St Josephs High School - HiWay Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

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The Most Reverend John Henry Luers, first Bishop of the Fort Wayne Diocese. The Most Reverend Leo A. Pursley, D.D., present Bishop of the Fort Wayne Diocese. I 857-DIOCESAN HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF FORT WAYNE . . . The Diocese of Fort Wayne, as now constituted, is more than a year old. We are celebrat- ing its one hundreth anniversary, however, because it is still part of the original territory which was cut off from the Diocese of Vincennes to form the new Diocese of Fort Wayne by decree of Pope Pius IX on the date of September 22, 1857. When the diocese was established in 1857 the man appointed to be its first Bishop was a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, John Henry Luers. He was consecrated by Archbishop John B. Purcell on January 10, 1858. When Bishop Luers took possession of his see in 1858, he found only twenty priests in the whole territory, both secular and religious, twenty-six churches, five schools, and about 25,000 Catholics.

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Today, more than ever before, we are offered vast opportunities in the fields of medicine, science, and higher education. With each passing year, progress presents a new and challenging feat to all of us. Behind locked doors, it is waiting for us to reach out, hold, and understand. We, being more fortunate than those of years gone by, have been offered keys to unlock the doors of the future. Through many scholar- ships, contests, and extended opportunities, we are offered a means to obtain these keys to a more secure future. This is not the end or the beginning. The world realizes the need for better American citizens, and is giving us the keys inviting us to accept and unlock these doors to a better America. Our keys to ' 58 are three: spring, fall, and winter. Spring with its baseball, track, •tennis, and archery brought us a chain of events in- cluding the Mardi Gras, Miss Marger ' s anniversary, the Musicale, and Graduation, fall descended upon us with football, assemblies, and the wins and losses of our games. It brought with it the test of good sports- manship which aids us to become better citizens. Winter roared in with basketball, intra murals, and winter sports. It was at this time, as a fit- ting preparation for Christmas, that the freshman and sophomore clas- ses had their annual retreat. The keys have a symbolic meaning to every student. To the seniors, they unlock the door to the last and most enjoy- able year of years spent at St. Joseph ' s. To the juniors, they represent a decisive turning point, for they, the forthcoming seniors, will be the leaders of the Class of ' 59. To the sophomores, the door is unlocked to the prestige of upper- clossmen. To the freshmen, these keys symbolize the completion of their initial step, for soon they will be sophomores. It is our opportunity, an everlasting one, to pick up the keys that open the doors to success and a better America.

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The diocese was placed under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1858, Notre Dame and Mishawaka each had a parish with a resident pastor. South Bend was then the site of a mission church. At South Bend and Mishawaka were the only parochial (elementary) schools then existing in the diocese. The Brothers of Holy Cross also conducted a Manual Training School at Notre Dame. St. Mary ' s Academy was in charge of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. This, in a gen- eral way, is a picture of the diocese as Bishop Luers found it a hundred years ago. A new era opened for the Fort Wayne Diocese in 1925, when John Francis Noll was conse- crated fifth Bishop of the Diocese. Bishop Noll was, perhaps, the greatest Bishop of the Diocese. Throughout his long life he edified both clergy and laity by a display of energy that carried his name and influence and good works far beyond the borders of his own diocese. He received the personal title of Archbishop in 1953. Among Archbishop Noll ' s outstanding achievements can certainly be listed the construction of St. Joseph ' s High School here in South Bend. His gen- erosity helped make this school a reality. The Diocese mourned the death of this truly great man on July 31, 1956. Archbishop Noll was succeeded by our present bishop, the Most Reverend Leo A. Pursley, D.D. Bishop Pursley has served the Diocese of Fort Wayne as Pastor, Auxiliary Bishop, Apostolic Administrator, and now as Bishop. During his few months as Bishop, he has already taken large and dramatic strides toward reorganizing the Diocese and toward bringing to Catholics of the Diocese facilities and services of the Church designed to enrich Catholic Life, especially with re- gards to his interest in Catholic education. Bishop Pursley is no stranger when he enters the doors of St. Joseph ' s High School. During the illness of the late Bishop Noll, he has been present for the dedication of the gym and sev- eral graduations. On October 21, 1957, Bishop Pursley celebrated Holy Mass in the school audi- torium, commemorating the founding of the Diocese. There is little doubt that our Diocese will see new and great achievements under his leadership. CENTENNIAL- I 957 Bishop Pursley distributing Holy Communion during the Centennial Moss. A formal procession to the school auditorium marked the opening of the Centennial Moss celebrated on October 21, 1957, for the entire student body.