St Thomas High School - Aquin Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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William Pittman FATHER DWYER PAT O'CONNELL Faculty Representative President After the problems . . . solutions ln September, l945, serious discussion began regarding the formation of a group which would promote closer relationships between Faculty and students at Saint Thomas. This plan was suggested by Father W. J. Dwyer who had had previous experience with such a group elsewhere. This organization, calling itself the Student Council, would act as a means for better understand- ing of Faculty problems by students and student problems by Faculty. Under its guidance students could help promote whatever projects required the united effort of the Student Body. Misdemeanors, too, could be handled by the Council, once the members unanimously agree on the procedure. C. Choyce, G. Glauser, F. Hoffman, A. Smith, J. Elsbury, E. Ponthier, E. McGeever, and W. Pitt- man were selected to form the first Council. Pat O'Connell was elected President. His task was to promote and to report on social activities. The other Council members represented the Sodality, Missions collections, publications, sports, Band, and Library. President O'Connell called meetings for the promotion of dances, proms, and School parties. Sodality Representative Choyce enlisted the Council's aid in connection with the Sodality reception in October and the conducting of the weekly Sodality meetings. Missions Representative Hoffman submitted reports on funds collected and missions needing help. Publications Representative Mc- Geever saw to the publicizing of the Council's activities. Sports Representatives Glauser and Ponthier endeavored to boost student attendance at athletic contests. Band Representative Elsbury kept the TUDENT CDUNCIL

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THE SAINT OF AQUINO August 4, I879, marks a renewal in human thought, a changing of directions. From the depths of mental bankruptcy man's thinking received a new orientation. The fool had said in his heart, There is no God. On that day one of the greatest popes of modern times issued a call for a return to the wisdom of the saint of Aquino declaring that saint Patron in heaven of all Catholic schools and commanding that his teaching be followed in all Catholic institutions of higher learning. Scarcely a score of years passed after the clarion call of Pope Leo XIII when the Basilian Fathers established our school named in honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas. What, then, is the story of our Patron? The story of Thomas is the story of a search for God, a search which took him through all the byways of human wisdom, through luminous paths of Grace, and to mystical union with God the Source of all wisdom and charity. Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in the Chateau of Rocca Sicca near Naples, Italy, in the year of Our Lord l225. He was a descendant of the counts of Aquino and a blood relative of the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa. As was the custom of the time he was entered as an Oblate in the nearby Abbey of Monte Cassino at a tender age. Here it was that he formulated his life quest into words: What is God? The next scene in his search was the University of Naples when he was but fourteen. His father was quite agreeable that he should pursue a Church career, perhaps he would enhance the family name by becoming a renowned Abbot, but the thoughts of his son were along different lines. There was a new religious order which had made its appearance not many years previous, a collection of religious mendi- cants organized by a Spaniard, Dominic Guzman, and pledged to uproot the false teachings of certain re- ligious fanatics in southern France. Among these mendicants Thomas would continue his quest: What is God? , Parental opposition can be determined, especially when noble parents learn their son is to become, of all things, a beggar, a wandering preacher. At the age of seventeen Thomas applied for entrance to the Order of Preachers. Aware of the father's desire of high Church office for his son, the Prior put him off advising him to spend a year thinking over his voca- tion. With characteristic humility the applicant took the advice without question returning duly at the expiration of the year. By this time his father had died and Thomas received the habit of the Dominican Order in I244. A noble mother, however, was still to be con- vinced. She became party to a family plot to waylay the misled youth and return him to the ancestral estate. He escaped from his place of detention, how- ever, and took up the quest again: What is God? The Master General of the Order now sent him to Paris and its already renowned university to pursue his studies in theology. Here it was that he met his teacher, guide, and life long friend, Albert, from Swabia in Germany, who was himself to find a place on the list of saints as Saint Albert the Great. Next Thomas went with Master Albert to Cologne. Here he continued the studies he had pur- sued in Paris only now retiring more within himself, becoming more recollected, so much so that his fellow students were quite convinced of his stupidity. University wits, sharpened by philosophic study, de- vised for him the title Dumb Ox. But well aware of the family legacy of pride the young noble and saint steeped himself in all important humility and bore the taunts as penance for himself. Flashes of his brilliance appeared, however, which were recognized by Albert causing him to predict that the bellowings of this Ox would some day be heard around the world. At the age of twenty-five the title of Master was bestowed on Thomas, and he began publicly to lecture on philosophy and theology. The mysteries of the Godhead far from being comprehended now revealed new depths. Thus his query was not fully answered: What is God? Next came the busy years. Paris, Rome, Naples, Viterbo-all these were scenes of continuous intel- lectual endeavor, yet, strangely enough, his periods of prayer became longer. He openly acknowledged that the main source of his knowledge was not books and teachers but the Crucifix. His companion, Brother Reginald, testified that he often heard Thomas con- versing with the Blessed Mother and Saints Peter and Paul when confronted with a difficult problem. Into mystical love the quest beckoned, What is God? Besides numerous explanations of Greek wisdom, as exemplified by Aristotle particularly, and of the Fathers of the Church, Saint Thomas produced his monumental Summa Theologica as a fitting crown to his life's work. Here, especially, his genius comes to full blossom. Here especially one must look to find an integral blending of the best in pagan wisdom coupled with Christian revealed religion. Here Thomas does his best to answer the question: What is God? lt was a source of especial joy to Thomas to be asked by Pope Urban IV to compose the ecclesiastical Office for the feast of Corpus Christi, for it was from the Holy Eucharist particularly that he drew so much of his wisdom. The Eucharistic hymns Adoro Te and Pange, Lingua are tributes both to his devotion and to his poetic talents. From the image of the Crucified he heard the words, Well hast thou written of me Thomas, what reward wilt thou have? He answered: None other, Lord, but Thyself. Yes, for Him he had searched all his life. After this vision Thomas wrote no more. It all seemed to him now as so much straw. Now he knew more fully what God is, but found human language unable to express it. Henceforth Thomas lived only for death. Pope Gregory X asked him to attend the Council of Lyons, but he died on the way at the Monastery of Fossa Nova. The search was over, and Faith gave way to vision. The date was March 7, I274. This, then, is the story of the Patron of our school. For the students of all schools who are looking for a fellow student to follow Saint Thomas Aquinas, who is also Patron of all Catholic schools, is a shining example. Here his inspiration leads to knowledge and increased love of God, and that is the purpose of our existence.

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tie 0 ev School informed about Band activities in general and Concerts in particular. Finally, Library Repre- sentative Pittman submitted accounts of the actions and progress of the School Library. From the Student Body the question has arisen, What good will we receive from it? The answer is that the Student Council tries to provide for activities which will not conflict with the C. Y. O. and other parish meetings and dances. It gives boys an idea of what self-government means. The patrolling of the hallways during the school day is an example of this. Students themselves have supervision of the hallways subject to the Student Council. Like any new organization the Student Council has not yet achieved perfection. Perhaps in years to come others can build on the foundations that have been laid this year, so that self-government learned in school years may be carried over effectively into adult life. STUDENT COUNCIL Standing: Joe Elsbury, Emmett McGeever, Father Dwyer, Dick Suter, Charles Choyce, Bill Pittman, Al Smith. Sitting: George Glauser, Ed Ponthier, Pat O'Connell, Frank Hoffman. s sw,