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

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by past records, Father Sullivan presented the gigantic task that lay before them — the building program. Characteristically the people responded to Father ' s appeal. The envelope system for the Sunday collections was revised, and in an incredibly short time, the Sunday collections boomed. Father assured his people that if the collections would continue, that the expenses of the parish could well be taken care of. The next step, financially, was a drive to raise money for the expansion of the parish buildings. The response was good. Explaining to his people that he was only custodian of the ftmds. Father Stillivan periodically made a report on the financial standing of the parish. Openly and sincerely, he assured them that this first drive would not be the last, but rather the beginning of appeals to raise money to further the growth of the parish. The original plan provided the renovrtion of the convent first. This vork was started in 1953 and the house at 714 Grandview Avenue was made habitable and comfortable for the sisters ' return in September of that year. By the follo ving Sep- tember Father hoped to have the large house on 710 Grandview made equally comfortable. However, man proposes and God disposes. Father was assured that, in the long run, it vould be cheaper to build a new convent than to try to restore the old Cliff House . Disappointed, but not discouraged, Father Sullivan began to formulate other plans. These plans included the building of a new convent and high school on the site where the two convent houses stood. The first step towards the furthering of plans was the purchasing of the Hill homestead and the renting of the newly remodeled home of Mrs. Helen Knee as temporary living quarters for the sisters. And so, in Jtme of 1955, the wrecking crew arrived to dismantle and demolish the old convent, thus causing nostalgic memories in the minds of old parishioners and sisters alike. After considering bids from various contractors of the city. Father Sullivan and the members of the Church committee awarded the contract for construction to F. J. Busse Co., whose bid for the work was an estimated $598,591.71. The archi- tects, Marlier and Johnstone, after many hours spent in constiltation with Father Sullivan submitted the plans for two separate btiildings rather than a combined school and convent. Our new high school is designed to accommodate fotu himdred ptipils. In addi- tion to the eight typical classrooms, specially equipped rooms provide for instruc- tions in typing, sewing, cooking, the sciences and art. There is an ample library, and a room for atidio-visual instruction which will also accommodate limited assemblies.

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Annual Banquet for Various Church Organizations Speakers ' Table

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