1913 - "Secular Education"

On January 4, the boarders returned from their Christmas vacation.  The annual retreat for the children took place during Lent.  Shortly after its close, a seventeen year old boarder, a young lady, was received into the Church and made her First Holy Communion on Holy Thursday.  During this year, thirty five little children made their First Holy Communion.  May 25, our dear Sr. Gregoria Philips passed away.  R.I.P.

On June 18, school closed with Commencement and an exhibition of fancy work and art.  Twenty young ladies re­ceived certificates from the State of Nebraska.  On the morn­ing after Commencement, Sr. Antoinette left for Stella Ni­agara and from there went on to Washington, D. C. for the purpose of pursuing higher studies at the Catholic Univer­sity.  Two other teachers attended a six weeks' summer session at Creighton University, Omaha, conducted by the Jesuits who took good care that the sisters would not be endangered by secular education.  On Sundays, a spiritual conference was given for the Sisters.

On September 7, a fire broke out in our granary and for a while, it seemed as though the convent was doomed, but in the greatest need God's help is always nearest. Everyone came to our aid.  On the following morning, the men of the city assembled and collected $540.00 to cover the cost of erecting a new granary.  Three ladies brought us fruit and sugar for canning.  Others brought hay, and everyone showed the greatest sympathy in our loss. We are expecting a most blessed year for it has been signally marked by the cross. We had very many good children and an admirable spirit was prevalent.

On December 8_, 35 young ladies were received into the Sodality of Our Lady.  It was a glorious spectacle to see 80 young ladies, decked in white wearing veils marching into the parish church.  They were singing the favorite hymns to Our Lady.  It was so touching that the parishioners were moved to tears.

The dear Christ Child again brought us abundant bless­ings, and along with the spiritual ones we alsoFire Escape enjoyed many material ones, furnished by the ever generous people of O’Neill.  The ladies of the parish enclosed in the card of Christmas greetings a check for $150.00 to cover the expense of a new fire escape required by state law.  May the good God reward all our kind benefactors with abundant blessings!

During the year, Sr. Canisia was transferred to New Lexington, Ohio and replaced by Sr. Alverna.  Sr. Scholastica went to St. Vincent’s, Columbus, Ohio, to take the place of Sr. Eusebia who came here.