The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-29

during the year 1914-15 was the
formation and organization In New York
city OF the international Federation Of
Catholic Alumne.
This great movement Is the initial
one of dts character In the history OF
the Catholic Church. and although Of
recent growth and immature develop
ment promises to become an important
factor In Catholic intellectual life. The
movement presents in concrete form the
ideals, aims and objects OF Catholic
higher education. and plans by a great
constitute a moral. religious and social
force. n one which will combat the
attacks Of error and At the
same time the federation purposes to
bring Catholic schools. academies and
colleges up TO the highest standard n
to assist them by an interchange Of
ideas. In mis- way the best results OF
Catholic educational methods and prac-
| tees are made to circulate n expand.
emulation among teaching BODIES IL
stimulated and sustained. and q greater
intellectual Impetus Is given TO Doth
| students and Instructors. In order to
| promote his work tho federation plans
| 10 compile a complete descriptive cata-
| logue OF Catholic schools: II further
| more will ncouraRe in every way the
| reading of the Catholic press. and Will
strive 20 broaden and uhe
| social life of alumne associations
Tho brief history Of IL inception
| and progress Of tho new organization
| forms a striking episode In tho lie OF
| convent alumne and claims the interest
| and attention of all patrons Of Catholic
higher education. u.
The project first took inspiration n
| form among tho alumna OF st. Josephs
College, Dmmitsburg. Md. Realizing
| the preeminent moral and intellectual
| advantages Of a Catholic education the
| alumnm felt that the time was ripe. the
opportunity at hand, to create a vital
, and widespread force for good by ex-
tending the power and influence or edu-
Gated Catholic womanhood. A d,rect
way 20 do this was to a~filiate or federate
tho Catholic alumn1 OF the United
States and Canada In accordance with
tffs idea a special meeting was held
at 81. Joseph's College, Emmitsburg on
February 10, 1914. and the matter o.
| federation was earnestly deliberated
upon. After thorough consideration II
was unanimously decided that a fedora
! ton Of the aiumn@ OF Catholic fnstitu-
tions Of higher education" be organized
| and placed under the patronage or Our
Lady of the Miraculous Medal. the
! preliminary work OF organization was
entrusted TO tho New York Chapter OF
the Alumne Association and The or
g~anization committee. consisting OF the
president and secretary OF the college
the president and secretary OF rhe Ma
tional Alumne Association ana the
regent and secretary or the New forh
Chapter, was formed.
The plan OF federation was warmly
approved and encouraged by his Emf
nence Cardinal Gibbons. Archbishop Of
| Baltimore. and under the sanction OF
this illustrious prelate the work OF or
eanization was successfully launohed,
Circulars calculating h project ant
urging speedy and earnest cooperation
were sent TO alumna associations In th<
United States and Canada, and many
responses. commencing tho lproposed
federation and enlisting under its ban
ner, were received. Meanwhile hi
~inence Cardinal O'Connell had be
Em,nence Cardinal Farley and his I'm.
slowed gracious words of approval an
benediction, and in addition letters o
commentator had been received from
six Archbishops and twenty-eight Bish
ops Of this country M Canada.
Aided inc Endorsed by so many 90
clesiastics and encouraged by the sin
cere cooperation OF numerous alumns
associations. the work of organization
went energetically forward, and tn,
committee decided TO i~naugurate tn,
federation by a formal convention.
Thereupon a circular was issued {
the af1liatlng associations requesting
that zach association appoint a specia
representative who might attend the pro
posed convention and voice the senti
ments of her association. The c!rcula
also suggested several titles for tn
new organization and requested tn,
consensus OF opinion regarding tn
choice OF name. A choice was ais
indicatde as to tho convention Cit
and the time, November %, 2s and 90
was definitely submitted. In respons
to his sixty-fve associations appointe
their delegates, and by a large majorit
the title International Federation @
Catholic AlumnR was chosen as tn
name OF the new organization. Ne'
York city was selected as the place G
convention and the time in Novembo
unanimously approved.
During the early fall months assc
Cldllons continued 10 animate ana q
the first convention day. November Q
the feast Of our LADY of the Miracu
lous Medal, l02 alumne association
were listed as charter members OF tn
federation.
The International Federation OF Catt
Ohio Alumn@ was organized in cor
vention at tho Hotel McAlpin. Ne,
York city, on November %, IS an
20. 1914. The opening session on FRI
day evening. November 81. took plaC
in the sumptuous blue room of III
hotel, and was attended by about zoo
guests. including members OF the clerg,
delegates and friends. Those who wei
present on that occasion can recall wit
qualification the earnestness, felicit
and enthusiasm that characterized III
proceedings, The Rev. Michael Refill,
chairman of the evening session. in a
eloquent address defined the plans. pu,
poses and possibilities OF the organic;
ton, the necessity OF active cooperi
tion and concerted effort. The Rigl
Rev, Patrick !. Hayes, n. H., auxiliar
Bishop OF New York, represented Ca
diual Farley. n conveyed the gree
ings and good wishes Of his Emlnenc,
The Right Rev, Mgr, Bradley, Ii. t
president of st, Mary's Colleg
Emmitshurg, Md. congratulated Il
organizers on the splendid enthusiasts
and interest displayed in the cause
religion n education, and prayed Tod
blessing on the noble work,
The concluding address OF the ey,
ming was delivered by the Right Re
Edward J, McCarty, III, D., who spoil
! glowingly Of the salutary effects
! Christian education upon mind and cha
acter and deplored the laxity Of presel
IA.H .A-.