St Francis Xavier Academy - Gateway Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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ii , l li r MV, 4 ! rl rvtlfu MM '. 'Z if' I 5 ull , f 'Slliivw 9, T' f '-1 li ff: If ' if ,f 7 4'--l l ii,'l ' ' 5 N ag M L I i -W 1 I 5 P, , gf 4 A , if Af A l, f 517' W IHNUHRY 1949 - CLQSS HISTORY Four years ago, on a blustery February day, we first walked down the campus path and paused before the smiling face of Our Lady of Mankind. Now, as we pass her encompassing arms for the last time, we wish to offer thanks for her protection and guidance which has enabled us to spend four years filled with happy memories. Hs treshies, our first vivid recollection was the initiation ceremonies when the Seniors entered our classroom and, pomp- ously drawing the shades and bolting the door, proceeded to carry out all the ancient and beloved traditions, Then after a week of clattering pails and shovels and bowing to the dignified Seniors, we were formally adopted into Saint Francis. Those early months were hard ones for strange, totally unfamiliar toys as Latin, Hlgebra, and Biology were placed in our unaccustomed hands. I-lowever, with the help and guidance of our Mother we struggled through and left the undignified role of freshie for the preferred title of l'Sophomores! We were given new toys. First, we met an exciting doll called 'lCaesar and accompanied him through his Gallic tales. Geometry was a game in which the player had to prove RIB. Ht first we couldn't understand the rules but after a little practice we all became star players. Hs the blocks fell into place they spelled French words and idioms until finally we could make whole sentences and say that we could parlez francais. Flside from these class activities, those athletically inclined turned eyes of wonder toward basket-ball and bowling, Plfter these two years of zealous work, we found ourselves, thanks to the guidance and protection of our Lady, quite eager Y

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Dorothy Helena Vetter Good Shepherd Basketball Club, Gateway Stay' Dot' ',,, a dear friend , , . sincere and soft-spoken , . . an answer to a patients prayer , , , possessor of charm and tact , , , fun to be with. I'Zl Get By Virginia Teresa Wittrock St. Rndrew Rvellino Captain of Varsity Baske: ball, Courier Staj, Baske: ball Club, Gateway Staff Our Ginny . , , frank, subtl humor . . . laughing eyes c blue , , , Dodgers and baske ball the last word with Ginn . , . typical Xavierinna, Who Wouln't Love You VICTORY TC TI-IE CPIUSE CF RELIGION ls it not sad how indifferent the Catholics of today are to the warnings of God and His Blessed Mother? The visits Mary, our Mother has made to the little children of Fatima, the chosen Carmelite, the humble priest have all been pleas for prayer and good works. The imprisonment of a Prince of the Church, Cardinal Mindszenty, is a direct blow at religion, yet permitted by God to awaken a sleeping Catholic World . . . but it still sleeps, Should it not have shamed us to hear the words of our Mother My Son is grieved' '... but we still remain cold toward Him. Father Keller, a zealous Maryknoll priest claims: We can change the world' '.., We, the graduates of a Catholic school . , , by bringing Christ's sweet message and the ideas that made a once-pagan world, Christian. Our country seems destined to lead the world for the future , . . but it depends in good measure on us the people to see that it leads all toward Christ and His Mother. lt is a consoling thought that we can help Christianize this age and let it leave its mark on years to come. H small, unnoticed deed, a silent prayer offered to Him, through our love for I-lim, may save a soul or divert a crisis. Catholics may take courage at the thought that religion will be victorious. Christ told us this Himself when He said: I am with you all days . . and . . . the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Though persecutions spread we must realize that that is what helped to strengthen the Church in the past. We can pray that the glorious victory of religion will come soon and that all mankind will find peace in Christ, Son of Mary, Mother of Mankind. Ianet Waegelein '49

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and ready to accept the new upperclass and dignity of Iuniors. However, to our dismay, besides the added dignity we also real- ized that new and more complicated toys, in the forms of Cicero and Chemistry, were placed in our awkward fingers, ft was during this exciting and eventful year that our varsity stars left for a few hours the protecting arms of our beloved Hlma Mater to bring back honor and fame which they placed at the feet of our generous Mother. It was also in this year that a few hopeful poets, authors a-nd artists were added to the Courier staff, But we all agreed that the climax to this wonderful, carefree term came the day when we were measured for our rings and given a hint of the joys that were to come with our promotion. Hs Seniors we didn't ignore our toys entirely but our atten- tion was focused on other events, Weeks ahead we beaan to count the days to Saint Patricks Day for that was the memorable day we received our rings, Then we tried our hands at play acting and presented The Ostrich Club and The Nativity play in rapid succession. Ht the same time there was a great deal of talk and planning for the gala affair at the Park Central Hotelwthe Senior Prom. The last step we took as Seniors was at the Luncheon when we presented the 49's with the key to the 4B class, Fllas, commencement night arrived and amid the swishing of gowns and happy laughter there were tears of sadness for we were bidding adieu to our Hlrna Mater, We shall use those bits of advice you have given us and each time we look down at our garnet and gold we shall recall those fond memories and the four happy years we spent under your guidance and protection. Plngela I-'lbbadessa Carolyn Grimm C x 5 , ,ZX t T' I CJ 4 Tune? ' R , 0, d f