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

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DIAMOND JUBILEE 9I856 A Well-known Faculty Group Rev. James Ryan + Rev. Henry Ries Rev. Joseph Berg 1897-1915 1903 1891-1921 Rev. James Korczyk Rev. Frederic Schulze + Rev. Joseph Lederer Rev. George Dumin + 1909-1918 1886-1930 1904-1918 1905-1913 Rev. D. J. O1Heam, D.C.L. Rev. John Pierrot: Rev. Charles Becker + Rev. Dominic Szopinski 1905-1919 1897-1912 1877-1920 1908-1920 1 C enter1 Msgr. Joseph Rainer + 1867- 192 7 + Deceased 1:601

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es Father Peschong and Monsignor Rainer. The students and faculty were very active in answering appeals made by organizations and the government to fur- nish relief and aid in the trying days of the war. The service Hag certainly shows that the spirit of St. Francis Seminary and its alumni is one of sacrifice for God and country. 1918 June 8, marked the close of the school year. Be- cause a great number of students were being called home to work it was decided to close the school term a week sooner than originally intended. Ordinations took place on June 16, Archbishop Messmer officiating. Those of other dioceses were ordained by their respective Bishops. The Class of 1908 held a reunion at the Semi- nary on July 17. On July 29, Monsignor J. Rainer, Fathers Riedl and Berg attended the First American Catholic Studentsi Mission Conference at Techny, Illinois. During the summer months the professors, Fathers Salbreiter, McEvoy, Haas, and Berg acted as volunteer chaplains under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus. Father Salbreiter was sent to Camp Custer; Dr. McEvoy went to Camp Taylor, Ky.; Father Haas was detailed to Camp Grant, 111.; and Father Berg was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Ill. On September 10, the Seminary opened with a roster of 312 students. There were several faculty changes. Father Lederer was not successful in his physical examination to enter the army, but did not return to the Seminary. Father McEvoy was ap- pointed diocesan director of Charities and Chaplain of St. Roseis Orphanage. Father Salbreiter was com- missioned a chaplain in the Army of the U. S. Fathers J. A. Riedl, Eugene McCarthy, and Henry Riordan were appointed in their places. Father Rior- dan was destined to spend many years at the Semi- nary. On October 10, Father Salbreiter, U. 5. Army Chaplain, gave a talk to the students on his experience while attending the training school for chaplains at Camp Taylor. Father Salbreiter left for France soon after this. The retreat was given to the students October 20 to 24 by the Rev. C. M. Thuente, O. P. The patriotic spirit of the students throughout the trying days of the war gave full expression to the occasion as the Seminary with all the rest of the country celebrated Armistice day, Nov. 11, 1918, with great jubilation. The students awoke on this great day to join in happy thanksgiving with their fel- low citizens all over this country. The day was de- clared a llfree one by the Right Rev. Rector and the students proceeded to make it a memorable one in SAINT FRANCIS SEMINARY the annals of the Seminary. At 8 dclock a procession was formed of enthusiastic classics, philosophers, and theologians. Preceded by a hurriedly assembled brass band, they marched around the grounds of the Seminary, making halts here and there where speeches were called for from various professors before whose quarters they stopped. Their enthusiasm led them out of the Seminary grounds proper. First they went to St. Aemilianis Orphan Asylum where the happy little inmates met them and joined in the procession, each one of the boys carrying a Hag and singing in unison with their larger companions who made the air ring with patriotic songs. The next stop was at St. Marys Academy; the Convent was passed and on they went to Pio Nono upon whose campus the College boys had gathered. After a great deal of singing and much music by the band, interspersed with eloquent and fiery patriotic speeches that almost eclipsed Patrick Henryis famous utterances when patriotism and feeling ran so high in the uncertain and restless times of pre-revolution days, the crowd dispersed. Back to the Seminary the students came and after a closing selection played by the band the procession disbanded, everyone glowing with the pa- triotism the day inspired and joyful in the thought of the victorious peace that had come. The Seminary raised $930 as a contribution to the Milwaukee County War Fund. G. A. Monson, Vice-Chairman of the work in the suburban and out- lying districts wrote to Monsignor Rainer, 11I think this is a magnificent contribution from your Semi- nary and I trust that you will convey to those asso- ciated with your institution our appreciation of the liberal support which was rendered? On December 1, Monsignor F. C. Kelley, D. D., of Wilmette, 111., President of the Extension Society, under the auspices of the St. Philip Neri Mission Society gave a talk on missionary spirit and vocation. The usual concert was given before the Christmas vacation. Word was received that Father Julius Babst, Father Gearhard, Father Eilers, and Father OTCon- nor, alumni of the Seminary, had received military decorations for distinguished service on the battle- fields of France. Father Wm. P. O'Connor, chaplain in France, had been appointed Chief Chaplain, 32nd Division. Dr. Paul Schaffel, professor of Holy Scripture and Hebrew for the past three years, was appointed to the pastorate of St. Clements Sheboygan. The boys wished him continued success in his new-found work as a just reward for his inspiring leadership. The work of lireconstruction remained and is the subject of the succeeding period. HENRY H. SCHOLTEN, B. A. I591

