The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-06-17
CLOSING AT ST.
MICHAEL'S SCHOOL
Eleven Graduates Receive Diplomas
from Rev. J. p. Rand, Who Deliv-
ers Impressive Address.

A large congregation witnessed an i'm
pressive closing in st. Michaefs Roman
Catholic church last evening, when
the IL parochial school graduates re-
ceived their diplomas from Rev. j. 7.
Rand
The program given in Saturdays Re-
former was carried out in full by the
choir, the singing. and music being excep-
tionally fine
Never did the altar show to- better ad-
vantage with its decorations of canter-
bury bells and roses, relieved by the red
glow of reflected lights
The graduates in single file marched
into the church under an arch of canter-
bury bells-the class fower-from which
hung streamers of the national flag rib
bon, demonstrating their motto, For God
and Country, all presenting very pleas
ing sight.
Rev. j. p. Rand then presented the di-
plomas, after which he gave an address
| on Catholic Education. In the course of
his remarks he brought out some very
striking facts, that Catholic schools are
| neither set up to bolster up creed nor
to antagonize secular schools; that secu-
lar schools are indispensable to the state
in the training of the vast number of
1
that there should be unity in education
as there is unity of faith and truth.
and that only is education which pre-
serves that unity and has for its purpose
the imparting of truth both in the nat
ural and supernatural order. Herein lies
the philosophy of Catholic education.
philosophy SO simple that one would
think it quite unnecessary either to offer
an explanation or defense of it. For one
who believes in the existence of God, in
His providence, in the love and interest
He has towards His children in this
world, the propriety of training those
children to know, love, and serve Him,
must appeal as an essential factor in
their training and development.
/ But, again, as we believe to do our
part in this world to fulfil our obliga-
ttions to society and as citizens of this
great republic, there is needed knowledge
of things secular, science exact and spec
tacular, the truths and laws of nature,
the facts and figures, which by their ac-
QUESTION fit the individual for the per-
formance of his varied duties.
"Henee the necessity of secular train
ing. This we have endeavored to do for
those who tonight pass from the portal,
of old ST. Michael's and we are not
afraid to say that this class is equal in
secular knowledge to any grammar
i school graduates in the state. Some have
. attained a higher proficiency than Others
, but this is found and expected in every
: graduating class"
/ Every page of history holds the evi-
: denee that they serve their country best
r VINO love and serve God most, who refuse
to admit divided allegiance, who re
member the gospel that we should be sub
ject to the powers that be, since all pow
; er comes from God Render to Caesa
n the things that are Caesars and to Coo
i the things that are Gods.
4 ITO you, the graduates of our Catholi
t school, l would say, be practical in you
h religion, be pronounced in your patriot
|. ism. Honor God, serve yonr country
n For God and Country is your motto lie
v it be your watchword through life. B
y just and fair. Dare to do right. Ac
/ with justice and honor at all times
When the feast day comes, you hav
& your Father in heaven to honor; whe
,e the national holiday comes, you have you
r country to honor, for your country shoul
;. have on you the claim of your devotion
m that great and noble country whose libei
r. ties you would guard, whose honor yo
r would defend, whose citizenship yo
r would see ennobled.
I'd I'VE have endeavored to educate yo1
Te both in the religious and secular scienc
~ to educate the whole man for God ar
ro country. Live that you be an honor I
m your church, an honor to your countr
an honor to your school, to your paren
or and to yourselves. Thus will you aeeon
he lplish the great end for which Almight
n God has created YOU"