Academy of the Holy Names - JM Yearbook (Albany, NY)

Page 22 text:

1 ll, t I A !!!!l- iiQil 'W' .. Af. ,. ff F gli! Iliklll if 'El' , .1 wtf vi Q t m - A by '- , xt :X- -.iliei l ' ti V iwi fx x m ' tt - 0... ., .f .at ul' To be a Sodalist or not to be, that is the question especially on the minds of many Junior and Sophomore girls at A. l-l.N. Truly that is a most important question, one that should be heavily weighed before making a decision. If we do decide to be, then we must realize that the Sodality is much more than a high school organization. It is and should be a pattern or road map to our eternal goal, Heaven and the Beatific Vision. If we decide not to be, we must strive even harder for Heaven, since that is the destination of us all. The Sodality is extraordinarily proud of the fact -that it is the Sodality of Our Lady. It invites its members to kneel at the feet of this Mother and to rise, as the Apostles did, with strength,which she gives,them to lead lives of courageous purity and to do deeds of Christ -like valor.Every young woman Sodalist has the privilege of taking the virtures that crown the head of Our Blessed Lady and placing them upon her own soul. Ours is the Sodality of Our Lady. If we serve Christ, as surely we do, it is in imitation of the woman who served Him best. If we love the Bless- ed Trinity, we know we can find no other love more exemplary than that of the woman who loved the Trinity as devoted daughter, unselfish mother and immaculate bride. When we serve our fellow men, we can have no example more inspiring than that of Mary, who loved the world because her Son loved it, and who devoted all her days to serving others because this was her way of proving to Christ how deeply she loved Him. To Mary every Sodalist turns in imitation and in prayer. From our sodality duties, which we all perform daily, it is easy to see why our motto is, To Jesus through Mary. The Sodality truly is a challenge, one that we should meet courageous- ly and confidently. Are we all willing to sacrifice, to respond unselfishly to this challenge? Before Mary, Immaculate Virgin and Mother of all the world, the modern Sodalist kneels in love, in imitation, in utter trust. .7Aree aya wifA god I shall go unto the altar of God, unto God who gives joy to my youth. With these opening words of the Mass our annual retreat began on the morning of November 24. Reverend Sylvester Benson continued the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which would be of- fered on each of the three days of retreat. There was an air of peace and harmony as the students partici- pated actively in the recitation of the Mass. The regular program of conferences, confessions, talks with Father, and time for spiritual reading and meditation made complete and thought-laden days, days in which the interruptions and clamor of the world were put aside and we turned to God and spirit ual matters. Father Benson was a perfect retreat master who helped us to evaluate our spiritual standing and in- spired us to aim at higher goals of sanctity. The Deo gratias of the conclusion of the Mass re -echoed in our hearts as we thanked God for our re- freshing, peaceful, and joy -filled days of Retreat. ...teal T llllg ii?-il , ll it till ti? 31' N 'rut -C Q' Ph 'fs IN ll with . Y, Il I ' illaazif its 1 if 'I , I . ,Q gb ,W Quit ix' f i fl ll +A!! H

Page 21 text:

-X . -29Jg'412-1-2.5111-15'Lg:vf4'f ksixfwfic Eaiglf'-1313242-7 'agi,g.l:ij5i?5:55 :-.- ' N x - ir'-. in A -- - W1-. f-Efglfs' ' 'l'l'E'?ii'5l lftii.-.:.'v1':fl . enior-A 66.45 eceiue ing-4 The evening of November twenty -first was long -awaited in the heart of every senior, for, on that night, she would receive her beautiful Academy ring. Early in the evening, each junior presented her senior sister with a corsage of pink carnations re- flecting the thought and happiness they shared with them. As the organ struck the first chord from The Grand March of Aida the seniors filed into the auditorium under the traditional arch of roses. First Ellen O'Conne11. Senior A class president, expressed our happiness at having our parents with us on this memorable night. Then Sheila Roberts spoke and impressed upon us the true meaning of our ring of gold, inscribed with the A. H.N. insignia and motto Semper Fide1is . The moment had now arrived when we would received our rings from Father Edgar Holden, our chaplain. Later Father blessed the rings and then gave one of his wonderful talks. Colleen Sennett, president of Senior B, conveyed our thanks to our parents, teachers, and friends whose help and encouragement have meant so much over the years. H The spirit of A. H. N. was truly present on that night, as the entire student body sang America, Our Heritage. The perfect ceremony ended with the singing of our A1ma Mater and the light in each senior's eyes reflected the joy she felt at being the proud possessor of the Holy Names ring. .

Page 23 text:

French Club Celebrates Epiphany e and lea gfoika Le Cercle des Etoiles, Holy Names' French Club is a very active organization. Its members meet in the cafeteria every other Tuesday afternoon to sing French songs, to learn about the culture of France and to converse en francais with their friends. The officers this year are: Linda Miller, president: Jill Boylan, treasurerg Mary Alice Stephens, secretary. The director of the organization, Sister Frances Marie, has done line work in making the meetings interesting. One of the most important events on the club's calendar was the Epiphany Party on January 6th, At this time La fete des rois was observed. The refreshments served were candy, nuts, coca -cola, and a special holiday cake, called Le gateau des rois . The cake was cut and, as is the custom in France, whoever received the bean became the King and whoever received the pea was the Queen . His royal highr1ess , Mary Alice Stephens, and her majesty , Carol Fox, reigned over the celebration. Everyone left the meeting with the traditional wish Bonne et heureuse annee et le paradis a la fin de vos jours. modern , .xduxihary Among the staunchest supporters of A. H. N. is the Mothers' Auxiliary. It is through the efforts of the members that we have many of our social activi ties. such as our enchanting Holly Ball. Another of its projects is the Star Shoppe. Al- though it calls for a lot of work and sacrifice, the mothers come through and every year is more suc- cessful than the last. This year, for the first time, the Auxiliary utilized our gym for the bazaar. The larger area offered the mothers an opportunity to have bigger and better booths and, as a result, big- ger and better profits. We would like to extend our thanks to the mothers for the wonderful work they have done in our behalf and in behalf of the school. .14 poem The school 's so gay! It's Star Shoppe Day-- The gym's decked out in bright array-- And as they leave the people say, My Christmas shopping's done this day! Mary Ellen Holohan ir' 25 23.8 15.-2 Y 9 .. - -A' . 1' .E 1 1 Z-