Marymount Secondary School - Hiamead Yearbook (Tarrytown, NY)

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The Influence of Books HAT everything we read makes us better or worse is a well-known fact, and from this one may readily estimate the powerful influence of books on the character of man. Father Morgan M. Sheedy writes: Apart from the influence of our holy religion, there is no one thing which enters more deeply into the warp of our characters than the books we read. One of the greatest blessings that can come to any life is the love of books. Next to the actual society of a noble, high-minded author is the benefit to be gained by reading his books. The horizon of the reader broadens, his point of view changes, his ideals are higher and nobler, his outlook on life is more elevated. The books we read in youth are influential in the formation of our characters, we should, therefore, be most careful in our choice of reading matter, only perusing those volumes which will increase our knowledge of good, and intensify our love and apprecia- tion of the beautiful. Already in our varied literary courses and pleasant hours of brousing in our well- stocked library, we have learned to appreciate the great beauty of classical literature, and have become acquainted with fictitious but charming personages who have com- pletely won our hearts. Admiration engenders imitation, and soon we find ourselves instinctively adopting the ways and mannerisms of those dear to us. Hence the necessity of schooling our- selves in the art of reading-reading only clean, wholesome literature which will en- noble our minds and uplift our thoughts to higher things. PEGGY CoP.coRAN, '40. Movies at Marymount E all appreciate Movies, and we were indeed happy when we heard at the be- ginning of the year, that they would be shown in the Auditorium every two weeks. The first one Peck's Bad Boy starring Jackie Coogan was followed by Tom Brown of Culver a most interesting film of school life. Religious features were shown during Lent, and The Sign of the Cross, a Para- mount picture dealing with the persecution of the early Christians, was both educational and impressive. The Public Life of Our Lord, however, as portrayed in The King of Kings, was a masterpiece of reverent beauty and devotion, and it filled our hearts with a greater love for Him who suffered so much for our salvation. The Shepherd of the Seven Hills concluded the Lenten group. This latter pic- ture has not yet been exposed for public exhibition, and deals with the active life of the present Holy Father-his influence in the great mission fields, and his part in the Vatican ceremonies. We hope to see very soon David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and The Tale of Two Cities, and since these are our prescribed reading books, we are more than happy 1 at the Prospect' ANA MARIA VEVE, '40, Fifty-two

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The Christmas Tree E all know the old riddle: Which is the most far-reaching tree in the world? -and the answer: The Family Tree! Now I have often wondered if there is any reason why the tree that brings the most happiness to the world is the Christmas Tree. I wondered and wondered, until one day the proverbial little bird whispered this legend to me. Once upon a time, when Jesus was a Child, His good Foster-Father, who was a carpenter, wished to give Him a little gift for His Birthday. As he was very poor, he could not afford to buy Jesus a costly present, so he decided that, unknown to his Foster Son, he would make Him a pretty little wooden donkey just like the one His dear Mother rode upon the night that He was born. But alas! all the trees in the neighboring forest were too haughty to lend their wood for such a purpose. A donkey, indeed! Their very foliage quivered with indignation at the mere thought of such a thing. So, very sadly, poor Saint Joseph wended his way homewards. He was passing the house of a poor shepherd, when he suddenly felt his arm plucked sharply. Looking around, he saw no one and was about to proceed when he experienced the same tugging of his sleeve. He turned once more, and this time he noticed a slender, graceful tree with pretty, fluffy pine-needles on its branches. He stood gazing at it and then he saw a peculiar look in the eyes of the pine-needles, as though the tree were saying: Please take me to make the donkey for Jesus. So, Saint Joseph cut it down and carried it into his workshop. Soon he produced such a sweet little donkey that the Heart of Little jesus was overjoyed. Now Jesus was God and knew all things. He knew, for instance, about the proud trees in the forest who would not be made into a silly donkey, and He also knew why the pine tree had given its wood so graciously. It was because it had so often seen Him bringing the goodies His Mother had given Him, to the children of the poor shepherd who lived near the place where the tree grew. Now, jesus is never outdone in generosity. He determined that since the pine tree had given Him such happiness on His Birthday, that always on that day it would be the cause of joy to the whole world as long as His Birthday would be celebrated. This is why the pine tree is always chosen for our Christmas tree-the tree that brings hap- piness to all the world. JEAN MENQES' ,38- Gifts of an Angel Snow is an angel's cracker-crumbs- Rain is an angel's tearg Thunder, an angel's clapping hands- Lightning, his silv'ry spear. The soft, cool breeze at Eventide, Stirring earth's flowerets fair, Is also the gift of an angel- 'Tis the breath of an angel's prayer! JANE FLYNN, '37, Fifty-one

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Our Christmas Party cc INGLE bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. -This, and other time-honoured songs sung at random during the week preceding the holidays, filled every ac- ademic nook and cranny with the jubilant spirit of Christmas. In former years, our diversions usually took place in the Assembly Hall, but this year all happened contrary to custom. The Athletic Association Secret Service was in action! During the day scheduled for the annual party, a few members from each class disappeared rather suddenly. Red paper, green paper, glittering tinsel all found their way to the dining room, and in a very short time the place was transformed. The tables with their frosted miniature Christmas Trees and novelties, were arranged in a unique fashion, and behold in the big old-fashioned fire-place, a yule log spluttered and sparkled, and gave a hearty welcome to all. As soon as the supper was over, we gathered round the fire, toasting marsh-mallow and popping corn to our heart's content. Suddenly, a great noise was heard! The lights were extinguished and there in our midst stood Santa Claus-by the light from the ruddy log, he distributed his gifts. Later, we walked in solemn procession to the Auditorium where a lovely crib, fes- tooned with multi-coloured electric bulbs, was waiting for us. Reverend Mother said prayers to Our Infant Saviour, after which a recessional was formed, and on our way up to bed we were met by our beloved Mother General, who wished us a happy Christmas. Our joy was complete! The peace of Bethlehem filled our hearts! DOROTHY NUBEP., '5 9. Wintcr's Charm INTER! The snow spreads its soft, white carpet everywhere, giving a sharp, crisp buoyancy to the atmosphere. All the fields and mountains are pure white, and when the sun's rays reach them, they glitter joyfully, showing that they, too, feel as bright and gay as human beings do at this time of the year. The trees are covered with a strange, fluffy white foliage, and as the wind agitates their branches they seem to bow and sway and throw tiny snowflakes about-just for fun. To complete the colour scheme, brightly tinted suits flash to and fro over the silvery ice. True, we do not see any beautifully coloured leaves waving in the breeze, we do not hear the pretty birds singing in the trees, or watch the delicate butterflies float by on their dreamlike wings, stopping here and there to taste the nectar of a fra- grant flower. Instead, we see a glorious radiant whiteness everywhereg we hear the music of happy laughter breaking the silence of the frosty air, and gaze in admiration as the graceful skaters glide swiftly around the lakes. One does not feel the cold or even miss the birds and flowers, but thc soul is filled with a great calm-a wondrous peace, and the air is filled with -the soft radiance of Bethlehem's Star. MARIA VEVIZ, '38, Fiffy-three