September 10.—The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary falling on Saturday, the opening of the College was transferred to Monday, September 10. On that morning, our Right Reverend Bishop celebrated Mass for us, and after Mass gave an exhortation long to be remembered by those who were present. The Bishop’s theme was the Higher Education of Women. The Bishop said that never before in the history of the world was there greater need for educated women—women educated in the truest sense of the word, the moral and the intellectual combined. Intellect alone will not suffice—the education of the heart and of the will must be combined with it in order that the result may be a well-balanced woman—a woman of character.
Registered in the Freshman Class for this year were the following: Anna Loughran, Helen O'D. Carrol, Margaret Hayes, Bessie Blewitt, Irene Gaffney, Elizabeth Reardon, Elizabeth Horan, Clare Kelly, Gertrude O'Connor, Margaret O'Malley, Dorothy Burke, Mary MacDonald, Gertrude Kranz, Margaret O'Donnell, Louise Coogan, Octavia Foley, Loretta Haggerty, Regina Healey, Margaret Bernstein, Margaret Johns, Irene Weichel, Isabel Nichols.
September 22.—Dr. Walsh begins course of lectures on the Psychology of the Will.
September 29.—Entertainment in honor of the Patronal Feast of our Right Reverend Bishop. The address to the Bishop was given by Miss Caldwell. "The Archangel's Visit," a reading, was given by Miss Loughran. There were three choruses: Bella Napoli, Santa Lucia and the College Song of Marywood. At the close, the Right Reverend Bishop addressed the Students and declared a holiday.
October 15.—Feast of St. Teresa. Freshman Class organized. Miss Larkin. President of Student body, presided. Results were as follows: President. Elizabeth Reardon; Vice-President, Anna Loughran; Secretaries, Gertrude Kranz and Mary MacDonald; Treasurer, Gertrude O'Connor.
October 24.—The Juniors entertained their Sister-Class, the Freshmen, at an Initiation Party. As the date was so near Hallowe'en, the affair took a Goblin form. The Initiation ceremonies were the source of much pleasure. The Sophomore Class enjoyed a theatre party at the Strand.
October 28.—Dr. Walsh lectures on Spiritualism and Christian Science.
November 4.—The College Students gave a reception in honor of Mother Superior's return from the West. Regina Sullivan gave the address of welcome. Readings were given by the Misses Griffin, Caldwell and Loughran. The Class Songs, composed for the occasion, were sung at the close.
Organ Recital given by Mr. Reed. Among the numbers were: Entree du Cortege, from Messe de Marriage, Dubois; Romanza, Gounod; Andante in G. Batiste; Liebeslied, Greesler.
November 26.—The Teresian Dramatic Club gave this evening a very clever presentation, entitled "Fads and Fancies at Marywood." Part One of the programme, "En Passant," showed the different members of the Junior Class as types of the Girls of the Period. The Marywood Girl was impersonated by Kathleen Howley. Then followed in quick succession "The 1917 Girl," habited in the latest fashion, Madeline Larkin; "Ye Olde Time Colonial Girl," Katharine Gavin: the sweet "Irish Colleen," Mary Lynott; the quaint gentle Japanese girl. Mildred Walker: the now familiar Knitting Girl, Agnes Leonard; the airy, fairy Summer Girl, Marie Fleming; the Common Sense Hoover Girl, Angela Griffin; the earnest Red Cross Nurse. Frances Caufield; the demure Quaker Girl, Geraldine Burke; and the Stately Liberty Girl, Regina Sullivan.
Scenes from Justin McCarthy's "If I Were King" were given by Miss Anna Loughran. "An Outsider" was a clever College Play, revealing the inner workings of a Woman's College. The proceeds of the entertainment were given to the Red Cross.
December 3.—Sam Gardner gave a delightful Violin Recital.
December 6.—Through the courtesy of Mr. C. Hand, we enjoyed the exceptional privilege of hearing the world-renowned artists, the Cherniavsky Brothers. The trio visited the College and gave a generous programme. The first number was a charming Berceuse, played by the three brothers. Then followed three piano numbers and two violin numbers, one of them being Schubert's soulful "Ave Maria," the other a Mazurka by Wieniaivski. The violincello numbers which followed were a revelation of the harmony that this instrument is capable of producing under the hands of a skilful violincellist. Other numbers were three Persian Love Songs, and a composition for Pianoforte, Violin and Cello arranged by the brothers.
The same afternoon, Christine Miller visited the College. Miss Miller had no music with her and did not have long to stay but she consented to sing one song, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." The song, Miss Miller said, would be her message to Marywood. The grand national anthem so appropriate to the times was sung in such a soulful manner as fairly to electrify her audience. Miss Miller's gracious personality charmed her hearers no less than her singing stirred their souls.
