Academy of Mount Saint Vincent - Chastellux Yearbook (Tuxedo Park, NY)

Page 87 text:

ORGANIZATIONS

Page 86 text:

DAG HAMMARSKJOLD Dag Hammarskjold was one of the greatest instruments of peace in our generation. He transformed the office of Secretary-General of the United Nations, and with it the United Nations itself, into a major influence in world affairs. He was at the center of every major crisis—the Palestine question, the American fliers held prisoners in China, the problem of Suez, Hungary, Lebanon, Laos, and finally the Congo. Beyond mere physical health, he was sustained and fortified during these situations by love for his fellow men and a deep desire to serve humanity. Hammarskjold was a many-sided man. He was once a passionate mountain climber, enjoyed long walks and relaxed by translating French literature into Swedish. The Secretary-General's conception of his office took him, as a personal diplomat to the far corners of the world. He breakfasted at the White House with President Eisenhower, walked in the Negrev with Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, went rowing on the Black Sea with Nikita Khrushchev, and sipped swallows' nest soup in Peking with Chou-En-Lai. Hammarskjold believed that his job was to show nations where north was. During his lifetime he always knew where it was and succeeded in bringing others there. It was symbolic that Hammarskjold lost his life in the Congo, for in many ways it was the most ambitious, the most revolutionary, the most imaginative action that the United Nations had ever undertaken. Americans can be proud that the United States gave its support to Dag Hammarskjold's leadership in the Congo. Because he believed that all men, everywhere, share a common desire for decency, Hammarskjold insisted that There is a simple basic morality that motivates most people. The great moment is the moment of realization in people that their desire for decency exists not only in their own groups but in others. Some day, I know it, people will realize that the United Nations is a reflection of that desire and that if they tear it down, why, they will have to build it up again. Love for his fellow men and a deep desire to serve humanity sustained Dag Hammarskjold throughout his life, and must find expression in our own, through our actions and organi- zations. As he sacrificed his life carrying out his beliefs, we, too, must be prepared to sacrifice ourselves to aid and uplift our fellow men. He had said: Behind every historic action, national or international, is the individual human being, each giving of his courage and his devotion. Dag Hammarskjold had given his courage and his devotion, and finally he had given his life! Georgene A. Kelley '66

Page 88 text:

SODALITY Our Sodality at the Mount is dedicated to Our Lady under the title of her Immaculate Conception. It is the center of our school activities and through it Sodalists strive for perfection in their spiritual life and perform apostolic acts of charity for those less fortunate than themselves. The guide book Challenges to Sodalists covers such topics as the meaning of Sodalist, training for leader- ship and the importance of the apostolic life. These topics are explained and discussed at weekly meetings. Included among the involvements of the Sodalists this year were the preparing of baskets of food for the poor at Thanksgiving and a very successful drive to collect clothing and toys for poor children at Christmas. Sodalists have also volunteered their services as Nurses' Aides at Tuxedo Park Hospital and have given cate- chetical instruction to children attending public schools. Each year Father Ernest Riordan, O.F.M., Cap., gives an illustrated lecture on the Missions. This year he spoke on Appalachia and showed a very fine moving picture showing some of its needs and some of the work being accomplished there. As a result of his talk generous financial aid has been sent to the Missions at home and abroad. SODALITY OFFICERS CAPPY POCZABUT, Prefect (third from the right) PENNY WILLIAMSON, Vice Prefect (extreme right) FLO MONG, Secretary (second from the right) CHERYL O'TOOLE, Treasurer (extreme left) Under the guidance of Sister Maria Lawrence our Sodal- ists are being trained to be outstanding young Christian adults of tomorrow, whose involvements will be many and whose commitment will be the total giving of self. 84 CAPPY POCZABUT, '66