Aquinas Institute - Arete Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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REVEREND J. FRANCIS O’HERN Rector

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Introductory EVER in our school life more pleasant task been has a thrust upon us than the compiling of the records of our class history. This Senior Annual is published with a two-fold objed in view. We intend that the glorious achievements of our class will be recor ded in a fitting manner and that the pleasant memories of bygone days will live in all their sweetness. If this bond, that is meant to unite the paSt and the future, be sufficiently Strong to endure the Strain of years and to recall the pleasant thoughts conneded with the name, Rochester Catholic High School, our hopes will be fulfilled and our objed accomplished. In presenting this volume we realize that many errors and imperfedions will be found, but we ask our kind readers to be mild in their criticisms and to remember that all humanity is prone to weakness. The Class of Nineteen Fourteen

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Senior Annual, Nineteen Fourteen The Rochester Catholic High School O infuse into the mind of the Catholic youth a love of knowledge and justice; to enlarge the powers of his soul and intellect; in short, to extend to him the advantages of a sound and thorough education, is the object of the Rochester Catholic High School. In order to accomplish this end, the study of religion has been made a subject of prime importance. Whether the student enrolls in the academical or commercial course; whether he purposes to follow a profession or intends to engage in business activities, he shall find in his curriculum that vital principal that is an encouragement to virtue and morality, and that is the most important factor in the shaping of char¬ acter—religion. That the absence of religion means a probable lack of morality, is the declaration expressed in the words of Washington: Let us with caution indulge in the supposition that morality can be maintained with¬ out religion.” In his “Views of Education” Bishop Spalding shows the absolute necessity of combining religion with education in these words: “The end of education is tire formation of character; character rests on the basis of morality; and morality, if it have life and vigor, is inter¬ fused with religion.” Pro per conduct in the school is further encouraged by having as teachers, sisters and priests. There can be no doubt that in such an atmosphere a regard for ethics and morals will assuredly be produced in the student. Social activities are forbidden in order to secure assiduity in lessons. Time has served to prove the wisdom of such a regulation, for by freely indulging in occasions of festivity, the student too often sacrifices time and opportunities that should be employed in study. Knowledge is a valuable acquisition, but it can be secured with ease only in early life. The chartering of the school at Albany this term under the broader and more comprehensive name, Rochester Catholic High School, did not change the noble purpose that prompted the establishment of a Catholic high school in the city. To many of the graduates, however, the name, Cathedral, will ever be associated with that institution where they received their high school education, and Cathedral will be the only word that will possess the charms of recalling the scenes and awakening the memories of the many pleasant days of high school life. five