December 9.—Harold Quinn Beesley. Professor of English at the Catholic University, lectured here this evening on Our Lady in English Poetry. Mr. Beesley spoke of the influence that devotion to the Mother of God has exercised in shaping the ideals of art and artists. This is especially true of the poetic art, Mr. Beesley said, for there is scarcely a poet of note in any language, but particularly in the English language, who has not embodied in his verse this vision of idealized womanhood. Mr. Beesley quoted largely from the English poets in proof of his assertion.
December 20.—Bethlehem, a Nativity play, was given by the students in the College Auditorium.
January 31.—Through the courtesy of Dr. Charles Hoban, Superintendent of the Dunmore Schools, the Students of Marywood had the pleasure of hearing a lecture given by Dr. John C. Freund on "Music in American Schools." Dr. Freund gave an interesting account of the efforts made in this country to give Music a place in the home and in the school. He also gave a brief history of the Musical Alliance. Dr. Freund's lecture was marked by forcefulness. simplicity and earnestness.
February 14.—Saint Valentine's Day. Madame Leginska gives a musical programme. Sophomores entertain Juniors and Freshmen.
February 15.—Students attended the unveiling of the Service Flag- of St. Thomas College. The flag, which contains 150 stars, was blessed by the Right Reverend M. J. Hoban D D., President of the College. The Bishop made a brief address on Loyalty. An address was also made bv Mr P. Cusick. President of the Alumni of St. Thomas.
February 22.—Our Right Reverend Bishop visited Marywood this afternoon. He brought with him Abbe Flynn, a Chaplain in the French Army. The Abbe has leave of absence and is on a lecture tour in America. The Abbe was born in France and did not learn English until late in life, but he speaks it remarkably well. His visit to Marywood was a brief one, but before leaving he expressed himself as very much pleased with what he saw of our young but prosperous College.
February 27.— The Feast of St. Brigid falls on February 1st, but, in some parts of Ireland, it is celebrated on the 27th. As the mid-year examinations were being held on February 1st, it was decided to postpone the celebration until the latter date. A fine programme was given in the College Assembly Room. There was a hymn to Saint Brigid, composed by a member of the Class of 1919; Miss Loughran gave a reading—Saint Brigid. A paper on Joyce Kilmer was read by Miss Sullivan. Miss Fleming gave an inspiring talk on College Spirit. The programme closed with the chorus, "Mary-wood."
March 15.—Miss Warfel, a noted performer on the Harp, visited the College and gave an excellent programme. Among the numbers were Priere, The Butterfly and March Militaire, by Hasselsmans; and Irish Airs.
March 17.—Saint Patrick's Day. Madame Narelle and her accomplished daughter, Miss Marie Narelle, visited the College. Madame Narelle, assidsted by her daughter, gave us a fine programme of Irish music, ending with the stirring "O'Donnell Aboo."
In the evening the Students entertained the Faculty and their friends with an Erin programme. "Back to Erin," an original one-act play, was given by the members of the Dramatic Club.
March 18.—To-day our Right Reverend Bishop, accompanied by Monsignor Chidwick. President of St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, New York, visited the College. Monsignor Chidwick found much pleasure in recalling the enthusiasm with which he was received here on a former occasion, when the Nation was honoring him as the Chaplain hero of the Maine.
March 22.—Reverend Father Price, of the Maryknoll Foreign Missionary Society, lectured to-day at the College. Father Price has the evangelization of China very much at heart, and loses no opportunity of trying to arouse a like interest in the hearts of others. In his address, Father Price asked the question: "How many of you young ladies want to go to China?" The question was so unexpected that it evoked a smile. Father Price then assured them that if the same question were asked in a Protestant College, it would meet with a hearty response. We Catholics, the Reverend Father went on to say, have been so busy evangelizing our own country that we have not had the time to think of other countries. Now our opportunity has come to broaden out. The Great War has played havoc with the Foreign Missions, and we must do our part to repair the ravages. At the close of the lecture. Father Price distributed pledge cards, which all signed.
March 23-26.—Annual Retreat for the Students. The Retreat was conducted by the Reverend Father Bertrand, C. P., of St. Ann's Monastery.
March 27.—Dr. D. A. Webb, of the American Expeditionary Forces, visited Marywood to-day and gave a detailed account of the work of Doctors, Priests and Sisters in the hospitals of France. Dr. Webb gave a clear and interesting account of the work of a medical division. The Doctor is home on a short furlough. He sails again for France in a few days.
April 4.—By far the most exciting event in the Scholastic activities at Marywood took place this afternoon, when the Junior and Sophomore classes were matched in their first public debate, before a large audience. The contest was held in the Auditorium. Reverend T. J. McHugh, Reverend Brother Maurice and Reverend Brother Ephrem were the judges. Reverend Dr. Boyle acted as chairman.
