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

Page 14 text:

Qn perpetuum, Soror, Ave atque vale! or thirty-five years the Sisters of St Joseph have directed the education of youth at St. Mary’s, serving not only the children of the parish, but also those of surrounding towns. The work which these religious teachers accom¬ plish is the best tribute we could offor them. Theirs is no five hours a day service, for in the early hours of the morning, the Sisters’ day begins with prayer Mass and Holy Communion. After five and a half hours of strenuous efforts in the class room, we find them in school many afternoons and sometimos evenings, assisting students in extra curricular activities. In 1912, the first graduating class under the Sisters of St. Joseph received diplomas. The high school classes at that time were conducted in what is now the Catholic Women’s Club. There were six in the class: Henry Finnegan, Agatha Moore, Eileen O’Donnell, Grace Keefe, Margaret Foley and Katherine Morill. The Class of ’45 num¬ bers sixty and with this increase in membership there is a propor¬ tionate increase in labor. It is a privilege to receive, a Catholic Education, and it is only because of the unselfish devotion of those Sisters in the cause of Catholic Education that we do so. The only reward they look for is that we, the boys and girls for whom they have given their lives, will become staunch Catholic men and women and worthy citizens of our country. It is our earnest desire that when we leave our Alma Mater, we may always look back to our beloved teachers who have worked and, labored so hard among us, and recalling their unstinted sacrifices for us, have the manhood and womanhood to live the principles they have endeavored to instill into our lives. One who has never attended a Parochial school will find it hard to understand the tender sentiments wo have for our teachers. It is thrilling to realize that each morning our Sisters kneel at the altar rail to prepare for the days work by the reception of Our Divine Lord in the Eucharist, How that our school days are over, we realize as never before how fortunate wc have been to have received a Catholic Education, The Sisters have given their all and in return we pledge our loyal¬ ty. We promise to hold high the standards of St. Mary’s which they have ever hold up for our guidance and imitation. Joseph Gallagher ! 45

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(Mifertt gif touring JVe mo vir magruis sine Afflatu divino umquam fait. t. Mary’s School has provided not only a Catholic Education for the children of the parish but also for those in surrounding towns. Rev. John P. Donahue, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Hope- dale, once principal of the school, has always been a staunch and loyal advocate of Catholic Education. Every boy and girl in the Sacred Heart Parish has an opportunity to attend St. Mary’s. Father Donahue uses all his powers of persuasion plus many of his dollars to got the Hopedale youths in line for St. Mary’s. Rev. Father Walter Hogan of St. Mary’s Church in Uxbridge, has taken up the work of his predecessors, Father Murphy and Father McKoan, in the short time he has been in Uxbridge, by manifesting his interest in Catholic Education. Rev. Father Francis Foley of Holy Angels Church in Upton is another faithful friend of St. Mary’s. Every morning the big yellow bus pulls up at school with its cargo of earnest students from Upton. Rev. Father John Foran of St. Patrick’s Parish in Whitins- ville, who was called by Almightly God on January twenty-nineth 1945,furthered the cause of Catholic Education and influenced a few boys and girls to choose St. Mary’s High School. His successor. Father James Decry, will assuredly carry on the good work. There are many children who come from Medway, Norfolk, Fram¬ ingham, Millis, Hopkinton and Hollis ton. We must not forget to moni¬ tion the work of Father Alvin Gagnon of Linwood, who has been an instrumental in sending boys and girls to our fold. Last but not least,Father Raymond Dalla Porta, of the Sacred Heart Parish in Milford, deserves a special place in our hearts for his wonderful co-operation in making it possible for the children of his parish to attend St. Mary’s. If we were to take all of these students from the suburban parishes out of the school, there would be a big drop in the school enrollment. These priests are doing great work for God by providing the means for the children of their respective parishes to attend a Catholic School. May God reward them for it. Florida Daige 45

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CHRISTMAS AT ST. MARY ' S (Above) HOLY THURSDAY PROCESSION (Below)