Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception - Annual Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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PROMOTERS OF THE PBOPAGATION OF THE FAITH

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A N N U A L l 9 3 6 ' ' Saint Francis Players N writing of the Saint Francis Players it has always been the custom to start off with apologies for lack of material, time, scenery, and everything else. Paucity of membership, lack of spirit, and to speak frankly many a poor per- formance were all explained away by calling scripts dull, the stage too small, or the student body unresponsive. But this year told another story. There was a renewal of interest, an increase of ability that can be explained only by the new surge of school spirit that has flooded the whole school. The season began with GASSED, the first comedy in several years to bring forth real belly laughs. The plot, it is true, was one that was used before, but there was supplied fresh dialogue, and a lightness of presentation that made the play a hit with all the students. Acting honors went to lack Donelon for a bombastic performance as a senior with high pressure ideas, and to Henry Krisch who proved himself a good dead pan comedian, At Christmas, the sequel to GASSED was presented, under the name of GRACIE. And to mention GBACIE is to bring back chuckling recollections of Ed Mcl-lugh dominating the whole action, giving the best individual perform- ance that l can remember in my six years at Cathedral. GRACIE was followed by a serious play, THE UNBIDDEN GUEST, on the same program, with a throwback scene of lerusalem that was quite realistic. The scowling, scoffing father that Syl Benack made was a fine character rendition, while many will remember Frank Tyrrell as a gentle, understanding Saint Ioseph. The real triumph of the players was THE FIRST LEGION, which we hoped was but the first of many such school plays. We can well recall the weeks of practice, with Father Ryan coaxing, scolding, flattering, scorning good per- formances out of a cast which possessed eagerness hard to be surpassed. The question on the lips of everyone was whether the players could possibly suc- ceed in putting on a full length serious play that would be accepted by a critical audience. Then breathless hours before the big night, the stabbing minute before entrances, the last curtain, and-thunderous applausel lt would be useless to recall the action of the play, the Merrie Mon- signor, the grim confessional scene, the pathetic death of the Father Rector, or the glorious last miracle. They are things which neither youynor I shall forget for many a moon. And individual performances? To name the stars would necessitate the mention of the whole cast and each character in particular. Enough to say that the actors proved that they lived their parts, and gave careful and sincere interpretations. But there was one member of the Saint Francis Players who has never made an appearance on the stage. He is Stan Forker, a clever electrician who knows how to get startling effects with little bits of wire and pieces of string. l hope the players can secure another like him next year. ln conclusion may we ask What about next year? Shall the old feeling of despair return again, or shall memory of a good year carry next year's Players to new summit? Do not allow your reviewers to call you just Thes- piansf' To you from graduating hands we throw the torch. lOl

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7 I A'N N U A L 19 3 6 0 ' The Society of the Propagation of Faith Spiritual Director ..,.......................,,.......,..,... REV. ARCHIBALD V. MCLEES, D.D. Senior Chairman ...,.............,..,..........,, ......,....,................,.......,...., F RANK TYRRELL '36 IOHN M. IATKOWSKI '37 IOSEPI-I M. SULLIVAN '37 EDWARD E. HUDSON '38 ' DANIEL E. O'CONNELL '38 IOSEPI-I B. IUDGE '39 WILLIAM I. MCGUIRE '39 IOSEPI-I B. BI1-ILER '40 PHILIP I. REEI-IEL '40 NICHOLAS P. SUSSILLO '40 IAMES P. REYNOLDS '41 WILLIAM I. MCCARREN '41 Remailing Committee WILLIAM E. LOHMAN '36 IAMES R. HAND '36 WILLIAM A. RUDDY '40 ACI-I year We, as students of Cathedral College, are called upon to help in a Work in which We should be most interested, since later it is to be our life Work, namely, the Propagation of the Faith. Of course, at the present time We are not permitted to carry on this work directly, but there are two ways in which We may do our part, by prayer and by financial contributions. Every morning of the school year special prayers are offered up to the Over- seer of the Missions for the Propagation of the Faith. A special Sunday, designated as Mission Sunday, is observed in some one of the churches of the Diocese by the members of the Society and others who are able to attend. The other means of spreading the Faith is by financial contributions. This is of no small importance to the Society. This year has been very suc- cessful, even surpassing last year which was a banner one. The members of the Society and the collectors of each class are to be highly commended, but especially the Sixth Year class and section one of Fifth Year. It is quite certain that the latter will set a record for individual subscription average. Another section of the society which is becoming more and more im- portant each year is the Remailing Department. This group gathers, selects, and sends out Wholesome Catholic literature to schools, hospitals, and homes in many foreign lands. Some of these parcels travel north to Canada, others southeast to various parts of Africa, and still others West to the Philippine Islands. At the present time there is a great spiritual famine in these countries and good Catholic literature can satisfy part of the hunger which exists. Recently, many prayer-books, rosaries, and holy pictures have been included in the shipping. The Remailing Department is happy to announce the receipt of numerous letters of thanks from the Missions and the Missionaries who have been benefited by this help. These letters, with their kind Words of appreciation, give abundant thanks for the little bit We do. The prayers which these humble Missionaries offer up to God can not but amply repay us many times for our sacrifices which are infinitely small in comparison to theirs. In past years, Cathedral College has made a name for itself in Mission activities for which it should be justly proud. It is up to us as students to continue this glorious Work Which surely must be pleasing in the sight of God. Let us continue propagating the Eaithl 103