Sacred Heart Academy - Ex Corde Yearbook (Hempstead, NY)

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the breaking of the ground for the new Sacred Heart Academy. The much planned-for day finally dawned. It was a Friday-a warm, sunny day-and it seemed as if the Sacred Heart had planned the day just for Himself. Right Reverend Monsignor Joseph V. S. McClancy, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, ofliciated. The ground for the new high school building was broken first by Monsignor McClancy and then Reverend Mother Charles Edward and Sister Alta Maria assisted by Sister Augustine Maria each in turn continued to deepen the first excavation. Throughout the year 1949-1950, construction work had been in process in the rear of the little white house. The convent that would house the Sisters who would teach in Sacred Heart Academy down through the future years was in the process of being built. On this day, its cornerstone was to be laid. The clergy, religious, honored guests and students proceeded from the field to the new convent founda- tion. The steel box that held all the traditionally ap- propriated mementos of those present was lowered into place. After the blessing by the Monsignor and the fervent prayers of all those attending, the con- structors set the massive stone and the final ceremony of the day was terminated. The glee club and orchestra from the Mary Louis Academy, jamaica, attended and together with our own glee club provided the musical selections for the occasion. Monsignor McClancy delivered an address praising the work done by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in the Held of education in the diocese. Thus - the first big day, the first public ceremony of our school, came to an end. But to us it was like the Hrst chapter in our story - a story that We hoped and prayed would go on for generations to come - the story of Sacred Heart Academy. Erecting our school in Hempstead has required planning and foresight on the part of our Diocesan authorities, sacrifice and prayers for a religious com- munity, action and leadership of our Catholic laymen. Yes, it had cost much-in money, materials, spirit and talent. But the cost was worth the price- an- other way of adding to the honor and glory of His Sacred Heart -another means of spreading Christian faith and hope and charity. Sacred Heart Academy was indeed becoming a reality. In a wide, open field, the ground had been broken. Two years later, a three story brick building, a perfect example of practical, modern design would appear' in that field. And for all that was done prior to and including this memorable June 16th-the glee club sang the words that were in our hearts, Christus Regnatf' Rt. Rev. Monsignor McClancy lays the cornerstone for the new Sacred Heart Convent as Reverend Mother Charles Ifdward. Sister Francis Guiseppe and Sister Alta Maria attend during the ceremony. Yes, Christ was to reign as the patron of rhe new Academy, as the King of our Hearts. He was to build in us and on us so that we might be worthy to set forth to do His work here and hereafter. june 16th was over. But it meant so much-and we will never forget. lame' fuwlfy-sf'1'en

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S Sister Francis Guiseppe, lit. Rev. Monsignor joseph V. S. Mciflaney, Reverend Mother Charles Ifdward. Hon. -Iudge Cuff, Sister Mary Clare, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Henry Hald, Rev. Father Sheehy, Sister Augustine Maria and Rev. Father Powers just before the N THE FALL of I949, Sacred Heart Academy othcially opened as The Mary Louis Academy Annex in the little white house located at 47 Cathe- dral Avenue, Hempstead. It was a humble beginning -a small frame building hlled with electricians, car- penters, plasterers and painters as they hurried about in their effort to provide temporary classrooms. To the fifty-eight girls who arrived that September 8th, the first week of half-school days was an exciting, pleasurable solution to the morning camp ehair seat- ings and the scarcity of hlacltboardsl The second week was school in all its realism. The acting princi- pal, Sister Alta Maria, and the teaching staff, Sister Laurina, Sister Regina Maria and Sister -lohn Fran- cine, comprised the faculty for the hrst year. In the early part of -Iune, 1950, an invitation was extended to the many friends of the little school to attend an impressive ceremony to be held on the Ifeast of the Sacred Heart, -lune 16th. It was to be the laying of the cornerstone of the new convent and Page f14'er1ty-:six breaking of the ground for the new Sacred lleart Academy. Sister Alala Nlaria. assisted by Sister Augusline Maria breaks ilu- ground.

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WTO YEARS LATER! .Iune 20, 1952! liriday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The construction work of the new Sacred Heart Academy was prac- tically completed. Externally, only one block of ma- sonry had to be added-the cornerstone. This time, for a new school, a newly consecrated Bishop would perform his first public episcopal function. His Fx- cellency, the Most Reverend hlohn xl. Boardman, would lay the cornerstone. The day again was a beautiful one-and the cere- mony impressiye. A platform had been raised at the corner outside the gymyauditoriumg .1 public address system was secured to broadcast the ceremony and the Bishop's address to the hundreds of spectators gath- ered on the grounds. The eighth grade children of the Seminary, followed by the students of the Academy, led the procession. Then came the Sisters of the vari- ous Religious Communities, the visiting Clergy, and His Excellency, Bishop Boardman. lntoning with great solemnity the Deus in adju- torium meum intendeln Bishop Boardman blessed and laid the cornerstone, and with the aid of the building contractors, cemented it in place. Turning then to the assembly, he spoke of the need for Catholic principles in education! Singing Hlicce Sacerdosn a second time, the Clee l'1lgf' fu'r'11fy-rigllf