August 

The Rev. Hans H. Gruenbauer joins the parish as Associate Pastor and serves until 1989. 

1979
An eight-classroom addition to the school is completed. 

1976
June 4  St. Veronica School graduates its first eighth-grade class, 21 students. Mary Jean Patt, now 36, was one of those graduates. She lives in Union Township, works as a business manager and remains a St. Veronica member. This is what she remembers about being a part of the first graduating class: "My memories of St. V's have more to do with impressions. As the first eighth-grade class, we had to set an example for the younger grades. We had to act like Christian young ladies and men. I don't know how well we did this, considering within the first month of school we had one teacher quite. The Mr. D. (Paul DeFazio) taught us until a new teacher was hired. I remember we were also right across from the principal's office. "The school year could only get better. With the new teacher came new rules and programs. We were able to volunteer to go into the first grade and help out the teacher. I enjoyed doing that, and I know everyone else who volunteered did also. To this day, I still see some of those students who remember me helping out in class. "Then there were graduation services. Us young ladies wore long dresses, and the young men had to wear suites and ties. We had a Mass then went over to the cafeteria, where the seventh grade had a reception for us. I gave a speech about the year in review. Then we were allowed to "party" and celebrate our passing into high school. "I enjoyed my time at St. V's and treasure those memories. Even now, more than 20 years later when I see one of my ex-classmates, we talk and get caught up with each other's lives and maybe reminisce about St. V's."

1975
September 28   The school is dedicated. The first teacher hired was Susan Churchill. Today she teaches fourth grade at St. Veronica School. "As a new college graduate, I was given the unique opportunity to be the first teacher hired in a Catholic school that was to open its doors for the very first time. Since this experience was quite contrary in 1975 to the many parochial school closings and mergings, all eyes were watching the outcome of St. Veronica School. With eight excited teachers, 212 anxious students (and parents) and one very enthusiastic principal, Paul DeFazio, we not only succeeded but grew rapidly from what was once a cornfield community. "High academic standards and strong discipline were musts for a solid beginning, but it became clear years later that something was missing. After several principals and years of increasing enrollment, a new era began under the leadership and love of Mr. Bill Schlater. For the next nine years, St. Veronica School was nurtured. it grew not only in academics, athletics and the arts, but more importantly in spirituality. This completeness made for years of 'Christ's peace' in our hallways and hearts. "In 1995, St. Veronica took another step forward under the present administration of Mrs. Kay Stefanics. Science and technology have been a needed dimension. With a new computer lab we can now better instruct our 475 students. "Once again, as St. Veronica looks to the future, there is a need to expand our school today. Hopefully, the cornerstone of commitment to our children that was in place 23 years ago when I began will keep our St. Veronica philosophy steadfast. Christ is the reason for the school. He is the unseen but ever-present teacher in its classrooms. He is the model for the faculty. He is the inspirations of the students." 

September   School open with Paul DeFazio as principal, and the Rev. Francis Fritz as Pastor; 225 students are enrolled. 

1974
June 
The Rev. Francis Fritz is appointed Pastor. 







July
The Rev. Philip A. Kesting is named Pastor. He serves until his 1974 transfer. During his pastorate, the parish hall and eight classrooms are built. Father Kesting, at age 85, is the oldest living former pastor of St. Veronica. He retired in 1989 and because of a stroke, is no longer able to celebrate Mass. He resides at St. Rose Parish in the East End. Father Kesting, who was ordained in 1941, recently recalled his years at St. Veronica: "I put the buildings up because the people wanted them. We had catechism classes Saturday morning in the school with 300 children. We had classes for St. Veronica and St. Thomas More children. The high school students had classes on Monday. "We began Bingo in the parish hall. We rented the hall out on Saturdays for wedding receptions. "I enjoyed the people of St. Veronica. I must have met 400 families, about 90 percent of the people. I knew about every one there. I'd visit them in their homes. I'd go out and visit in the afternoons. Once in a while, people would invite me to stay for dinner. The people were very friendly." 

An addition to the church and a rectory are built. Father Wolfer becomes St. Veronica's first resident Pastor and serves until his transfer in 1961.