St Francis Minor Seminary - Via Yearbook (Milwaukee, WI)

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AM a f azan-sa-g-Eo-a-s-g-zo-Eo-scig . PIERCE r3? Qe-e-e-e-cz-czetae-a-e-e-c making at 1am nf Svkiz HE most important thing in making a pair of C'7skis is the kind of wood one uses. On ask- ing my father about it, I was told that ash and hickory are the best, and that yellow pine is often used. So, after procuring two pieces of well dried hickory, about seven feet long and four inches wide, I proceeded to thin them. In doing this I took special care to make the middle, where the foot rests, about an inch thicker, tapering to five- sixteenths of an inch at the ends. This I did with the aid of a drawshave, a plane, and some coarse sandpaper. Having steamed the front ends in a wash boiler nearly full of water, I bent them over a flywheel, which I had fastened to the floor for that purv pose. Then, tying the other ends to the floor with some strong cord, I left them there to dry out. Returning two days later, I found them prac- tically dry. Loosening the cords I saw they were bent better than I thought they would be. The only things still to be done were to put a groove into the bottom of each one, to keep them from sliding sidewise, and to fix a strap in the middle of each one for my feet. I was at a loss how to put the grooves in until my father told me to use the rabbit plane, a tool used by carpenters to gouge out moulding. With the aid of this plane I soon finished the grooves, which were to be not over a quarter of an inch deep. Then I found a few old straps in the shed. After fastening them onto the skis, I was ready for a trial. eALPHONSE KOHLER. 6le Ellimt 1mm of S71. Nirhnlaa HEN Christmas draws near, we often recall events which occurred during the holiday sea- sons of former years. They may have happened a few years ago or they may date back to our child- hood days, but there are always some incidents which have made such a deep impression on us that we can readily recall them. I was only a few years old when I accom- panied my parents, on the eve of St. Nicholas, to call on my grandparents. I had been told that t'St. Nicholas would come that evening to bring nuts and candy, and this filled me with eagerness for his arrival. I had seen pictures of him, and there was just one thing that made me feel uneasy ettSt. Nicholas carried a stick with him. How- ever, everybody assured me that he would not use it on me. My grandfather then told me of a plan to get all the nuts and candy ttSt. Nicholas would have in his bag. As soon as he would enter the room, my grandfather was to go up to him and hold him, while I should grab the bag of nuts and candy and run off with it. This plan seemed feas- ible, and I readily agreed to it. Other things drew my attention, and I had almost forgotten the expected visitor when a thumping in the kitchen announced the arrival of ttSt. Nicholas. As he entered the living room, where we had all gathered, my courage began to wane. This tall, strange man did not impress me as being one who would bring presents to children; besides, I noticed that he had an extremely long stick. My grandfather went up to him, but I refused to follow. Suddenly there was a short scuffle, and my grandfather was lying on the floor beside the bag of candy. My fear now changed to terror, and with a loud cry I ran to my par ents for protection, while St. Nicholas hurried away in the opposite direction. It was some time before I felt safe again, and the candy did not taste so good after all this trouble. After that, whenever St. Nicholas was mentioned, I doubted the kindness of this nocturnal visitor. -RAYM0ND FETTERER. 16927422934. .. . 35-3-99 s-soQ Page Thirty-three

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L f N azazo-Eo-aa-Eo-zo-za-za-g-Eagfg T 1ERCE SQ. jGE-GE-GE-E-E-G-GE-G-G'CE-C Eh? GDthr nf igvlppra of 1112 311111;; $111115 RELIGIOUS order consecrated to one particu- lar intention focuses, as it were, light and warmth upon its one real aim. Hence it is that the Order of Helpers 0f the Holy Souls is bene- ficial not only to the souls in purgatory, but to the living. It brings before the mind of every Christian the real horror and torments of purgaa tory. It teaches us by its perpetual prayer and good works that one must not only think of him- self, but of others as well. The order was founded by a French girl by the name of Eugenie Semet. It seemed, from her youth, that the world smiled upon this young lady. It is said of her that one day, while yet a small child, as she was bounding about catching butter- flies with her companions, she suddenly stood still. She asked them if they knew of what she was thinking. She then asked them what they would do if one of their companions were shut in a fiery prison and if, by saying a few words, they could let her out. Would they not be sure to do it? She then told them of the poor souls. So, we are able to see the devotion and zeal this young founder had for them. In my estimation, the aim of this order is an ideal one. With the founding of this order was awakened in every Catholic a spirit that spurred him on to help his neighbor suffering in purga- tory. .Even now, when this order is spoken of, many people ttsit up and take notice, so to say. It seems to help strengthen the relation which the people on earth have with the souls in heaven and in purgatory. 'I think an order such as this should prosper in its work here on earth. Everyone, in some lit- tle way, ought to respect the persons who have left this world and consecrated themselves to the poor souls. Although it is impossible for us to join such an order, it is well for us to offer up our prayers, works, and sufferings for this purpose. e-RUSSELL BEIX. mg Glhnam Huratinn VERYONE who wishes to find success and true happiness in this world must follow his voca- tion. This means that he must adhere to that in- ward inclination which spurs him on toward the goal he expects to reach one day. My vocation seems to be the priesthood, the highest state to which one can aspire. In this calling, through the right kind of a priest, untold good can be accomplished. Through his good advice and wonderful pardoning power, the priest saves innumerable souls for God. 'He alone can offer that unbloody Sacrifice, which is so pleasing to our Savior, namely, the Sacrifice of Mass. As he is called Father and Pastor, he must live true to his name and be the Father and Pastor of his flock. I have not chosen this vocation for the dollar consideration, for everyone knows that a priest receives only enough salary to give him the neces- saries of life. The remuneration for his work is that which he receives in the next world. For success in this vocation, an aspirant must possess a good moral character, fairly good health, and ability to cope with his studies. A good edu- cation is very necessary for a priest; therefore many sominaries are established throughout the world, where the student for the priesthood re- ceives the best education obtainable. He is taught by pmfessorw who are 'nriests themselves; conse- quently, the tuition is much lower than that at secular colleges. For a young student to get along well in a seminary where a great number live as one family, he must act as a brother to each one of his com- panions. His habits and speech must be above re- proach so that he may not scandalize his neighbor and school. It is often by this fault that many vocations are lost. Of course, I realize that there are many sac- rifices to be made before one can become a priest. One must leave home and the world, and put in twelve long yearsiof study. Yet the thought of being an ttAlter Christus acts as an incentive to me. -ARNOLD KUENNEN. sagaassg Page Th-irty-five