1922 Yearbook
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Title
1922 Yearbook
Description
The Ambrosian
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
On December 19, 1921, a unique Christmas entertainment was staged under the
personal management of Rev. M. Morrin. Following his plan of the previous year,
Father Morrin began early in the Christmas season to enlist the cooperation of several
students in putting on a program that would vividly portray the true Christmas spirit
and which would awaken in the hearts of the students a realization of what Christ's
coming into this world meant for them and for all mankind. All the students approached by Fr. Morrin to assist in the exercises showed their true Christmas spirit
by willingly taking part in the program, so that on the night of the presentation of
the selections each one had thrown himself into the work with a sincerity that gave
Fr. Morrin no room for doubt as to the success of the undertaking.
Study hour was dispensed with on that evening, December 19th, and all students
gathered in the auditorium. The Sisters, honored guests of the evening, occupied the
front rows of the auditorium while the priests and students in silent expectation filled
the remaining seats. Everyone kept silence; for something of the all-pervading influence of the coming Christmas had filled each one and instilled in him an earnest
respect for the program to be presented.
The rising curtain revealed a scene of simple splendour. Appropriate stagings, including French doors and a glowing fireplace, not to say anything about the huge
Christmas tree adorning one side of the stage and throwing the whole scene into
lights and shadows by the flickering of its candle flames, had transformed the mere
stage into a cozy room with a homelike air of peace. In silent admiration of the fireplace and Christmas tree sat a family group. Suddenly in the distance was heard the
strains of a Christmas carol sung by youthful voices. When they had approached
nearer Leo Sterck suggested that they be called in to sing for the gathering. The
boys entered and sang "Holy Night, Silent Night" with the sweet harmony of boys'
voices. After their departure, the desire for song seized the family and one of the
members, Ed Walker, was asked to sing. His full throated tenor as he sang, "O,
Holy Night", thrilled the whole audience, and he was encored again and again. Gilbert
Watters was then called upon to read that very old passage from Dickens about the
Cratchits' Christmas Dinner, which has never been equaled for its interpretation of
true Christmas spirit. A trio composed of Francis McDonough, Thomas Lew, and
Leo Sterck, rendered "Jesus of Nazareth" with a most pleasing harmony of their
blended voices. At the completion of their song Santa Claus dashed in, laden with
stockings filled with pop corn and candy, which he distributed among those present
after making a preliminary speech. Father Hannon gave a short talk on the necessity
of abiding by the Christmas spirit not only just at Yuletide, but at all times. The
choir most fittingly ended the program by singing that most beautiful of Christmas
songs, "Adeste Fideles."
Father Morrin deserves great credit for his untiring efforts in bringing before the
students a program to inspire them with a realization of Christmas and its obligations.
May his work continue and may the Christmas spirit never cease to exist at all times
among true Ambrosians!
One Hundred Twenty-two
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
On December 19, 1921, a unique Christmas entertainment was staged under the
personal management of Rev. M. Morrin. Following his plan of the previous year,
Father Morrin began early in the Christmas season to enlist the cooperation of several
students in putting on a program that would vividly portray the true Christmas spirit
and which would awaken in the hearts of the students a realization of what Christ's
coming into this world meant for them and for all mankind. All the students approached by Fr. Morrin to assist in the exercises showed their true Christmas spirit
by willingly taking part in the program, so that on the night of the presentation of
the selections each one had thrown himself into the work with a sincerity that gave
Fr. Morrin no room for doubt as to the success of the undertaking.
Study hour was dispensed with on that evening, December 19th, and all students
gathered in the auditorium. The Sisters, honored guests of the evening, occupied the
front rows of the auditorium while the priests and students in silent expectation filled
the remaining seats. Everyone kept silence; for something of the all-pervading influence of the coming Christmas had filled each one and instilled in him an earnest
respect for the program to be presented.
The rising curtain revealed a scene of simple splendour. Appropriate stagings, including French doors and a glowing fireplace, not to say anything about the huge
Christmas tree adorning one side of the stage and throwing the whole scene into
lights and shadows by the flickering of its candle flames, had transformed the mere
stage into a cozy room with a homelike air of peace. In silent admiration of the fireplace and Christmas tree sat a family group. Suddenly in the distance was heard the
strains of a Christmas carol sung by youthful voices. When they had approached
nearer Leo Sterck suggested that they be called in to sing for the gathering. The
boys entered and sang "Holy Night, Silent Night" with the sweet harmony of boys'
voices. After their departure, the desire for song seized the family and one of the
members, Ed Walker, was asked to sing. His full throated tenor as he sang, "O,
Holy Night", thrilled the whole audience, and he was encored again and again. Gilbert
Watters was then called upon to read that very old passage from Dickens about the
Cratchits' Christmas Dinner, which has never been equaled for its interpretation of
true Christmas spirit. A trio composed of Francis McDonough, Thomas Lew, and
Leo Sterck, rendered "Jesus of Nazareth" with a most pleasing harmony of their
blended voices. At the completion of their song Santa Claus dashed in, laden with
stockings filled with pop corn and candy, which he distributed among those present
after making a preliminary speech. Father Hannon gave a short talk on the necessity
of abiding by the Christmas spirit not only just at Yuletide, but at all times. The
choir most fittingly ended the program by singing that most beautiful of Christmas
songs, "Adeste Fideles."
Father Morrin deserves great credit for his untiring efforts in bringing before the
students a program to inspire them with a realization of Christmas and its obligations.
May his work continue and may the Christmas spirit never cease to exist at all times
among true Ambrosians!
One Hundred Twenty-two
Date
1922
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/8195