The Irish standard., 1917-09-22
eaehing Irish history>
Experience of the Sisters of st. Mary's
Academy Of Winnipeg.
A Lively Interest Shown by Non-cath-
olics as Well as Catholic Pupils.
The A. o. II. and Ladies' Auxiliary
Commended for Offering Prizes
and Medals.

/ The work of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians and Ladies' Auxiliary in
the promotion of the study of Irish
History in public and parochial schools
is bringing in gratifying reward in
the renewed activity that is observed
along these lines in scores of insti-
tutions throughout the United States
and Canada. The subject has excited
the interest not only of Catholic stu
dents, but of non-Catholics as we'll,
and some of the public schools are
going along" as enthusiastically as
the others. Not only that but the
pupils have carried home their contag-
ious zeal and have set their parents,
brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts
to do their bit in the campaign. OF
! course the elders cannot afford to re-
main Indifferent or totally uniformed
in subject that has engrossed the
/, earnest and lively attention of the
kids" with the result that said eld-
ers, in order to save their educational
faces, find themselves compelled to
dig down into the books as a measure
of preparedness against the battery
of interrogations which the irrepres-
sible juniors are. sure to fire at them.
From this intellectual wrestling mu-
tual strength is developed, and many
pleasant and profitable hours are spent
around the family table rather than
at the neighborhood movies.
| A few weeks ago the A. o. H. chair
man of Irish History, Mr.. John I. G..
Shelly of Winnipeg, addressed an in
formal gathering in this city, of those
who were interested in the movement,
and succeeded in initiating some
measures here which will be produc-
tive of good results in the future. He
spoke of the progress that had been
made in Winnipeg and other places
in giving to the study of Irish History
the prominence it deserves in the
school curricula, and we publish the
following letter which he has received
from Sister Mary Genoveffa, of St..
Mary's Academy, of Winnipeg, as elu-
cidating in more detail some of the
points touched upon by him:
St. Mary's Academy,
Winnipeg, Can, Aug. 20, 1917.
Mr.. John l. c. Shelly,
A. o. H. Chairman of Irish History,
Winnipeg.
Dear Sir: In regard to your re-
quest concerning my experience in
teaching Irish History, I should say
that I find the study of the advanced
state of civilization in the early times,
the courage in resisting a foreign foe,
the strong Christian spirit, and above
all the undaunted perseverance under
persecution all make a wonderful i'm
preston on the minds of the pupils
and seem a revelation to them, even
to children of Irish descent. These
impressions naturally, do not remain
in the classroom, but are talked over
at home; the pupils often repeat con-
versations concerning Ireland that
they have had with their parents.
i I think there is an advantage in
having the children come to the knowl.
edge Of Irish History under the guild
ance Of teacher, because on the one
hand q deeper impression can be
made. while on the other, If they study
1 alone, they are very apt to become ov.
erprejudiced. When this inclination
is shown in class, as often happens,
the teacher can point out to them
that every nation has its good quail.
ties, and that, through Christian. char
ity, we should see these as we'll as its
defects.
Some of our mont Catholic pupils take
so lively an interest in the subject az
even to compete for the medal, and
those who at the beginning do not
wish to join the class, but who are
} sometimes present during the explain
, alton, listen attentively, and often re
} greet later that they have not Joined
They do not seem at all reluctant tt