Brother Rice High School - Crusader Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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. X X .XE X ...gS ABOVE: The cornerstone reads: The Christian Brothers of Ireland, 1955 AD., Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop. BELOW: QI to rj Father Vitha, Cardinal Stritch, Father Briody are shown during the blessing of the school. -sly 5' x4 ' '- .nf From the time the Brothers took up residence in their new monastery until April of the following year, 1957, they offered their morning homage to God in Queen of Martyrs Church. Nevertheless they looked forward to the day when they would have daily Mass said in their own private chapel and have the Blessed Sacrament present in their home. This hope and dream became reality on the morning of April 16, 1957, when Msgr. Edward M. Burke, the archdiocesan Chancellor, in the presence ofthe combined faculties of Brother Rice and Leo High Schools, sang a Missa Cantata in our simple but beautiful chapel. The choice ofthe celebrant of this Mass was not without reason, for it was with Msgr. Burke that plans for the new school were initially considered and it was he who encouraged the Brothers greatly in the development of their elaborate plans. Also present at this Mass was a large and distinguished group ofthe school's most outstanding benefactors. ln this year of momentous occasions, the most outstanding was the dedication of Brother Rice High School by His Eminence, the late Samuel Cardinal Stritch. Both the student body and the faculty worked diligently in preparation for this unprecedented event. Even today the memory of this solemn ceremony is cherished by all. Shortly before noon on May 30, 1957, His Eminence ' was met by the Brothers and the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. The dedication rites began exactly at noon. The Cardinal was assisted by the Reverend pastors of Queen of Martyrs and Holy Redeemer parishes, Fathers Vitha and Briody respectively.

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Q 0 THE ORIGINAL FACULTY OF BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL 1956-1957 I

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Present also were an outstanding group of Right Reverend, Very Reverend and Reverend clergy from the parishes on the South Side of the city. The faculty of Loo High School again showed their cooperation by their presence at this monumental event. Approximately 2500 persons were in attendence at the ceremony. Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given in the gymnasium, which had been transformed into a temporary chapel for the occasion. His Eminence spoke on the necessity of a Catholic education and the excellence of our educational facilities and our faculty. He encouraged the Brothers to give their best to those entrusted to their care. He furthermore urged the parents to cooperate with the faculty in all their efforts on behalf of the students. The solemn blessing of our school by Samuel Cardinal Stritch culminated this magnificent occasion. This photo, which was taken after the first Mass on April 16, 1957, shows Msgr. Burke fimmediately to the left of Br. Pennyj, many of the priests from the neigh- boring parishes, the faculty, and the families of many of the benefactors of the school. W