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

Page 13 text:

The students of St. Mary’s would like to take this opportunity to extend to Bishop Thomas M. O’Leary of the Diocese of Springfield their sincere congratulations upon his silver Jubilee. On September 12, 1946 more than 500 priests, 150 nuns and hundreds of lay Catholics crowded St. Michael’s Cathedral for a Pontifical High Mass of thanksgiving which the Bishop celebrated in commemoration of the twenty-fifth year of his consecration. At a reception which followed in his honor, a letter from His Holiness Pope Pius XII was read, congratulating the Bishop on his anniversary and bestowing upon him the title of Assistant of the Pontifical Throne. These honors which were accorded Bishop O’Leary, came as a great satisfaction to the members of his diocesan flock. As pastor of the Catholic faithful in his bishopric, Bishop O’Leary has striven long and ardently to increase learning, piety and the prin¬ ciples of Jesus Christ in the hearts of his flock. He has, by his earnest zeal and determined actions,encouraged and materially aided the erec¬ tion of the numerous parochial schools which this diocese now enjoys, aided young men who were desirous of entering the priesthood, estab¬ lished convents and contributed generously to the propagation of the faith in foreign lands. In short, by his words and actions, he has shown to all men the way to a better and more holy life, one necessarily dedicated to the greater honor and glory of God. In future years, we shall look towards our most reverend leader and profit by the lessons of truth, honesty, and sincerety, which he has striven to implant in our hearts. May his episcopal motto which he exemplifies in his daily life, be ours, too. Viam elegi veritatis.”

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RT. REV. THOMAS M. O ' LEARY

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Our In the Latin language the word pas¬ tor,” means shepherd.” At St. Mary’s the Rev. William J. Foran, for the past five years, has watched over us, as a shepherd watches over his flock, ever kind and solicitous for our needs. We, the graduating class of 1947 can truly say that Father Foran has been an inspiring priest and a real friend throughout our high school days. Looking back, we recall with sincere gratitude, the many lessons of solid virtue and perseverance which he has taught us. As our pastor, he has pleasantly, forcefully and effectively given us words of wisdom and truth. His oft’ repeated quotation, Esto Vir”— Be a man” has been an inspiration to us. He has instilled in our hearts the am¬ bition to be men and women in the fullest sense of the word. As our friend. Father Foran has endeared himself to us in countless ways. Moving among us, he has been an inspiration and spiritual guide. He has stressed the char¬ acteristics and virtues of Christian living, and its relation to our future careers. We stand on the threshold of a new life in which we shall put his many words of scholastic advice into practice. In the future, may our lives mirror the lessons that have been ours under his saintly guidance. The flame of appreciation will long burn in our hearts for Father Foran. It was his kindly interest and effort that made it pos¬ sible for us to receive a worthy, Catholic education. And it is our strong desire that God will help us to live up to the standards that every member of the class will be a credit to St. Mary’s and to his community. In our grateful hearts we love thee, For thy kindness and thy care, Thou hast always been a Father, to thy children gathered here.” 10