Update Winter 1988
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Vol. 8, No. 3 Winter, 1988 Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2L 3G3 University of St. Jerome's College "Enthusiasm for the truth" Distinguished theme chosen • Canadian authors for 12sth ·-~ 125 Years visit College t was a rare opportunity for St. Jerome's Anniversary ~fotktwHi students and many others from across p·~pom,la~ I campus to hear two of Canada's most out standing literary figures read from their recent works. Siegfried Hall was packed to capacity to hear Timothy Findley (top) read from his new he College has delved into the earliest "I think Fr. Funcken meant that by being anthology of short stories Stones on November records of its history to declare the exposed to good teaching of truth, students 23. Robertson Davies (bottom) read from his theme for its 125th Anniversary year would be imbued with a desire to seek truth in T new novel The Lyre of Orpheus to an equally full beginning in 1989-90. "Enthusiasm for the all things and not be led astray by the dominant and appreciative house a week later. truth," or as it originally appeared in College 'isms' of the time," explains Fr. Wahl. "He wrote founder Father Louis Funcken's writings ''l'en at a time when secularism, paganism, rational thousiasme pour la verite," is the theme chosen ism and socialism threatened, he believed, the for the celebrations to honour this milestone in moral fibre of society." St. Jerome's College history. "Father Funcken's intention in establishing This phrase, which encapsulates the central St. Jerome's College was to form a learned purpose of a St. Jerome's education as envision Catholic layperson," adds Fr. Wahl, "as well as ed by Fr. Funcken, was used frequently by him learned clerics." in his letters and diaries. It was discovered by Though he normally spoke and wrote in College historian Fr. Jim Wahl, C.R., who has German, Fr. Funcken wrote his report to studied extensively both the history of the Bishop Farrell in French because the Bishop did Congregation of the Resurrection and the Uni not speak German. versity of St. Jerome's College. The College will use the theme in both its The phrase originally appears in Fr. Funck original French form and also the English trans en's October 1864 report to Bishop John Far lation, an appropriate choice given Canada's rell, first Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton. In two official languages. A logo incorporating the it, Fr. Funcken discusses the establishment of theme has been designed (see above) and will be St. Jerome's College in St. Agatha. used in College publications and on letterhead. Timothy Findley Anniversary plans underway A Committee of faculty, staff and students has • interviews with current and former presi been struck to begin plans for this major cele dents to record an oral history; bration during the 1989-90 academic year. • an archival display within the College of pho A Committee of faculty, staff and students has tos and documents; been struck to begin plans for this major cele • a series of public lectures discussing the Col bration during the 1989-90 academic year. lege's history and the personalities behind its They include: founding; • an extensive history of the College will be • private anniversary labels for wine and beer written by Fr. Wahl and Gerry Stortz (see used at College functions during 1989-90; inside); • a questionnaire to be sent to all graduates, • a conference entitled "Educating for theKingdom ? former faculty and staff asking for reminis - Church Related Colleges in English-Speaking cences to be used in the writing of the Col Canada ", will be co-sponsored with Conrad lege's history and also to be placed in the Grebel College; archives. Robertson Davies 2 College's history to be written ne of the highlights of the College's upcoming 125th Anniversary cele 0 brations will be the publication of an extensive history of St. Jerome's College. His tory Professors Jim Wahl, C.R., and Gerry Stortz have been commissioned to write the history of the College since its founding in 1865 by Father Louis Funcken, C.R. "We hope to write a history that details who and what was taught, and why," says Fr. Wahl who will write about the founding of the Col lege up to 1915. "We11 highlight how St. Jerome's College was part of the community and what it contributed through its students." The majority of the early primary sources Fr. Wahl is examining were written in German. Interestingly, that changed during World War I, when strong anti-German sentiment pre vailed, and most later documents