St Mary Preparatory High School - Eagle Yearbook (Orchard Lake, MI)

Page 13 text:

IN THE WINTER day before Ash-Wednesday the annual Pqczki Party is held. During the party all have a gay time singing Polish folk songs and eating many pqczki or ielly doughnuts. On Ash Wednesday the merry-making ceases and Lent is spent in fasting and attending Lenten services fGorzkie Zalej and Stations of the Cross in preparation for the glorious triumph o'f Christ over death. The sombreness ofthe death of wintei' and its dormant life burst forth in full glory in the new vitality of spring. On the Feast ofthe Epiphany stu- dents observe the Polish custom of marking the entrance doors of the residence halls with the tradi- tional initials of the Magi. Ake dents of the vffompts the sfu, halls to oufd nous residen Daring ,he m o each other in prce crib. os' C0l0rfuI Christ e. mos en rivalry On the eve ot their departure for the d - lle e students dreSSe Christmas recess C0 9 h H to han . from G ' tive costumeS 90 . bringing traditional Polish and Engllsh Christmas Carols.

Page 12 text:

ST. MI-kRY'S hen December rolls around with its bitter frosts, the minds and hearts of all at Orchard Lake turn chiefly to the ioyful season of Christmas. Usually a white blanket of snow provides the setting for the activities that are soon to take place. The first event of the Noel season is the annual Christmas Musicale. After the last notes have passed away, the Faculty and students break the traditional opl'atek and wish each other the best for the com- ing year. On the eve of the day of departure for home, many of the students sing the traditional Kolendy as they d d t in each of which is found the Nativity march across the campus visiting the residence halls of Faculty an stu en s, Scene or Ztdbek. For those members of the Faculty and students who re- main onthe campus during the ioyful season, the traditional Polish Wigilia is observed on Christmas Eve. At midnight all go to the campus chapel to attend the Pasterka otherwise known as Midnight Mass. After the Christmas and Epiphany seasons are over, preparations are made for the Pre-Lenten Party. On the Tues- Th Christmas ,ree b e campus opens fhe Chr' y lhe Recfor . lsffnqs f , ' 'IES Q, O, eshvy- rchard Lake e of th ents 0 S hold Pfes Each Year the ix istmus Carols C Pro9rumI0l gsllihdowntown Detroit. K0 En 1 The Rector and Vice- Rector are the first to break the traditional Opfatek at the annual Christmas Musicale.

Page 14 text:

ST. MARY'S o ln, the sprouting of buds on trees, the beautiful blossoms in the orchard, all help to regener- ate a lively feeling, fresh and pure, that the season of spring has come to Saint Mary's. The religious services of Holy Week and the Easter holidays usher in the season of spring. The Tenebrae Services, adoration at the Piwniczka lChrist's prison celll and Gr6b lChrist's gravel, the blessings of Holy Saturday, all prepare for the traditional sTwieconka lthe hallow-farel. In this custom the spirit of brotherly love, unity, and ioy over Christ's triumph of sin and spiritual death are commemorated. For the swieconka each student brings food, as a gift to help in making this a ioyous festivity. A table is beautifully decorated and on it are placed the many diFferent foods. ln the center, a Paschal lamb rests as a symbol of the Risen Christ. When all is in readiness one of the Fathers of the Faculty- prays over and blesses the food after which all partake of the festal banquet. On March l 9th is celebrated the feast of St. Joseph and Founder's Day, on May 3rd the Feast of Our Lady, Queen of Poland. The month of May itself is again dedicated to Her and opens with a solemn procession to Her beautiful Grotto on the campus. The daily May devotions are the student's tribute of honor and love to his Mother in Heaven. The Spring concert pools the musical abilities of all campus forces. Other campus processions take place on the Feast of Corpus Christi to the four altars, and for the closing of May devotions to the Grotto. The Farewell Parties for the grad- uates on the eve of graduation close the school year and bring down the curtain on the many and varied customs of the Orchard Lake Schools. . ' idle 0' - ii ' G0f1k'e , . The chanting of Tig' is G traditionol flu .-Blliel' Orchard Lake during dem devOtl0n Lent- 5