St Joseph Academy - Sajoscript Yearbook (Columbus, OH)

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SANDALPIION munity to the ehapel to thank the good God for that whieh Ile was about to send them. llardly had they tinished their prayer when a loud linoek was heard at. the front door. l'pon opening it, the Sister Fortress learned that a Mr. Leonard, not even knowing their distress, had sent them a load of the much- needed commodity. Again the tire burned brightly and the Sisters' eontidenee in Divine l'rovidenee inereased. ln the spring of 1857, the Sisters moved to Eighth Street, where they re- mained until 18551 when they transferred the eonvent to the north-east eorner ot' Oak and Young Streets. It was not until 1861 that the eommunity eame to its present home on liieh Street. From day to day, the Sisters labored on in the vineyard, instrueting the little ones ot' Saint l'atriel:, lloly t'rn'ss, and Saint, lllary Parishes in the knowledge of the good tlod. as well as organizing Sodalities for the mothers and older girls. U. -TWT--H - --- As yet there was no academy in the eity. An attempt to establish one in their tirst. years here had been unsueeessful. In the early seventies, however, the need for a private sehool made itself felt. as the eity had grown eonsiderably in population and wealth. Right Reverend Bishop Rosen-rans and the most prominent t'atholies ot' Columbus urged the opening of an academy. 'l'en of these eaeh pledged one thousand dollars to the support of the undertaking. In the following September, Saint Joseph Academy opened its doors to receive its tirst pupils. With unvarying suecess the work of education then begun eontinues to the present day, but not exclusively in the big red briek structure of H75. For many years the latter easily accommodated all its pupils, but the large enrollment of more rec-ent years necessitated the purchase of several houses adjoining the convent. A still greater inerease of pupils eommandeered for class purpose every available room in the eonvent itself. When the Reverend Mother visited us in 1923, of eourse we all wanted to perform for her, but in order to satisfy every one, from primary maid to dignified senior, to say nothing of our many boys. our distinguished visitor had to sit through four programs as there was not, a single room in the building large enough to aeeommodate even half our number at one time. page twenty-two

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SANDALPHON The house at Dayton, Ohio, was established in 1849, when five Sisters arrived in the city to conduct Emmanuel Parochial School. The convent later developed into a large a.nd fiourishing academy. This same year, three Sisters were sent to Massachusetts to teach in one of the parish schools of Boston. In the East as well as in the West more and more foundations were called for, so that today we find convents of Notre Dame scattered upon and down the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as well as through the Ohio Valley. Even Guatemala and Central America from which the Sisters were later exiled, experienced for a while the benefits of their earnest endeavors in the educa.tion of young girls. Their success in the higher education of women is just as remarkable as that which attends their labors in the primary and elementary grades. Time and results have proved beyond a doubt that the Sisters of Notre Dame have main- tained the original efficiency of their educational system. In our own day, splendid institutions in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America bear witness to the wisdom and foresight of the humble Julie and her illustrious co-laborer, Francoise Blin de Bourdon. The Sisters of Notre Dame in Columbus ELIZABETH HINTERSCHIED Graduate NTERESTING as is the history of the Sisters of Notre Dame, its charm for us centers in their labors in Columbus. Late in the summer of 1855, Sister Su- perior Louise, in answer to an oft-repeated demand, brought four of her Sisters to our city to inaugurate the work of their Blessed Foundress. Fair promises, good will, and a small unfurnishcd f r am e house, welcomed to th e Capital the pioneers of Cath- K olic Education in this part of Ohio. Their first residence was an old ivy-covered house on what is now known as Marion Street and here they began in extreme poverty their struggle for a foothold in our 111idst. For fifteen dollars, Sister Superior Louise purchased the old furniture found in the house. It consisted of two old tables, a kitchen stove, cooking utensils, and eight chairs. Four of these chairs remained in the humble little chapel, the others were used between the rcfectory and parlor as needed. Soon after their arrival in the city, a certain Mr. Collins presented the com- munity with a small, but beautiful altar. As soon as it was in place the Blessed Sacrament was brought to the convent to the intense satisfaction of the Sisters. With the money which accompanied the altar, necessary altar linens were purchased. If their poverty was extreme, their trust in God was boundless, as is shown by the following: One morning, Sister Mary Agnes, the portress, told her Superior that there was not another piece of firewood in the house. The latter, knowing that she had no money with which to buy some, sent the com- page twenty-one

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SANDALPHON As the applicants for admission continued to increase, there were only two solutions to the problem that confronted the Sisters: the one, to turn away those who came to them, the other to provide for their accommodation. In the interests of Catholic Education, which is their principal work, the latter was decided upon, and in the spring of 1924, the erection of the present well- equipped structure was begun. The dream of Sister Josephine Ignatius, ol' happy memory, was realized. At ditl'erent times during these fifty years, various activities, which have developed into very successful organizations, were inaugurated. Among these, the Watterson Reading Circle, established in 1891, is the oldest. Its object is to give to the women of the city an opportunity to unite in literary pursuits by means of reading, study, and discussion. For the last eighteen years it has sponsored a regular lecture course which has been instrumental in introducing to Columbus audiences speakers of national and international repute. The X Y Z Club, formed in 1901 for the study of history, was later merged into the Notre Dame Literary Circle. Like the NVatterson Reading Circle, it provides for its members and their friends, two or three lectures each year. The Notre Dame Alumnae Association, which is the largest society directly connected with the academy, was organized in 1912. Its first president was Mrs. Blanche Filler Allen. Today the Association forms part of two larger organiza- tions, the Ohio Federation of Notre Dame de Namur Alumnae and the National l4'ederation of the Notre Dame Alumnae. In 1923, a Mothers' Club, which later developed into the l'arent-Teacher Association, was organized. The P. T. A., as it is called, while the youngest of all the organizations connected with the Academy, is certainly second to none in activity. Another society which has been doing a great work in a quiet way is the Tabernacle Society. It is affiliated to that in Rome and by its zealous labors does an untold amount of good for poor parishes and needy missions. One and all, these organizatiens help to extend the sphere of that whole- some intluence which Blessed Julie Rilliart hoped would emanate from the Institute she was called upon to found in order to make known and loved the good Cod NYho is so very good. f V' IRWIN-N., K TVHEN THE STEAMSHOVEL BEGAN Irs WORK page twenty-three