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

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Qio Because of lack of priests in the Archdiocese five theologians were ordained to the priesthood on Oct- ober 18. These Reverend Fathers remained at the Seminary to complete their course of studies but were active on Sundays in assisting at parishes. 1920-1921 The annual publication of liThe Philosophef, was issued in the earlier part of December. Written with the one motive of pleasing, the book was nevertheless replete with literary efforts of no mean endeavor. In its brief existence it always met with great favour among the faculty and students. During the first month of the year 1921 two customary feast days were celebrated at the Seminary: the Archbishopis nameday on January 9, and the feast day of St. Francis de Sales on the 29. Pro- grams befitting the occasions were rendered by the students. On February 9, movies were shown in the Semi- nary hall of the students, Reverend professors, and the various institutions of the dioceses of Milwaukee, Green Bay, and La Crosse which were to be benefited by the United Catholic Charities Campaign. While the customary observance of St. Thomas Day was taking place news reached St. Francis that Mr. Francis Egan who had studied at the Seminary as far as the philosophical course had been called to his eternal reward. Mr. Egan had been compelled to discontinue his studies on account of ill health. To show his affection for St. Francis he sent yearly for a period of 13 years the sum of 50 dollars for the liDouglas Prize? This money was intended for the annual oratorical and elocution contests held among the students and had been established in memory of his deceased wife, whose maiden name was Douglas. Dr. Gregory Egan, a brother of Francis Egan, has since continued the annual gift for the Douglas-Egan Elocution and Oratorical contests. On April 4, the annual observance of Mission Sunday took place. The society reported 108 alumni members as the result of a drive during the past year. The speakers of the day were the Rev. Bernard McGinnis of Philadelphia and the Rev. Thomas Shannon, the editor of 2The Catholic World? The production of liCoriolanusl, by the St. Thomas Literary Society drew many alumni to the Seminary. The play was staged on the 28th of April under the direction of the Rev. P. Johnson, the societyis moderator. The close of the scholastic year brought with it unlocked for changes in the faculty of the Seminary. The Rev. James Huepper of Elkhart Lake was appointed Vice-Rector. Both professors of Philoso- phy, the Rev. Joseph Berg, who had been teaching for 30 years, and the Rev. Eugene McCarthy, who SAINT FRANCIS SEMINARY had taught for the past six years, two professors of the classical department, the Revs. Dominic Szopinski and John Riedl were appointed to pastoral duties. Father Barbian also left being appointed to the oflice of diocesan director of parish schools. On June 6, the death of the Right Rev. James Schwebach, D. D., Bishop of La Crosse, occurred. An alumnus of the Seminary, he had ever been a noble and sincere friend of his Alma Mater, one who on every occasion openly and fearlessly upheld and defended the good name of the institution. Bishop Schwebach was born in 1847 in the Grand Duchy of Luxemberg, graduated at Diekirch College, came to America in 1864, and completed his studies at St. Francis Seminary. After 22 years of pastoral work in La Crosse diocese he was made its Vicar General in the year 1882 by Bishop Kilian Flasch. At the latterls death Father Schwebach was appointed to the See and was consecrated on the 25th of Feb- ruary, 1892. Only two weeks after the death of his brother- bishop another prelate and alumnus of St. Francis was called to his eternal reward. Bishop Joseph Maria Koudelka of Superior died at his residence after a long illness. It can be truly said that he died a vic- tim of his apostolic zeal. His untiring labors for the Church and his people, aglow with the holy lire of divine love made him forgetful of himself and his personal comforts that he might be all to all men. Bishop Koudelka was born in 1852 at Clistovo, Bohe- mia. In 1868 his parents emigrated to this country and settled at Reedsville, Wis. Joseph studied his philosophy and theology at St. Francis Seminary. Ordained in 1875 he was appointed to pastoral work in Cleveland where he organized St. Michaelis Parish. In 1908 he was consecrated titular bishop of German- icopolis and auxiliary of the Cleveland Diocese. Later he came to Milwaukee as auxiliary to Archbishop Messmer. On August 6, 1913, he was nominated bishop of the Superior Diocese to succeed Bishop Schinner who had resigned. The school session of the present year began on September 12. Due to the fact that the classical de- partment was steadily increasing in the number of its students the college classes were later placed on lithe other side,, with the philosophers and theolo- gians. The active professors for the school year were: Monsignor Rainer, ancl Fathers A. Breig, J. Huepper, N. Maas, N. Brust, F. Schulze, H. Ries, W. Nellen, A. Breen, H. Riordan, P. Johnson, G. Eilers, T. Schmitz, F. Walter, O. Ziegler, H. Hargarten, L. Bednarski, C. Kouclelka, and W. OlConnor. The latter two were newly appointed to the faculty to teach Canon Law and Philosophy respectively. In October the celebration commemorating the I651

