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

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St. Mary of the Mount Rectory — 1956

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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

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classrooms, large and commodious, are strictly according to state law and are con- ducive to study and learning. The purchase of the land together with the building costs of the school reached a total of one hundred fifteen thousand dollars. On Sunday afternoon, January 23, 1910, in the presence of practically every mem- ber of the parish, Bishop Canevin, assisted by twelve priests, dedicated the new school. Prior to the dedication ceremony. Bishop Canevin delivered an enlightening sermon entitled Christian Education. The impressive ceremony got under way about four o ' clock when four hundred members of the Holy Name Society, headed by the parish altar boys, walked in pro- cession from the church to the new school building where Bishop Canevin and the assisting clergy went to each of the classrooms and blessed them. As large as the new building was, it was not sufficiently large to accommodate the crowds that assembled to participate in the dedication, and many were unable to enter. After the formal ceremony of dedication, the proud parshioners inspected the building. On Monday, January 24, 1910, the school was officially opened with a High Mass celebrated by Father Griffin. The school was under the direction of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Provision had been made for four hundred children, but to the amazement of the pastor and sisters six hundred and thirty-five children reported for school on the opening day. If Father Griffin had had any misgivings alout building a school too large, they dis- appeared that memorable day. Because of this unexpected enrollment, it was necessary to add five sisters to the faculty. The first group of sisters to arrive from Scranton was accompanied by Mother M. Cyril, Superior-General of the community. With Sister M. Berchmans, their superi- or and principal, were the following sisters: Sisters M. Raymond, M. Angelica, M. Inviolata, M. Cornelia, M. Luigi, M. Maurice, M. Delphina, M. Augusta, Mary Ste- phen, M. DeNeri, M. Ferdinand, and M. Paulinus. The sisters received a cordial welcome on their arrival in Pittsburgh. Father Grif- fin and Father Dvmlea, the pastor of St. Malachy ' s, met them at the station. It was Father Dunlea, the brother of Sister M. Irene, I.H.M., who was instrumental in bringing the Immaculate Heart Sisters to Pittsburgh. The sisters were immediately conducted to their new convent home, a dwelling house adjoining the school. On entering the convent. Mother M. Cyril and the sisters knelt before the Sacred Heart statue and dedicated themselves and their work to the Divine Heart. Holy Mass was offered by Father Dunlea, and the sisters received Holy Communion for the first time in their new home. Significantly, the day of the sisters ' arrival was the First Friday of January.