotted for that Phys Ed period ran out (thanks to Steve) before I ever faced the rope and had to decide. 

Common sense and character are rare now so more than ever, but my soft-spoken friend, Steve, had the steel for it over 50 years ago.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord!

Joe Behe, Jr.

Class of 1967

So, what do you think?  Is that not a geat story that speaks about the hearts of two classmates, that tells us something about who they were then and who they are now?  And yet, most of us really don't want to share personal experiences and feelings.  They stay hidden behind a face, a high school picture, or a present day portrait.  I encourage you to open up some and let people inside your life, what goes on in your head, what you are like.  You might be surprised how rewarding that can be to you and to others around you.  

Everyone has a great story to tell about themselves and and others around them. Let's hear yours.

Steve Prendergast's obituary was posted here previously.  

https://bishopmcdevittclass1967.blogspot.com/2017/09/remembering-stephen-paul-prendergast.html

Posted by:

James Eugene Barbush

2021 Blue Mountain Parkway
Harrisburg, PA  17112
(717) 514-5549
JamesEBarbush@GMail.com
The Shepherd's Voice

BISHOP McDEVITT MEMORABILIA

A Family Bible Went To School

By Jim Barbush

I want to tell you about our Family Bible, one that I used in junior high school and senior high school.  This Bible is pretty much as it was in 1967, when I graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in 1967.  It still has its Bishop McDevitt High School book cover. 

A Family Bible can stay in a family through the generations, like the one I have that was passed down to me.  My parents had it in their small library.  Now that they are gone, I still have it.  Today, that Bible looks very old.  The binding is all taped up holding it together.  When I was a kid, it looked old then, but I don't know for sure how old it is.  There is no published date in it.  At least I cannot find one.  I did find the year 1920 stated in the introductory pages.  So, all I can tell is that it was published after 1920.  Similar Bibles were published in the early 1900s.  Since it was old when I was a kid and it looks very old now, I suspect that it is about 90 plus years old.  Based on my observations and an internet search, it is a real possibility that it was published shortly after 1920.

As stated on the inside cover page this is how it is titled:

The Holy BibleTranslated from the Latin Vulgate

Diligently compared with Hebrew, Greek, and other editions in various languages

Old Testament first published by the English College, Douay, A.D. 1609

New Testament by the English College at Rheims, A.D. 1582

https://library.villanova.edu/Find/Record/1078031/Similar

AN EARLY RECOGNIZED NEED TO READ THE BIBLE

As a child, I did not read the Bible, but I knew that my parents had one.  I knew that my mother posted significant dates in it, such as, births, baptisms, and marriages.  I suppose in a child's way of thinking, I did not understand that I had a need to read the Bible.  However, when I was in Edison Junior High School, Harrisburg, PA, the need for me to read the Bible was presented to me.  It was probably when I was in the 7th grade.  That would have been the 1961/62 school year.  I was 12 years old when I went into 7th grade.

In 1961/62, we were still "allowed" to read the Bible and pray in public schools.  That all changed in 1963.  In homeroom every morning, we said The Pledge of Allegiance and a student read something from the Bible.  We probably said a prayer too.  Each day, a student had to select a Bible passage and read it before the homeroom classmates and teacher.  We were made aware ahead of time when it was our turn to read.

My turn came up to read the Bible before the class.  I remember being at home the night before and being stressed out about what I was going to read.  I had no idea what to select.  I remember sitting on the living room floor, with my back against the couch and the Bible in my lap before me.  I had no idea where to even start looking.  Of course, there was the popular, easy to select Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want".  I did not want to read that because many others did. I struggled to find my selection.  Well, the next morning, I took the Family Bible with me to school.  I was nervously prepared to read.  If I remember correctly, I read Psalm 23.

ANOTHER RECOGNIZED NEED TO READ THE BIBLE

I do not remember connecting again with that Bible for the next 2 years.  But, after 2 years at Edison Junior High School, 7th and 8th grades, I enrolled as a freshman at Bishop McDevitt High School.  There, I needed the use of our Family Bible again.  It was in Father O'Neill's Religion Class.  Father O'Neill was an Oblate priest, always wore one of those log black robes.  He was somewhat stern as a teacher and often walked around the class with a long wooden pointer in his hand.  That was used to get and keep our attention.  We students called him Father Pop-Out because our workbooks had tear-out pages for homework assignments that we submitted.

