Catholic Central High School - Spires Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

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ii 55 I Am Thy Servant A TRIBUTE f 1 Jggixxf ,b A kindly face, a loving smile, I yf flf fj.-jj!! A crown of silvery hair: A gentle hand, a heart of gold, p A 5 .r t Ah, such 3 MAN is rare! -it ,it j 3 fs! 1 C .X ' 1 -H ' ' He lived for His flock, he treasured '- 'V A' 'f his fold All this uiith ardent care. 5-:Q,yg L-kvv hp'qwM My God! Open the gates of Paradise! ' Y' L ' You have an ANGEL there! --jean Dutmer, '43

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A Word About Mary When the people of the United States wish to speak to the people of England, Brazil, or any other foreign country, they do so through representatives called ambassadors and ministers. Analogously, when the people of Christ's earthly kingdom, Wish to make contact with any Person of the Blessed Trinity up in the Realm of Heaven, they do so through ministers, called saints, or better still, through their Ambassador, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Born on earth a human being, she truly realizes the trials and Wants of us poor mortals. Blessed as the Mother of Christ, she is in a splendid position to obtain divine aid for us Whenever we need it. Every day, We students at Catholic Central, start off our classes with a Hail Mary to the Mother of God. Unfailingly, she always responds to our plea, securing for us, Wisdom from the Holy Ghost to obtain Victory in Mental Training which we have achieved thus far. Then, too, her unseen aid was visibly recognized in the field of sports, as time and again, the Cougar lads, Wearing her glorious colors of BLUE AND WHITE, thrust defeat from their door by forming quiet huddles of prayer which ended in startling victories - significantly, a Victory in Physical Training. Last of all, it was through her intercession, that we enjoyed a very successful social year. Although all our activities were primarily fun and amusement, they were in reality a test - a test to determine the character and upbringing of Catholic Central youth - a true Victory in Social Training. At no time Whatever did our Ambassador to Heaven turn deaf ears to our pleas, or leave them unanswered. These temporal victories all came through Mary, just as our eternal victory in Heaven will some day come through her aid, too.

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V IN MEMORIAM Bishop Plagens 11880-1943l 'Remember always that the sole anchor to which you can cling when lite becomes rough are your religion and the sound principles of character imparted to you by your teachers in Catholic Central High School. These were the Most Reverend Bishop Ioseph C. Plaqens parting words to the graduating class in l94l, his first year as Bishop ot Grand Rapids. Bishop Plageris carrie as a ruler ot the Grand Rapids Catholic diocese from Marquette only two short years ago and won the hearts of many by his kindly, friendly manners As he traveled on his confirmation tours throughout Western Michigan he gained recognition as the kindest shepherd ot Gods flock. His death, on March 3l, shocked everybody, As a child of four, Bishop Plagens settled with his parents in Detroit, Michigan, and received his early education there. He was awarded his master of arts degree lrom the University of Detroit, then entered St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, to study for the priesthood, and was ordained in l9U3 in Detroit, Alter serving in many parishes he was made aux- iliary bishop ot Detroit in l924 and ten years later was named bishop of Marquette. At the resignation ot the Most Reverend Bishop loseph G. Pinten he was appointed bishop ot Grand Rapids and was installed in St. Andrew cathedral, February, l9fll. Although his stay was short the memory of Bishop Plagens shall never die in the hearts ot those who knew him