The success so far of the eighth annual meeting is indeed extremely encouraging, crowned as it is with the excellent weather which we have been enjoying during these days. The attendance has been very large, perhaps the largest in our history. The expressions of satisfaction and delight at the good work accomplished have been numerous and important. I think that we have every reason to go away from this great and hospitable city satisfied that we have accomplished a great deal for the cause of religious education which is so dear to each and all of us. I thank you in my own name, and in the name of my associates whom you have elected this evening. A paper on "The High School-Its Relation to the Primary School and to the College," was read by Rev. James J. Dean, O. S. A. The discussion was conducted by Very Rev. James A. Burns, C. S. C., Chairman of the Committee on Secondary Education. At the close of the discussion a motion was made by Rev. F. W. Howard that the Association recommend to the Executive Board that the present Committee on Secondary Education be now relieved and be authorized to publish its report; and, also, that the Executive Board appoint a new committee of educators to make a study of the entire educational situation and report at a convenient opportunity. The motion was carried. The meeting adjourned. THIRD GENERAL SESSION THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 11:30 a. M. The final meeting of the Association was held in the College Theatre. Prayer was said by His Grace, Most Rev. Archbishop Quigley. The Secretary General announced that the following members had been elected by the Departments to the Executive Board: From the College Department-Very Rev. M. A. Hehir, C. S. Sp., LL. D.; Rev. James J. Dean, O. S. A.; Rev. John A. Conway, S. J. From the Seminary Department-Very Rev. W. Stehle, O. S. B.; Very Rev. E. R. Dyer, S. S., D. D.; Very Rev. E. J. Walsh, C. M. From the School Department-Rev. Joseph F. Smith; Very Rev. J. A. Connolly, V. G.; Brother John Waldron, S. M. The following resolutions were read by Rev. James J. Dean, O. S. A., and unanimously adopted by the Association: RESOLUTIONS OF THE CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION (1) WHEREAS, The Catholic Educational Association recognizes as its mission the furthering of Catholic education under the guidance of the Church; be it Resolved, That we hereby pledge to His Holiness, the one accredited and infallible teacher of truth, our fealty, our service and our devotion. (2) WHEREAS, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is a private educational agency which is attempting to exercise an undue and an irresponsible supervision over the institutions of higher learning in this country, which aims at dechristianizing American education, which is, therefore, a menace to our intellectual and moral well-being as a people; be it Resolved, That this Association deprecate the illiberal and sectarian attitude of the Foundation toward American universities and colleges of standing and established repute. (3) WHEREAS, The desire of Catholic teachers to obtain advanced training is a healthy sign of progress; be it Resolved, That in the judgment of this Association the interests of Catholic education can be safeguarded against the prevailing naturalistic tendencies only by such instruction being had under Catholic auspices. (4) WHEREAS, Excellent work is being done in the field of Catholic Secondary education; be it Resolved, That this Association recognize and approve the development of the Catholic High School movement. (5) WHEREAS, Grave danger confronts our Catholic people in the unsound economic and sociological theories of the day and in the irreligious tendencies of modern educational methods; be it Resolved, That this Association urge upon Catholic teachers the necessity of directing their pupils to Catholic institutions of higher learning. (6) WHEREAS, The University Extension movement, the Reading Circle movement and the Catholic Summer School movement constitute an educational fact of great importance and promise, in so far as they supplement the work of Catholic schools, academies and colleges; be it Resolved, That we recognize and commend these movements to the Catholic public. The following cablegram from His Eminence, the Cardinal Secretary of State, was received with lively pleasure and respect by the audience: "To His Grace, the Most Rev. James Edward Quigley, Archbishop of Chicago: "The Holy Father, highly pleased with the filial homage and devotion tendered by the Catholic Educational Association in its meeting in your city, imparts to Your Grace, to the President of the Association, to the members and all attending the meeting, the Apostolic Blessing from his heart. "CARDINAL MERRY DEL VAL." THE PRESIDENT GENERAL: We are now to bring to a close the proceedings of our eighth annual meeting. We have had in the past some very large and successful meetings in point of attendance, but we have never had anything to equal the magnificent assemblage that has filled this College Theatre from day to day. It represents all the powers and forces of our Catholiceducational system; and it fills our hearts with joy to know that, if the powers and forces of evil are numerous, well organized and highly conscious of their purpose and the means by which they are to attain it, the powers and forces of good are also numerous, well organized and conscious of the noble aim that fills them, and of the great means by which they are to accomplish that aim. This is particularly true in the province of education. From decade to decade our Catholic educational system has grown in strength, in self-consciousness, in equipment, and in all the means and instruments necessary to make it a perfectly independent and self-sufficing system. The meeting of the Association here this week in Chicago is in itself a clear proof and evidence of this statement. We go away from your splendid and glorious city, which marks the acme of human endeavor on certain lines-we go away thoroughly satisfied and happy, feeling that we have all cooperated in one of the greatest movements that the Church has in hand; that is, the education of all her children along solid religious lines, along lines without which our society cannot hope to exist, and without which we cannot hope to accomplish I either the known will of God or even to long sustain the splendid constitutional ideals of the fathers of our American commonwealth. We leave Chicago with nothing but gratitude and happiness in our hearts. Wherever we go, in the years to come, we shall always remember the splendid welcome that we have received at the hands of the citizens of this great city. I am privileged to announce to you that His Grace, the Most Reverend Archbishop, will address us a few words in finally closing the proceedings of this assemblage. The Archbishop then gave an address in which he spoke words of commendation and encouragement, and imparted his blessing. The singing of the hymn, "Holy God We Praise Thy Name." brought the proceedings to a close. PUBLIC MEETING A public meeting was held under the auspices of the College Department at the College Theatre, De Paul University, on Thursday evening, June 29. The following program was given: Selection William Thomas Orchestra. "The Heavens are Telling". .Haydn Boys' Choir, Under the Direction of the Brothers of Mary. Address "Religion in Education" Very Rev. Edward A. Pace, Ph. D., S. T. D., the Catholic. "The Flag" "America" St. Michael's Boys' Choir. White "The Passing Regiment". Address "Catholic Education and Its Supporters" Very Rev. Francis X. McCabe, C. M., De Paul University, Chicago. "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name". Selection William Thomas Orchestra. FRANCIS W. HOWARD, Macy' Secretary General.. |