St Anthony of Padua High School - Siquaeris Yearbook (Watkins Glen, NY)

Page 9 text:

While kingdoms collapse and governments crumble in the wake of the irrestible Nemesis of history; and the destinies of men and nations are proportionately altered—the one sustaining force of an individual’s or a nation’s will to live, to act, to work, to survive and to strive unfettered—is unshakenly bolstered and strongly supported by the individual’s or the nation’s spiritual fabric. And so it is that even no matter how much a blade of grass may be trodden under, trampled; no matter if it lies in the wind and the rain, soon after the storm is over that blade of grass will stand erect, completely undamaged and oven strengthened by the pressure brought to bear against it. As the poet expresses it: “I am wounded but not slain, I will lay me down and bleed awhile, and rise—and fight again.” The inculcation of moral principles and the appreciation of spiritual values is the basic philosophy underlying the education of Catholic youth. It is its very t!raison d’etre.” Ceaseless emphasis on these objectives will certainly prepare every young Catholic gentleman to courageously and humbly meet anv and all the vicissitudes of life. This is by far the most important single element in the educational structure of an intelligent and purposeful existence. It cannot be otherwise, for without this inculcation of Christian moral principles and well understood appreciation of spiritual values, the school would produce a hollow shell—beautiful and even magnificent perhaps—but nonetheless bereft of meaning and purposefulness. Even the National Shrine would undoubtedly remain hollow and meaningless, were it not for the realization, conviction and devotion to these moral principles and ultimate spiritual values. It is therefore this consciousness and awareness of the ultimate objectives of life that explains and justifies the unceasing solicitude for the moral maturity and spiritual stature of our youth.

Page 11 text:

T. Tulko with Fr. Humphrey discussing plans for the Honor Guard of Mary Sodality One of the primary reasons for the existence of the Sodality in the school is to prepare youths, who are not contemplating the religious life, for the lay apostolate. The Sodality aims at developing Christian habits of thinking and acting. The Sodalists are interested in being able to form Christian public opinion and Christian patterns of daily living. In the second year of its existence, the Sodality has grown in numbers and strength. Realizing that numbers have no signification unless followed by action, the Sodality has participated in a number of activities which fostered a greater devotion to Mary in the Marian Year. Every feast of Our Lady was an occasion to be celebrated in a special way. Usually, on such days the Rosary was recited throughout the entire day in the chapel by individual groups or classes. As a special act of love to the Blessed Mother, the entire student body enrolled into the Legion of Mary. Each has promised to devote one hour a day to the Mother of God for world peace and happiness. The officers for this past year were John Pilch, Prefect; Mathias Yurko, Secretary: Thomas Tulko, Publicity Manager.