Pacelli’s distinguished alum of ’24 to address graduates Saturday

By Patrick Lynn

Pacelli Catholic Schools will recognize James L. Jablonski, a 1959 graduate of Pacelli Catholic High School, as the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award on Saturday.

The award is given annually to alumni who exemplify a Christian lifestyle through professional and/or volunteer achievements. Jablonski is the 25th recipient of the award and the seventh from the class of 1959.

Jablonski, born in 1941, attended St. Stanislaus School before graduating from Pacelli Catholic High School. He served in the Peace Corps in Nigeria before earning a master’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked for 35 years as a probation and parole officer in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, where he implemented innovative approaches to offender supervision.

After retiring, Jablonski received training in restorative justice and worked part-time for the Minnesota Department of Corrections and St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice in Wisconsin.

He will be honored at a brunch on Saturday, then deliver the keynote address at Pacelli Catholic High School’s 1 p.m. graduation ceremony later that day.