This Week in Merciad History, Oct. 7-13
October 8, 2010
Each week during the 2010-11 school year, The Merciad selects three stories about the college’s history. These story excerpts from our archives are posted to The Merciad Online on Thursday afternoons.
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Merciad reporters attend Pope’s Iowa visit
Friday, Oct. 12, 1979
Merciad file photo: The crowds gathered to wait for Pope John Paul II at Living History Farms in Des Moines, Iowa. Among the masses were four Merciad staff members.Pope John Paul II spoke on the virtues of rural living to a throng of over 500,000 last Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Pilgrims from at least seven states assembled at Living History Farms to hear his message.
John Paul directed his homily to the agricultural community saying, “The Land is God’s gift entrusted to his people … from the beginning it has been a means of sustaining life … it is not only a gift but a responsibility as well.”
He called to the attention of those present the fact that rural America has the potential of ridding the world of famine and wealth of our fields should be shared by all mankind.
John Paul concluded his homily with a reference to Christ as the provider of spiritual sustenance saying,
“All creation is restored through Christ Come to Christ – He is the bread of life. Come to Christ and you will never be hungry again.”
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Vandalism occurring earlier in the term
Thursday, Oct. 11, 1984
By Fran Moavero
Vandalism is occurring earlier in the term, according to Housing and Safety Director Phyllis Aiello.
Broken windows, car vandalism, grafitti and other annoying misdemeanors are more apparent, Aiello cited.
Last week, vandals spray painted the roof of the Campus Center with obscenities, damaged the cube in front of the college and also broke a window on the east side of the library, Aiello stated.
The Housing and Safety Director can not determine if these acts were committed by students of the college or residents of the neighborhood.
“It’s unusual for this time of the year,” Aiello said.
The most significant act of vandalism filed by students this term concerns tampered cars.
Many students have reported stolen stereo equipment, broken windows and the exterior of the car scratched.
Other acts of vandalism which have occurred thus far this term include throwing of eggs at the door of the library and inside of Zurn Hall.
Aiello seems to believe the small incidents which occur in Zurn are frequently caused by children from the neighborhood running through the building.
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Oktoberfest fun, ‘Hurst style
Friday, Oct. 13, 2004
By Jaime Myers
Merciad file photo by Bethany Canfield: Hundreds of boxes of jello were prepared and dished into the ring for the Jell-O wrestling contest.Music, Jello-O and pigs filled the Oktoberfest weekend activities for the annual Fall Fest hosted by the Student Activities Committee.
This is what many Mercyhurst students requested at the end of last year.
Your voices have been heard and the events lasted all day.
The weather was perfect for the activities held on Saturday that lasted from 9 a.m. until the last band was done playing and the food was all gone.
About 600 students showed up throughout the day to hang out and listen to the bands, eat or compete in some of the fun.
Four bands rocked the campus in Garvey Park, two of which included students from Mercyhurst.