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

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page six eat 'zacfuczfaa of 794 7: You are to be congratulated on the achievements thus far made. You still have a hard struggle ahead of you before you attain the purpose for which you were created. Our world of today is a sorry world indeed. Nations have lost their integrity, honor has been lost, justice bartered for expedieney, and might has become right. But what has all this to do with you as graduates? Everything! One old priest used to say, The world will never be better until we start with the individual and work outward. And is it not true? Nations are made up of individuals-citizens here, and citizens of heaven hereafter. If we have a knowledge of and enthusiasm for the social virtues whichtare so basic who but God can count the blessings that may come to this world of ours? Our first obligation is to build up a clear concept of Christian society. Once this fundamental concept of society in our democracy has been grasped, we will have a better understanding of the truth that Society does not make man what he is, but man makes society what it is. In the providence of God every person has a special work to do according to the talents and gifts God has given him. Our talents, whatever they be, must be put to work. To some God has given special intellectual gifts so that through their use these gifted people might become a sort of co-creator with God through making discoveries, scientific inventions, and material improvements in the world. In the spiritual order, the intellectually gifted expound the teachings of Christ and the moral law, or the revealed truths. Others by proper use of their talents might become doctors, lawyers, teachers, professional men and women of some kind. Those gifted with talents in the fine arts may by their talent enrich, ennoble and elevate the lives of others. Those gifted with talents in the useful arts may by their gifted hands add to the physical comfort of their fellow-men. The talents which each creature possesses were given by God to be used for the good of themselves and OTHERS. God gave to us that we might GIVE to OTHERS. We depend upon our fellow-men not only for material things, such as food, shelter, clothing, there exists also a supernatural interdependence. We need the sacraments, the support of one another's prayers, the communion of saints. When God placed material things in this world, He scattered them in different places. Whatever gifts and opportunities we have, we owe them to society, and in the sharing of these gifts we must practice justice and charity. Remember, dear graduates, that wealth and power and royal purple are not the yard stick by which to measure true greatness. Great hearts and great minds are for the most part unheralded. The Mother of God was an unpreten- tious village maiden, the foster-father of Christ, a simple carpenter. You have achieved much success in your school life through the grace of Godg may you continue to do so, and may the blessings of Almighty God be with you always. May His blessed Mother be your inspiration for clean, good, honest Christlike livin . g -Father Joseph A. Doerr.

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wz fpfzissfs FATLHQR f7'l'T To tl1c Graduates of the Class ol V17-my sincere congratulations. You are entering a world in which both God and Holy Mother Church expect much of you. Nothing short of heroism will suflice. These are the words of our Holy Father, Pope Pius XII: Early explorers record in their relations their utter amazement at the mighty current that sweeps down the Mississippi River. There is a stronger cur- rent ol black paganism sweeping over peoples today, carrying along in its onward rush newspapers, maga- zines, moving pictures, breaking down the barriers ol' self-respect and decency, undermining the foun- dations ol Christian culture and education. '4Only a young man and woman of self-sacrihce hwe were almost going to add, heroic selllsacrilice- will escape the flood. Your chief enemy is within you-that natural drag of our fallen humanity to sell-seeking and sin. Sell'-sacrifice must combat it. fikddress to Euch. Congress, Twin Cities, l94lj Take these words seriously and think about them. Your life and your eternity is ahead ol' you. May God and His Mother be with you. FATHIQR Orr. ln this age of confusion, conflicting ideologies, com- promise, and expediency a man of fai-th and unwaver- ing principles is the surest hope of a better tomorrow. To help the world reach its destiny of knowing and loving God- that they all may be one in Us -re- quires champions of righteousness, justice and truth. Heroes today, 'has-beensi' tomorrow and the tur- moil continues. St. Georges has produced and is pro- ducing champions. You are taking your place in a long line of tradition, but only your conduct tomorrow will prove your right to acclaim today. FATHER BRACHT. mfff IIQIIY FATHER BRACHT