For some days before the debate, class spirit on both sides was keen, and, at the hour appointed for the contest, wondrous heights of enthusiasm had been reached. Reverend Dr. Boyle announced the proposition, "Resolved, That Suffrage should be granted to women," with Miss Regina Sullivan the first speaker on the affirmative side. Miss Sullivan made an illuminating exposition of her convictions and led the audience to follow definitely and consistently every point she made. Miss Catherine Caldwell followed with a superb plea for non-suffrage. Miss Caldwell, appreciating the fact that in effective argument, conviction and persuasion must exist together, put dramatic intensity into her eloquence, which made a tremendous impression and greatly pleased her audience.
Miss Frances Caufield then took up the argument in favor of suffrage, and by her presentation gained much for her cause but Miss Genevieve Mundy's ardent conclusion and force of rhetoric convinced the listeners that the negatives had the mastery of the situation. Miss Caldwell's rebuttal placed that conviction beyond the shadow of a doubt.
The judges confirmed the general expectation, and the speakers then exchanged congratulations. Brother Maurice in conclusion, paid a high compliment to the young ladies of Marywood. He said their work was not outclassed in any university he had visited here or abroad.
April 14.—The second Public Debate took place this afternoon. The proposition was: "Resolved, That the Railways of the United States should be owned and operated by the Government." The Misses Larkin and Fleming, of the Class of '19, argued for the affirmative; the Misses Walsh and Hays, '20, for the negative. The judges were the Reverend J. A. Boyle, LL. D., Reverend T.J. McHugh, J.C.L., and Reverend W. P. Kealey, S.T.D. The decision was in favor of the affirmative.
The Misses Larkin and Fleming deserve great praise for the clearness of their arguments, as well as for the wealth of data adduced. That both students are making practical application of their studies in Economics was evidenced by the proofs they gave of exact knowledge of present day problems. One argument advanced by Miss Fleming to the'effect that under the present government control, transportation has been considerably expedited, was forcibly illustrated by a well-drawn map, showing the new routes taken by the government and contrasting them with the old as to speed and efficiency.
The negatives made an excellent showing and proved themselves worthy of their clever opponents. The victory was won by a small margin, as was the case in the debate of April 4th, when the Sophomores scored a victory over the Juniors.
April 18.—The long-looked-for social event, the Dinner Dance, which was held this evening in the Hotel Casey, fully realized our fondest expectations. Everything smiled on us that evening—the weather was perfect, the dining room a bower of beauty, and the two hours given to dancing after dinner most enjoyable. Our Chaperones, the Mesdames Howley, Fleming, Walker, Leonard, Gavin and Sullivan, enjoyed the evening as much as did their daughters.
April 30.—Previous to his embarkation for France, Chaplain Dudley Tierney. of the 77th Field Artillery, came to bid good-bye to his friends at Marywood. The Soldier Priest addressed the Faculty and Students, giving a detailed account of camp life as he found it in Camp Fort Ethan Allen, Camp Shelby and Camp Greene. Father Tierney's talk was most encouraging to the many Sisters and Students whose loved ones have answered our country's call. The zealous young priest pictured the joys and advantages of camp life in so bright a light that he made them feel happy. Father Tierney asked special prayers that God's grace might reach the hearts of His forgetful children. The cheerfulness of the young priest on the eve of his departure for the battlefield was an evidence of the admirable American spirit that gave our army courage to dare and do things before unheard of in history.
May 1.—While the enthusiasm aroused by Father Tierney's address was still fresh in our hearts, we were honored by the visit of another soldier. Lieutenant John Burnett, an Immaculate Heart boy. Lieutenant Burnett is a famous singer. He consented to sing several songs, and then gave an interesting talk on the Morale of our Army. He paid a Splendid tribute to the American boy in camp.
May 14.—Through the kindness of Mr. Frank Coghlan, we enjoyed a diversified and highly entertaining programme. The gentlemen who contributed to the entertainment of the evening were cleverly introduced by Attorney James Jordan. They were: Mr. Peter Walsh, the famous baritone soloist; Mr. Arnold Lohman, a violinist of note; Mr. Joseph Edwards, the sweet singer of Dundell; Mr. Con McCool, the funniest man in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Mr. Harold Briggs, a renowned pianist. Mr. Coghlan and Mr. Reardon brought the programme to a close with an excellent presentation of the Woolsey-Cramner [sic] Scene in Henry VIII.
To-day the Students of Marywood conducted a War Drive in War Stamps and Thrift Stamps. The entire Student body was given a holiday, which was devoted to the work of soliciting pledges. The Drive resulted in a return in pledges to the amount of $2,415.50. In order to show the readiness with which Marywood responded to each and every call in the present war, we give the following resume of 1917-1918:
War Stamp and Thrift Stamp Pledges...$2,415.50
Purchase of 5 Liberty Bonds................... 500.00
Contribution to the Knights of Columbus....200.00
Contribution to the Red Cross................. 170.00
Sweaters Knit for the Red Cross.............. 200.00
May 5.—The Forty Hours' Devotion opened in the College Chapel. The sermon Sunday evening was preached by the Reverend G. A. Jeffrey, of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore. The theme of the sermon was the Love of Jesus Christ. Reverend Father Malachy, C.P., preached Monday evening on Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
May 22.—Examinations in Special Lecture Course.
