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

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THE ANNUAL STAFF

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A N N U A L l 9 3 6 0 ' St. Thomas More Literary Society T. THOMAS MORE has a great many wise and witty sayings in his fine writings. But it was rather in view of what another famous Englishman of letters, Francis Bacon, said about reading making a full man and writing an exact man, that a literary society was started at Cathedral College. Father Mulrooney, whose years as a professor of English have bred in him an interest in sponsoring good reading tastes among the students and a whimsical faith in the impossible, first conceived the idea and began igniting little sparks of interest here and there among the student body. Gradually the heat of enthusiasm spread and, although we have not reached anything like a conflagration, yet for the eight months since October a small but steady flame has been kept burning. The club is formed of students from fourth and fifth years. At present that is the only actual restriction upon membership. All things else vary with the individual member. An ideal member, however, is one who either derives entertainment and profit from good literature and wants to increase his capa- city for enjoyment and profit or else one who, although having done little reading, is convinced of the latent pleasures of literature and is eager to be introduced to them. He is one, moreover, who is willing to criticize and be criticized, to contribute his ideas to the forum at the end of each meeting and to submit original work, poetry, short stories, etc., when such is the order of the day. l-le is not a litteratus , he is not one who thinks he KNOWS all about about literature but one who wants to LEARN all about it. At the first meeting, deciding that the dual aspect of the fame of Thomas More as Saint and scholar was not incompatible with our particular interests, we called ourselves the St. Thomas More Literary Society. We include about twenty-five in number. At some meetings we discussed an author, the order consisting of papers on his life and works, readingsfrom his works, criticism of papers, questions and discussion. Authors thus far discussed have included our patron St. Thomas More, Francis Thompson and Mark Twain. A few of the meetings have been enlivened by reviews of current books. After a few months of such procedure we decided upon an innovation which proved very popular. We select a particular branch of literature, e.g., the short story, poetry, have papers read on the history and technique of that particular form and have original work submitted voluntarily by any member. This program has proved less formal and more agreeable. lt has also fostered a more spirited discussion. A literary society in Cathedral is not something entirely new. Two pre- vious ones existed at various times in the history of the College and both died after an early blossom. Profiting by these experiences we are guarding against over-enthusiasm, and too lofty ambitions. Father Mulrooney, our faculty adviser, and Mr. Weldon have aided us by their suggestions and efforts to keep interest alive. We are grateful. We feel that a literary group such as ours has a place in Cathedral and we are determined to make it a permanent part of the life at the College. lll

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A N N U A L l 9 3 6 0 0 The Annual Staff N consideration of the fine cooperation which every member of the class of l936 manifested toward the Annual, it would be unjust to exclude them in mentioning the ANNUAL Staff. When the process of compiling the ANNUAL had gotten under Way, the entire class responded to the call of Doctor Morrow and of those who were designated by him as members of the staff. After school the classroom was a buzzing center of activity as the students milled about, discussing possible advertisers or patrons and as others submitted to the editor the literary assignment which they had prepared. Every man Went out to do his share with the avowed intention of making the l936 ANNUAL a success. When the ANNUAL Staff had been chosen by Father Morrow, early in the school year, it set about at once to make plans for the publication of the ANNUAL. After several meetings the preliminary plans were prepared and the theme and dedication were decided upon for the book. Work now began in earnest. Frank Tyrell, as Editor-in-Chief, had a difficult task upon his hands, being responsible for all the literary material of the book. The 1936 ANNUAL bears mute testimony to the endless hours of work he spent in preparing and creating material so that the book might be a success. To George La Flare, the Business Manager, and Paul Meconi, the Chairman of the Patrons Com- mittee, We owe special Words of appreciation for their untiring efforts as is evidenced in the great number of ads and patrons. The Staff Artists, joseph Buckley, Gerald Ryan, lohn Norris, loseph l-lolahan and Donald Edwards, are to be highly commended for their excellent work. Their hours of toil and months of thought are likely to be passed over lightly, but we are indeed grateful for their contributions. Then there are the other members of the Staff Who worked equally hard but who are easily forgotten: Robert Barnwell, Michael Fleming, Louis Ferber, james Hennegan, lerome Murphy, Ernest Vohs, and Anthony Logatto. And to all who have helped us in any Way We praise and thank. Especially are We grateful to our advertisers and patrons and We hope that all our readers will remember them and patronize them. No mention has been made as yet about the most important member of the ANNUAL staff who has the difficult task of choosing the staff and in kindling in the entire school a zeal to support the ANNUAL. As Faculty Adviser he undertakes the tremendous responsibility of insuring a successful publication, a responsibility which entails no little Worry. We of the ANNUAL Staff are indeed thankful that We have one such as Father Morrow, to Whom We can go with our problems and We are sincerely grateful for the Work he has done in the past and at the present in making this ANNUAL a success. lt is the candid hope of the 1936 Staff of the ANNUAL that everyone of its readers will enjoy the book as we enjoyed publishing it. ll3