St Bernards High School - Bernardian Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

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St. Bernard, the patron saint of SBHS, is a classic ex- ample of a man who found his life by losing it. As a young man, he gave up all his cherished ambitions of making a great name for himself in the world, to bury himself in a poor and obscure monastery, where it would seem, he would never be heard of again. But through this very act of heroic surrender and generosity, he achieved fame and influence that have endured for over 800 years. Bernard was born in 1090 in Burgundy. Even today, something of the past lingers in this fertile countryside with rich fields and vineyards. Approaching Dijon now, the towers of the Chateau of Fontaines are seen above the fruit trees and on a clear day the great crest of Mt. Blanc. Nothing authentic remains of the castle of Bernard’s father; but the view with Mt. Blanc in the distance would not have changed. His father had the reputation of being a brave and honorable knight. Through his mother, Aleth, he was con- nected with many of the noble families in Burgundy. She was a woman of strong character, who without neglecting her duty to her husband and her seven children, devoted all the time she could to her religious devotions and the poor. Stunned at the unexpected death of his mother, Bernard declared his intention of becoming a monk at Citeaux, a poor monastery in an unwholesome swamp. To his family, this was a wicked waste of his brilliant talents. At length, Bernard gave way, agreeing to go to Germany to finish his literary studies. It was autumn when Bernard set out to say goodbye to his brothers in camp. The leaves along the road had begun to turn and the rhythm of his horse’s hoofs set Bernard thinking. He began to wonder what his mother would think about his changed plans. He seemed to see her looking at him sorrowfully. Entering a small chapel near- by, a sharp fight with himself took place. Before leaving, he determined to do what his mother expected of him. Bernard persuaded, not only his brothers, but also many of his friends, about thirty in all, to join him in the austere life at Citeaux. In 1115, Bernard, with twelve monks, set out to select a site for a new monastery of which he was to be the abbot. During the months before the newly cultivated land had begun to yield, the monks often had nothing to eat except .what they could find in the woods. Every time that the end seemed to have come, Bernard prayed and the way opened up far enough for the next step. For the last forty years of his life, Bernard dominated the whole Church. He counsélled and fearlessly rebuked popes -and kings, upheld the cause of the poor, and made- peace between warring armies. He was unsurpassed as preacher, writer, diplomat, and statesman.

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Nano Nagle lived and died during the cruel Penal Days when every effort was made to crush out the Catholic faith in Ireland. As a child she learned the sad history of her people and of the confisca- tion of large tracts of Nagle properties because her family remained faithful to their ancient faith. As a girl in her teens she was sent to France for further education. School days over she remained in Paris with her sister Ann. The girls found themselves among friends for they were related to many prom- inent France-Irish families. During her ten years in Paris, Nano, as might be expected from any high-spirited girl, entered into the gay life of the French capital. One event in Paris revealed to Nano the aimlessness of her life of pleasure. Returning from a ball in the early hours of morning, she saw a little group of people before the unopened doors of a church. While she wasted the precious gift of God’s time, they were giving the first fruits of the new day to Christ. At the death of their father, Nano and Ann joined their mother in Dublin. Here Nano was brought face to face with the miserable condition of the poor. Although both girls gave alms to the needy, Nano was unaware of her sister's intense love for Christ’s poor, as this incident proved: Nano was looking for a piece of silk which she had brought from France, when Ann confessed that she had already sold it to help a family in distress. Shortly afterwards Ann died and the grief-stricken Nano determined to devote her life from now on to God in the service of His poor. Nano’s first schoolhouse was a mud cabi n of two rooms and a garret. Prudently, Nano had her maid muster the first pupils, thirty of the poorest of little girls. The first prayer was said and the great adventure was on. When Nano’s brother learned of her school, he re- proached her angrily for being so rash and foolhardy; and that such a step would only increase the persecution of Catholics and involve her own family in difficulties. But Nano remained firm. Before long there were seven of these cabin schools with an enroll- ment of 400 children, all expenses being paid by Nano from her own funds. After a long day in the schools, Nano turned to the older girls, the aged, the sick, and the poor in the narrow lanes where pov- erty, disease, and suffering abounded. In 1775, three of Nano’s helpers shared her little cottage. The next year marked the foundation of the Presentation Order when Nano and her three companions received the religious habit. Their costume con- sisted of a plain black gown, tight-fitting cap, and a long cloak. In 1784 Nano had completed thirty years in the service of God's poor. At last the extreme of physical endurance was reached and Nano collapsed on her way to school. Five days later she was dead, leaving a little community of three to carry on her work. She never lived to see her sisters venture forth for Christ and childhood into England, Newfoundland, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, and South Africa. Nano Nagle to the end of her life continued to wear the black dress, cap, and cloak. Her sisters later, when religious persecution abated, would adopt a habit similar to this worn by Mother Mary Teresa, present Superior of the Sisters of the Presentation, with their motherhouse in Fitchburg. For the past 33, years, Mother has devotedly given her all to the spiritual and material welfare of the pupils at St. Bernard’s High School.

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The class of ’61 entered SBHS with an enrollment of 238, and was assigned to portable rooms, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. English and Algebra were required subjects for all, with Latin, History, Economic Geography, and General Science, as electives. The class made a fine showing in the Diocesan Declama- tion contest, with thirty-three persevering to the end. James Connors and Sara Mansfield were chosen to repre- sent the school in the freshman-sophomore division at the semi-finals in Worcester. Jean Cormier and Jacqueline Sherwin were selected from among the- twenty-seven freshmen who tried out for cheerleading, September 9. Sandra Lehto, violinist, joins the school orchestra. Claudia LeBlanc and Ann Reddy make the all-school play, “Success Story.” Milton Morin, Dennis Kurasowicz, and Ray Girouard make the varsity football team. Ann Reddy is elected secretary of the Booster Club and Kathleen Carney, on the rally and dance committee, in preparation for the November 1 rally at Bowl and the SBHS-FHS game. Sandra Leger and Suzanne Leger receive NOMA cer- tificates for excellence in spelling. Denise Normandin, Patricia O'Sullivan, Colleen Trudel, and Jane Wironen join the Sodality of Mary. Barbara Bourque, Jean Cormier, Anne DeCosta, Jeanne Dextraze, Christine Ethier, Kathleen Carney, Jane Comeau, Janice Dupuis, Jane Enright, Catherine Flynn, Jacqueline Frye, Bettina Mittola, Kathleen O'Connell take part in the Christmas program. Jean Cormier, Cecile Dauphinais, Jane Enright, Patricia McHugh, Kathleen Pliska, Mary Ann Small write for the school paper—The Blue and Gold. The following is taken from an early issue in which Mary Ann expresses her own individual experience as a frosh: Everyone has heard of a poor little rich girl, But how many know about the tall Small girl ? Ever since I can remember there has been some Confusion with my name and size; but it has Reached its peak, since entering high school. At the beginning of school, it was very amusing To watch the different Sisters focus attention On some petite girl like Suzanne Leger to answer To the call of Mary Anne Small. But how astonished everyone was when I raised My five-foot-eight frame in answer to the name. Then there was the day, I heard someone say, “We need someone small.’’ Of course, I decided That I was the one they wanted, so volunteered— But I never became the little angel in the play. So upperclassmen, when you look over the names Of the frosh, you may think that Susan is Earley, Janet is Swift, and Ann will certainly be Reddy, But never think that Mary Anne will be Small. S98 inet Ne ar nope ee ba THE LITURGICAL C see eaeetst tt: lla : | Ae | {