St Marys High School - Labarum Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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The foundation of the Alumni Association, one may say, marked the boundary line between Old St. Mary's and the New, for not long after this a plan was projected to erect a structure more in keeping with the scope of the work that the Sisters were doing so nobly, and better calculated to care for the large enrollment of the school. Then it was that our beloved pastor, Reverend Father Caldwell, displayed his devotion to education and the needs of his children which have ever characterized him. Meetings of the parishioners were called and plans laid before them. The response was most grtifying and a highly capable building committee promptly undertook to bring into being a new St. Mary's destined to rise Phoenix-like from the ruins of the old. So cheerful and ready was the co-operation of pastor and people, so splendid the organization of the building committee that it seemed but an incredibly short time before the consummation of their desires. St. Mary's as it now stands is the admiration of all who inspect it or who have enjoyed its conveniences. Absolutely fire proof and mod- ern in every respect, the building with its Wide corridors, well ventilated classrooms, its showerbaths, playrooms, kitchen, and spacious auditor- ium, is considered one of the best schools in the state. The auditorium occupies the center of the building and about it on the first floor class- rooms of the elementary and grammar grades are arranged to form a UU . The corridors here serve as a balcony to the auditorium. The latter may be used for various purposes. Its equipment for basketball and other sports in a few minutes can be swung out of position when it may be utilized for assemblies and other activities. On the second floor is located the high school department. Here the rooms surround a charming roof-garden and follow the U shape of the lower floor. The class of '22 enjoys the pleasant distinction of beginning its studies in the halls of Old St. Mary's and of completing them in the New. With wistful glances we shall look back upon our varied experiences wherein sunshine and shadow were interspersed as we pursued the path of knowledge. St.Mary's, both the old and the new, shall ever be dear to our hearts. Yet dearer still we shall treasure the spiritual guides and the teachers who directed our faltering steps when wayward minds knew not the why of the printed page, and later when we realized that the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns, the light of their sympathy warmed to life the buds of knowledge and set the beacons for our upwardclimb. Guardians of eternal youth are they whose price no words can pay, for in the great heart of God is hid their recompense. -Frances A. Ryan, '22 , ,W ,A an 7

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St. Iflarusf-HThe Qld and the llew. Still over these scenes my memory wakes, And fondly broods with wiser care, Time but the impression deeper makes, As streams their channels deeper wear. With one touch of her Aladdin ring memory brings before us many pictures of our Alma Mater and proud is the chronicler that may write her history, however brief it may be. It is a far cry from the present beautiful St. Mary's to the small frame building which the year 1869 saw erected at Hoyt and Howard Streets. With -three Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in charge, the school was' thrown open to the one hundred fifty children who sought enrollment. Thus in this humble schoolhouse under the Sisters' gentle guidance many received the education which fitted them for their place in life, and brought them to a true knowledge of their duty to G-od. In 1874 these Sisters with- drew and Sisters of Providence took charge. Under the supervision of the latter the two story red brick building was erected. In 1907the Sisters of St. Dominic assumed direction of this rapidly advancing school, and under their leadership St. Mary's has been brought to its present ef- ficiency, proof of this is shown in the distinction of affiliation with the University of Michigan, which honor was conferred on it in 1912.4 Standing out like mosaics from a painted wall are the distinctive features which from time to time have been introduced and which have made for the happiness and progress of its pupils. To the class of '15, we are indebted for the successful publication of the initial edition of the Labarum, our School Annual, whose presentation at the close of each school year is eagerly anticipated by every senior student. Then as Athletics formed a more important branch of St. Mary's curriculum, basketball teams were organized, their excellent work brought our school into greater prominence. The establishment of the Alumni Association, however, was one of the brightest stones in these mosaics which make fair the records of St. Mary's. The call went forth and with what gladsome hearts respond- ed youth and maiden to the welcome of Alma Mater! Graduates of earlier days hastened from office and from hearthstone to renew old- time friendships and to refresh the memory of old-time joys. It was as if Commencement Day long-looked-for and now long-passed had re- turned, the spirit of boyhood and girlhood came down the years and they felt again :- The same sweet sound of wordless psalm, The same June-day rest and calm, The same sweet scent of bud and balm.

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Cfhe lDhitc-: A-QQ of the Lord. Novus Athleta Domini, -such is the beautiful titleethat is some- times applied to one of our great Saints, and it brings to the mind a mental picture of an athlete, a new White Athlete of the Lord in His militant Church. This luminous light was Dominic, Dominicus, which resembles so much the familiar title of Christ, Dominus. And what a striking likeness he bore to his Lord! The light brown hair, the oval face, the twain-cleft beard trace a similarity which gains perfection in the supernatural splendor of the eyes, and the straight line of the nose and forehead. Then there is a resemblance interiorly as well as exteriorly,-in the spirit breathing within, the perfection of character, the spotless purity, the love of prayer, the self-sacrifice! In a word, he was true to his name in all things. By meditating on the gospel of the Lord, by living the gospel of the Lord, and by preaching the gospel of the Lord, Dominicus became like unto the Lord, his Dominus. y The first great battle of this White Athlete was against the enemy of his own heart, the spirit of the flesh rebelling against the spirit of God. From earliest childhood, when the star shone on his forehead as he was held at the baptismal font down to the last sigh which he breathed in the presence of his brethren, we find no 'single moment when he did not belong to God. In his combats with the evil one, we find that he fought valiantly and conquered gloriously. His body was often covered with blood but his soul remained white. His pure virgin heart was aflame with thirst for the salvation of the world. This burning zeal for souls brings us to the second battle of Domi- nic's life, his conflict with the spirit of the world. He left the world to enter upon a life of solitude for a number of years. These years he spent in banishing from his heart all thoughts of the world or fame or glory. He accomplished this by fasting, and practices of penance, by long days and nights of prayer and contemplation. Study of his beloved books, too, found a large place in this part of his life. So assisted by divine grace he was raised to a high degree of perfection. Thus armed for his apostolic life and protected by the black cloak of penance, he left this beloved solitude, and once more stepped into the world to begin his third and last battle. He trampled on all that was worldly and that captivates worldlings regarding such trifles as so much dust. Standing thus with the world under his feet and trusting in God's grace he was free to do all things. For long years he fought. In imitation of David who, when he went forth to meet Goliath, carried with him five stones, St. Dominic used five Weapons,-he preached, he prayed, he wept, he worked miracles, he sent his companions into all parts of the World to carry on his work. Although the battle was long the victory was great and this great White Athlete went forth to his Lord with the radiance of the white shining star of his brow to become spiritualized in the hearts of his followers forever. - -Edward P. Simmet, '22 --.1