AFTER WEEKS OF ANXIOUS WAITING, and many false alarms, the Sag finally came out on Monday, May 28. These Prepsters are gloating over their copies before starting a hectic "Hey, will you please sign my Sag?"campaign. Shown are front row, Ryan, Johnson, Riley; rear row, Kinsella, Parenteau, Matthews.
Rev. Thaddaeus Yang, O.S.B. On Nationwide Tour Of Benedictine Schools Speaks At St. John's
#In an effort to increase the cultural cooperation between the East and the West, Rev. Thaddaeus Yang, O.S.B,, a priest of the Benedictine monastery of St. Peter and Andrew, Sishan, Shunking, Szechwan province, West China, is making a tour of the United States to study the educational and cultural institutions founded by his order in this country.
Father Yang stated in an ad- contributing to the review to be
dress at St. John's University on published by the Institute. This
May 28, 1945, that because of the will be a monthly publication of
familiarity of the people of West high calibre carrying articles in
China with Buddhist monastic both Chinese and English,
life, Benedictine monasticism is Educated in England and at
not a novel or unheard-of insti- tne University of Louvain, Bel-
tution. gium, Father Yang speaks Eng-
"The continuing resistance of lish and French fluently, and be-
the Chinese people after eight fore leaving China, he made a
years of war involving unspeak- series of radio addresses under
able suffering is to me a feat the direction of Mr. George Grim,
bordering on the miraculous," feature writer of the Minneapolis
said Father Yang, who pictured Slor journaiy who served as ad-
the conditions in war-torn China visor t0 tlle international Broad-
and predicted that after the de- casting station in Chunking, feat of Japan, the Chinese people will have to deal with the Communist problem.
He is seeking to interest Americans in the Chinese and Western Research Institute which, at the request of the Most Rev. J. Rouchouse, Bishop of Chengtu, the members of his monastery are about to establish in Chengtu, the leading intellectual and cultural center of West China.
The purpose of the Institute #On Sunday, June 3, Rev. Al-
will be to bring together a num- fred Deutsch, O.S.B., of St.
ber of scholars, both Chinese John's Abbey received his degree
and foreign, who will devote their of Doctor of Philosophy at the
talents to the interpretation of University of Illinois, where, dur-
Chinese culture to people of the ing his three-year stay, he was
Occident and vice versa. The assistant chaplain at the New-
stafl of the Institute will consist man Foundation, the Catholic
of Father Yang and confreres, students' church. For his thesis
other Chinese scholars, and mis- Fr. Alfred, v who is professor of
sionaries in West China. English at St. John's during the
Father Yang is hoping to in- summer session, wrote on "Some
terest members of his order in Scholastic Elements in Paradise
joining the foundation or in Lost."
Father Yang 'will return to St. John's in September after giving lectures on China and its culture in various parts of the country.
Fr. Alfred, O.S.B. Receives Ph.D.
Record
Z-341
Official Newspaper of St. John's University and Organ of the Alumni
Volume 58
Collegeville, Minnesota, Thursday, June 28, 1945
Number 11
Seifert, Sibinski, Janda, Link, Johnny Gold Stars; Bud Miller, *43, Missing
88th Annual Graduation Held June 1
^Nineteen college seniors received their Bachelor's degrees
and twenty-seven high school seniors their diplomas at the 88th commencement exercises on Friday, June 1. Guest speaker for the occasion was the Rev. J. Timothy Gannon, professor of philosophy and psychology at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. Father Gannon studied at the Catholic University, Washington, D.C., and Propaganda University, Rome; at these places he met several of the Fathers from St. John's.
In a brilliant address entitled "Naturalism in Education," Father Gannon stressed the importance of forming a correct concept of man—what he is by nature, what by the grace of God —to keep us ever aware man's sacred dignity. He urged the graduates to hold steadfast to the truths imparted to them as students, and to let these be their guides in this world of conflict.
Mr. Philip Wooby, from Philadelphia, delivered the college valedictory address, "Catholic Principles of Life." Mr. Wooby pointed out that to be a college graduate in 1945 was, indeed, a great privilege, but a privilege easily justified when the true purposes of Christian education are considered.
Rev. Martin Schirber, O.S.B., then presented the candidates for graduation to the Rt. Rev. Abbot, Alcuin Deutsch, O.S.B., president of St. * John's, who conferred the degrees.
The valedictorian of the College Preparatory was Mr. Frederic Templeman, from Hudson, Wis.
Diplomas were presented, and special awards were given. High average medals were awarded to: Frederic Templeman, senior; Robert Benson, junior; Robert Theisen, - sophomore; Charles Matsch, freshman. Each year St. John's offers a scholarship to the preparatory graduate who has maintained the best • four-year scholastic record. The scholarship this year was given to Frederic Templeman.
Deaths On Foreign Fronts Raises Johnny Dead To 57
New Plant Plans Completed
#St. John's has received permission from the War Production Board to erect a new power plant to replace the present structure built and equipped in 1909. The new plant will be located 30 feet west of the present one; this means that the front wall of the new building will be in line with the rear of the carpenter shop. The proposed plant will be thoroughly fireproof, built largely of brick and stone, and modern in every respect.
