St Peters Academy - Veritas Yearbook (Saratoga Springs, NY)

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DN A THRESHOLD In the middle of our senior year, we all find ourselves on the threshold of life. Ahead of us stretches life, to .be used wisely or unwisely. In the middle is the road to a re- ligious life, on the left, the road to nursing, teaching, and the home. On the right spreads the road to the life of a doctor, lawyer, or the serving of ones country. Way off in the corners We can see dusty, bumpy roads, filled with roughness typical of life. It is up to us .to avoid these bad roads or take what bumps we must as well as we can. Some roads may seem easier and beckon to softer liv- ing, but in the long run, by avoiding such, we are building up within us a stronger character. On this threshold we not only look ahead at life, but we can take a backward glance at what we have already accomplished in life or what we could have accomplished in life. This gives us a good chance to examine our personalities and try to correct any flaws in them in order to make us more able to cope with life in the future. Our last seventeen or eighteen years have been the years that have molded our characters, and thus have been very important. If we had these 'years to live over again, we might do some things differently. Yet realizing this we realize there is time to change, even now. This looking back and forward from the threshold is like reviewing a new moving picture which can easily be corrected before it is too late. From this vantage point in life, as we carefully examine the ways that lie ahead of us, and what lies behind in our past, we have unusual opportunity to make practical resolutions toward future success. RICHARD ROWLAND. 61MB WGDRLNYS CRIRIIESACJEEXI SllpllEollEoGH Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was a veritable jewel in its beauty, the Pope,s last speech was a magnificent piece of literature which, in a few words, expressed many virtuous .ideas but the greatest of all speeches, the speech which held the most meaning and significance was The Sermon on the Mount, spoken by Jesus Christ. This sublime piece of oratory was given in the open air on Mt. Beatitude near the Sea of Galilee. The Orator, the Saviour of the world, was a tall, rustic and handsome lVIan whose face glowed with a certain holiness. Little did the motley crowd realize that on that day the greatest speech ever to be conceived in any mind was to be delivered. It was springtime. The green valleys dotted with numerous hues of every shade could be seen at every angle from the hillside. The budding flowers and the blooming trees stood out like majestic guards protecting the country-side. The ever singing birds zoomed here and there without any definite course in their flight. A beautiful scene, a gorg- eous setting, the loveliest picture that nature could paint e and why not? Was not a momentous event to take place that day? Our Lord began to speak. The eager crowd gazed at Him with an air of love and all of the people strained their ears to hear His soft, mellow voice pour forth to them. His speech was not of a victorious nature, nor that of a conceited one, but rather one that portrayed unmistakable love; The people were astonished when He had finished. What He had said was so very true, but Who did what He taught? His teachings were definite. In fact, His whole speech could have been summed up in just one word - llLove or in a more definite phrase a uDo unto others as you would have them do unto youll. Also, that speech, that gem to the world, unlike other great oratorical mas- terpieces has lasted down through the centuries and can still be fitted into the present. In conclusion I can only say that since so perfect a speech is within our grasp and since so per- fect a lVIan delivered it, heed it! Do not let it go unused! Abide by the teachings set down in this masterpiece and life everlasting is at your disposal! ' JOSEPH GRASSO.

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Tllt f0lltlllllillg rrprvanl tl I'm'iely of opinions us I'Jprt'ssul in writing by 1111' members of the grlltluuliug class EEMMENEEMENTNIW$ GllfllRlllllEa MEANING Commencement is, oHicially, the dividing line severing childhood from the adult future of our lives. . What we make of ourselves, as we step into our new environment, depends solely upon the use we make of the gifts and powers bestowed on us by our beloved Creator, upon the worthiness of our aims and purposes in life and upon our firm love, belief and practice of the truth. Since the future of the world depends on us, we must accept our prospective positions in society and utilize our God-given talents to a constructive advantage. The world is patiently awaiting our presence. It has intense need of each and everyone of us and all our gifts, culture and power. Commencement shall offer to each of us a specific place in this world although we may never be known to fame or find our names inhabiting an historic page. Not one of us may ever achieve What men call greatness but in the sight of God, of angels, and of all good men there is a greatness which each of us may surely attain. This greatness, we call success, can only he attained by living a good and true life, a life that the poorest and humblest may live. In time, we shall receive suHicient re- ward for the daily obligations faithfully performed. e PATRICIA TOTTEN. GlllelB 8ERMDN lDlNl 6lllfllHlillEB MlDlUNQIF The Sermon on the Mount had for background one of the most beautiful spots in the world. It was in Palestine where the wild flowers ran like rivers over the rich brown earth and where the blueest of skies reached down to kiss the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The people who listened were the followers of' Christ, who when they heard Him speak became so enraptured that they were un- conscious of even the magnificent world about them. Can you blame them? For they were list- . ening to the most Majestic, the most Noble, the most Superhuman of Speakers - they were list- ening to Jesus Christ. their God and Saviour. What did this Man Christ speak about that so interested the people? Did he promise them a rich and happv life on earth? No, on the contrary all through the sermon He insists on poverty of spirit. He certainly didnt emphasize happiness on earth, for He said HBLESSED ARE THEY WHO AIOURN; FOR THEY SHALL BE COlVIFORTED,y Christs sermon was given to show His children a way of life that would lead to life everlasting Like any father, ChriSt our Heavenly Father, urged us to do the things that, though we may not understand it, would gain for us1 complete happiness He realized how hard it would be to do the right thing and He warned us that the road of true life was narrow with manv ol stacles along the way. But He promised us all the help we needed when He said llASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE ii Christ insisted on char- ity throughout the whole sermon For He tells us that if we have two garments we must give one away , if our friends hurt us we should not seek revenge. and if our brother wants to borrow never send him away empty-handed. Christians then, as now haye accepted uThe Sermon On The Mount as an outline for righteous living. They regard it as the most beautiful piece of literature and its Author, the most perfect of Models. From this sermon teachers derive a way of teaching for this was a lesson taught by the greatest of Teachers. It was and is a manual to. Ch1istians; foi Christ in this brief sermon, shows all the way to true suceess. MARGAR ET MAHAR

