Power Memorial Academy - Power Yearbook (New York, NY)

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MHA MMI HMI K MHUMIQ I Ill um?

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FIRST IN THE STATES- All SAINTS... On a sunny morning in 1906, the White Star liner Majestic, arrived in a busy New York harbor from Liverpool and de- posited four lonely but eager gentlemen garbed in the habits of Christian Brothers of Ireland. Brother Joachim Ryan, followed by Brothers Sebastian Curtis, Ambrose Kelly, and Gilbert Molloy, led the way to a waiting carriage and Mon- signor Power. Wfelcomed by Brothers Titus Frisby and .Ter- ome Hennessy, guests of the Monsignor, they proceeded to go to a comfortable residence, prepared for the Brothers at 2081 Fifth Avenue. This site is one of historic significance in tl1e educational record of the city of New York as well as that of the Christian Brothers. It was to be in this, All Saints Parish, that the real test of the mettle that this religious community manifested was to be given. The single step that commenced the long jour- ney along the road of education expansion and progress was in the generous offer of Brother Ryan to assume the arduous tasks of the Dean of Boys Department. ln September of 1907 the Brothers began the school year by taking under their wing, the graduating class. This, indeed, was to be a care- fully scruntinized examination of the capabilities of these religious. All worked smoothly during the ureading 'and writ- ingn months, but the final credits were the important matter which would be considered as to the worth of their instruc- tors. Not only was this crisis passed with 'Iflying colors but also a dramatic presentation and a musical interlude were offered as entertainment and compensation for those who had usufferedw through the many classes with them. In fact so great was the accomplishment and so far surpassing the expectations and hopes of the 'ctestersv that the pastor of All Saints petitioned the Cardinal for permission to establish a badly needed high school. His superior granted the request I CLASS OF T909 the forerunner of countless numbers of other such classes. This was the first graduating class of All Saints School after the Irish Christian Brothers began teaching in the United States. almost immediately but with the emphatic and specific stipu- lation, that the Brothers be the sole educators. In fact not only one secondary was thus fostered in the community but three: All Hallows opened by Brother Ignatius Doorleyg Rice High School, founded by Brother Finbarr Ryallg and our alma mater, Power Memorial Academy, whose trail was blazed by the same Brother Finbarr. Not only was the establishment of educational centers of concern to the Brothers but also the foundation of a new province and a Novitiate. After the cornerstone of the Brothers first private elementary school was laid in New Rochelle, the present site of Iona College and High School, the work upon the great task of incorporating the United States into a religious province under the jurisdiction of the Christian Brothers, began. The timetable of these followers of Edmund Bice was a busy one and filled with activity, a sample of which went as follows: New Rochelle was the scene of the Brothers, first Novitiate, which was the center of their attention, their upet projectwg Brother Ryan's elec- tion to the highly esteemed office of first American Provin- cial, the foundation and propagation of the Brothers' Scho- lasticate, and the creation of 10, flourishing houses in the Archdiocese of New York, alone. As anyone may readily see the years of early growth and the Brothers, 'fmanifest des- tinyn were bursting at the seams with things to be done, places to be had and accomplishments needed. There is an old adage which adequately states the philos- ophy that: Fools live in the future, doters in the past, but men in the present. The Brothers who first set foot on the God blessed soil of America, much as did Columbus, expected a great deal and gained much more. They learned from the past, they lived in the present and they molded the future. REV. BRO. D. I. DOORLEY was the super- ior of All Hallows High School, the hrst high school of the Brothers in the U. S. 9

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Q 2? Zim if ? is 3 it 1 'Ii M THE ORIGINAL POWER MEMORIAL, FIRST THE HOME OF ALL HALLOWS AND LATER RICE, WAS LOCATED AT I5 WEST 124th STREET Snugly nestled in Manhattan, about three blocks from the industrious harbor of New York, Power Memorial Academy occupies an imposing ten story brick structure, flanked on the east by the recent Gold Star gymnasium and on the west by busy Amsterdam Avenue. But this edifice in brick and mortar did not originate in the location where it now dwells. Did some hold knight carry this vessel of intellect on a gleaming white charger from a fabled realm and deposit it, in the desirable position where it now dwells? Has then tI1c name some mystical meaning or reference which is able to release a horde of treasure from bondage or a beautiful princess from a stronghold? ln reality and application these are so, although the answers are a hit less than positive. To begin with, the name is fitting. Power Memorial Academy is the ever lasting tribute ofthe grateful Christian Brothers of Ireland to a great gentleman and a very saintly 'gsoggarth aroonf' Monsignor James VV. Power. Through this man's efforts many of the properties obtained by the Brothers were able to be had and also was the splendid God-fearing work of these men propogated amongst several prominent areas of the Church. Very rarely was a religious congregation so newly ordained, honored by so many favors and compliments as were showered upon the haloed heads of the pioneer Brothers. Most of these, if not all indeed, were through the untiring charity and devoted enthusiasm of the good Monsignor. ,lames Poweris name, although famous and worthy of merit and respect certainly took upon new significance as he t'hlazed the trail through the concrete forest of Manhattan and became Commander-in-chief of the champions of the Christian Brothers of Ireland in the founding of their American high schools. Monsignoris name, however revered it may be, would not of course seem to have the force necessary to burst asunder gates of steel and bare some fabulous treasure. The converse of the matter is true and proven so when the heart of the matter is sought deep within the individual. For, the great services ren- dered to the Church and to the Christian Brothers of Ireland have accumu- lated for him wealth untold in the coffers of heaven. And surely St. Peter bore witness to this man at 'fthe gate of happiness he allowed it to sw-ing wide and cordially invited him in, to renew once again the acquaintance of those faithful uwho had gone before himf' seeking their eternal reward. 4' PRESENT SCHOOL BUILDING LOCATED ON AMSTERDAM AVE. AND 61st ST. i REV. BRO. E. F. RYALL was the founder and Hrst superior of Power Memorial Academy. li 5 it.. gr