Ursuline Academy - Yearbook (Cumberland, MD)

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Tribute To Father Boniface as Little by little, an acorn said As it slowly sank in its mossy bed: I am improving every day Hidden deep in thc earth awayf, u Little by little it sipped the dew, Little by little each day it grew, Downward it sent out a thread-like root, Up in the air sprang a tiny shoot. Day after day and year after year, Little by little the leaves appear, And the slender branches spread far and wide, Till the mighty oak is the forest's pride, These words, by an unknown author, can more fully express the help and guidance given us by our kind pastor, Father Boniface, than any individual efforts on our part. It is true that we feel now, in our hour of joy, that we compare with the forest's pride, but when we stop to contemplate and consider that Commencement does not mean the achieve- ment of an end, but is merely the beginning of our real work in life, then do we realize and appreciate the fact that only because of the profound Catholic guidance that we have received have we laid a firm foundation for the future. We are grateful for the Hne school which we will always be so proud to claim as our Alma Mater. You have always done everything in your power to see that we had every com- fort, Father Boniface. Yes, you have taught us many beautiful lessons of our holy religion. We are certain that in the years to come, whether we are furthering our education or are out in the busi- ness world, your instructions will ever assist us in being good Catholic girls. Your devotion to the Mother of God has inspired all of us to place our confidence and trust in Her. Each member of the class deeply appreciates the kindness and generosity you have always shown in our work. You have lightened the hearts of many through your winning smile. To you Reverend Father, and to all the good Fathers, we owe much of the success which we, as a class, have had and as individuals will have. May we always be a credit to SS. Peter and Paul Ursuline Academy.

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Rev. Boniface Weckman, Q. FM. Cap

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Message To The Graduates My dear Graduates: Your Graduation is the forty-ninth stone built into the years of the Ursuline Academy of SS. Peter and Paul's Church. The next to be placed into its building will be the Golden Iubilee stoneg the next page to be added to the history of the Academy will be the Golden page of the fifty years of sacrifice on the part of the Ursuline Sisters and the devoted people of the Parish. Forty-five Graduations, including your own today, are recorded in the Annals of the Ursuline Academy. I love to go back through the past years. At the end of the first year, 1892, ten stu- dents were enrolled in the Academy, a small beginning, but it developed and grew as the mustard seed of the Gospel. In the fourth year the Academy had an enrollment of fifty students. Of the first graduating class in 1896 we still have several Alumnae in our Parish. Their love for their Alma Mater, their loyalty to the Ursuline Academy, their fidelity to her ideals, speak well for the early teachers and the wonderful standard of thoroughness of the education of the school from its very foundation. Like links in a chain the Grade uating Classes have been added, the Golden link the next to be added to round out the first half of a century of its mission. The year 1940-1941 had the record enrollment of students, whilst the number of graduates this year is twenty-four. Twenty-four apostles of the Ursuline Academy going out under the protection of their glorious Patron St. Ursula, pledged to carry on the ideals of their Alma Mater. Forty-five graduating classes have gone through the portals of the Ursuline Academy with the promise to carry on its work, to inspire love for its ideals by word and example. These ideals are brieHy summed up in The Souvenir of the Golden Iubilee of SS. Peter and Paul's Church on page I32. lt is the crowning desire of many that the school fthe Ursuline Academy, will always be attended by a number of aspiring and diligent young ladies striving to gain the noblest ideals of lifeg to gain by means of a thorough knowledge of necessary and useful sciences a Fitting position in life in which purity of morals and religion form the bulwark. This is the form of higher education which will enable the future generation to benefit mankind by their qualifications and true Christian charity. Graduates of 1941, accept the legacy of the past of the Ursuline Academy. Consecrate yourselves to her ideals in your daily life and your daily example to others, fidelity to your religion and Goa' and purity of morals. If ever the world, if ever America needed such women, the world and America need them today. Let your farewell, your parting word to the Ursuline Academy on this Graduation evening before the Blessed Sacrament be Alma Mater, Ursuline Academy, We, the Graduates of 1941, pledge to you loyalty to your ideals. FATHER BONIFACE. O. F. M. CAP.