Mount St Mary Academy - Mercian Yearbook (Little Rock, AR)

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Our Chaldfdillii 0656196 fo fhe gftlfllldted Dear Graduates of the Class of 1952: I have been reminded by the editor of the Mercian that the hour is approaching when I must say my farewell to the members of this class. For a good many years I have been writing valedictions to the graduates of the Mt. St. Mary's Academy. But the annual performance of this act has not diminished the poignancy of it. It is always painful to say good-bye. I hope that your request for this letter is not a mere formality, because the occasion is fraught with opportunities for valuable inspirations. It is a solemn moment and there- fore this message should have your undivided attention. The members of this class, like others who have gone before them, have had unusual advantages. In an age where false notions of freedom are rampant, you have been care- fully trained to know what is right and acceptable. You have been taught to be refined young women, capable of exercising the best kind of influence upon those with whom you associate. You have, therefore, a serious obligation to discharge. Noblesse oblige. You have had before you, all during your school days, living examples in the persons of the gentle and noble Women, who have been your teachers and guides. They are a constant reproach to this selfish age in which they live, because of their lives of sacri- fice devoted, under God and His Blessed Mother, to their fellow human beings. They supply the tender care of a mother to many unfortunate children, victims of the tragedy of modern society, the broken home. Many a time you will look back with wistful eyes and heavy hearts toward your Alma Mater on the Hill. The Sisters will be there in the watch tower observing your success- es with pride and your failures with love and sympathy. You, in turn, must retain a lively interest in your school and its welfare. Come back and visit, lend your help and encouragement to all its activities. You owe this as a debt of gratitude. No school has ever been able to operate on its fees. From the largest university to the humblest mission school, all must depend for help upon benefactors, and who is a more natural bene- factor than those Who have received gifts. You can never repay your debt to the Sisters and to your school, but you should at least try to do it. Most of the members of this class may be classified among The Future Homemakers of America. This is a popular organization in the public schools, but its members never get the training for their vocation which you have received. The real home and the happy family must have their foundation in religious principles. The principles that you learned at Mt. St. Mary's will make you real homemakers and pillars of society. With God's help, through the Sisters' prayers, you will succeed in making homes better and more secure. Take these lines with you as a souvenir of many happy days we spent together at the Mount. Be good, sweet maid, and let wou will be clever, Do noble things, not dream them all day long, And so make life, death and that vast forever One grand sweet song. -Kingsley. And so we part. May God bless you and please pray for me. Sincerely yours, Thomes L. Keany.

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Very Hovorood Monsignor Thomas L. Hoooy, Ph. U Cgalofuin, ZYLACAQV, KLMKA

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