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DIAMOND stimulated perhaps by the spirit of the nation,s late victory, was realized when the scholastic year began. The new band numbering 14 members extended its activities during the year to the opening exercises of the various departments of athletics, to community singing, and to occasional band concerts. It was the ambition of the organizers to swell the membership of the band to a large number but after a short and successful period of activity disorganization set in due to the lack of the necessary musical talent. The ordination of deacons on October 5, marked a departure from the old tradition of having deacon- ship conferred on Passion Sunday; it enables the deacons to exercise throughout the entire year the ofhce of deacon and subdeacon. It likewise gives them practice in preaching in the Seminary and elsewhere. The year 1920 in the history of the Seminary began as the preceding year had closed. No extensive change was noted though there were to be many be- fore the school year terminated. Again as in the past years the Seminary had occasion to observe its Patron,s Feast Day on the 29th of January. Archbishop Messmer confirmed four students before the Mass and conferred Priesthood upon two theologians during the Mass. His Grace took the opportunity to speak on the great and gentle St. Francis urging the students to take him as their model in the virtues of gentleness and humility. In compliance with the wishes and decrees of the Holy See, the Bishops of the province of Milwaukee at their meeting in spring decided that a formal constitution be drawn up for the Seminary. The work was entrusted to a committee of seven profes- sors of the faculty. The committee was guided by Micheletti,s commentary and the programs of the leading seminaries in the country. At the same time the committee endeavored to retain as much as pos- sible the old and well established traditions of the institution. By the middle of March the constitution was formed and sent out to the various bishops of the province who signified their approval. As the scholastic year was nearing its close im- portant changes were taking place. The Rev. Nich- olas Maas of Rubicon, Wis, was added to the faculty as spiritual director; the Rev. Fridolin F. Walter of Pio Nono College became professor of music; the Rev. Joseph Barbian was made procurator; the Rev. Henry Hargarten became professor of classical lan- guages; the Rev. Peter L. Johnson succeeded Dr. OiHeam as professor of Canon Law and Church History. The course in the Petit Seminaire was leng- thened to six years to agree with the standards of all Catholic colleges. The Rev. Louis Peschong resigned as procurator to take up pastoral duties in Mi1waukee. JUBILEE aEsE During the 26 years of his term Father Peschong worked arduously at the Seminary. The Classic gymnasium, the library, the infirmary, the light plant and numerous improvements in the Seminary building stand as a witness to this man,s accomp- lishments. The Rev. Barnabas Dieringer who taught at the Seminary for the past 27 years was also ap- pointed to pastoral work. Father Dieringer was a tried, capable, conscientious professor and an accom- plished musician. Rev. Dr. CYHearn who had taught at the Seminary for 15 years and had been the hrst editor of the Salesianum was appointed Rector of St. Johnis Cathedral, Milwaukee. He had brought to his Seminary work both erudition and personal ability and had augmented his teaching qualifications by a geniality at once disarming and attractive. Much as the student body and faculty regretted his transfer they felt their loss was his gain and they heartily wished him long years in his new found honor. 1919-1920 By far the most important change in the Semi- nary activities was the resignation of Right Reverend Monsignor Rainer. Every head was bowed and every heart was sad as, on June 1, 1920, before the Arch- bishop and faculty, Monsignor Rainer with trembling voice laid down. the charge which he had held for 33 years. His advanced years and failing health prompted his resignation. His past achievements had merited for him the title of ilRector Emeritus, with all the honors and emoluments pertinent thereto? By his own choice Monsignor Rainer remained an active member of the faculty. A few days previous to their departure for the summer vacation his Grace the Archbishop addressed the students on the new constitution and code of discipline that was to go into effect next school year. His Grace stressed two features: the course in asceti- cal theology and the necessity of a stricter discipline. The Archbishop announced that he had succeeded in obtaining from the Roman authorities the degree of Doctor of Divinity for the Rev. Frederick Schulze professor of moral theology for the past 35 years. During the summer months the Seminary was favoured with visits from the classes of 1890 and 1905, and the Alumni Association which met on August 18. The United Catholic Charities Cam- paign was also launched during this summer. The campaign had for its object the enlargement and development of St. Francis Seminary and the chari- table institutions of the Archdiocese. On September 14, the students returned for another scholastic year. They were greeted by the Rev. Augustine Breig, Ph. D., D. D., who had been pro- moted to the rectorship of the Seminary, and by the two new members of the faculty, the Rev. Oscar Ziegler and the Rev. Ladislaus Bednarski. I641

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DIAMOND JUBILEE !856 Former Faculty Members WWMuxmmgmmmmeWy ' JOS PH 3 LINGE , : V L w9o.1904 REV. BARNABAS DIERINGER , , ' 135m 919' , .. L . v183m9os - mu REV. FREDERICK POMMER , . 1888 1898 , VERY .msv. OTTO ZDARETTI, D ' 1881 188 i551