St Mary of the Mount High School - St Mary Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Original School Building Original Convent Former Apostolate House

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ject The Church. Both priest and people rejoiced that now, after years of untiring efforts, they had succeeded in building an edifice Avhere they could fittingly offer adoration to the Most High. Father O ' Connell and his people were justifiably proud of the interior of their new church. The tinted walls, the very lovely altar railing, the pews and confessionals of the finest quality wood, all are the best they could provide and the overall effect is conducive to prayer and devotion. Particularly striking are the beautiful stained glass windows. The scenes depicted in the ten windows are not a random selection of incidents from Scripture. Rather, they are a pictorial view of the life of Christ — five repre- senting the private life of Christ and five His public life. Each window presents a fimd of material for meditation. The first window to the left of the sanctuary portrays the birth of Christ. This is a copy of Fenerstein ' s beavuiful painting, Holy Night. Hoffman ' s The Coming of the Magi is beautifully copied in glass in the second ■ivindow. Then, in proper se- quence come The Presentation, The Flight into Egypt, and Christ in the Tem- ple. The latter is also a faithful reproduction of Hoffman ' s famous painting. Equally beautiful and meditative are the five windows on the opposite wall. Be- ginning with the first window to the right of the sanctuary is a vivid illustration of The Sermon on the Mount. Then foUo vs the appealing scene, Christ Blessing Little Children. Hoffman is represented here, too, by a copy of one of his master- pieces, The Repentant Magdalen. The next window arouses us to compunction as we look upon the calm, benign face of Christ before Pilate. Lastly, a glorious and most fitting ending to this ever awe-inspiring story of love is The Resurrection from Hildebrand. Over the main entrance to the church is an immense window rep- resenting the Ascension. The light coming through the stained glass of this win- dow sheds a deep, ruddy glow over the entire gallery. For six years Father O ' Connell enjoyed the fruits of his labors at St. Mary of the Mount. In October, 1903, he was appointed irremovable rector of St. Peter ' s Parish on the North Side where he had previously labored for nine years, shortly after his ordination on December 7, 1881. After a life spent wholly for souls. Father O ' Connell died in Mercy Hospital on September 22, 1922, at the age of sixty-five. He was laid to rest with his brother priests in St. Mary ' s Cemetery on September 25, 1922. FATHER GRIFFIN When Father O ' Connell assumed the pastorate of St. Peter ' s Parish, the Right Reverend Bishop Richard Phelan appointed Very Reverend Edward P. Griffin rector

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Present Rectory Before Renovation of St. Mary of the Mount. Father Griffin came to the Moimt in 1903 and under his apostolic zeal the parish developed, flourished, and grew into one of the finest and best organized parishes in the diocese. Coupled Avith Father Griffin ' s appointment as pastor was also that of director of the mission work in the diocese. The Missionary Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, which was organized under his able guidance, will be related further on in this history. Appointed to assist Father Griffin in the work of the apostolate were Very Reverend William J. Mullen, Reverend J. M. Quinn, Reverend Bonaventure Piscapo, Reverend Lucian Monda, and Reverend M. J. Pekar. Father Griffin endeared himself to the hearts of his people. His Christ-like con- cern for all was manifest in his sincere interest in, and solicitude for, all his parish- ioners. He was a wise counsellor to those who sought his advice. Rigid and stern in his administration of right. Father Griffin was also gifted with a keen Irish wit. Simple pleasiues he thoroughly enjoyed. Fully cognizant of the fact that the strength of any parish is its children, Father Griffin concerned himself always with their welfare. Paramount among his achieve- ments in the parish was the building of St. Mary of the Motuit School. The corner lot on Grandview Avenue and Bigham Street having been procured. Father Griffin broke groimd for the new school on March 1, 1909. Within a year ' s time a beautiful two story white pressed brick building was ready for occupancy. The building, of a modified Romanesque style, is absolutely fireproof, practically no wood having been used in its construction. The spacious marble halls lined on one side with many large windows with ledges and facings of marble, and the wide marble staircases give a dignified and majestic appearance to the interior of the school. The