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

Page 15 text:

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

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

Page 16 text:

In the Holy Gospel according to St, John, we read in the first chapter, He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. At birth, the Divine Majesty was confined to a stable because ' obere was no ' room in the inn a Centuries have rolled a? ay since tnon but the same tragedy is still being enacted. There is crrue aril place for everything and everybody except for the Creator of it all, It is, therefore, like a bit of Heaven to find a place wholly dedicated to Our Divine Lord, a place of beauty, of quiet calm vis are a voluntary service qf love is continually givento Christ,the King. Such a place is the fchapel of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Milford. I made a visit to this Chapel recently and the impressions of those precious moments are still fresh in my mind. Entering the Di¬ vine Presence, I was conscious of the sacredness of the place. My footsteps found no echo for rich oriental rugs in soft pastel tints covered the polished floor except for a little margin around the edge. The walls are done in mottled grey and the frames of the sta¬ tions of the cross are of the same coloring. The altar is liturgical with a dossal of wine colored plush and a baldachino of the same material. Both are ornamented with gold braid and fringe. Images of St, Joseph and Our Lady in duotone are at the right and left of the altar. The sanctuary light on one side of the al¬ tar is supported by a brass base and on the opposite side is the cre¬ dence table of real marble. Every morning and night and often during the day, the Sisters gather here to pray In the dawn they assist at Mass and receive Holy Communion. During the day, they often kneel to ask God ! s di¬ rection and blessing on their work. Then at night again, they find their way to the throne of God to thank Him for the favors received during the day, I like to think that, as a pupil of the Sisters of St. Jo seph, I am remembered in prayer before the altar in this bit of Heaven. I shall remember most of all that once each month the Sisters offer their Holy Communion and Mass especially for their pupils. This thought shall always bring me happiness and will, I hope, remind me to pray often for my former teachers, the Sisters of St. Joseph Elizabeth Melanson