Mount Saint Joseph Academy - Mount Yearbook (Rutland, VT)

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A CENTENNIAL REMEMBRANCE THE MOUNT 1987

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CENTENNIAL GREETINGS FROM THE PRINCIPAL PREFACE As we seek in this book, lo commemorate and to celebrate over one hundred years of educational service to and with the Church in Vermont and the people of Central Vermont. Rutland in particu- lar. it is very fitting to spend some moments to walk back in history and to reflect gratefully on all that has been. Much re- search has been done and will be shared with all who read these pages, yet some things will escape print for various reasons. Thus, what is written will jog memories and renew smiles of yesteryear. As the current principal of Mt. St. Joseph Academy, it is indeed a privilege to be here at this time of such moment. This, my twenty fifth year at M.S.J. and fourth as its principal, is but a part of its history. During its life span M.S.J. has grown in size to over 650 at times and then diminished to just below 350. While the numbers have changed with the limes, the goals have remained basically the sanu?. The over all growth, spiritual, intellectual, social and physical, of the student remains paramount. Mt. St. Joseph began as a small boarding school for girls. Then, with desire to meet the needs of the time, it was expanded and opened to boys. It is a fully State approved private secondary day school for grades nine through twelve. It has given birth to a tradition which is rich in excellence in all aspects of student life and has given society many, many servants and leaders in all paths of life. Each year M.S.J. graduates move on to their next venture well prepared to take their place in our world. While M.S.J. has been rich in so many things through the years, finances has always been an area of struggle. The financial prob- lems through the years have remained with us. though timely gifts have allowed us to continue. The great generosity of parents, faculty and students in giving of their time to help us to meet each need has become a tradition in itself. Contributed services abound. It is my fervent prayer that our very modest Endowment Fund will receive many gifts in the centenary year and thus insure our future in some more financially stable manner. Each year for the past several, the school conducts an Annual Development Fund Drive. TFie Alumni, in particular, are generous contributors. Many people who are not graduates, but who do value the pres- ence of M.S.J. have also regularly contributed. The opportunity to invest in a catholic education of such quality is an opportunity accepted by many and each year the current graduates join this group of supporters. We look back on these one hundred plus years with great grati- tude for all that has been. We must be grateful to the early Sisters of St. Joseph who came from Flushing. Long Island at the invitation of Father Charles Boylan to begin a school in Rutland. We are grateful also, to all of the Sisters who through the years gave so generously of themselves, their tune and their talents and more particularly for their faith in God. It is the great love of God and of neighbor which impelled and motivated those early Sisters to begin this institution that we now know as Mt. St. Joseph Acade- my. which has had such significant impact. Obviously, the inspira- tion and guidance of the Holy Spirit has been present throughout our history and one need only to be present here for a day to know without doubt that truly God is here. His hand is ever at work in the lives and concerns of the entire Mt. St. Joseph Community. I do not use the word community without thought. Truly, we are a community in every aspect of the word we care, we share, we love, we make mistakes and we make amends, we believe that there is oik who watches over us and remains with us. To all of you who will be reading these pages and celebrating life with us. thank you. Thank you for today, for yesterday and for tomorrow. •Sister Shirley A. Davis. S.S.J. Sister James Bernard, S.SJ. Sister Shirley A. Davis. S.S.J. Principal 1983 - 2