St Vincents Academy - Vincentian Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

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Veronica Porteoiu Charlene Parisy Gail Rambir. Cecilia Roach Telva Robelo Nancy Roberts Maria Elsa Salinas Elaine Schexnaidre Martha Silber Esther Stokely Gail Swor Janet Turgeon Norma Mixon

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Donna Jeannette King C7 Nanette King Frankie Lachle Theresa Landers Beverly Linhares Paula Martin Doris McGee Anna Rose Messina Gail Monsour Val Nectoux Patsy Nackley Margaret Phelps Dianne O’Mara Pauline Houser

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'God’s tender love was shown to us on the week- end of December 17 to the 19» when He sent Father C. C. Meischy S. J.f to lead our retreat. Never have 1 seen anyone so inspired! When he talked everyone was so enraptured that no one moved a muscle» be- cause she was afraid she might miss something. • • • 'God, in creating us, had a plan and everyone is important in this plan. We should use the people, places, and things around us to help us fulfill our purpose in life and therefore lead us closer to God. • • 'Father made everything very clear. He brought out the fact that the little things in life, the small things, the every day things are the important matters to God. • • 'We shun prayer, good works, graces, and inspir- ation sent to us and we think we are good just be- cause we do the barely necessary things. 'Was it necessary for Christ to come on earth? But He did it because He loved us. 'What love He has—But us! What weaklings! • • 'Every little thing we possess such as beauty, intelligence, etc., is given us by God for a special purpose to use as stepping stones toward heaven, and not for earthly pleasures. • • ‘When we have any troubles, temptations, or any desire for evil, we should remember how much Christ suffered in His Passion and be ashamed of ourselves for giving in to such weakness---- ‘Our suffering can never compare toHis Suffering! 'If we do the little things we dislike every day, the bigger things will take care of themselves.’ • • 'Although Father spoke beautifully and his sub- jects were the kind that hit between the eyes, what impressed me the most was Father Meisch himself. He didn’t try to scare the socks off you. He just stated what he knew was true and how, if we wanted to better ourselves, we could apply it to our daily life. 'He gave an example of a girl who went to a doctor and was told she needed her appendix out. Instead of taking the doctor’s advice the girl took an aspirin. She relieved the pain but not for long. He compared that to the advice he was giving us. Maybe we really know what we should do but instead of doing it we compromise. • • 'Death—is not something to be feared if we have lived our lives as we ought to have. • • 'A retreat is a marvelous opportunity and one for which we should be very grateful. In the solace of the chapel and the serenity of the woods it is much easier to feel God’s closeness. This closeness and presence of God helps one to delve into her mind and heart and search out the truth; truth which in the ordinary noise and commotion of everyday living is often kept well hidden in the recesses of one’s consciousness. 'To make Retreats regularly will insure a success- ful life - one blessed by God and full of service to others.