Manhattan College - Manhattanite Yearbook (Riverdale, NY)

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Catholic Students Mission Crusade TTROBABLY the largest organization in - - membership at Manhattan College is the Catholic Students Mission Crusade. Through the efforts of energetic and I won ' t take no for an answer promoters, the majority of students subscribed to the worthy cause of the missions. At the beginning of each religion class the mite box was passed and a continual succession of sundry coins from the U. S. mint boosted the amount of money collected for the sole purpose of fostering and per- petuating the true faith in foreign lands. As part of the annual mission program a number of prominent lecturers encouraged the good work of the crusade. The Rev. Vin- cent Jeffers, Assistant Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, compli- mented the Unit on its great spirit and many accomplishments. The famous Guadalcanal Chaplain, Father Frederick Gehring, spoke on the work of the Vincentian Fathers who are doing exemplary work in the mission fields. Perhaps the most arduous and detailed task accomplished by the active members of the group during the past year, was the ticket promotion for the three plays produced by the Manhattan College Players. The sub- stantial audiences which sat in witness to some fine dramatic performances attested to the zeal and hard work of the Mission So- ciety. Continuing its fine promotion record, the group, in conjunction with the young ladies of Mount St. Vincent College, sponsored a most successful tea dance at Mount St. Vin- cent College. On the memorable night of the big blizzard, December 26th, the So- ciety held its first annual dance at the Con- course Plaza Hotel. As a result of the aforementioned activi- ties, e en at this moment the light of faith shines through the pagan darkness of far off lands, made possible by the generous con- tributions and cooperation of the men of Manhattan and the group who willingly re- linquished many leisure hours that this might be possible. 185

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St Vincent de Paul Society rHE St. Vincent de Paul Society chapter on the Manhattan College campus which is officially known as the De La Salle Con- ference, continued to earn the p raise and ad- miration of the larger chapters of the Arch- diocese who are encouraged in their own work by the showing of this college group. The now traditional Christmas show fea- turing a prohibitively priced array of talent all working for naught but the Society ' s char- itable coffers, has become a season ' s highlight at Manhattan through the efforts of the Vin- centians. This year proceeds from the show amounted to close to one thousand dollars voluntarily contributed by Manhattan men and intended for the purpose of making Christmas a happier occasion for many poor folk of the Archdiocese. On Sunday, April 18th, the De La Salle Conference played gracious host to the ' Vin- centian Conference of the Bronx. Following mass and communion a breakfast was served in the College cafeteria. The principal speaker, Brother Bonaventure Thomas, ex- tolled the members of the St. Vincent De Paul Society for their efforts on behalf of the poor and indigent. As a result of faculty recognition of such efforts, he announced the granting of a four year tuition scholarship to Manhattan College to be awarded at the dis- cretion of the Particular Council of the Bronx. Other activities that brought further merit to the De La Salle group were the annual Lenten mite box drive, two collections for clothes, and a Christ-like spirit of charity which they introduced through many media. LInlike parish conferences, the College Vincentians do not visit the poor in their homes. The funds collected through the course of a year ' s program were distributed through charitable organizations imbued with the same spirit and qualified to put the funds to the best possible use. 184

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Catechist Society ' I ' O mark its Tenth Anniversary the Cate- chist Society decided to do more than usual this year. That something was to re- ward the children who had attended classes most regularly with a monster Field Day and Outing. Four large busses were hired to bring more than 1 50 children to the Van Cortlandt Stadium, to the Park, and finally to the College Campus. Throughout the day the children had races, games, swims in the col- lege pool, and a rare performance of magic by Brother Aloysius Raphael, F.S.C. All in all the day was a great success and when the busses took leave of the campus happy chil- dren waved good bye and sincere thanks for one of the best days of their lives. The year 1948 marks the Tenth Anniver- sary of the founding of the Manhattan Col- lege Catechist Society. Begun most inauspi- ciously in response to an in ' itation to help in the teaching of religion to public school children of St. Cecilia ' s Parish in lower Har- lem, the Society has extended its aid to many other centers throughout the past ten years. Encouragement from Brother A. Victor, former President, from Brother B. Thomas, President, and from so many members of the faculties of the College and Preparatory School has proved a constant spur to the members of the Society to expand their fields of influence where ' er and whene er possible. The splendid record of this year ' s Catechist group is due in no small part to the efforts of its energetic and Christopher-like presi- dent. Bill Mechmann. 186