South Bend Catholic High School - Victorian Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

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THE STORY SOUTH BEND CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sanctify them in truth fJohn XVII, 173 To the numerous souls who had followed the Divine Master throughout the ages, this prayerful desire of the Saviour had become His urgent appeal for apostolic laborers, who would work for the sanc- tification of others through prayer, sacrifice and teaching. Our religious leiders and teachers ans- wered this call by dedicating themselves to the sub- lime mission of g-aining souls for Christ, sanctify- ing them through Catholic Education. VVhile we observe the twenty-fifth anniversary of this school's existence, it seems in order to mention: home and in the grammar school. It was here that the religious and the educational aspects were cor- related with the training and developing of cultural abilities and ideals so close to the heart of every Pole. It was obvious that youth from these schools could derive much benefit and inspiration, if given the opportunity to draw further from sources im- bued with this spirit. The possibilities for such opportunities were to be realized in September, 1928, when the Reverend Stanislaus A. Gruzn, C.S.C., decided that the time has come .... a Catholic High School was to be Foreground-St. Hedwig High, the original S. B. C. H. Background-St. Hedwig Elementary School which housed some of the classes due to lack of space in the high school. and gratefully acknowledge all that the Good Lord has accomplished through His ministers and serv- ants, and likewise to include fa brief historical sketch of this school-the Alma Mater, through whose unassuming portals hundreds of young men and women have passed into all walks of life. For many years, those who understood youth and the responsibilities of life, observed with regret that so many of our boys and girls were deprived of a Catholic High School education which would provide for a natural continuation of what was begun at started right there in his parish .... that same year .... With the devoted assistance of Sister M. Seve- rina, C.S.C., the principal, plans were discussed and final preparations made. The approval and the benediction of His Excellency, the Most Reverend John F. Noll, D.D., was received. Help and willing hands were summoned. And so, the pastor began to gradually realize a great noble ideal, an ideal, which seemed by far greater than the .means he had on hand to attain it. There was no building to call Page Eleven

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The Reverend tanis aus Gruza, C. Q Page Ten FOUNDER A hlessage From the Founder On the occasion of this grand celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the South Bend Catholic High School, I extend my deepest esteem and re- spect to the past and present staffs of teachers, both Sisters and Priests, for their heroic sacrificeg my congratulations to all the Polish parishes and their spiritual Leaders for the co-operation they have shown in maintaining the Institution: and G0d's choicest blessings to all the or- ganizations, societies and individual citizens, who in any way, whether morally or materially, have contributed to its success. May God bless the South Bend Catholic High School and its ardent and faithful sup- porters. April 26, 1953 Chicago, Illinois. REVEREND S. A. GRUZA, C.S.C

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the high school building and funds, as usual, were low. However, a start was made. Some class- rooms in the grade school were set 'aside for the High School use and were equipped to meet the de- mands of the program. The school was named Saint Hedwig High School under the patronage of Our Lady of Victory. The first High School faculty consisted of: The Reverend Casimir J. Witucki, C.S.C., Sister M. Severina, C.S.C., Sister M. Christel- la, C.S.C., Sister M. Francella, C.S.C., and later Dr. B. J. Bolka, instructor in Health, and Mr. Albin Hosinski, instructor in the Commercial Department. The official opening took place on September 4, 1928. During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass cele- brated by the Reverend Gruza. the faculty and the students prayed for God's blessings upon the whole enterprise. The Very Rev. Msgr. John Osadnik ad- dressed the student body during the school assembly, other speakers on this occasion were: The Reverend Witucki, assistant pastor, Mr. Clement S. Smogor and Mr. G. W. J. Kalczynski. The registration was held at the rectory. Tui- tion was one dollar per month. Thirty three fresh- men were enrolled. Classes were organized on the opening day and regular schedules for both the classical, college preparatory, and the commercial courses were arranged. That same year saw the organization of a Glee Club under the direction of Mr. C. F. Luzny. Volley Ball teams were organized for the girls and Football teams for the boys-Fa- ther Witucki was Athletic Director and conducted the Religion and the Latin classes. Mr. M. E. Fischer, was coach and instructor. The school grew - more space was needed! Adjacent to the elementary school stands a frame building, a relic dear to the people of St. Hedwig. Originally it served our pioneers -as a church and later, a school building. It has been called the cradle of learning since for many years almost everyone's education started there .... Plans were were made to remodel this building -and convert it into a temporary high school building. The South Bend Society, of the Polish National Alliance, do- nated a special fund for this purpose, other Polish organizations and local church societies raised funds for the equipment of the Science and the Commer- cial Department. The St. Hedwig Alumni Associa- tion and individual parishioners had given much time, labor and funds to advance the good work. This general enthusiasm and good will produced amazing results. The remodeled building gave the high school a typing room, a music room, a spacious study hall and an enlarged library. Page Twelve Soon the school won the 'approval of School City Administration and was ready to open a Sophomore class the following year, and later the Junior and the Senior classes. In the course of the year, the school was honored by distinguished guests and speakers from Notre Dame and elsewhere: The Very Rev. J. W. Dona- hue, C.S.C., the Very Rev. James E. Burns, C.S.C., and the Reverends Dr. S. F. Lisewski, C.S.C., Ray- mond Murch, C.S.C., Dr. A. Hope, C.S.C., Eugene Burke, C.S.C,, Cornelius Laskowski, C.S.C., J. Dil- lon, Diocesan Supervisor of schools, and others. The second year saw an additional enrollment of students, and the third a doubled enrollment SISTER M. SEVERINA, C.S.C. First Principal , It was during this year that athletics were fully or- ganized under the direction of Father Witucki and Mr. Sigmund Sadlowski as coach. Games were scheduled with other high schools of the city and out of town games were played. The entire student body participated in the games and -accompanied the Lions to cheer them to victory. By the fourth year we had an enrollment of one hundred and seventy six students. The school ac- creditation was obtained in this year. Dr. F. E. Al- len, Superintendent of the South Bend Public Schools, and 'Mr. G. Murray, representative of the State Department of Public Instruction, of Indiana- polis, visited the school and found it well equipped and in good order, therefore worthy of accredit-