Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing - Carmen Sylva Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

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Quarter Century of Service The works of Msgr. l.eo Gregory Fink, builder for God and Country who next Friday will round out a quarter century of service at the Church of the Sacred Heart of jesus, have over- flowed his parish, his creed and his community. Through his efforts not only Lehigh and Northampton counties, but almost the entire southeastern Pennsylvania has been made a far better place to live-for Catholic, Protestant and Jew. Yvith the same patience and foresight that led him to spend six years as bookkceper for the Reading Iron Co. to earn enough money to see him through St. Charles Seminary in Overbrook, Msgr. Fink set out to strengthen the weak links in the Church in the 1.ehigh Valley upon being named rector of Sacred Heart Church and head of the vicariate in this area, March 2, 1920. In his 25 years in Allentown he has aided in establishing 15 Roman Catholic churches in the l.e-high-Northampton area. As dean of the l,ehigh-Northampton vicariate ofthe Phila- delphia archdiocese. Msgr. Fink founded the school which has grown to be Allentown Central Catholic High School, housed in a modern plant and boasting a highly qualified facultyg the Catmelite Monastery of St. Theresa in Lanark: the Sacred Heart Home and Trade School in Coopersburg: a house of studies for the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of -lesus at Hyde Park in Reading, and the Sacred Heart Hospital School His predecessor, Msgr. Peter Masson, was a fine rector. He of Anesthesiology. He was the guiding light behind the expansion of the Sacred Heart Hospital. lhe following projects were completed: 1927 1928 Interns' quarters Annex to School of Nursing 1929 Service building of hospital. 1930 Administration building: engineering department: boiler house. 1936 Cancer clinic. and Department of'l'herapeutic Radiology 1940 19-11 Annex to Maternity Department Sacred Heart Sanatorium. 'liuberculosis Unit of the Sacred Heart Hospital, Luneport, Pennsylvania. 194-1 Fourth floor of Nurses' Residence. 1945 Coal pockets, and motor ramp for doctors. 1949 'lirexler Memorial Wing. containing 'lirexler Auditorium for assemblies of doctors and nurses. 1950 Msgr. Masson Memorial Wing, containing Notre Dame Cliapel and Notre Dame Auditorium for assemblies of nurses. junior and senior auxiliaries. Splendid Work Twenty-five years ago Monsignor l,eo G. Fink came to this city from Brockton, Schuylkill county, to become the rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart ofjesus. He succeeded the much loved Monsignor Peter Masson who had been the rector of the Church for 15 years. Msgr. Fink was -1-0 years of age when he came to this city and then in the very prime of his manhood, and the 25 years he has been here have been very full years for him. They were full, not alone in that he was rector ofa large parish, but full in the fact that he has accomplished in these 25 years far more than is possible by the average man. He has the establishment of 15 missions to his credit, all these in Lehigh and Northampton counties. He was the founder ofthe Central Catholic High School which today has an enroll- ment of approximately 1,100 pupils. He was the builder of Roclcne Hall. The Sacred Heart Hospital has, under his direction, expanded from a small hospital to one of almost 500 beds with a hospital organization that compares with the best. Under his direction the Sacred Heart Sanatorium for tuberculosis patients was established at Mt. Trexler, l.imeport, where many sufferers have found a haven. not only for rest but for the rebuilding of their bodies. He established the Sacred Heart Home and Trade School at Coopersburg. The Carmelite Monastery at Lanark has been enlarged and improved and the homes for aged women Pear his church have been expanded, as well as the nurses, iome. by f ive Among the other institutions he founded are the Sacred Heart Hospital at Norristown, the Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville, St. Joseph's Health Resort in Wedron, Illinois, the St. Martha and St. Clara Home for Aged on Pine Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania. His influence overflowing his immediate community, he was the mainspring in the establishment of Villa of St. Elizabeth for Aged in Reading: the enlargement of St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, Georgia, and is currently aiding in the planning of a Valley Forge National Shrine Parish Church. Added to all these accomplishments he has found time to do voluminous research and has published more than 20 books. All this is the accomplishment of a native of Reading, who was not ordained to the Priesthood until he had reached 30, and who did not become affiliated with the local parish until ten years later. He is the son of Peter and Clara CHeineQ Fink, the grandson oflohn Fink Cwounded during the Battle ofAntietam in the Civil NVar and a convert to the Roman Catholic