Elmira Catholic High School - Victorian Yearbook (Elmira, NY)

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Elmira Catholic High School Annual President ...... Vice President . Secretary ...... Treasurer ...... Margaret Arman Helen Burns Edward Carroll Mary Coughlin Ann Crossed Charles Fouhy James Frost Ann Gerrity Shirley Gilroy XVilliam Graham CLASS OF 1938 Class Officers Mary Hall Albert Hogan Mary Margaret Kelly NVilliam Kelly Frank Kessing john Mack Helen McCarthy Frances Mclnerny Ellen Moxley John Mulligan Vkfilliam Reed 1.1-1.-...l--1-. CATHOLIC ACTION . . . . . . . . . . Michael Rohde . . . . . . . . .. Mary XfVipHer Margaret Mary Shannon . . . . . . . . . Charles Fouhy jean Reidy Michael Rhode Irene Rhode Margaret Mary Shannon Kathleen Sheehan Dolores Sheehan Arthur Smith Firmina Sweeney john Tormey Mary VVipHer Catholic action will never be of ll material orrler, but spiritual, never of a uforldy order, but celestial, never political, but religious. - Pius XI Jesus Christ, Our Leader, came into this world to save the souls of mankind. He established His Kingdom, the Catholic Church to continue that sublime work until the end of time. just like any other kingdom or society, the Catholic Church needs leaders to guide its destinies. By our Lord's command, Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature, it is our duty to spread the word of God whenever we have the opportunity. In our modern times the integrity of faith and customs is always gravely menaced, and priests, because of the scantiness of their num- ber, are powerless to meet the necessities of souls. It is all the more urgent to practice Catholic Action in which the laity comes to the aid of the clergy and fills out the small number of priests. A zealous lay Catholic may per- form wonders in winning immortal souls. livery Catholic ought to be so enthusiastic over the marvelous privilege he has received that he should be bursting with eagerness to impart his knowledge and to gain converts for Christ. All classes of society are called upon to assist in the great apostalate of Catholic Action. The finest type of training for Catholic Action is threefold in character. The first is the quest for Christian holiness. A Catholic layman who is to assist in spreading the kingdom of God must hrst set up that kingdom in his own heart. He must make his own life a truly Catholic one which with him- self, he should aim at Christian perfection which means the securing of union with God by love and the detaching himself from gross earthly de- sires. Christ expects him to live his life so as to remain in His mystical Body. In striving after Christian perfection he is obeying the words of Christ, Be ye perfect as also your heavenly Father is perfect. The second type of preparation in which the lay Catholic must partici- pate if he wishes to be trained adequately for active Catholicity is in the l57l

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Elmira Catholic High School Annual iield of study. He is not educated if he is unable to explain Catholic doctrine a11d Catholic teaching on social questions. The years of school life offer innumerable opportunities for a Catholic youth to obtain the necessary study of religion. In failing to give the right proportion of his time to religion, he is hampering himself for life. In the years of manhood he will realize that he is seriously handicapped and unable to engage in many opportunities for Catholic Action. It is only with difficulty that one will develop efficient habits of study later in life if he does not learn to study during high school. Those who are given the opportunity to attend a Catholic school are in a position to prepare for the finest type of Catholic Action. No where else but in the Catholic school is there such occasion to study Catholic doctrine and principle. The Catholic study club is a form of training in which a Catholic may better know his religion. It is a club, composed of members who are interested in Catholic teachings on social questions. In practicing Catholic Action it is necessary to be able to translate the Faith in terms- of every day acts and relationships with fellowmen. Religion is a subject that enters all phases of life. It is not something that may be thoroughly learned from one book. The study of religion should be a life work. To continue an intelligent study of our religion is a most worthy work of Catholic Action. The third type of training for Catholic Action is the various activities in which the laity may engage while assisting the poor, the ignorant and the needy. In cooperating with the activities, the laity will be furthering the training for Catholic Action. There is a parish society named the Confra- ternity, made up of zealous members of the laity who volunteer a definite time every week to discover children in need of religious instruction and to conduct Christian Doctrine classes. Another activity in which thousands of high schools boys and girls are interested is the Catholic Student's Mission Crusade. Participating in mission programs, praying and sacrificing for the missions, studying the needs of our missions both at home and abroad, mak- ing money for these missions are means that boys and girls in Catholic schools have to manifest active Catholicity. Shirley Gilroy '38 . TO A GOLDFISH Oh, slithering, slippery, slimy creatures, lYhat an aimless life you lead , Darting hither and thither in water, Never working for your needs. 'Round and 'round in your glassy house You wend your ceaseless way, lVith beady, staring, unseeing eyes And fins in rhythmic sway. Your shiny scales reflect The sunshine's yellow gold: The fountain of youth belongs to youg You never will grow old. But I wish not to be a beauty like you- I'd rather be-just me. 'Cause I can roam wherever I please- But you-you'll never be free. Florence Hughes '38 l 5 3 l