Perhaps a coincidence…this is the seventh annual Legacy Gala, and all seven Berman children had their complete grade school education at St. Joseph School! At St. Joseph, the connection that the Berman family has to St. Joseph is not coincidence. The Berman family is forever connected to the community of St. Joseph through the dedication and support to the parish and school community that has been established over the years by their family. A rich family legacy has been woven and continues to reach out through the entire Diocese of Joliet through the children and grandchildren of Bill and Carol Berman.
The Berman family history and deep connection to their faith began early. Raised in Catholic families, Bill and Carol both completed their Catholic grade school education on the west side of Chicago. Bill graduated from Resurrection and Carol from Our Lady of Sorrows, which was just around the corner from where Bill graduated from St. Philips High School. After their marriage at St Mel’s on June 15th of 1957, they moved in to an apartment in Oak Park. Beginning in 1958, their first three sons were born a year apart at St. Anne Hospital and were baptized at Ascension Church in Oak Park. Needing more living space, they answered an advertisement in the Chicago paper that stated veterans could get a new home in a new subdivision called Port Ridge in Lockport for only $300 down. They traveled to Lockport, which compared to Chicago, was way out in the country. In April of 1961, they bought a home and went to the St. Joseph rectory where they were welcomed into the parish by Fr. Rausch. Subsequently, four more children were born at St. Joseph Hospital and baptized in St. Joseph Church. In February of 1970, Bill and Carol then began looking for a home with more room for their growing family. Fortunately, Carol found the perfect home exactly one block from St. Joseph. Perfect to Carol was a home where she could look out of the kitchen window and watch their children going to and coming from school. Bill and Carol were more than pleased with the education that their children received at St. Joseph School. All seven children participated in the St. Joseph School Band, athletics, and all of their sons were altar boys. While that was long before girls ever thought of being on the altar, the Berman girls did pretend to serve mass at home while their brothers “said” mass. During those school years, Carol and Bill were very busy and active in the parish.
As a dedicated volunteer to the school and children of St. Joseph, Carol was very active and involved in many activities. The volunteer experiences for Carol ranged from the hot lunch chairman, to Treasurer and President of the Parents Club, room mother, girls’ volleyball coach, chairman of student candy sales, and other frequent volunteer responsibilities for various school functions. Adding her motherly touch and generous spirit to all of the St. Joseph events, Carol made each event and activity special for the Berman children and the children of St. Joseph. Carol is remembered fondly amongst many alumni parents and even more endeared by St. Joseph alumni whose lives she touched with her care and kindness over the years.
Bill was also a dedicated volunteer. He kept busy as a Holy Name officer and organized the annual men’s parish retreat at the Franciscan Monastery in Lemont. He was one of the original lectors at mass. At that time, the lector never left the altar as the lector had to lead the parishioners through the various changes in the mass. Lectors also led the singing of hymns during the mass (but very quietly). Bill was active in parish masses as a lector and also as an usher. As a school volunteer, he coached basketball for ten years at St. Joseph and contributed a few championship trophies to the school collection. Bill also had the distinct honor to coach the only baseball team the school ever had. His involvement did not stop there. Bill was a School Board member, taught CCD for the high school seniors, went door to door for a building fund drive, prepared the employees payroll for Fr. Langan, and performed magic at our parish variety show. Mr. Berman was a “jack of all trades” so to speak, but known for the incredible impact that he made with the students and athletes that he taught and coached.
Upon graduation from St. Joseph, the Berman children’s Catholic education continued on through four years at Providence High School. At that time, Fr. Kaffer was the principal at Providence. All of the Berman children participated in one or more sports programs while at Providence. The long history of dedication to academic study, Catholic faith, and athletic ability continues in the Berman family through the next generation. To date, two of the Berman grandchildren have received college scholarships for both academic performance and athletic accomplishments while at Providence.
Bill and Carol have been blessed with twenty four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In Bill and Carol eyes, Catholic education was always a priority and a value that could never be measured. “When we see how our children are raising their children, we can easily see their value of a Catholic school education.” Following their parents example, the children became very involved volunteers with the children’s schooling, faith development, athletic programs, and activities. Their oldest son, Ted, coached boys’ and girls’ basketball at St. Jude in Joliet. Mark coached flag football at St. Paul in Joliet and the Little Celtic wrestlers at Providence. Dennis coached girls’ and boys’ basketball for the St. Joseph program along with girls’ basketball at St. Raymond School. Their daughter, Charlene, coached girls’ volleyball for the St. Joseph Program and has continued to coach volleyball in Channahon. Michael spent a few years with the Franciscan Order before eventually getting married. His wife has been in charge of the Religious Education program at their parish, St. Joseph. Their five children were all born at home and are home schooled. Steven whose middle name is Edward, after Fr. Langan, has coached numerous sports in his hometown of Elwood in addition to the Little Celtics wrestlers at Providence. Their youngest daughter, Theresa, coached Junior Miss softball teams and today teaches fast pitch techniques to girls of all ages who want to be softball pitchers.
While the Berman children were growing up, the boys had many opportunities to play competitive sports and the girls did not. It would come as no surprise that they were about to find opportunities for the Berman girls and the girls of Lockport. Before Carol could coach or the girls could play Junior Miss Softball someone had to promote the idea. That someone was another St. Joseph parishioner, Adele Kinnard, who worked tirelessly for girls to have an opportunity to play an organized sport similar to the boys in Little League. The oldest daughter, Charlene, was on that first team at the age of ten. While the Junior Miss Softball was developing and expanding in Lockport, Bill continued his coaching for the Little League for ten years.
In some settings, the connection from athletics competition to faith may be a difficult one to connect. In fact, one may ask, “What do sports in or out of school have to do with a Christian education?” The answer from Bill would address the faith connection as they addressed through all of their athletic activities. “We always prayed before playing. We didn’t pray to win because God doesn’t really care who wins. We prayed that everyone will always do their best. As a family, we have always believed that if you do your best in all things that you are fulfilling the purpose of that Catholic education…and that is to be the best person that you can be in everything that you do in life.”
Proudly, the Berman family share that several of their children were married at St. Joseph. Two years ago, after fifty years of marriage, Carol and Bill renewed their marriage vows at the altar. The Berman legacy continues at St. Joseph as they currently have a granddaughter in second grade at the school. Each of the children continue to practice their Catholic faith and belong to different parishes including St. Joseph in Lockport. It comes as no surprise that each of their children contribute time and effort to help their respective parishes. When asked about their children’s continued involvement, they responded “Hopefully it is due to something they learned from their parents and teachers when they were students at St. Joseph School.” While Bill and Carol feel that they have done their small part physically, they now see that it is time for the current generation to take their place. “Financially, our efforts will continue for as long as we and the school exist. We shall forever be grateful to all of the priests, nuns, and lay-teachers that did such an excellent job in helping to lead our children to be sons and daughters of GOD.”
The Berman’s dedication to St. Joseph has ensured that the foundation of Catholic faith and education will continue to play a vital and important role within our community. They serve as role models to our current school families, fellow alumni families and parishioners on what it means to truly build a bridge, leaving a legacy for all to share.
