Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School - Mitre Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

Page 14 text:

Y f,-0-.. Q 12' J! 1 9,4 RT. REV. MONSIGNOR JOSEPH V. S. MCCLANCY, LL.D It was during the term of Bishop McDonnell, that the title of Superintendent of Diocesan Schools in Brooklyn, came into being in order to insure efficient administration of educational activities. Following his able predecessors, Reverend john L, Belford, Father Thomas O'Brien, and the Reverend joseph D. A. McKenna, the present Diocesan School Super- intendent-Monsignor joseph V. S. McClancy-came to ofiice in 1915, Since that time he has been active in promoting and crystallizing all the factors neces- sary for a well organized, expansive, educational pro- gram. By means of handbook regulations, organized school meetings for teachers, and a definite course of study, the Diocesan School System has realized under Monsignor McClancy its aim, Uniformity, Initiative, and Efficiency. RT. REV. MONSIGNOR HENRY M. HALD, PH.D., LL.D In the position of Associate Superintendent of Schools, Right Reverend Monsignor Henry M. Hald has worked in cooperation with Monsignor McClancy since 1922. By reason of his thorough, earnest efforts, his high educational ideals, his wealth of experience in teaching, Monsignor Hald has contributed a rich heritage to Catholic education. His Readings from the Sacred Scriptures is familiar to students, endeav- oring to read, appreciate, and truly love the work of God. As an outstanding educator, and as devoted pastor, Right Reverend Henry Hald is held in esteem.

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. EF' -Q -.. 11 From the celebration of the first Mass in Brooklyn at the house of William Purcell until the actual establishment of the Diocese in 1853, the Catholic population had grown to fifteen thousand people with an attendant clergy of twenty-five priests. Now one thousand, three hundred ninety-nine priests administer to the spiritual needs and the temporal necessities of about one and a half million souls. This phe- nomenal growth was begun under the leader- ship of the Most Reverend John Loughlin, D.D., first Bishop of Brooklyn, it continued un- der the direction of the Most Reverend Charles E. McDonnell, D.D. and finally, it is reaching its century mark under the pastoral rule of our , .4. ,ff -- 4-,14-'a - t- v 'ii J f . .. 1 ..... -Q , I fl? present Archbishop, the Most Reverend Thomas E. Molloy, S.T.D. and his esteemed auxiliary bishops-Most Reverend Raymond A. Kearney and Most Reverend john J. Boardman. We, of the c Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School are proud and grateful to function as a tiny unit in this great diocese. For through our prayers, interests in missions, adherence in all moral, physical and intellectual aspects of true education, through the many fields we have successfully entered, through the number given to the service of God we are making an effort to be truly worthy of Virtus et Scientia in all fields of endeavor in the work of the Diocese.

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Where there is unity, there is strength, It is in the striving for and the realization of that unity that the Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School maintains its present high status. Since its dedication in l926, our school has con- tinually advanced to tit the educational needs of the moment, to accommmodate a larger pop- ulation, and to create a spirit of Catholic ideal- ism which is meant to permeate our lives for always. Wfhen our beloved Founder Principal, Reverend john J. Ross, went to his eternal re- ward in 1949, a worthy successor was provided in the person of our present Principal-Rev erend William Cavanagh, LLD. In this capacity, Father Cavanagh has added much to the educational facilities of our school. Through his persevering efforts, his foresight, and his plans of reconstruction, he has re- lieved much of the noticeably overcrowded con- ditions by an additional classroom, an extra lunch period and the furnishing of more lock- ers. Again, with the approbation of the Dioc- esan Superintendant, Monsignor McClancy, he has been responsible for needed redecorating of class rooms, and faculty rooms. When the stu- dents requested a yearbook, Father Cavanagh not only approved the idea, but encouraged it by furnishing a workshop and equipment req- uisite for this new undertaking. Then, too, in order to enable students to secure extra credits for graduation, and at the same time, to acquire knowledge of right Christian living, social usages in the home, and eiiicient pleasant atmos- phere, Father was responsible for the additional three year course known as Homemaking or Home Economics and for the new beautifully equipped apartment. In his zealous works as Priest, Director, and Principal, Father Cavanagh has manifested keen interest in the students. It is his cherished dream that the unity which spells strength should be characteristic of our school. With the devoted cooperation of the faculty and its Principal, Father Cavanagh, Memorialites of the present and future may proudly rejoice in the glory of our school. fo, 5 xt Q., 'ik , Fifi f' .l , 1 . 'Q 1 ,ka af, ft, REV. WILLIAM J. CAVANAGH LLD. Principal