75 years ago...

1934-1935 school year

Historic Baltimore District

Diversity at Central Catholic HS

To increase a deeper understanding and appreciative of the various nationalities represented by the student body of Central Catholic HS (Pittsburgh), a series of “Nationality Days” has been inaugurated. The programs are planned to include student talks and addresses by prominent members of the clergy and laity. It is under the direction of Brother E. Leo.

(Bulletin of the St. La Salle Auxiliary, Ammendale, March 1935, p. 35)

Brother Brings Basketball to La Salle

Brother Melanius Cyril observed his 50th anniversary as a Christian Brother in May 1935. According to his biography sketch, “one older Brother stated that it was Brother Cyril who introduced basketball to Philadelphia in the old gym at 1240” (La Salle’s Broad Street address). This would have been circa 1897. The sketch goes on to say that Brother Cyril developed basketball at the intramural level at La Salle, until student interest in the sport enabled a team to begin, with Brother Cyril as the coach. La Salle easily handled their opponents from other schools at first, until these schools hired as coaches some of the very stars which Brother Cyril developed. The biography sketch does not specify whether Brother Cyril’s La Salle team was collegiate players, or of the Commercial Department, or high schoolers, or a combination.

(Bulletin of the St. La Salle Auxiliary, Ammendale, June 1935, pp. 41-42 and also “Brother Melanius Cyril,” an 8-page anonymous biography sketch in the Baltimore District Archives.

Card Parties a Hit

The members of the Alumni of St. Francis Industrial School (later, Vocational School) in Eddington, PA, conducted a card party in January 1935. Brother Adrian was in charge; these card parties have been held every month during the past three years, with a substantial attendance.

(Bulletin of the St. La Salle Auxiliary, Ammendale, March 1935, p. 35)

Historic New York District

New Altar Promotes Prayer

A special altar of the Blessed Mother, with a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, was erected at Manhattan College to facilitate the Pope’s desire for prayers for world peace. This statue is the one which was first placed in the grotto at Amawalk (NY) in May 1884. That grotto area, half concealed today [1935] by vegetation, still stands in the woodland which was taken over by the New York City Water Supply Board in 1903. In 1905, this statue of Mary and a new one of St. Bernadette was placed in the grotto of Pocantico Hills (NY). These old statues, revered by the Brothers of the New York District, have been presented recently to Manhattan College.

(Bulletin of the St. La Salle Auxiliary, Barrytown, June 1935, pp. 51-52)

De La Salle Collegiate Growth

De La Salle Collegiate (Detroit) is a two-page focus of the Bulletin of the St. La Salle Auxiliary of June 1935. This school started when the alumni of old St. Joseph’s Commercial College wished to enlarge the Brothers’ presence in Detroit beyond the boundaries of St. Joseph’s Parish. Brother Arator (Director at St. Joseph’s) and Mr. Anthony Bodde (loyal alumnus) obtained the Archbishop’s approval in 1922. A site was selected on Detroit’s East Side; a fundraising drive (1923) and groundbreaking (1925) followed rapidly. In September 1926, De La Salle Collegiate opened its doors to 85 boys, led by Brother Arator.

(Bulletin of the St. La Salle Auxiliary, Barrytown, June 1935, pp. 53-54)

Brother Henry August Dies

Br. Henry August A student of the Brothers in Syracuse, the esteemed Brother Henry August died on May 1, 1935. He served as Director of Lasallian schools in Manchester, NH; Lynn MA; and Detroit, MI. He then became Provincial-Visitor for six years, and was a force behind the Auxiliary Bulletin and the Little Messenger of the Divine Child for fifteen years.

(Bulletin of the St. La Salle Auxiliary, Barrytown, June 1935, p. 61)

Historic Toronto District

De La Salle Oaklands

In the mid-1930s, Brother Philip was in charge of the boarders at De La Salle “Oaklands” (Toronto). Each boarder pays $465 per year, which breaks down as $40 per month and $6 per month for tuition. Starting in the 1935-1936 school year, all boarders will wear an “Oaklands” blazer.

(Submitted by Brother Walter Farrell)

Looking Back

May 2010