For Religion Class, we needed to bring a Bible to class.  So, I again went to the dependable Family Bible to use for class.  I dressed it with a Bishop McDevitt book cover that all of our books were required to have.  I'm sure we used it somewhat, but I don't remember any specifics.

NOTE:  

I am not absolutely certain 

whether this was freshman year or another year.  

It was a long, long time ago, over half a century.

AN EDUCATED LOOK AT THE FAMILY BIBLE

So now, here I am, 56 years after reading the Family Bible in Edison homeroom, and 54 years after using the Family Bible in 9th grade Religion Class at Bishop McDevitt.  Most significantly, here I am at the threshhold of my 50th High School Reunion for the Bishop McDevitt High School Class of 1967 to occur Fri/Sat/Sunday, September 22/23/24, 2017.  And once again, I pulled out the old Family Bible.  Now this time, I am not at a loss in understanding what's in the Bible.  Over the last 3 decades, I have avidly read and studied the Bible.  My wife and I have many Bibles at home of various translations.  We have read out of all of them.  Some I have read completely through.  Others I have read certain portions.  It's good to read different translations to help gain more understanding of what God is speaking to us through His Word.  The King James Version is somewhat difficult for me to read since it is in the old English speak with thees, thous, findeth, doest, and otherests.  I prefer a version that uses modern day English and sentence structure.

SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF THIS WRITING?

It's simply this.  At this threshhold of my 50th Class Reunion, I have a piece of memorabilia that takes me back 50 years and more to my Bishop McDevitt High School days.  The Family Bible is still on my bookshelf with many other Bibles and books.  Uniquely, this Family Bible still has its original Bishop McDevitt High School bookcover.  That is unique - - a 54 year old bookcover from Bishop McDevitt High School.  The cover is somewhat beat up.  The Bible's binding is patched with tape to keep it together and keep the front and back covers on. Can you match that?  Maybe I should take it to the reunion.  I just might, along with a few other things from a half century ago.

Bishop McDevitt High School
Class of 1967
50 Year Class Reunion
September 22/23/24, 2017

James Eugene Barbush
2021 Blue Mountain Parkway
Harrisburg, PA  17112
(717) 514-5549
JamesEBarbush@GMail.com
The Shepherd's Voice

 

 

Remembering Stephen Paul Prendergast, Class of '67

   

As our 50th Year Class Reunion of the Bishop McDevitt High School Class of 1967 nears ever closer on September 22-24, 2017, we are saddened to hear of the passing of one of our 400 classmates, Stephen Paul Prendergast.

Below is his obituary with information from Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc.

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Stephen Paul Prendergast, 68, of Harrisburg, PA, 

passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at his home.

Stephen was born in Harrisburg, the son of the late V. Paul and Constance (Becker) Prendergast. 

Stephen graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in 1967 and the University of Dayton. 

Stephen was a veteran of military service.

Stephen was a social worker for Dauphin County Child Services.  

Stephen was a Mechanicsburg Letter Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for many years till retirement. 

Stephen was a lifelong fan of Notre Dame and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Stephen was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Smith.

Stephen is survived by his three sisters and a brother, 

... Elaine McGovern of Dallas, Pa.

... Sue Ann Yinger of Harrisburg

... Angela (Michael) Murray of Middletown

... Brian Prendergast of Harrisburg; 

Stephen also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 from 10 to 11 am at Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 6150 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, PA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated following the visitation at 11 am at the church. The Rev. Michael Metzgar will be the celebrant.

Memorial Contributions may be made to either

... American Heart Association, 1019 Mumma Rd., Wormleysburg, Pa. 17043
... American Diabetes Assn., 150 Monument Rd., Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004 
... the Vista School, 1021 Springboard Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.

Arrangements are by the Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Harrisburg.

SERVICES

Visitation:  
Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church 
6150 Allentown Blvd. 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17112

Mass of Christian Burial:  
Friday, September 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church 
6150 Allentown Blvd. 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17112

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A Bishop McDevitt classmate and family friend for many years wrote this in the funeral home's Guest Book:

September 10, 2017  by Joe Behe, Jr., Bantry, County Cork, Ireland

"May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem.  May choirs of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest."                    

 - In Paradisum                                                                                                             

It was might great honor and privilege to have known Steve both as a high school classmate and as a family friend for many years.  May God grant him eternal rest and comfort his family.                                    