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1919 SAINT FRANCIS SBMINARY After the World War HE WORLD WAR had wrought its effects upon St. Francis Seminary and had caused her various and serious problems. A number of her faculty had been called upon to do chaplain work in the field of battle. The turbulent condi- tion of the nation at large natur- ally deflected the minds of all from matters of domestic concern; Yet, while the conflict was raging, while the government was draft- ing young men for her army, while the necessary precautions were being taken against the influenza which was taking its death toll throughout the entire land, the Seminary carried on its work as well as possible, training those whom Christ had called for His army. With the close of the war, then, we find the Seminary in a disturbed condition. Reconstruction was necessary. However, as time passed, matters were to be adjusted, and amongst many things, she was to equip herself with one of the best teaching staffs found in any one school in the country. The quest for new professors began late in Jan- uary, 1919. The Reverend Andrew E. Breen, Ph. D., D. D., of Rochester, New York, received the call to the chair of Scripture and Hebrew and ac- cepted the position. The Reverend Doctor has a nati- onal reputation as a scholar having written extensively on Scripture and other subjects. The Seminary is justly proud of the acquisition of its new professor. Incidentally, Archbishop Messmer and Monsignor Rainer respectively taught these subjects for a short period prior to Dr. Breenis coming. St. Francis Day was celebrated in the usual solemn manner this year. His Grace the Archbishop conferred Priesthood upon four theologians during the Mass. At the beginning of March another change took place in the Seminary faculty. The Reverend James Korczyk, whose genial disposition, broad sympathies and generous nature had won for him the good will and friendship of both students and professors, left to assume parish work in the La Crosse Diocese. Father Korczyk had taught in the Polish department of the Seminary for the past nine years and had been both Spiritual Director and Master of Discipline. Within three months of the present year death thrice invaded the ranks of the students. On April 9, Henry Wurzer, a student of second course, died of 1:511 pneumonia; on April 11, George Bickel became a victim of the influenza; and Arthur Tuchlinsky, a student of fifth class, died on the tenth of June. On May 9, under the direction of Rev. Henry Riordan a conference of the Third Order of St. Fran- cis was canonically erected in the Seminary and placed under the protection of St. Fidelis of Sig- maringen. Ninety-nine students were enrolled. This order is eminently suited to develop the spirit of piety and unworldiness which is so necessary in the priesthood. June 24th marked the close of the school year when Archbishop Messmer conferred the sacred orders of subdeaconship and priesthood upon a num- ber of the students. At different times during the past school year twenty-seven young levites had been ordained and sent into their fields of labor. During the second week of July the retreat for the clergy of the Archdiocese was conducted at the Seminary by Bishop Schrembs of Cleveland. Two class reunions were also held during the summer months. The classes of 1899 and 1909 were welcomed by their Alma Mater who is ever ready to renew her old friendships and greet her children. On September 9, the students returned for the new scholastic year. The enrollment totaled 286. The following changes were noted: the Rev. George Eilers was back at his former post and had also been given charge of the discipline in the theological de- partment. The Rev. Francis Haas had been sent to the Catholic University to study sociology. The Rev. C. Becker did not return to his duties on account of illness. The Rev. Thomas Schmitz became a new member of the faculty. Father Schmitzls specialty was chemistry although he taught geology, history, and mathematics. Later he was to become the pro- fessor of physics and biology. The St. Vincent de Paul Council of St. Francis Seminary, organized in 1916, received its diploma of aggregation to the central council at Paris in Sep- tember. Members of the council gave catechetical in- structions with commendable success at the Italian Missions and also were tentatively extending their work to the various county institutions and hospitals. A new devotion, the- Holy Hour, was inaugu- rated at the beginnig of the school year. It was held every Thursday evening from 8 to 9 oiclock in the Seminary chapel and gave promise of becoming the favorite devotion. It had been the dream of the students in the past few years to organize a Seminary band. This dream,