Monsignor Steve Barnett

RELIGIOUS SPOTLIGHT

Monsignor Steve Barnett

A new feature to the Re-U-Knight-er is the Religious Spotlight. We are showcasing some of our beloved alumni who have answered God’s call to the religious life. Please take a moment to read up on some fun history of what attending O’Gorman High School was like for each of them. This issue, we are featuring Monsignor Steve Barnett who was in the first class to graduate from O’Gorman High School.

Monsignor Steve Barnett

We have that you graduated from O’Gorman High School in 1962. Is that correct?

Yes, I graduated in 1962 in the first class from O’G.

What are some hobbies you have in your free time?

I enjoy fishing, reading, swimming and attending all O’G events when I am able.

What activities/sports were you involved in at O’G?

While at O’G, I participated in football, basketball, drama, music (chorus) and also student council where I served as the Secretary of my senior class.

What is your favorite high school memory?

My favorite memory from O’G is being a part of the very first class to graduate from this new central Catholic high school in the city of Sioux Falls, and then being privileged to return to O’G eight years later as a priest, teacher and a part of the administration as assistant principal. I also served briefly as activities director. At the time, we hired Bob Burns as head football coach and activities director. I was on staff from 1970-1979.

What teacher inspired you the most?

The most influential teacher whom I was blessed to experience at O’G was my Latin and Religion teacher, Fr. Al Krzyopolski.

What was your favorite cafeteria food in high school?

My favorite food was the fresh homemade bread—baked daily by our beloved chief cook, Mrs. Florence Daniels.

What was the uniform policy when you attended O’Gorman High School?

Tan slacks, brown corduroy jacket, a uniform tie and a white dress shirt.

Favorite place you have traveled to?

The most favorite place I have ever traveled to and spent time is the Holy Land. Visiting, praying and offering Mass at the holy places where our Lord was born, lived, died and rose from the dead!

How did you get your call to priesthood?

I believe my call to the priesthood came first through the witness of faith of my parents to me and all my siblings. Also, from the privilege I had to experience a Catholic education through grade school, high school and college and from the sisters, priests and brothers who provided that education.

If you could spend a day with anyone from history (besides Jesus), who would it be and why?

If I could spend a day with someone other than Jesus, I would choose my patron saint, St. Stephen, the first martyr! He was a deacon and great preacher with steadfast faith and the courage to die for that faith!

Tell us a little about your family. Do you have siblings?

Did they attend O’G too? I come from a strong, Irish, Catholic family. My father was an insurance salesman and my mother was a teacher. She taught for over 35 years at Cathedral Grade School. We lived one block north of the Cathedral. I have ten brothers and sisters. I am the middle man with five older sisters and brothers and five younger sisters and brothers. My five older siblings attended Cathedral Grade School and graduated from Cathedral High School. My five younger siblings and I attended Cathedral Grade School and graduated from O’Gorman High School .

Did you attend one of the Catholic elementary schools in Sioux Falls? Which one?

I attended Cathedral Grade School followed by three years of Cathedral High School while O’Gorman High School was being built. Then, I graduated in the first class from O’Gorman High School in the spring of 1962.