St George High School - Georgian Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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11liVERliNDsIOSEPH A. DOERR

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In Tempore Belli The mere sharpening of wits, the hare training of the intellect, the naked acquisition of science, while they increase the power for good, likewise increase the power for evil. An intellectual growth will only add to our confusion, unless it is accompanied by a moral growth. I do not know of any source of moral power other than that which comes from religion. One likes to trace great movements, like great rivers, from their sources. The Catholic parish school is not a recent innovationg it is the legitimate descendant of the catechetical school of the early Christian Church. Even the first public schools and colleges of America were not irreligious. Protestants, as well as Catholics, then made Bible reading and some religious instruction obligatory. Our neo-pa- ganism has done away with this. Hence, since the State Schools will not teach religion, the only barrier which Catholics can rear against the rising tide of godlessness and irreligious education is the Catholic Parochial School, which inculcates and preserves reli- gion. And yet this barrier is being constantly assailed, not only by the enemies of all reli- gion, but by the Protestants themselves. It is a fearful thing to say of a great democratic Republic that, it has no adequate Christian Educationg yet that is largely true of the United States today. lf the secular school prohibits religious and moral instruction, then the Cath- olic School must supply the deficiency. Good Catholics are determined that their children shall not be reared as youthful atheists, and hence make serious sacrifices to establish and maintain their own educational institutions, where a religious and ethical training shall be given. I say serious sacrifices, for, in addition to the great expense involved in doing this. Cath- olics have also to pay their regular taxes for the public schools. The parishioners of Saint George pay their school taxes and have no elected or appointed representative to allocate their monies. They also contributed 521,246.44 in 1943 to maintain its elementary and sec- ondary schools. This amount does not account for property, buildings, equipment and depre- ciation through usage. -PRESIDENT Coounoi-1. Our beloved country which is now engaged in the most bitter and pernicious struggle for its survival was conceived, nourished and lov- ingly brought forth by God-fearing men. It will be saved only by such men. Our American armed forces on land, on sea, and in the air comprise 50? of our Catholic-parochial school-youth, while numerically we consti- tute only 202, of our total population. The War Department of our country substantiates this disproportionate figure, which merely highlights our struggle for the true recogni- tion of Catholic educational endeavor. In this global war, St. George's has given over EIGHT HUNDRED SONS to this disproportionate figure. In the twelfth year of St. George's accredi- ment by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth of Education we note with pride that seven mem- bers of the graduating class of 1944 are already involved in the titantic struggle for the per- petuation of our American Way of Life. As your pastor, I am deeply cognizant of the forces against which you must struggle. While I congratulate you and wish you well upon the completion of your four years of effort and industry, I would remind you that all this was possible by the sacrifice of your parish priests, self-sacrificing religious women, parents and parishioners. I beg you to uphold the noble and ancient traditions of St. George's and ever to be mind- ful of our dedication to the Eternal Truth of the Mission of the Church. You see it daily, inscribed on the northern wall of the vesti- bule of our House of God, which is: THE CHURCH IS THE VOICE AND BUL WARK OF HUMAN RIGHTS. The world needs you and us. May God bless you and all of St. George's Church and School. -Josizrn A. DOERR.

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Ll? happily. The world today is in a deplorable condi- tion. Modernism reigns supreme: and, if not wrecking, is leading the nations to moral de- gradation. In their teachings and practices, these moderns cry out, Away with jesus Christ, away with authority, we want no re- straining. Graduates of St. Georges School, you are prepared to counteract this menace. You have received the best intellectual, moral and phys- ical training that any corps of teachers is able to impart. May you make this theoretical knowledge practical! May God grant you success in your vocation and bless you always. FATHER XVIVELL Cod bless you! I admire your perseverance. But graduation is only com- mencementg it is the be- ginning, not the end. In Gods favor, may you again begin well, continue courageously, and end God be with you always. aide! FATHER ERKENS It is my prayer and hope that the graduates of St. George's High School will carry into their lives a deep and solid conviction of the great need of the world for real Christian liv- ing-of the great need of men and women who dare to face and oppose, by putting into practice the basic Christian principle of self- denial, the diabolical maxims of a pleasure and power crazed world-men and women fully aware of their great dignity as actual Children of God -yet, realizing, with true humility, their own utter helplessness and thereby fully determined to make continual use of prayer and the Sacraments-men and women who are doers of the word and not hearers only-devotees of our Lady and the Sacred Heart. X'Vith such men and women the world would be converted. FATHER OTT