St Ladislaus High School - Torch Yearbook (Hamtramck, MI)

Page 12 text:

To an Ardent Torchbearer of Wisdom and Faith. . . . —Father Anthony Majewski—who in prelude to the dawn of the Marian Centennial, has com- pleted the construction of a permanent church that Mary and her Divine Son might be the more fully enthroned in the hearts of the faith- ful. In high recognition of his flaming spirit of divine zeal, we, the eighteenth graduating class, in this significant year of 1954, dedicate this Torch. Throughout the course of thirty-two years Father Majewski's clarion call has repeatedly sounded the note of kindliness and self-sacrifice to young and old who desired to hear defined the nature of Eternal Truth. With vigilant guid- ance along their spiritual pilgrimage, as it were, he ministered to their religious and edu- cational needs by the unction of counsel and prayer, the renewal of strength through the Sacraments, and the light of the Gospel. Soon the early gleam of their faith broke into a brilliant glow, in the erection of the first church and school building. For the promotion of a harmonious and well-ordered development of Christ's ideal of goodness in the parish, our benevolent pastor centered his long-range goal on its youth in particular. As the first center of action wherein the knowledge of truth, in co- operation with divine grace and with favorable controlling attitudes, might produce Christian character, an elementary school was organized, followed by a two year commercial high school. The rapidly rising enrollment necessitated the establishment of a senior high school. The class of 1936 was the first to step from its doors. Following the full accreditation secured from the University of Michigan, St. Ladislaus High has risen to the status of one of the largest secondary schools in the Archdiocese. Regard for physical training as an additional effective means of maturing multiple poten- tialities in youth led to the expansion of the athletic program. As one of the smallest schools entered for competition in major sports in the Catholic League, the Greyhounds have clinched a football and basketball title, and several times that of a runner-up. At present, with the con- version of the former church building to gym and auditorium purposes, plans are being made for further recreational facilities. A guiding force, leading youth to exemplify that through cultural attainments derived phys- ically, intellectually, socially, and religiously, faith translated into action squares with the ideals of Christian democratic living—herein lies the spiritual vision of a devoted priest and our beloved pastor, Father Majewski. 8

Page 14 text:

 I 1 Reverend Francis Dolot Reverend Eugene Kijek Reverend Lawrence Wnuk The virtue and motion of the sacred orbs, as mallet by the workman's hand, must needs by blessed movers be inspired. The heaven, made beauteous by so many luminaries. from the deep spirit, that moves its circling sphere . . . (Dante, Divine Comedy, Paradise. Ill, 127-131) Catholic education, with its bedrock philos- ophy and its supreme aim of giving glory to God, is a necessary factor in a complex chang- ing world. In an integrated program, moral training coordinates spiritual values with edu- cational objectives. Irradiated by the Eternal Son by virtue of his sacred ministry, the priests directs the high school students through religious instruction, in the building of a bulwark of spiritual objectives against the worldwide welter of confusion. With spiritual counsel, prayer, and the Sacraments, he sets youth aright as to the myriads of materialistic influences in the natural orbit of life. 10 Through the eternal miracle of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist—the center of Catholic wor- ship—the student forms habits, lifelong and fruitful, enabling him to penetrate even the dark and dismal insecurity of the future. After deeper meditations and clear focusing of the eyes of the soul at retreat and vocational guid- ance conferences, one or other may rise to Tally in his sphere of duty in a special way to the cause of Catholic Action. Above all, through the realization, infinitely precious, that from the celestial Fountainhead of Grace, the priest alone can bring sublimity to the soul.