St Sebastians School - Arrow Yearbook (Newton, MA)

Page 19 text:

'GE LOYALTY St. Sebastian, the Patron of our School, was the Captain of the Praetorian Guards, the most powerful unit of the Roman army, under the Emperor Diocletian. According to tradition, the man who commanded the Praetorian Guards ruled Rome and emperors kept or lost their thrones accordingly as they kept or lost the loyalty of this influential corps. Carrying out the precept of Christ to Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's , the Soldier Saint impeccably ful- filled his military duties in Diocletian's palace and at the same time used his prestige to win new converts to the Faith, particularly public officials and even the Governor of Rome. When the persecution of Christians took on a new intensity, Sebastian was a pillar of strength for the hunted and oppressed until he himself succumbed to his double martyrdom. In preparation for the management of our own lives, we have been imbued at St. Sebastian's Country Day School with the spirit of this twofold Loyalty that guarantees the sovereign rights of God and at the same time fosters a fervent patriotism. Loyalty is our proud heritage as sons of the Soldier Saint. Loyalty will be the Palladium of our lives. Loyalty will win for us the reward of Sebastian, admission into the heavenly legions. fx ' ff is -I 15 I-

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Y REVEREND JOHN F. CUFFE Formerly of lbe REVIZRIEND DONALD G. CLIFFORD Greek and Malbemalifs Dellmrlmculs Ifnrnzerly of the Lutiu Deparlmeut REVIZREND JAMES F. REDDING REVERFND M. JOSEPH DESMOND Fnrnzerly of llw Latin Deparlmelll Formerly of llw English Department Died October -I, 194-I -1 14 1-

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THE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IDEAL AT ST. SEBASTIAN'S The Country Day School idea first found tangible expression on Nonantum Hill in Newton in 1907. At that time Mr. Shirley K. Kerns established the first Country Day School on the site now occupied by St. Sebastian's Country Day School. The plan devised by him at that time has been followed very closely in the many schools which have adopted the Country Day ideal since the Country Day School was founded. At the time, Mr. Kerns expressed the main point involved in his new venture in this way: The working plan which it is proposed to adopt is modeled on that of the best boarding schools, the intention being to give boys, as far as possible, the ad- vantages of a boarding school without separating them from their parents. This ideal has been adopted to meet the obvious requirements of a Catholic Country Day School at St. Sebastian's. At half-past eight in the morning, Mass is said in the School chapel. The boys are not required to attend this Mass, but are trained to visit the Blessed Sacrament of their own volition before classes begin. The presence of Christ in the chapel may be said to be the inspiring factor in the entire life of the School. This fact is stressed constantly, with most impressive consequences. From nine in the morning until twelve-thirty, the boys are engaged in recita- tions and study periods. At twelve-thirty the boys are served a substantial dinner. The individual tables are presided over by one of the priests of the faculty. After dinner there is a brief period of recreation. At one-thirty classes are resumed, and are continued until three. At three o'clock the various teams assemble either in the gymnasium during the winter months, or on the playing field during the milder weather. Not only does the School organize major teams, but the younger boys are carefully trained under the supervision of the members of the faculty. At four-thirty the signal is given for the end of the school day. After the boys have showered, they gradually drift down the hill toward home. We might say at once that the school is situated within easy reach of the Newton-Brighton car line, so that the boys can go back and forth daily from their homes. Once a year a Retreat is given to the students under the direction of a skilled retreat master. Every First Friday the boys attend Mass in a body, and receive Holy Communion together. The First Friday Breakfast is a pleasant feature of the School's life. One of the most important advantages of the School is the presence of the Masters after the regular classes are ended, to aid and assist the students in any of their scholastic difficulties. The spirit of cooperation between students and masters is both important and impressive. It is very necessary, because the boys must be taught the proper methods of study which will enable them to carry through their scholastic training successfully and with facility. In a word, St. Sebastian's Country Day School endeavors to give every boy a well-trained mind in a strong body, together with an all-pervading sense of his dignity and the responsibilities of Catholic manhood. This is the ideal of the School. With the blessing and help of St. Sebastian we are approximating our ideal. -l16l..