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To Stephen's Family and Friends 

From Stephen's classmates, Bishop McDevitt High School Class of 1967

Know that our thoughts are fondly for you and know that our prayers are extended upward for you.  At this time, at the threshold of a 50th Class Reunion, Stephen's passing is most meaningful to us.  Know that Stephen will be remembered and recognized at the reunion on September 23, 2017.

Our Yearbook for the Class of 1967 is founded on the theme of peace with many quotes about peace.  We express to you the most meaningful quote which was taken from The Book of John, Chapter 14, Verse 27: 

"Peace I leave with you;

   

    My Peace I give to you."

Pridwen 1967
Page 7

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REMEMBERING JOYCE M. (DONATO) ZEIGER

Suddenly, We Are Changed

At a meeting of the Bishop McDevitt Class of 1967 Reunion Committee on Thursday, September 7th, we were suddenly informed that one of our beloved classmates, Joyce (Donato) Zeiger passed away on Tuesday, September 5th.  Our 50th High School Reunion is only 2 weeks away and we get this news about Joyce. I was SHOCKED. STUNNED.  Jim Williams made the announcement to the classmates there and offered some very heartfelt comments that caused him to be teary eyed and a bit choked up.  For several minutes after his announcement, Joyce and Keith were my focus.  There was little else I could consider at the moment.  Keith and Joyce are one of several couples in our class who got married following graduation.

I saw Joyce and Keith recently at one of our informal class gatherings in 2016.  It was the one at "JoJo's on 22" and it was purposed to announce to our local classmates that planning had begun on the reunion.  There were about 40 in attendance, one of our biggest informal gatherings that have been occurring over the past two years.  It was the first time I had seen Keith and Joyce in decades and it was a pleasant surprise to see them there.  Though it was over a year ago, it seems like only a few weeks ago.  I vividly remember talking to them.  We had just started our planning for the reunion around that time and we were all looking forward to seeing each other at future planning meetings and on September 23, 2017 at the 50th Reunion.  But now, suddenly, only 2 weeks away, we will not be seeing Joyce for the celebration of our 50th.  We are saddened.

A viewing and a Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Roman Catholic Church, 2800 Paxton Church Road, Harrisburg, PA.  The viewing will be at 10:30 am followed by the Mass celebrated at 11:30 am.  Burial after Mass will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.  

The obituary for Joyce was published today, September 8th.

On behalf of the Bishop McDevitt High School Class of 1967, I can say we are deeply saddened by the news of Joyce's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Keith and his family.  And know that our classmate, a 1967 Crusader, will be remembered at our reunions, the 50th and others to come.

______________________________

Being involved in planning the reunion has brought me to a sensitivity for classmates that I have not had till now.  Since I am maintaining the Class Directory of 400 classmates, I have become aware of 45 (now 46) classmates who are deceased.  That has caused me to think much about those who have passed and also about those who are still with us.  With that in mind, I recently wrote the following two articles on this blog encouraging us to consider attending the reunion, to renew relationships with our classmates, to remember those who have passed, and to connect with those we have not seen in decades or have seen infrequently or regularly.

• Those Who Taught The McD Class of 1967 and Are Still With Us
• 50th Year High School Reunion?  Why Go?

50 YEARS, ONE HALF CENTURY

That's a long time.  Everything has changed in the 50 years between 1967 and 2017.  We have changed and everything around us has changed.  Thus, when we see one another again at this 50th reunion time, whether face to face or online, we can engage one another as seasoned learners who have grown way beyond those teenage years at Bishop McDevitt High School.  Having been taught and guided by the teachers, parents, and others of our day, we were launched from a strong foundation to become seasoned and aged like a fine wine with wisdom that can be shared with those around us.  We must take advantage of every opportunity to do that with our classmates and others.  Why?  Because if we don't, we may experience another "SUDDENLY THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING" and wish we had shared with those when we were given the opportunity.

Joyce, 2nd on left in white sweater

Mr. & Mrs. Keith Zeiger
High School Classmates became Married Classmates for 48 years

By James E. Barbush

Graduate of Bishop McDevitt HS Class of 1967

2021 Blue Mountain Parkway

Harrisburg, PA  17112

Cell:  717-514-5549

EMail:  JamesEBarbush@GMail.com