Mount Saint Mary Academy - Mountain Chimes Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

Page 15 text:

Our Lady remained standing with dauntless courage over the charred ruins. March 2, 1911. Re' 'B The year for the first graduation arrived, but before the time of commencement all was changed. On the night of March second, 1911, a devastating fire leveled the interior structure to the ground and left only the walls standing. Not a life was lost that night, for a valiant band of Sisters stood at their posts in the cold of the winter. Undaunted and with superhuman courage, the Sisters secured several houses in the City of Plainfield, and continued the daily instructions so that there would be no interruption of classes. Thus Academy diplomas and College degrees could be conferred upon their loyal and deserving students The Sisters had accepted with beautiful resignation the loss of their Motherhouse and Academy. While they suffered keenly from this sudden tragedy, the spirit and courage to rebuild was instilled by Our Lady, who remained standing with dauntless courage over the charred threshold.

Page 14 text:

The Academy, under the title of Mount St. Mary's, was a glorious fulfill- ment ofthe faithful prayer and pioneer spirit of the early Sisters. Among those from Bordentown to reside at the Mount were Mother Mary Gabriel, Mother Mary Cecelia, Mother Mary Raymond, Mother Mary Joseph, Mother Mary John, Sister Mary lsidore, Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Sylvester, Sister Mary Matthias, and Sister Mary Alacoque. On September 28, l908, Mount St. Mary's Academy and College formally opened. Seventy-seven registered, which included boys and girls in the ele- mentary grades, and young ladies in the secondary department, and seven college girls. Mother Mary John, because of her achievements as Directress of the Academy in Bordentown, and her capacity for understanding youth, was made the first Dean of the College. There are other names linked with these early days in Plainfield. Among them is the noble character of Sister Mary Mercedes, under whose direction the Academy rose to excellence. I-ler radiant personality was an inspiration to all. The deep holiness and enthusiasm of the faculty: Sister Mary Bertrand, Sister Marie Anna, Sister Mary Beatrice, Sister Mary Austin, Sister Mary Con- cepta, Sister Mary Teresita, Sister Mary Patrice, and Sister Miriam, were a sustaining element of success, working all day with body and soul praising the God of all Mercy. Mount St. Mary's Academy and College, North Plainfield, New Jersey-l 908.

Page 16 text:

Second Mount Saint Mary's. Unbelievably, in October, l9l 3, a larger and more majestic Mount St. Mary's was com- pleted. Our Lady continued to watch over her dear ones, and the succeeding years showed growth and advancement. Today the Academy is one of the finest and most representative among schools for Catholic education. lts doors are open to all. lts reputation for art, music and culture is well known, and the graduates, inspired by Christian principles and by their affiliations with all movements of the Catholic church, bring honor to their Alma Mater. i2