are written in English. Fr. Wahl observes that St. Agatha was never intended to be the permanent site of the Historians Jim Wahl, C.R. and Gerry Stortz will write the College's history. College. It was established there "provisionally as an embryo of the College,"wrote Fr. Funcken in 1864, clearly with a vision of a larger institu tion in the future. The influence of Funcken's pedagogical style on the College is an aspect of Century-old photograph donated the history Fr. Wahl hopes to address. "We hope to give readers a sense of what it to College was to be a St. Jerome's student throughout our history," adds Prof. Stortz who will write valuable century-old photograph of one Waterloo Record. The younger William succeeded the history from 1915 to the present. To do of the College's early philosophy classes his father in that position. The Record is now that, the authors are examining archival docu A has been donated to the College by Mr. owned by JEMCOM Inc., of which Paul Motz is ments such as Board of Governor's minutes; Paul Motz of Kitchener. President. papers of past presidents; yearbooks and other "This is a significant addition to our pictorial "This photo allows us to put faces to the College publications; the correspondence of history," observes historian Father Jim Wahl, names of some of the people close to the Col people involved in the College including letters C.R. "It is the only known copy we have, and it lege in its early days," adds Father Wahl. and diaries; public acts and records; newspapers appears to be the last known photograph of Among those in the photograph is Father such as the Berliner Journal, forerunner to today's Father Louis Funcken, C.R. before his death in Anthony Weiler, uncle to former College Presi Kitchener-Waterloo Record, will also be a source. January 1890." dent Father Cornelius Siegfried. J.J. Gnam, also Professor Stortz will cover such areas as the For Paul Motz, the photo holds personal in the photo, became a diocesan priest in nearby College's affiliation with the University of significance. His grandfather, William J. Motz, Hesson, Ontario, and today a scholarship bear Ottawa and its move to the east end of Kit was one of Father Funcken's students. William ing his name is awarded to students at St. chener, as well the historic federation agree Motz' father, John, went on to establish the Jerome's. ment with and move to the campus of the Berliner Journal, later to be known as the Kitchener- University of Waterloo. The history should be completed and ready for publication in early 1990. Follow-up n the spring issue of Update! we reported on the completion of the nine-year term of I Sr. Dianne Brenner (BA '72) as Dean of Women at Notre Dame College. At that time she was appointed Vice-Principal at St. Brigid's Elementary School in Hamilton. Sr. Dianne was recently promoted to the position of Principal at St. Mary's Elementary School, also in Hamilton.If you'd like to contact Sr. Dianne, she can be reached at her home, 82 Murray St. E., Hamilton, Ontario L8L 3G2. The St. Jerome's College Philosophy Class 1887-88 (Back Row, I to r) W.J. Motz, F. Doetsch, A. Furmann, J.A. Kessler, J.J. Gnam, W.V. Kloepfer, A. Waechter. (Front Row, I to r) W. McColl, Rev. A. Weiler, C.R., Very Rev. Louis Funcken, C.R., (President), A. Doser, A.J. Rezek. Photo courtesy of Paul]. Motz, Kitchener/ Reproduction courtesy of Don Nurst, Ainsworth Press, Kitchener. 3 11A sense of caring for the human family'' t's a long way from a lay ministry forma "My hope is to provide an atmosphere tion programme in Regina, a home for sin where the presence of God is a felt reality, I gle mothers in Hamilton, and longer still where each is invited to grow to the fullness of from the slums of Detroit. But for Sister Julie her potential and where critical life questions Lattner, SSND, these experiences and a wealth are asked and discussed." of others have given her a diverse background Perhaps drawing on her social work and lay which complement her enthusiasm for the ministry involvement, she remarks, "as a resi challenges that await her as the new Residence dence community and as individuals we are Director at Notre Dame College. entrusted with the responsibility and privilege This fall Sr. Julie succeeded Sr. Dianne of caring for the human family in all its variety Brenner, SSND, who left Notre Dame after as it is found and experienced at Notre Dame. nine years to become a Vice-Principal with the No one should leave here less a person than Hamilton Separate School Board. when she started." Sr. Julie's return to Notre Dame was also a In her spare time, Sr.