The morning call., 1893-05-10
A SILVER JUBILEE.
Catholic Celebration at
Oakland.
AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY.
The Twenty Fifth Anniversary of
tire Founding of the Convent
of the Sacred Heart.

The silver jubilee Of the convent of the
Sacred Heart was celebrated in Oakland
yesterday The day was the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the founding OF the convent.
Il was made notable day in the history
of Oakland in Catholic and educational
| circles, and the events of the celebration
were attended by prominent society people
Of both San Francisco and the cities across
the bay.
The convent of the Sacred Heart was
founded by Father Michael King, once
assistant pastor of ST. Patrick's Church in
San Francisco He was appointed pastor
of the Catholic Society of Oakland in 1865,
and at once began TO prepare the " ork for
the building Of n Catholic school there.
With much difficulty Father King secured
the beautiful site where now stands the
two comm0dious and handsome structures
that form the school, His own hands first
broke the ground for the building and be-
gan the work of digging for the founda-
| tions.
( The first building was completed in May,
| 1865, and was the first convent of the SIS
! ters of the Holy Names in California. 1t
/ was placed in cl large of Sister Salome.
| The first pupil entered the scnool on
| May 81 of that year. A larger building
| was added In 1873 aud still another addi-
! ton was made in 1885.
! Mother y. j. Baptist presides over the
| school now. as well as over all the schools
| of the Holy Names in California.
The exercises Yesterday were begun in
the early morning. A pOntiical high
mass was celebrated in the chapel. when
Archbishop Riordan was the celebrant.
The deacons of honor were: Father
Scanlan OF St. JoSeph's Church, San Fran
c,sco. and Father Pulato. Father McIiugh
and Father Lsiy were deacons of the
mass. and Father King assistant priest.
There were present also in the sanctuary
priests from many of the California
parishes.
Father Montgomery of St. Mary's, San
Francisco was master of ceremonies.
grand choir, composed of religious
Of the order, and many of the former
pupiiS of tie school, sang the mass of ST.
Cecilia. and during the offertory compC-
sition by La Vale, 'Tu Es Petrus." was
given.
An eloquent and touching sermon was
delivered by Nicar-General Prendergast,
who gave a history of the order of the
Sacred Names of Jesus and Mary.
Following the celebration of the mass
the parlOrs of the convent were thrown
open for reception TO the scholars and
teachers.
There were n large number of those pres
ent, and there were many pleasant greet
ing aud hand-shakings. Father King gra-
who pressed around him, and was tile cen
ter OF The gay throng.
The grounds of the school as well as the
interior had been appropriately decorated
with flowers, and from the top Of the main
buildings the folds of the American flag
| toated In the breeze.
Flowers were entwined in the hedges
that lined the entrance grounds, forming
| in brilliant cOlOred letters the word "Wel-
come" There were other beautiful de-
signs around.
During the reception the Sisters of the
Sacred Heart were presented with many
offerings both rich and handsome. From
! Archbishop RiOrdan was a beautiful
missa and bookcase, and from Father
Scanlan n. golden chalice studded with
precious stones.
The exercises concentrating the silver
jubilee and tie presentation of diplomas
and medals TO the graduates were given in
the afternoon at the Macdonough Theatev.
The theater was filed with the society
people Of the cities around the bay and
many from San Jose and other cities.
Beautifully prepared programmes were
published under the direction of Sister
Rose of the Passion Of the Convent OF ST.
Joseph. They were varied in style, some
painted, and others containing beau
tiIul engravingS, and some tainted upon
psrehmonts for the graduates.
The programme opened with n Guet on
four pianos. "Sequidelia," rendered by the
! misses Esther GRlidTup, NaSSlt Ray ward,
Gertrude KRAFT and Grace jackson.
Forty sweet female voices rendered the
Jubilee Cantata" to an accompaniment Of
pianos violns and guitars.
Miss Katie O'Neil read the commemora-
tive ode
A caYatina was played by five young
lady pupils Of the school.
The orchestra rendered La Reposta," "
accompanied by the mandolins. guitars
and pianos. aad in perfect blending OF
harmony throughout.
The dialogue entitled "Twenty-fve
Years" was beautiful spectacular piece.
representing the years OF existence of the
school.
Forty little girls in spotless white.
responding to an nngePs call. ushered in
the Silver Jubilee Queen, and the queen
In turn called up ID characters the memo
RES OF the past. Religion" Science"
and "Art" presided, and spirits imper-
sOuated "Frolic," :" Canadian Sugar
Cabin" Lake Merritt SNOW" Call
tgrnia Fruits and Flowers" and "ln
Memorlam."
After the dialogue came a vocal duet,
and then Miss Edwards read a beautiful
tribute 10 her alma mater entitled MEM
ory Sweeps Her Harp with Subtle
Touch"
Following the reading the graduates of
the SCHOOL year just closed appeared. and,
kneeling in turn before Archbishop Rior-
dan, were presented with diplomas and
medals. The graduates were: Misses L.
Dwyer, c. Hayward. A. O'Brien and A.
White.
Miss O'Brien read "Our Jubilee Is
Waning"
Archbishop Riordan delivered closing
address HI spoke to the graduates
lie said he bad never felt so out of place
in all his life; but as Archbishop of the
I diocese he deemed II a duty to speak in
public of the noble work of the sisters.
Five and twenty years are as but a
moment in the sight of God. but five and
twenty years devoted 10 such work form q
noble life work.
There is nope for the world and Chris
tianity while religion is kept alive in the
hearts Of our families and in the bosoms OF
our women.
THE formation OF character is left rx-
cluslyely to the women of the world. It is
fortunate they can be raised in Christian
schools.
THE graduates happiest days now are
past The most precious associations of
your lives are twined and grouped around
your alma mater
our whole hope of the future is in the
religious training Of the schools OF our
land. AS long as there are Christian
schools there will be Christian families
and as long there are Christian families
this shall remain n Christian land.
God bless this and all the Christian
schools of our land to-day"
The address Of Archbishop RIordan
closed the exercises OF the day.
|
THE SCHOOL CENSUS.