The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-04-18
Praise for Catholic Schools

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Leigh Mitchell Hodges contributes
to the North American Educational
Directory the following able article:
$50 wisely and energetically has
the Catholic church served the cause
Of education that In the matter of
schools and colleges today it holds
a unique position among religious in
situations. especially in this country,
where its work in this direction has
born fruit in numerous excellent edu-
cational centers for the proper mem
tai and physical training of both
sexes from childhood to maturity.
During the last decade each sue
ceeding year has witnessed notable
increase in the number of such insti-
buttons, and marked advances in the
courses prescribed and the facilities
afforded.
Hence. it is only statement Of
fact to say that the advantages Of
fered by this branch of the church's
activity are on par with those OBJ
tainable at the foremost secular intsi-
tutions, while no one who has made
close study of the matter will dispute
their supremacy as moral mentors.
1.-The convent-bred girl has long
been accepted as a model of sweet,
useful womanhood. possessed Of re-
tinements and accomplishments
which add a distinct charm to her
natural attractions, and it is a con-
sideration Of the first importance
that the development of her domestic
traits is singularly complete.
"The convent-bred girl, while we'll
grounded in the classics and mental
ly cultivated in every way that may
be of service to self or fellow-beings,
is primarily homemaker, and in
this age of increasing common sense,
we are coming to right realization
of woman's place and power in this,
her highest estate.
"Of the boy or youth who is armed
for the battle of life in a Catholic
institution as much may be said in
regard to matters of equally great
assistance to him in playing his al
loted part. While necessary en-
phasis is laid upon the mental train
ing, the physical welfare and devel-
opment are by no means neglected,
and this proper regard for the up
building and uplifting influence of
clean sports and athletics has given
the students and graduates of Cath
Ollie colleges place in the front ranks
of athletic endeavor.
$50 pronounced are the advantage
es set forth by some of these centers
of instruction that many non-Catho-
lies, aware of the completeness of
the training and the good influences
of the surroundings, make choice of
them, particularly since it is general
ly understood that no effort is made
to interfere with personal religious
beliefs. This fact may be clearly
gained from the following paragraph
taken from the current catalog of
a well-known Catholic school for
girls in Pennsylvania:
Difference of religion is no obsta-
Gle to the reception of pupils, pro-
vided they conform to what the dis
cipline of the school requires
This, in substance, is the rule fol-
lowed by Catholic institutions of
learning, and, while the religious
guidance and training provided by
them is basic attraction to Catholic
parents and students, this spiritual
side is not forced upon non-Catholics.
1.-THE further fact that Catholic
schools, are as rule, more reason
able as to cost of board and tuition
than the secular institutions of SINH
lar standing, also has led to the no.
ton that the reason for this must
rest in limited opportunities and ad-
vantages.
But the real explanation lies in
the fact that Catholic schools are
largely in the hands of teaching or
ders-either Sisterhoods, Brother