St Ignatius High School - Ignatian Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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Spiritual THE spiritual record of any one year in a Catholic high school is something which cannot be counted in numbers or scored in points. Yet, everyone fully knows—parents and students, as well as faculty members—that the spiritual life of a Catholic young man is of prime importance; it is, as in all our years, what must come first. The foundation of all student spiritual activities at St. Ignatius is the Sodality of Our Lady. Through this organization the future Catholic leaders of America not only learn more about the dogma and devotions of the Faith, but are also instructed in practical ways to help fellow Catholics attain greater perfection, to aid those who have fallen away from the one, true Church, and to bring into the Fold those who, through neglect or ignorance, do not yet know real peace and happiness. The Senior Sodality, with Father A. V. Kanuch, S.J., as moderator, chose as its 1949-50 prefect, Bob Small, and as its assistant-prefect, Pat McDonnell. Bob Murray was voted as secretary, Mike Blackwell, treasurer, and Bill Tumney, instructor pf candidates. As in previous years, “The Queen’s Work” subscription drive was the first activity which the Sodality backed. This was followed by a social with Lourdes at St. Patrick’s Catholic Club on the 28th of October, while on this same day the Sodality Union held a meeting at St. John’s College. Bob Small, treasurer of this Sodality Union, represented Ignatius along with the other Senior Sodality officers. In observance of -the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima and her exhortation to pray for world peace, the sodality sponsored the daily recitation of the Rosary during the junior-senior lunch period in October, and urged all Ignatians to receive Holy Communion every first Saturday in reparation for the crimes of the world. The Sophomore Sodality—with Bob Porter, prefect, John Mahon, assistant prefect, Don Mack, secretary, and Chuck Miletti, treasurer—likewise joined in making special efforts to recite the Rosary daily, and they also started a movement to popularize the saying of grace before and after meals in the cafeteria. On December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, at St.' Stanislaus in Parma, the Senior Sodality held a retreat conducted by Father R. F. Harvanek, S.J. These closed retreats—two of which were held at the Jesuit retreat house during the school year —are times of prayer, meditation, penance, and are filled with the joy of that certain realization of extreme nearness” to the Divine Presence. Father A. F. Mcnchen, S.J., was the retreat master for the second period of recollection during the latter part of Holy Week, from Wednesday evening, April 5th, through Holy Thursday and Good Friday, to Holy Saturday morning, April 8th. This provided an excellent occasion for the many seniors who attended to reflect over the past and to think seriously about their future life. The senior sodalists—headed by Jim Libera-tore, Bob Small, Pat McDonnell, Joe Dory, Bob Murray, Mike Blackwell, and Bill Tumney— sponsored their annual Christmas Dance on Thursday, December 29th. During the last two weeks of December, the Sodality Canned-Food Drive for the poor families in the neighborhood was held, and with the cooperation of the whole school, it was a great success. Under the guidance of Mr. R. J. O’Brien, S.J., forty members of the Sodality Christmas Choir, with Felix Spittler playing Santa Claus, entertained the patients of St. John’s, Charity, and St. Alexis Hospitals with the traditional carols. Marycrest and the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor were also visited by the talented vocalists, who gave up much of their holiday time in order that a little of the Christmas spirit might be shared with those less fortunate. Other activities of the Sodality included spon- 25