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

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012.1 Elmira Catholic High School ,Ainnual No MAD CHEMIST RTON AND A ..LU CKY Q f , SUMMERf1936

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Elmira Catholic High School Annual CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICE As a result of this modern society in which we live, there have arisen many grave social problems. A number of remedies have suggested them- selves for the correction of these evils. But of all these, the Catholic method is the wisest, for it is based on the teachings of Christ and the revelations of Almighty God. Catholic social service means helping to improve the con- ditions of the times, with the ultimate purpose of saving souls. Rendering Catholic social service to a family follows a definite plan. First, all know- ledge gainable about the family is gathered into a case history, and then, using all resources on hand, aid is given in a Catholic way. In formulating a case history, extreme tact and resourcefulness are necessary. Every individual, and every family will present a different pro- blem, due to the difference in character, temperament, and training. The case history is based on knowledge gathered from contacts with parish priest, family physician, and with the family itself. This information, to- gether with any resources on hand, such as pensions which may be obtained, or help from other relief agencies, is put on file for future reference. Then the machinery is set into motion. Catholic social service goes a little deeper than just rendering temporary help to the suffering. It tries to prevent the causes of this distress. Feeding a hungry man for the sake of Christ is a very moving act of mercy. However, if this relief is made per- manent for this person, it may be the means of destroying him, for he may take the attitude why should I work, when someone else will feed me? So Catholic social service gives relief, but at the same time shows the poor how to make use of their personal resources, and to guard against a future recurrence of this distress. I have summarized briefly the method followed by Catholic relief agencies in relieving poverty. In order to continue this work of helping the poor, social agencies require the asssitance of paid, professional and volun- tary workers. Relieving distress is a particularly Christ-like task. The worker who brings help to his neighbor is acting in the role of Christ. By serving others, we grow in spiritual perfection. Catholic social service is genuine Catholic Action, for it spreads Christ's kingdom in our own hearts, and advances it in our neighbor's. YVilliam Reed '38 'i,.iT .. MY LOVE My love is made of joyous things- Of children's laughter, blithe and gay, A fountain's tinkling music sweet, The patter of two tiny feet, A garden where the breezes play. My love is made of peaceful things- Of twilight shadows, soft and blue, Of moonlight kissing placid streams Of roses, steeped in perfumed dreams, Of early sunshine on the dew. My love is made of holy things- Of reverent heads bowed down in prayer, An organ playing, soft and low, A flickering candle's rosy glow, Of Christ upon the Altar there. Ellen B. Moxley '38 l60l

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Elmira Catholic High School Annual MAKE-BELIEVE A tiny brownie with a look of mischief in his gay, dancing brown eyes, skipped quickly behind a tree. Down the path came the little, forlorn figure of a pink fairy. just as she reached him, the tiny creature sighed deeply and dropped onto a deep green oak leaf which accepted the golden lights in the bright curls above the blue, blue eyes, that looked now as if they were going to cry. Two tiny feet were covered by dainty, pale pink slippers and the beautiful little dress looked more like a pink carnation than a dress. Faint, pink color came and went in the smooth cheeks. Tiny, beautifully-formed teeth caught and held the rosebudls lower lip, which trembled slightly. The gay smile which was so much a part of Bunnie fthe Brownie, of coursej was dimmed as he looked at the little pink lady. He held his breath in horror as, with a great trembling sigh, the pink, lacy wings rose like a bird about to Hy awayg then, with a tiny falling sound lay quiet, passive- for this beautiful little person was crying. The breeze brothers who were playing hide-and-seek in the oak leaves stopped their game and seemed to whisper to one another, One so beautiful as she should be happy, XVhy isn't she ? Bunnie was wondering the same thing and since he was Mr Curiosity from the top of his peaked cap to the tip of his turned-up pointed shoes, he jumped out from behind the sheltering tree i11 front of the tiny fairy. She was so startled that she ceased crying and shrank back. lJon't be frightened, begged Bunnie, in his jolly voice. I wouldn't hurt a wee mite like you for all the walnuts in the world. The blue, blue eyes llike blue dew-drops nowj looked up at Bunnie. Then a little Voice, like the ringing of a soft bell, answered, 'Tm not frightened-not of you, anywayf' Bunnie pulled two tiny cookies from a pocket and giving one to the little pink creature, settled down on a piece of bark, while the soft voice told him the reason for the trembling lips and dew-drop eyes. The little Voice told him how Pearl-Cirayy' tour tiny pink friend's step- motherj had arranged a marriage between the spirit of Night and the pink fairy. She told him also that she did not like the spirit of Night, he fright- ened her, but Qshylyj that she did like him QBunniej. Bunnie's eyes flashed brown fire as he decided that something must be done. Something was done. Bunnie challenged the Spirit of Night to a duel for the lady's hand. As the pistol sounded, Bunnie tchivalrous little fellowj advancedg grass blade raised, gay smile on his round little face, perky cap, with his ladyls pink gracing it, set at a jaunty angle over one brown eye. Came to meet him-the Spirit of Night, a dark, sinister figure, crossing the green grass, looking out of place there in the dancing sunlight. Maybe it was because of that sun, or maybe it was because of a tiny pink bow on a perky brown cap, or maybe-but anyway, just as the Spirit of Night raised his grass blade, Bunnie danced in and struck it down, win- ning a victory for love. - Kathleen Sheehan '38 .. i.lii-.il SUNRISE Rose, gold, and mystifying blue, Silver, mauve, and opalescent hue: Awful, breath-taking delight to the eyes- XVondrous, glorious, sparkling sunrise! Florence Hughes '39 l 6 2 l