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MINE WAS A HAPPY GBHIIJIBIDHDGDD Time, yes truly, time has flown with ever inc teasing rapidity as l have grown from a babe, to a boy, to a Christ loving soldier in the ununiformed ranks of life. Now as I stand on the threshold of adulthood, I can truly look back on my childhood as a happy one. Some of the few instances of these happy days stand out as vividly in my memory as if they happened just yesterday. That day was a gala day when I received my first watch. It was solid gold Iat least I thought so thenI, and was a present from a big, tall engineer who stayed at our house one summer. I can remember how I carried it suspended on a long black cord, so I could pull it out at a momentIs no- tice and make sure the five olclock train was on time. I bet that I would still have that watch if I hadnlt dropped it one day when I was hurrying home just to make sure the train was on time. One of the most enjoyable times of my childhood occurred when the Fourth of July rolled around. I can remember that I would he awakened by the sound of hundreds of small firecrackers and the noise of the Students Conservatory Band warming up for the big parade which always was slated to start at 10 A. M., but which never moved out until the fire Whistles sounded at 12 oIclock. What a combination of delight and anguish leaps to mind as I think again of the fun that my sis- ters and my brothers and I had on that day and of the fateful consequences; for the sun burn which I got that day usually lasted for the rest of the summer. At the end of the day I can remem her the dance and the freckled faces of the little boys and girls. About nine in the eveningI would stand with my father and mother and watch the beautiful assortment of fireworks form a panorama which I would not soon forget. I can remember that I said to myself that evening how wonderful it was to have a mother who would smooth on that cool oil, which brought such quick relief. But the outstanding memory of my childhood is the day I received my first Holy Communion. It was a beautiful day and I can remember how clean my mother scrubbed me the night before. I can remember how she quizzed me on the various prayers that Sister had taught. I remember think- ing to myself how wonderful it would be now to go to lVIass every Sunday and receive Holy Com- munion with my big brother, who had received his First Holy Communion a year before. I remem- ber when I approached the altar how beautiful it was, lit up as a rainbow, as the sun's projected light formed a spectrum on the marble edifice. This I believe was one of the happiest experiences of my childhood. Mine Was A Happy Childhood is no exaggerated term. It was just such few little things as these that brought me such a IIHappy Childhood . The simple little things that my brothers, sis ters, and parents did in such a true Christian loving way. If I should start now and praise God f01 the rest of Eternity I could not repay Him for having been born into such a fine family and for the happiness which He has showered on me during my Childhood. DAVID RUSSELL A $ENIIDIR 19000le BABE? This is IVIarch, 1949. In three months I will graduate and say goodbye to all the happy mem- ories of High School. I am leaving, for good, the familiar building in which I obtained what little knowledge I may possess. No doubt, graduation day will be a happy one, yet there may perhaps be quite a few tears shed as the Class of I49II looks back on its High School Days. In September, 1945, I entered St. Peters High as a Freshman. I can remember Initiation Day, when we all came through the streets wearing our ridiculous costumes and fearing for our very lives. We Were frightened, but we loved Initiaiton Day just the same. I can remember the thrill of learn- ing Latin, Algebra, and all the new High School subjects. In September, 1946, I came back, though perhaps unwillingly from the summer freedom, to be- gin my Sophomore year in St. Peters. Mother St. James had taken Mother Helen,s place, Sister Francis Denise had replaced Sister Frederica and Sister Anne Margaret had come to teach business. Everything was indicatEVe of happiness during;Y the second year. I was truly in High School now,