May 23.—An Organ Recital was given by Professor F. J. O'Connor. Among the numbers on the programme were: "Grand Choeur", Gigout; "Hymn to Our Lady", Tinel; "Variations on Ancient Christmas Hymns", Dethier; "Rhapsody", Saint Saens; "Priere VIII" and "Finale, First Sonata", Guilmant.
May 28.—College Day. First anniversary of the granting of Charter to Marywood.
May 20.—May Procession and Crowning of the Statue of Our Lady of Victory. Sermon on Our Lady preached by Reverend Dr. Boyle.
June 3-7.—Final Examinations.
June 16.—High Mass celebrated in the College Chapel by the Reverend J. A. Boyle, LL. D. The Baccalaureate Sermon was preached by the Reverend W. P. Kealey, S.T.D., who took for his text, "Jesus Christ: the Same To-day, Yesterday and Forever." The Reverend Doctor descanted on the place of Christ in the life of every one. especially during the formative period of the early years, when all the forces that are brought to bear upon us make such an indelible impression. Christ in the education of the boy and girl is absolutely necessary, and only that education that has Christ for its centre, for its reason to be, will bear fruit for time and eternity. Dr. Kealey cautioned his young hearers against adopting the standards of the world, in judging success or failure. Success measured by the world's standard may be failure when measured by the standard of Christ. He advised them to hold fast the principles of the Christian education which they had received. He exhorted them ever to have in mind as the rule and guide of their conduct the high ideals of their Alma Mater.
Before the close of the Mass, Dr. Boyle addressed the Students, congratulating them on the fidelity they had ever shown in their work. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Students sang the Gloria from The Creation, Handel.
In the afternoon Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament was given.
June 17.—The Caecilian Glee Club gave its annual concert. Both the solo and chorus work gave evidence of careful training and keen appreciation of the best in vocal culture. Especially deserving of mention were the following: The Elgar number, "Fly, Singing Bird, Fly:" The Lark, Schubert, and the Gloria, Mozart. The pathetic Southern Lullaby, "Kentucky Babe," was well received, as was "The Swallow," Del Aqua. "When the Boys Come Home" struck a responsive chord. At the close of the concert, Reverend Dr. Boyle made an address complimenting the members of the Club on the excellence of their work.
June 18.—The Misses Loughran and MacDonald gave a Dramatic Recital. This Recital was a most creditable one in every respect. The programme covered nearly every phase of dramatic interpretation, and brought out in an admirable manner the versatility of dramatic talent with which both young ladies are so richly endowed. Character sketches, impersonations, lyric and dramatic interpretations, were given with such complete and sympathetic understanding that one might be at a loss to know which to marvel at more—the gift of insight or the ease with which the transition was made from one character to another. Natural talent, culture of voice, enunciation, gesture and manner, were in evidence throughout.
June 19.—The Teresian Dramatic Society gave a unique entertainment in the form of five One-Act Plays. Three of these plays had for their setting Eighteenth Century England, and so realistic was the impersonation of the different characters that one could almost fancy oneself transported to the London Coffee House to find oneself in the company of the celebrated Dr. Johnson and his devoted followers. Miss MacDonald, as Beau Nash, and Miss Larkin, as the Lady of the Portrait, made a realistic revival of Court days. Miss Wetter was a sweet unsophisticated Fanny Burney, unspoiled by the success of Evelina. Miss McDade as George Romney was very effective in her repentance. Miss Caldwell as Mary Romney, the patient wife, was the center of a charming portrayal of the English country life of the period. Modern life formed the setting of the scene from "Happiness." Miss Healy was the rich Miss Pole. Miss Davis enacted the role of Shabby Jenny. The happy ending was a tribute to the poor little errand girl's sane philosophy of life.
June 20.—Miss Helena Goessman, M. Ph., Professor of English at Amherst College, gave the Commencement Address. Her subject was '"Ideals in Education." Marywood Students received Certificates of Proficiency in Special Courses; the Misses Stockman, McCloskey and Dawson in the Science of Home Economies, and the Misses Bernstein, Griffin, Weichel, and Burke in the Secretarial Course.
June 29.—The Reverend T. J. Delihant, S. J., tonight opened a Retreat for Young Women, with a registration of 96 retreatants. It is interesting to note that since the opening of the First Retreat given for Young Women at Marywood, six of the young ladies who had attended that Retreat, have entered Religion.