St Phillip Neri High School - Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

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1936 -A Sig PHILIP NIZRI YEAR B005 of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. His associates marveled at the success he enjoyed in the direction of souls. They knew, too, the reason for that success-an earnest devotion to the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Philip longed for the solitude of the desert, but God had decreed that Rome was to be his desert. Philip longed for the missionary life of St. Francis Xavier of India, but God decreed that Rome was to be his India. Philip, the Apostle of Rome, died at Rome on the twenty-seventh of May, 1595. On the day before his death he offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Cardinal, his successor in office, brought him the last Sacraments. St. Philip was beatefied in 1615 by Pope Paul V and in 1622 was canonized by Pope Gregory XV. The Trustees Joseph L. Kay Albert Neuman Henry Mittelstaedt James Quinlan Williani Schumann The management of a parish is a business proposition also. The care of over a thousand families, the support of the Church and school, the reduction of the debt, the discussion of legitimate means of raising funds for these purposes are the problems that face the Pastor. The problems must be answered if the parish is to continue the good work it has done in the past. Every year His Excellency, Bishop Gallagher, appoints a Board of Trustees to aid the pastor in the solution of his many problems. They are men of varied business experi- ence who have been successful in their various fields. They meet regularly with the Pastor, and their suggestions and discussions are a valuable aid in the management of the Parish. Holy Name Frederick Snyder , . . .Pl't'Xit1f'IIf Thomas Vanadia , . . Vice-Pwxirlwzf Richard Matuschek . . .Sec're1'a1'y Ronald Peltier ..,, ,.,, . . , . Tn'asurf'r The Holy Name Society is a national organization of Catholic men. It has local units in almost every parish in the United States. The introduction of a local unit in St. Philip's parish took place soon after the organization of the parish. lt is a society that appeals strongly to practical Catholic men as it demands very little formality and adds little to a man's obligations. The society directs the men of the parish to receive Holy Communion as a group on the second Sunday of every month. It directs the men indi- vidually and as a group to honor Christ and His Holy Name in their speech and in their actions. The Ushers' Club Arthur Tierney . . ,President Florian Walser . . . , .Serrefrzry Larkin Bernhardt , . , . . . , . . . ,Tifenszfrer Your clergy takes this opportunity to extend its vote of appreciation to another group of men, the Ushers, who work Sunday after Sunday in their own quiet and efficient way. Their task is no easy one, but they perform it faithfully and efliciently throughout the year. From the earliest Mass at five-thirty, to the last Mass at twelve-thirty, they are there and on the job. Their big event of the year is the Thanksgiving Feather Partyf' It is strictly a man's party fso they claimj , and has become famous throughout the city. lPagc Nincl

