E.D. Feehan Catholic High School marks 50 years in Saskatoon

Many people who grew up on Saskatoon’s west side are heading back to high school to reconnect with their past.

E.D. Feehan Catholic High School will open its doors to current and past alumni to mark the school’s 50th anniversary Saturday.

Principal Brandon Stroh spoke with 650 CKOM Wednesday. He said the 50-year anniversary is a chance for people to share memories and reconnect with old friends.

In true high school fashion, Stroh said people coming back are little worried about their old cliques.

“The number one question from people: ‘Do you know who is coming?’” Stroh chuckled, adding it’s the reason they made the guest list public.

More than 200 people are expected to attend, including family members of the late E.D. Feehan.

“They didn’t attend here, but it’s their family legacy right. So they’re excited to pick up some of the clothing and see the school named after their grandfather,” Stroh said.

School tours will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with the dinner and program to follow.

Retro E.D. Feehan swag, including past yearbooks and trophies, will be on display for the 50h anniversary celebration on Sept. 30, 2017. (Brent Bosker/650 CKOM)

Opening in 1967, Feehan was the only Catholic high school on city’s west side until Bethlehem school opened in 2007.

After that, the school went through a transition period. Enrolment dropped significantly, from almost 1,300 students to just a few hundred.

Enrolment this year is more than 500. Stroh said with that number, the school’s football, volleyball and basketball programs are back for the first time in years.

“We’ve seen in the last four to five years the school has been reborn,” Stroh said.

“It’s huge, and our kids are rebranding themselves with Feehan clothing. They’re buying it. They are very proud of their school.”

Stroh said while alumni will notice a lot of changes inside the school, the traditions that embody the school motto — “I belong to the Feehan family and who I am makes a difference” — remain intact.

“We still do a lot of things with the special Olympics. Like the school is 50, but that’s a tradition that is 40 years old.”