St Joseph Commercial High School - Parmentier Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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Pius XII, Pope of Peace UGENIO PACELLI was born in Rome, and was ordained a priest in 1901. In the year 1917, he became titular Archbishop of Sardes, being thereafter sent to Munich as Apostolic Nuncio. During this time, he was an outstanding character in the negotiations of Benedict XV, who, at the time was attempting to mediate with the Central Powers, and the Allies, for peace. Deeply moved by the suffering during the World War, the Arch- bishop preached fearlessly against the Red Regime which had followed in the wake of the war. Through his efforts, the famous Concordat between the Holy See and the Reich was effected. However important all these actions might seem, they were surpassed by still more important tasks before his election as Supreme Pontiff, during which time he clearly displayed his courage in defending peace even at the risk of his own life. Cnce he had been sent by Benedict XV to interpret the proposed pontifical peace to the entire German world, and in the face of great odds, he did not hesitate to defy the Communists who would not stop at destroying Catholicism alone-but even God Himself. This is just one incident by which he later earned the title, Pope of Peaceu. Pope Pius XII's coat of arms bears the motto: OPUS JUSTITIAE PAX QThe work of justice is peacej. He was successor of Pius X, who died with a prayer for peace, and of Pius XI, who offered up his life for peace. It is therefore fitting that he follow their zealous example. He opened his Pontificate on March 3, 1939, with a strong plea for peace, addressed to the world from the Sistine Chapel, and his first pronounce- ment was a strong heartfelt plea for peace, a peace founded on justice and charity. His very appearance marks him as the model of the Prince of Peace that he really is. His words reveal that inner peace which his expression implies, and in them is set forth his right to the noble title, The Pope of Peace . His words, upon his arrival in the United States, remain emblazoned upon the pages of history: I am happy to find myself within the territory of a great people who know how to unite so beautifully and nobly a sense of discipline with the exercise of a just, legitimate and well-ordered liberty. May all the sons and daughters of the North American Continent, in spite of present difficulties, enjoy a condition of noble and decent human existence which is the prerequisite of a true and lasting peace in society. In his first message, as he ascended the throne of St. Peter, Pius XII uttered the following words: To this Our paternal message, We will add a hope and invitation to peace. We speak of that peace which Our Predecessor of blessed memory urged so insistently upon men, for which he invoked such ardent prayers, and for which he made to God a spontaneous offer of his life. We speak of that peace which is the sublime gift of heaven, the desire of all good souls, and the fruit of charity and justice. In his first Encyclical, he appealed for peace treaties to be negotiated at the close of the war, which would not bring about the sacrifices and sufferings which had been the result of the last war. He promised to devote his time to the quick return of peace, when he said, Safety does not come to peoples from the sword which can impose conditions of peace, but which does not create peace. Thus, the true Prince of Peace speaks through Pius XII, His newly crowned Pope of Peace. DOROTHY HURLEY '40. .ggi 3 E...

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we The Parmentier Family T is only fitting and proper that we, the graduating class of 1940 express our grati- tude and appreciation to the Parmentiers, who as a token of their generosity, be- queathed to the Sisters of Saint Joseph the building, now St. joseph's Commercial High School or Parmentier Memorial , for the Catholic education of young women. Many people reach social and local prominence, but few receive the honor due to the accomplishment of Andre Parmentier and his daughter Adele Bayer. Born at Enghien, Belgium, July 3, 1780 he married in 1813 Sylvie Parmentier, who was born at Louvain in 1793. They came to New York in 1824. Andre was a great lover of nature. He was the first to introduce into the United States several varieties of shrubs, flowers, vege- tables and vines. He also founded in 1825 the Hrst Botanic Garden in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, death came November 26, 1830 and cut short the great work of this benefactor to men. Madame Parmentier and her two daughters, Rosine and Adele, continued his work. In the following year they moved to a Hne mansion Know the present Convent of our Facultyj at 342 Bridge Street, which Madame Parmentier had built and where they devoted their lives and fortunes to charity. As well as being of the nobility, they were also outstanding Catholics. Andre was one of the founders of St. james, and when in 1838, the second Brooklyn Church, St. Paul's was founded, the family in order to help the new parish, joined it immediately. At various times, missionaries from foreign countries were welcomed at the house of the Parmentier's. Adele, the wife of Edward Bayer, was known for her remarkable activities among the sailors of the merchant marine and in and about the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It has been said her work was that of a saintly missionary? When the Civil War broke out in 1861 the recruiting for the Navy increased and Madame Bayer began her ministra- tions to the wants of the men at the Navy Yard. She died in Brooklyn, January 22, 1892, and the Navy suffered a loss in the death of this worker of charity. Madame Bayer was buried in the family vault in St. Paul's. The news of her death was communicated to the ships on foreign stations, and words of sympathy and sorrow came back with a desire to erect some mark of respect that would preserve, to future generation of sailors, the memory of their life-long friend. A Requiem Mass was celebrated on board the Vermont , the receiving ship she had so often visited. On Sunday, November 12, 1892, the first Solemn High Mass at the Brooklyn Navy Yard was celebrated for the repose of her soul. The latest survivor of the Parmentier family was a daughter Rosine , born March 1, 1829 in Brooklyn where she died in 1908. In her will she left the old family residence on Bridge Street to the Sisters of St. Joseph who transformed it into a Commercial School for girls known as Saint Joseph Commercial High School Parmentier Memorial. KATHLEEN HAWKE '40. 7 law...

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