Villa Maria College - Yearbook (Erie, PA)

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FOREWORD As she dominates the horizon on the shores of Lake Erie ' s blue waters, our Alma Mater is the symbol of the ideal of virtuous Christian womanhood which she has implanted in her daughters. Villa Maria College in 1963, expanding even now on her new, modern campus to meet more effectively the needs of her students, has perfectly achieved the balance between old and new which is the essence of Christian living today. Like the Ecumenical Council which has convened during our senior year, our school has attempted to fit us to keep the eternal ideals of virtue, wisdom, and knowledge while living in the modern world. Villa Maria ' s tradi- tion has taught us to retain the best of the past while adding the finest of the present in preparation for a future in the arms of our patroness. Through her understanding, her guidance, and her dedication both educational and spiritual, our Alma Mater has equipped us for a world of international crises, nuclear war threats, and insidious Communist inroads. She has shown us that it is also a world of artistic beauty, of scientific and natural wonder, and of the joys of living if only we respond to them. Now her work with us is nearly finished. It is up to the Class of 1963 to be ever humbly mindful of the challenge of God put to us through the voice of Villa Maria: For this purpose have I raised thee: that I may show My power in thee and that My Name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Exodus 4:13)

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DEDICA riON And the child advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and man. Saint Luke penned these words in reference to a very particular child of a very particular family who walked together the sands of Galilee two thousand years ago. But they are also applicable to the members of Villa Maria College ' s 1963 graduating class. We, too, are products of holy families with dedicated parents working diligently to secure for us the myriad opportunities and advantages inherent in a Catholic college education. They, like the shepherds of old, have seen His star in the East and have taught us by word and example to follow it. Now we approach our entrance into the world of adult responsibilities with an ever-increasing appreciation for what they have done for us -- and not a little amazement as to how they ' ve managed. Years and years have gone by since Mom twined red ribbons through our pigtails, struggled over puck- ering pink chiffon for our first prom, and grimaced understandingly when we dazzled her with the amber glory of Joe ' s class ring and announced triumphantly that we were going steady. Dad has to sweep away cobwebs torecall his chagrin at his first discovery of his daughter ' s womanly wiles as she wheedled a simply divine pair of red flats from his not-really-reluctant hands. He ' d rather NOT remember his acute heartburn as his little girl displayed her prowess at manipulating the family car around hairpin curves or his sinking feeling at the accordion pleat she put in its fender. But it ' s all in a day ' s work for a parent, they ' d both reflect with a great sigh. These events of growing up are gone forever now, but Mom and Dad will never lose them for they, like Mary, have kept all these things in their hearts. Not too many years hence we ' ll be faced with the joys and problems of rearing our own families. We approach this prospect unafraid because we have only to reflect upon our childhood memories for a model. Self-sacrifice has been our parents ' watchword, cheerful dedication their creed. Under their lov- ing guidance, we, even as the Child Jesus, have truly advanced in wisdom, age, and grace. Only age comes of necessity. Wisdom and grace are the products of struggle. And so, it is with deep love, with gratitude unbounded, and with a fervent prayer that they may always be proud of us, that we, the Class of 1963, dedicate this issue of the MAGNIFICAT to you. Mom and Dad.