Three Pasadena Catholic institutions have begun their celebrations of milestone anniversaries.

At La Salle High School, a Sept. 8-9 reunion of students from the first graduating class of 1960 commenced the celebration of its 50th anniversary year. The festivities included a special Mass, football game, banquet and tours of their old school grounds.

Among the 18 members from the class of 1960 was Jim Dirmann, who said the tour was "a special treat" because he hadn't been back at La Salle since his graduation. He said he was impressed by all the changes --- including the new art studios, the new college counseling center, the all-weather track, football and soccer field, and the brand new gym floor in the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium --- and he lauded the current group of students for maintaining a strong sense of spirit.

"La Salle has values, academic excellence, honor and integrity," said Dirmann. "We would like to pass that torch on to the school's current students --- the Classes of 2007-2010 --- and to always be grateful for the lessons that the Christian Brothers taught us."

On Sept. 9 the Class of 1960 joined those who watched the varsity football team play Huntington Park High School on the new Lancer field. During halftime a special presentation was made to the Class of 1960 as they stood at the 50-yard line. That night, the Class of 1960 and their guests gathered at a reception and dinner held in their honor at The University Club in Pasadena. Christian Brother Mel Anderson, La Salle's first assistant principal during that time, was a special guest.

More than 50 events are planned for the celebration year --- games, luncheons, celebratory Masses, reunions and tournaments. On Nov. 18, principal Pat Bonacci will be honored for his 20 years of service to the Christian Brothers affiliated school.

Currently more than 800,000 students are receiving instructions in one of 1,600 schools that are operated by the Christian Brothers in 83 countries, including 70 Lasallian schools serving 100,000 students in the United States.

Mayfield: 75 years
On Sept. 24, Mayfield Junior School and Mayfield Senior School opened their 75th anniversary years with a Fall Family Mass in honor of opening day: Sept. 24, 1931.

Upcoming major events include the Senior School's annual Homecoming weekend, Oct. 13-15; a January speaker series featuring Society of the Holy Child Jesus Sister Judith Lancaster, who will speak on Cornelia Connelly, foundress of the SHCJ community; a March 2007 celebration gala at the Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel and Spa honoring the people, history and Holy Child traditions of both schools; and a special Mass April 21 at the Junior School's campus.

Mayfield School opened on Euclid Avenue in 1931 with 12 students in three divisions, elementary, junior and senior. Despite the effects of the Depression and the uncertainty of World War II on Pasadena, the school continued to grow and by the late 1940s, desperately needed more space. By 1949, Mayfield School's enrollment was nearing 200 and it was necessary to move the high school students to a new campus on Bellefontaine Street with 69 girls in attendance.

In the 56 years since Mayfield Senior School opened its doors, the student body has grown to 300 students. Mayfield Junior School remained on Euclid Avenue as a coeducational school for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Today the campus has more than tripled in size, with a current enrollment of 480.