Elms College - Elmata Yearbook (Chicopee, MA)

Page 21 text:

w, There is not an adage to describe him. His very being defies any combination of words in any language to do him justice. From the moment that he enters (with hand to fore- head in a characteristic gesture known only to us who have seen it) until the final bell and Well, that ' s the way it goes, the class takes on an air of interest and awareness that attests his thorough knowledge of the subject at hand. His notes, meticulous and exact hint of the preparation which goes into every class and every other thing he does for us. Because he shows us so much care we truly call him Father.

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REV. ROBERT H. STAFFORD Philosophy With boyish charm and a warm smile of greeting for each and every Elms girl Father Stafford has breezed his way into our hearts and planted there the seed of reverent love reserved for our philosophy professors because they understand the quirks of the feminine mind when assimilat- ing their favored subject. With a twinkle in his eye (and is that a ghost of a smile I see hovering on his lips?) he listens to why we can ' t have the test Friday and why I didn ' t have time to study last night — and gives in every time. His patient explanations always elucidate even the most obscure theses. A perpetual aura of quiet friendliness surrounds our Father Stafford and endears him to all his earthly as well as heavenly associates. 16

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•Skf fjr REV. THOMAS F. DEVINE Education Wm HI » Father ' s character shows many different facets. The underlying spark beneath them all comes from the joy he has at having a firm hold on the way to happiness. A soft, half chuckling tone weaves its way through his speech letting some of this same joyousness spill over in expression. In his more pensive moods one senses his keen delight at weighing thoughts. Each new idea gathered from his musings brings note of happy discovery to his face. Eyes alight, the mouth twitches quickly upward in lines of pleased satisfaction. This thoughtful sensitivity finds great beauty in all the little things: trees bowed gracefully to autumn wind, the relaxed sound of hearty laughter, the pleasantness of a pulsating rhythm. If one has seen his gaunt figure bowed, the laughter lines fled from round his mouth, as he makes the stations of the Cross,- one knows that he is seeing with Christ all the emptiness of the multitude crying out its need. He turns then and brings them Christ by the teaching of his actions.