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Cardinal Dolan celebrated Mass for nearly 500 students, alumni, families and friends to mark the 100th anniversary of Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle June 10.
Iona Prep became the second Christian Brothers school in the United States and third in North America when it opened Oct. 16, 1916. The first students were 37 young men in grades 1 to 9 at the seven-acre Benjamin Stern Estate rented by the Christian Brothers. Iona Grammar moved to its current location on Stratton Road in 1955, and the high school relocated to its current site at Wilmot Road a decade later.
“We were blessed to have His Eminence join us to celebrate this special Mass at our school. It was truly an unforgettable occasion,’’ said Brother Thomas R. Leto, C.F.C., president of Iona Prep. “The Cardinal is so generous with his time, bringing a unique presence to every event he attends.
“He routinely demonstrates his commitment to Catholic education, and his presence was a reinforcement of our 100 years of Christian Brothers education in the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice.’’
In 2013, the two schools joined to form a singular educational experience, becoming the only boys’ Catholic, K-12 school in Westchester County. This year, the school graduated 167 seniors, who earned more than $23 million in merit-based scholarships.
The school’s 100th anniversary celebration will culminate with the President’s Centennial Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Friday, Nov. 17.
