St Marys High School - Blue Mantle Yearbook (Milford, MA)

Page 11 text:

It Is not difficult for anyone who has been under the kindly Influence of Father Rlordan for any length of time to appreciate his Intrinsic worth as a spiritual leader and a true friend. The difficul¬ ty lies rather In resolving this appreciation into something less In¬ tangible without recourse to a host of stereotyped superlatives. For, though there Is nothing about Father Rlordan that Is at all stereo - typed or commonplace, there Is much that is superlative. His sinceri¬ ty, his robust good humor and his Innate love of beauty, whether of lit¬ erature or art, have endeared him to us In a manner far beyond our abil¬ ities to couch In really fitting terms. Father Rlordan characterises and Is Intimately associated with everything that St. Mary ' s High School represents. He has conse¬ crated his life to a work of such infinite sublimity that all lauda - tlon goes unheard and unsought. He has given free-heartedly of his time, his knowledge and his earthly goods to more nearly approximate In St. Mary ' s the essense of Catholic Education. His niche In the Halls of Immortality must, we feel certain, be assured by the success of those whom he has so greatly helped by his own transcendent theo- pathy. It is only fitting, therefore, that the Class of 1938 while conscious of the limitations and consequent inadequacy of this recog¬ nition, should pay tribute to Father Rlordan, priest, philologist,and gentleman.

Page 13 text:

SISTERS Of ST. JOSEPH UR heartiest felicitations should gladly be extended to those patient laborers who have guided our school life during these past four years. We,the Class of 38, wish to thank you for your unstinted zeal in the cause of Christian education, to which you have devoted your lives You have given us a clear perception of the pur¬ poses of our existence, you have developed, trained and directed whole-heartedly our physical, intellectual, moral jand spiritual faculties, making us realize our obligations to God and our re - sponsibilities to our neighbor Thore is no doubt but that the vital force which in¬ spires these beloved Sisters of ours, has its source in their re¬ vered spiritual leader,Reverend Mother John Berchmans. She it is, who in a world of selfishness, hatred and strife, has become an outstanding exemplar of generosity and self-denial. The Sisters of St. Joseph have in their Reverend Mother an earthly model of Our Blessed Mother. Her untiring zeal in the service of God, her marvelous personality, her simplicity and sincerity in her deal - ings with others, inspires the respect, the love, the devotion, me loyalty ' of every. Sister. Anything of good that the schools have accomplished,through these dear nuns,any fame or praise that may have come to them, maybe credited to her, who is the perfect exemplar of her entire community. It is she, who has been their inspiration in the great cause of Catholic education. Actuated by the nobility of the motive of developing the whole personality, she has placed within the reach of all the girls graduating from the schools of the diocese, an opportunity for furthering their education under Catholic auspices in the College of Our Lady of the Elms.With this model of untiring zeal and ennobling womanhood ever before them, they in turn, radiate the high ideals and holy influences of their Reverend Mother. Consequently, we too, share in this culture, service and love which control their lives. Their active, energetic interest in us is a challenge to our own courage and desire for service,to give what we have received. The service that we shall give in the new life opening before us,will reflect credit on our dear teach¬ ers, if it is the service of God or our Blessed Mother. May she, who is the M Janua Coeli” accompany us through the eternal gate to receive the reward which God has promised to His faithful servants. It is our earnest wish,therefore,that she, who was the first teach¬ er in the school of wisdom may welcome her protegees, the Sisters of St. Joseph, into the kingdom of heaven.