The entire project is designed for greater efficiency and convenience. Located in the boiler room will be three 225-horse-
power water tube boilers provided with stokers, and the engine room will contain two large steam turbine generator units. An especially significant feature of the plan is the conversion from Direct Current to Alternating Current. This change will necessitate extensive rewiring, some of which has already been done. All existing light and power cabinets throughout the buildings will be altered for A.O. distribution; all electric motors will be changed, and proper controllers will be provided. Separate reducers will no longer be required, since all electrical equipment—light fix-
tures, electric razors, radios— will operate on alternating current. Since it is impossible at the present time to obtain all the necessary electrical equipment for the conversion to A.C., the present plant will continue to supply electrical current until equipment has finally been obtained and installed. The old structure will then be razed.
Architects for the project are Toltz, King and Day, of St. Paul. Clerics, seminarians, students and other local workers will supply much of the common labor. Actual construction will begin about July 1. '
•In the final stages of the battle for Germany and during the recent American advance on the Japanese Empire, five more St. John's men have been reported killed or missing. This raises the number of Johnny Gold-Stars of this war to 57.
The dead are: Lt. Otto J. Sei-fert, '39, Lt. Robert Sibinski, '41, Jerome G. Janda, '33, and Pfc. Robert C. Link. Reported as missing is Bud Miller, '43.
First Lieutenant Otto J. Sei-fert, Jr., -'39, son of Dr. and Mrs. O. J. Seifert of New Ulm, was killed on May 13, 1943, during aerial action against the Japanese near the Russell Islands in the South Pacific. He was flying with the famous marine "Wolf Pack" unit, the first Air Group with a base on Guadalcanal.
Lt. Seifert attended the Holy Trinity Catholic school in New Ulm, and then went to St. Thomas Military academy in St. Paul. He attended St. John's for his senior year of Prep School and was graduated from St. John's in 1939. He transferred to Notre Dame University in the fall and remained there until early in 1942, when he entered the service. Otto is remembered at St; John's for his geniality and fine personal qualities. He was a member of the '38 football team.
He completed his flight training at the naval air station at Miami, Fla., and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Air Corp in July, 1942, going into active service in the South Pacific in August, 1942.
Lt. Seifert had many missions to his credit and was wounded once. He was last seen diving into a flock of Zeros in an attempt to protect the leader of his flight.
Lieutenant Robert Sibinski, '41, died May 20 in a plane crash over Belgium. He was born at Weyerhauser, Wis., and graduated from the village high school in 1938. In this same year he came to St. John's and, after spending two and one-half years here, left for the University of Wisconsin. He had completed a year of school at Wisconsin when he qualified for aviation cadet training.
He received his wings and commission at the Stuttgart, Ark., army air field, June 29, 1944. In Nov., 1944, he left the States for Europe to take part in the invasion. Lt. Sibinski had over twenty-four missions to his credit and was the recipient of the Air Medal.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sibinski, his wife, Viola, two sisters, Gertrude of Weyerhauser, and Mrs. Lyle Norton, Eau Claire; and a brother, Ensign Victor Sibinski, '41, a navy pilot now at the naval air station, Seattle, Wash.
Jerome G. Janda, '33, was killed in action in Europe in Feb., 1944, according to word received from his mother, Mrs. B. Janda, New Prague,
He was called to the army in Feb., 1944, and in August was sent to Europe, where he met his
death. He is survived by his mother and her two other children.
Pfc. Robert C. Link, '42, was killed in action in Luxembourg on Feb. 15, 1945. Robert attended high school at St. John's from the fall of 1941 to Jan. 29, 1942, when he entered the service.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Link, St. Paul, four sisters, and one brother, Cpl. John T. Link, '42, now stationed in Cairo, Egypt.
Bud Miller, '43, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller, Faribault, has been reported missing in action. When last heard from, Bud was taking part in the bombing of Formosa and was based just off the coast of Japan. His brother, Sgt. Francis Miller, also attended St. John's in '43. Both boys were active in athletics and held positions on the college basketball team. Before coming to St. John's Bud attended the Bethlehem Academy in Faribault.
The community at St. John's, both fathers and students, extend deep sympathy to the families of these Johnnies.
Revs. Luke, Bruno Hold Jubilee Masses
#On Sunday, June 3, 1945, Father Luke Fink, O.S.B., celebrated his golden jubilee Mass in the Church of the Seven Dolors, Albany, where he is now pastor.
Present at the ceremony were the Most Rev. Joseph Busch> who delivered the jubilee sermon, the Most Rev. Peter Bartholome, and the Rt. Rev. Alcuin Deutsch, O.S.B. In all, more than ninety members of the clergy were present.
At noon a parish dinner was served in the Holy Family School for members of the parish and for the clergy who were guests. In the afternoon a program sponsored by the parish was ¦ presented in honor of Father Luke.
Father Luke Fink was born at Herxheim, Bavaria, Germany, on February 26, 1871, and in baptism was given the name John. He received his early education in his native Herxheim and entered St. John's University at the age of fourteen. After his profession of vows in July, 1891, he entered the St. John's Seminary to pursue courses in philosophy and theology. From then until his ordination Father Luke taught Christian doctrine, arithmetic, geography, Latin, and German at St. John's University.
Among the diocesan appointments that Father Luke had were Vicar General for Religious Communities, Dean and Ecclesiastical Notary, Diocesan Consultor, Examiner of the Clergy, and Parish Priest Oonsultor.
At St. Joseph's Church, St. Jo-Continued on page \
