Saint Bede Academy - Via Baeda Yearbook (Peru, IL)

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Memories of December... The spiritual life of the academy students was regenerated by the Day of Recollection conducted for them on Dec. 7. The preacher for the day was the Rev. Keith Schiltz, C. P., (left) a member of St. Gabriel’s Monastery, Des Moines, Iowa, and a cousin of the Rev. John Fitzgerald, O.S.R. Father Schiltz gave four inspiring conferences to the stu- dents, who participated in various other religious exercises during the day. The recollection day was a very fitting prepara- tion for the following day, the feast of the Immacu- late Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the pa- troness of the United States. After Father Schiltz had instructed the students in the Christian way of life. Father Abbot celebrated a solemn pontifical Mass In the students' chapel to mark the occasion, which meant the end of the Marian Year at St. Bede. Father Victor, the chaplain, offi- ciated at Benediction as a fitting climax to the day.

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of November... As the month drew to a close, Thanksgiving Day, with its fes- tive atmosphere and, best of all, with a short vacation for the students, drew closer. As a result of the approaching holidays, the Bedey boys sponsored the customary pre-holiday parties and dances. Among the many parties was the Thanksgiving treat prepared by the col- lege divinity section. X Pricco, Becker, Woiwode, and Arms (above) were a few of the bene- ficiaries of the sumptuous banquet. The Junior Department sponsored a holiday dance at La Salle on Nov. 21 and the Varsity basketball team opened the season with a loss to Princeton on Nov. 23. On the Sunday following Thanksgiving, James Landgraf. Paul Per- ona, and Conrad Arnolts participated in the local Voice of Democracy contest, sponsored by the Jaycees of the tri-cities and broadcast over station WLPO. They are pictured above with alumnus Dan Lawler, (left), master of ceremonies. —27—

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No one had to remind tne students that Christ- mas was fast approaching, for all of them were religiously counting the days until the merriest of seasons would begin. Their youthful exuberance found expression in many ways even before the eagerly awaited Christmas vacation began. The dubrooms were decked out with appropriate deco- rations—trees, advent wreaths, cribs. With all the decorations in the halls, with all the parties in the various departments, and with the good cheer and merriment in the hearts of students and teachers, there was no mistaking the fact that Christmas was enthusiastically celebrated at St. Bede. Representative of the many cribs found around St. Bede during the Christ- mas season was the beautiful one pictured above. It was located in the monastery chapel. The Christmas story as explained on the News of the World poster aroused the in- terest of all the stu- dents as it did that of Piper and Combs (above). rmm Santa Claus delighted Father Henry with his gifts ... while Siebert dis- tributed the gifts among the pre-sem students. Reiland re- ceives his gift and King stares in amazement. —29—