I was at both. They were seperate. St. Joseph's Orphanage/Home (Bethany,Oklahoma) was an Orphanage for children from birth thru the 8th grade. Until the 1960's it was run by Associated Catholic Charities and various orders of Catholic Nuns. St. Gregory's (Shawnee, OK) was a boarding school for high school boys and college men. Now, it is St. Gregory's University of Shawnee Oklahoma. And, it has always been run by the Benedictine Monks.--Tom W. Lucas, Ancestry Board
I am pleased to see the arial photo of St Josephs as it was my home from age 3 to 9. I have very fond memories of the Home and happy that the property continues to serve God and the community. I have read comments on your other webpage from former residents (or Inmates as stated) and see that there are many who did not find life to be so pleasant as did I. But for those who did, I am happy and hope that all the children went on to have a very strong and happy life as I have. The values that I live by are those which were instilled within me by the Sisters who raised me to age 9. After being returned to my mother for two years, and then to my father for the remainder of my school years, I learned HOW NOT TO BE A PARENT. I married at age 21, and we are extremely happy and will celebrate 45 years in August. We have two daughters who are also happily married. I attribute their happiness to the values which we passed on to them as they grew up. I hope that other former residents of St. Josephs will share their happiness with you on this page. Thank you for the opportunity to share mine. DGRDNM
ReplyDeleteMy name is Ben Goff I was a guest of the orphanage 1962-1963 along with my younger sister Vicki and brother James. I was an alter boy there during the conversion from the traditional Latin to English. I attended 3rd grade at school in Yukon I think it was at St. John Nepomuk. I had a best friend there whose name was Danny Pratt. Rode bicycles to lake Overholtzer, skateboarded (wooden board metal wheels) down the driveway in front of the orphanage around the circle which the Statue of St. Joseph stood, Slid down the hill on cardboard, got to go to the movie in Bethany, worked in the cafeteria, fought (boxed) a couple of times, and played with trains in the basement. These are just a few of the memories I have of my stay.
ReplyDeleteI remember you
DeleteYour sister was bucked off a pony at St. Joseph's (old one)not sure if the boys rode the pony but the girls did.
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