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ST. PHILIP NERI YEAR BCOOK 1936 St. Philip Neri Our Patron VERY Catholic Church is dedicated to some particular mystery or truth of the Christian religion or to some saint whom the Church, as the spokesman of Christ, has officially declared to be enrolled in the catalogue of saints in Heaven. In accordance with this Christian custom, our Parish has been dedicated to the Patron of the City of Rome itself-St. Philip Neri. Inasmuch as we have been blessed abundantly with his help and loving intercession, it is only proper that we should become acquainted with our Saint. For it is to this saint that the people of the City of Florence have given affectionately the title Pippo buono -good St. Philip. This is the endearing title that he earned for himself, and the title has followed him down the centuries. That is the manner in which the Church addresses him. July the twenty-hrst, 1515, is the date of his birth. The City of Florence, world- famous in religion, culture and art, was the city of his birth. At this particular period, the city was endangered by political corruption and civil war. Truly it was an opportune time for God to give to Florence, to Italy, and to the world, our happy saint, the friend of the saints-good St. Philip. Catherine, Elizabeth, Anthony and Philip were the children that comprised the family of Francis Neri and his wife, Lucretia. In this Christian home were planted the seeds of a sanctity that would astonish the world of his time as well as the centuries that fol- lowed. There Philip remained for the first eighteen years of his life, when he left the City of Florence-never to return. Philip went to Monte Cassino to live and work with his wealthy uncle. During the three years of his stay in that city, only three hundred and fifty miles away from Florence, Philip's character made such a favorable impression that his uncle promised to adopt him and leave him all his wealth. But God had other plans for our Saint. God called him to Rome and, renouncing all things, Philip obediently journeyed to the Eternal City and began his life's work. In Rome, Philip lived in the home of Caccia, and returned the many favors shown him by becoming the tutor of the two small children of the family. During his free time, Philip visited the hospitals and public places of the city with the hope that his charity might lead less fortunate souls to Christ. Witli the help of God, Philip was more than successful, and soon he formed a small organization that is known as the Brother- hood of the Little Oratory the better to carry on the work. Philip and his little group of followers increased their influence for good with the organization of a Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity that had for its object the care of convalescents and pilgrims. Up to this time, he had not yet become a priest. But the many hours he spent in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament as well as his charity toward God's poor were quietly preparing him for that great goal. Accordingly, in 1551, at the invitation of his superiors, Philip was ordained to the priesthood. He was then thirty-six years of age. In the plan of God, Philip was to enjoy forty-four years of fruitful labor in the service of the Church. Year after year, he labored cheerfully, quietly and thoroughly. His special care was directed in favor of the boys in Rome. He was one with them in their amusements and their work, in their worries and in their problems. It is, of course, impossible to sum up for the reader this extraordinary life in a few lines. His associates knew him to be a patient and cheerful reformer. He brought about reforms gradually but permanently by his untiring crusade for the frequent reception I Page Eightl

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ST. PHILIP NIYRI YEAR BOOK 1936 St. Philip Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Officers Frank Messing. . . . , Presidmzi Florian M. Walser . . ....... ViL'l'-1,'f0Sf!2'C'I7f John Herbertson . , . .Sammi Vifl'-P1'USiI1077f Herbert Kline . . . ......,.,. Secretary Barney Martin . ..., .... . , . . ,Trvasurzfr At Paris, in 1833, was formed the first conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul-a society that was destined to accomplish great things in the name of practical Catholic charity. The organizer was Frederick Ozanam, a student of the University of Paris. St. Vincent de Paul is their Patron. The special object of this Society is to visit the homes of the poor. Their work is to find homes for poor children, Christian burial for the poor, relieve the poverty of unfortunate persons, and the distribution of good literature. The good that they do is often limited by their revenues. This revenue is received from secret collections at the weekly meetings, the annual contributions of honorary members, donations, and money placed in the poor boxes at the doors of the Church. Altar Society Officers Mrs. Rachel Neuman ...,.. .,,. . , .President Mrs. Philomene Lundy . . . .Vice-P1'rsirle11f Mrs. Clara Wallier. . . . . . .TTl'lIS7ll'El' Mrs. Florence Ciolino , .......... Secretary Mrs. Celia Roberts ,,., . ,....,.. Fifmncial Sec r'c' fury From the very beginning, St. Philip's Parish has been singularly blessed in having an Altar Society that has been without equal. Generously have the women of this very important organization given of their time and talent. Surely our Parish would not now be enjoying the success it does if it were not for the whole-hearted support the Society eagerly gives every program of genuine interest to the Parish. Week in and week out, its members apply themselves quietly and whole-heartedly in keeping up the Altar and promoting Parish welfare. . The Hrst Sunday of every month sees them gathered in ever-increasing numbers at the Communion rail. That is the source of their energy. That is the reason for the success that they have enjoyed. A Our Parish extends its gratitude. We pray for continued success and God's blessing on them and their families. The Altar Society's meeting is held on the Monday evening following their Com- munion Sunday. It is open to all the married women of the Parish. The Society cordially invites you to its meetings. lPagc Tenl