Academy of the Holy Angels - Echoes Yearbook (Fort Lee, NJ)

Page 69 text:

: 'z 4 4' J-f 1 is- U 11 4' ECHOES 53.5553 X 1'9'2'8 'P . . . I . S N. ! fu vw flll '4 N Vf4 x f ixxxxxxx k,.. s-mmm su dreams was realized, although she had thought, perhaps, that it was not to be granted her to see the fulfillment of it. It is now several years since the new extension to the main academic building of Holy Angels has been completed. Its erection and its present use' fulness in the Held of education are, in large part, due to the efforts of Sister Theophista. However, what must be more gratifying to her than all the success which has crowned her efforts is the lasting love and gratitude which she has inspired in all those who have known her. There is no one who can more readily attest to her virtues than the pupils at present surrounding her. There is not one of us who has not been personally aided and benefited by her unselfish interest and devotion. During all the years that we have known her she has acted as a guardian in the place of our parents, wisely and lovingly directing all those who have been placed under her care. To her unselfish devotion we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be paid in any material way. So, in celebrating her Golden jubilee, Sister Theophista may fittingly rejoice in conf templating the success of her efforts, in the gratitude and love of those surrounding her, in the knowledge that she has faithfully fulhlled the Will of God, and above all, in the thought of the reward that is awaiting her in Heaven, for truly, They who instruct others unto justice shall shine as stars for all eternity. -HELEN OLIVA, '28 Blessings Where the buttercup is blooming, Where the modest violets play, Where the meadow lark is singing, There, dear God has blessed the day. Where the perfumed roses nestle, Where the proud white lilies sway, Where the busy bee goes winging, There, dear God has blessed the day. When to heaven our hearts are lifted, And we humbly kneel to pray, When to Him we give all honor, Then, dear God will b1ess.the day. -ANGELA BODET, '28 65

Page 68 text:

q :jg 15 5 Ji' . - 1 -qi? A Q EcHoEs 4 125? ,Egg s 1.9.2. s it , W 1 xf, 2 s r, 9 1 W :nfl lllllllllllll -f n .V r Golden jubilee of Venerable Sister Mary Theophista, S.S.N.D. They who instruct others unto justice shall shine as stars for all eternity. It is our happy privilege to have our graduation from Holy Angels coincide with the Golden jubilee of its beloved Directress-Venerable Sister Mary Theophista. More than fifty years have sped by since first she heard the Voice of God calling her to lay aside the things of this world and take up His holy Cross in the cloistered sanctuary of the religious life. Willingly she consented, knowing that the sacrifice made for His dear sake would bring ample recompense for the renunciation of parents, relatives, and friends, and of all the prized and dearlyfloved possessions of her former life. However, willing though she was, it was not without difficulties that she followed the call, for the breaking of home ties is never easy, but the knowledge of the reward, exceeding great, stored away for her in eternity, gave her strength and courage to hearken to the Voice of God. This year marks the Golden Jubilee of her Religious Profession. As she looks back over the fifty years that have passed since the day on which she irrevocably pledged herself as the Spouse of Christ, and especially over the fortyffour years spent here in our loved school, where she has done so much to continue the splendid work begun by Venerable Sister Nonna, she can but feel that her great sacrifice has not been in vain, for in her capable hands and under her wise management the Institute of Holy Angels has grown and flourished. In retrospect, she will see the many classes of students that have been graduated and gone forth from the school with its principles instilled deep in their minds and with love for the school and its Directress deep in their hearts. If she looks about her, at present, she will see the many students who are still under her care and guidance, all of whom respect and love her. And considering all this, her Jubilee will become a time of gladness and of rejoicing that she has faithfully and worthily fulilled the Will of God. It has not all been an easy task, of course. As Thomas a Kempis says: It is no small thing to dwell in a religious community or congregation, and to live there without com' plaint and therein to remain faithful even unto death. There were many hardships to be borne, many difficulties to be overcome. It was a task for a strong character who would not allow herself to be easily overwhelmed by the difficulties confronting her. For such a task, no one was better qualified than Sister Theophista. The very worst of the difficulties were overcomeg the most severe hardships were borne with the humble heart of one who knew that We must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God. But all these difficulties and hardships pale into insignificance when compared with the success in which all her efforts have culminated. The Venerable Foundress of the school, who is still deeply interested in it despite her four score years and seven, must, indeed, feel that its management is in the hands of one who is most worthy of the work. For it was through Sister Theophista's untiring zeal and energy that one of her dearest 64

Page 70 text:

5 G -Q32 6 U Eonolzs t rims 1 9 2 s n lil In What People Never See Some people look for evil, And some folks look for goodg But most poor mortals fail to see The things they really should. They don't see hearts that proudly beat 'Neath many a tattered gowng They don't see love that's hid behind A stern, forbidding frown. They don't see all the yearning 'neath An urchin's wistful stareg The longing of his bursting heart For someone who will care. They envy him who wears a crown, But, oh! do they not see, Though he wear a pearly diadem, How weary he may be? They can't see pain that they have caused By some word, harsh and heedless. A gentle word will anger soothe And save much pain that's needless. A jester's words have meaning deep, His thoughts are often bestg Ah! fools are we, who cannot see The truth beneath a jest! Folks don't see God's great Providence, And yet, 't is all aroundg They don't see love and beauty, that In every plant are found. And, lastly, they see not themselves. Ah! 't would from vain thoughts free us, If God would grant that we might see Ourselves as others see us. 66