Loretto Academy - Laurel Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

Page 25 text:

 At the cross her stotion keeping echoed through the holls of Loretto September 1 7 when the students mode o pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of the Seven Dolors, the patroness of the Sisters of Loretto. Moving to shrines throughout the school, the pilgrims relived Mary's seven sorrows. Laurelette editor, Kris Schaeffer awards the big Spirit Cup to senior president, Peggy Wolski. In the laurelette drive the sen- iors turned in a whopping $1,638—227% of their quoto. Alto- gether the four classes brought in $4,384.50—130% of the school quota. This will go toward putting out four complete issues of the laurelette plus a senior supplement. Striving for a better Loretto world. Student Council members met with the faculty ot the Student-FocuIty Institute, September 8 Leadership campers tried to recreate the outdoorsy otmosphere of comp, but at Dede's form they hod to substitute cows for chipmunks and rolling Kansas farmland for Colorado Rockies. Sister David Maureen told student and faculty about the retreat Fr. Kusman gave the sisters during the summer on the Better World Movement. Fall 1963

Page 24 text:

New Student Council members mode their pledge ond received their council pins ot the first ossembly of the Student Govern- ment Association. The Student Government Association is on innovation involving faculty ond students. It is governed by the Student Council under the rules of the new constitution. PE RSPECTi v Freshmen ond seniors got to know each other at the big sister- little sister get-together September 4. The juniors and sopho- mores followed through with freshman orientotion parties of their own Here big sisters Janice Schmeltz and Parrfela Moten employ teamwork in the activities with their little sisters Rose- mary Schmeltz and Paula Moten. The Blue-monti added a professional touch to the Hootenony September 21. Musicol contributions were also mode by six other groups ond soloists. The Hootenony more than fulfilled its purpose of raising money for the new Student Handbook 16

Page 26 text:

Mr. Robert Hoyt, choirmon of the Kansas City Catholic Inter- racial Council, explains how the Catholic Interraciol Council is trying to improve race problems in the community. What is prejudice? Are some really more intelligent than others? What is morally right concerning the race problem? If you can't answer these questions you can class yourself with most Catholics in the country. The race problem is a subject on which we are all very much uninformed; yet, it's every Catholic's obligation to contribute to the solving of this problem, says Mr. Hoyt, chairman of the Catholic Interracial Council. To solve this problem we must under- stand it, and this is what the Catholic Interracial Council is trying to do by informing the public. In Kansas City the Council has 120 salaried members and 1000 names on its mailing list. Members need nor be Catholics, although, all the Council’s work is presently aimed at Catholics. Dues of the organization are used for literature and other expenses which may occur. The first step in solving the race problem is to learn the situation in depth and detail, says Mr. Hoyt. Many people still have a ridiculous image of all members of another race; this is especially true of the whites in regard to the Negroes. People just don't know any different, because they have been raised on these ideas. The racial problem is a moral problem. The Council is trying to reach people's consciences, making them realize that they can't say, I believe in God and democracy and keep refusing people their basic rights. The Council has set up a home visitor program, which is designed so that people of different races meet in their own homes and discuss the prejudice question. The Council is striving for unity; not wiping out cultural differences, but wiping out prejudice.” What is the Catholic Interracial Council? How does it work? What is the race situation on Kansas City? These questions and others were asked at an inter- view with Mr. Robert Hoyt, editor of the Catholic Reporter and chairman of the Kansas City Catholic Interracial Council. His answers showed that the main solution to the race question is for us To Be Informed You can't draw a line or have reservations. You can't destroy one part of discrimination, without destroying all of it, replied Mr. Hoyt when he was asked about the seri- ousness of the Kansas City problem. Like almost every Northern community, Kansas City has discrimination in employment, education, housing, hospitalization, and public and private accommodations. The Catholic Interracial Coun- cil studies these problems and tries to negotiate with those involved. In the case of education and public accom- modations, members of the Council have testified before the school board and the Chamber of Commerce. The Council, in the future, hopes to break up the white ghettos in the suburbs, thus, helping the Negro housing problem. T he most popular way to arouse interest today, is the non- violent demonstration. Although no one can be in sym- pathy with all the incidents, the non-violence movement is remarkable because it shows great self-control, courage and training, said Mr. Hoyt when asked about the national demonstrations. As of yet, the Council has taken no active part in any demonstration, but members were sent to take part in the Washington march. T his is an era of revolution where prejudice, discrimina- tion, and segregation are a part of the every-day life. Every- one must be aware of the crucial developments of the race situation. The Church is just beginning her efforts in this field; but prejudice is a powerful force and the only force comparable to it is religion. By being informed Catholics we can better meet the demands which the racial problem will involve in the future. 18 the laurelette