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

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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

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A CENTENNIAL REMEMBRANCE THE MOUNT 1987

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 1 t Sifter M. Annunciate Kerrigan. S.SJ Principal 1942 1947 . Vice Principal 1947 - 955 Rev. Msgr. toward J. htzsunons Principal 1946 - 1949 My memories of all those with whom I have shared my life at MSJ as teacher, principal, alumna, and friend, are stored away in my heart. To study, to follow up. and to see the opening up of your rninds and hearts has been perhaps one of the great toys of my teaching years. I treasure even more deeply now my work with the Alumni. When I experience your dedication, love, and loyalty. I thank God for my many years at the Academy. This year. I hope you can look back and enjoy as many happy memories during our Centennial as I can. It was all accomplished with God’s help. Heaven is won that way tool -Sister M. Annuciata. SSJ They were three happy years that I spent as Principal of MSJ. The good spirit of the students and the faculty was very evident and gave the school a real character. We had a state championship in football. There was great interest in the school by the clergy of the three parishes. I found it very stimulating to work with the sisters on the faculty and the lay coaches, and I enjoyed work with the students and classes in Religion with the Juniors and Seniors. Congratulations on this Centenaryl -Msgr. tdward J. Fitzsimons Rev. John W. O'Connell Principal 1966 1975 Rev. Richard o. Lavalley Principal 1975 I9SJ Anyone whose life has touched the Academy is also one whose life has been touched by the Academy. To have served II years as Principal of Mt. St. Joseph's is to have been allowed to be involved in the lives of the faculty and well over one thousand students, and the added joy to have been called to live in Rutland for 32 years after Mt. St. Joseph. This has afforded me the opportunity to meet, almost daily, former students and present students who are the children of the former students. God has blessed us all with happy memories of one a not her i He has graced us all so often through one another; may He continue to be the Ultimate One in whom all at MSJ trusts. -Msgr. John A. Lynch It is a pleasure to greet you on the occasion of M.S.J.'s one hundredth graduation. I was privileged to be a small part of M.S.J.'s history from I960 to 1966. What are a few of my memories? A dynamic growing school ... a great faculty spirit .. teachers long dedicated to excellence in education ... lots of bright, enthusiastic students .. undefeated years in football ... it was just a great place to be! -Father Wendell Searles For those of us who are now or ever have been a part of M.S.J.. this is indeed a time of great rejoicing. Mount Saint Joseph has been for one hundred years a source of excellent Catholic education. Our graduates have contributed generously to both their religious and civil community. May it continue to do so for another hundred years. I am grateful for having been a part of the M.S.J. community. -Father John O’Connell When I look back on my years at M.S.J. there are no regrets - only feelings of warmth, gratitude and mostly love. Love of the dreams the ideals, the challenge, the reality, the day to day living and sharing together) love for the people who formed and shaped the community we call M.S.J. There is a truth I have always known. Perhaps I know it now more than ever before. M.S.J. is not a building» it is people. We are M.S.J.