Churchl and the brother of Rev. Felix Fink, rector of St. Bartholomew's in Brockton. He was ordained May 27, 1916. in SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Philadelphiag served St. Alphonsus parish in the Quaker City, St. Henry's in the same communityg Holy Ghost parish in Beth- lehem, and St. Bartholomevv's in Brockton. When he took over the latter congregation the small parish had no place of worship and was composed of people who spoke nine different tongues. During World War 1, Msgr. Fink took time out to become an Army Chaplain. He not only ministered to the spiritual needs of the troops, but served as teacher of American Historv and English at Army school. He delivered lectures in YMCA huts, Red Cross huts and -lcwish welfare centers. He has served as chaplain for the American Legion, Catholic 1Var Veterans and Honorary First Defenders. March 2, 1926. he came to Allentown to succeed the late Msgr. Peter Masson. One of his first accomplishments was the erection of the Monsignor Masson Memorial School building in 1927. He was appointed a monsignor December 18, 1929, and was invested April 28, 1930, by Bishop Gerald P. O'Hara. In honor of this man of amazing accomplishments, community leaders Join with Church leaders in honoring Msgr. Fink at his silver Jubilee Mass. Call Chronicle, February 25, 1951 U.-xcic A. Youej Monsignor Fink got possession of the Judge Harvey acres at Fourth and Chew Streets where the hospital was established, but it remained for Msgr. Fink to be the great builder and expander for his Church. 'lihe people of his faith settled in various sections of these two counties and wherever there were sufficient people to form a congregation, Msgr. Fink saw that they had a location and a building was provided for and by them. It is the usual lot of a priest to start one or two missions, but for a man to start 15 in the course of only 25 years shows an exceptional foresight and solicitation for his Church. His name will go down in local history as a great builder of institutions worthwhile and as one whose record will hardly be surpassed in many years to come. He has lived in a period when. because of increase in population in these two counties, it was possible to establish his Church in so many different places. The inter- esting thing about the great work he has done is that while he had able assistants, he did not lose the personal touch in the large field of his endeavor. Now at the age of 65 this restless and energetic spirit may be able to sit back and take things easier-but this he is not likely to do. It is more likely that this constant watchfulness will be over his entire field which covers several counties and that he will continue as the great builder for the Master he serves so faithfully. lflliifliflilll Call ClLT07L1iCfZ', Frbrimry 25, 1951 KDAVID A, MI1.I.ERJ

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Dedicofion UR YEARBOOK is, to us, more than a treasury of memories. It stands also as a symbol of three very important years of our lives, three years of effortg three years of growth, three years of kinship with God's holy work. For that reason, we come with mingled feelings of pride and humility, to this page of dedication for our yearbook. It is here that our class attempts to honor in a special way someone who has touched our lives by precept and example, and who has etched his mark on our hearts by that secret process Greatness has. But here indeed is a paradox, for the man we would so honor for his wisdom, his humanity, and his sanctity bears a name so illustrious that its very use brings reflected honor and dignity to our yearbook, honoring us more than we can honor him. It is therefore with deep respect and reverence that we make this dedication to . . . RIGHT REXIEREND MONSIGNOR Liao GREGORY FINK, V.F. Twenty-five years of prayer and work since first coming to Allentown have brought high honor to Monsignor Fink and have wrought great improvement in the cultural, social, economical and religious life of our Catholic population. His quarter of a century of devotion to Godis labors has accom- plished wonders in the way of mercy and healing for the sick, comfort and care for the aged and orphan, the spreading and maintaining of the faith by establishment of missions and new horizons for Catholic education. Monsignor Fink builds his own monuments. The nurse's place of dwelling, her place of working, and her place of worshi.ping, all attest this. He stands as a tower of Catholicity in his community, and as such has brought great credit and respect to his Faith and to his Way of Life. Monsignor Fink is known among educators for his building and direction of schools, among Army men as a patriotic soldier of God, among scholars for his published works, in the medical field as a builder of highest rated hospitals. He is known in Rome as a worthy member of the Holy Father's household, and he has made Fourth and Chew Streets of Allentown, Pennsylvania an address beloved in Heaven as a spot that typifies obedience to the commandment: Love Thy Neighborf, 111 fre