John S. Burke Catholic High School Non Vox Sed Votum - Not Words But DeedsHistory
History Of The School
The John S. Burke Catholic High School has its origins rooted as far back as 1899 when St. John’s Academic School was accredited by the Board of Regents of New York State. Increased registration necessitated the construction of a new building, and in 1904 the school was moved into the structure presently standing at the corner of Murray Avenue and Erie Street in Goshen. In appreciation to the donor of funds for the construction, the name of the school was changed to Garr Institute, a title which it kept until 1946 when it was renamed St. John’s High School.
As the population of the community grew and more parishes requested the admission of students into the high school, the Archdiocese of New York announced the construction of a new Diocesan high school to be located on thirty-five acres of land just north of the limits of the Village of Goshen. In October 1963 ground was broken for the present structure. The doors of the new school were officially opened on December 7, 1964, to 400 students of the Orange County area. Cardinal Spellman dedicated the building in May 1965 under the name of John S. Burke Catholic High School.
In the spring of 1981, the Archdiocese granted permission for the erection of a wing to accommodate the increasing number of students. The addition was opened in the Spring of 1982 and dedicated by Terence Cardinal Cooke in May 1983.
In keeping with the long tradition of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of New York, Burke Catholic has made a continuous effort to train its students in the recognition of their civic and religious responsibilities. By constant adaptation to the needs of the students in these times, the school maintains its place in the community of which it is a part and perpetuates the tradition of service, which has characterized the school since its foundation.
The School Seal
The seal of the John S. Burke Catholic High School depicts a shield divided into four quarters with alternating symbols of windmill sails and oak leaves, in the center of which is a burning lamp. Atop the shield is an eagle with wings outstretched. The eagle surmounting the shield is the symbol of the Apostle of Charity, St. John, Patron of Mr. John S. Burke. Perched upon the intertwined cord of union, the eagle represents the guiding spirit of love and strength. The Dutch windmill sail is from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of New York and indicates that the high school was built by the New York Archdiocese and is under the jurisdiction of this See. The oak leaf and acorn are the symbols of the Sisters of the Presentation and are derived from the Irish Presentation Chronicles where the spread of the Presentation Congregation was likened to the growth of the mighty oak. The lamp occupying the center of the shield signifies the light of learning and the lamp of love.
The motto “Non vox sed votum,” translated “Not words but deeds,” is from the Coat of Arms of the Nagle family, Honora Nagle being the foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation. It indicates again the force of charity towards God and neighbor.
John Stephen Burke was born in Norwich, Connecticut on November 6, 1889. He attended Norwich Free Academy and in 1910 graduated from Yale University. Two years later he obtained a position in the Correspondence Department of B. Altman & Co., where he rose rapidly, assuming the presidency of the company in 1931.
Mr. Burke’s life was marked by service to his fellow man. Active in civic affairs, he held many posts of importance in state and local organizations. A prominent Catholic layman, he was chairman of Cardinal Spellman’s Committee of the Laity of New York Catholic Charities and was a trustee of the Catholic Charities from 1954 until his death in 1962. As president of the Altman and Friedsam Foundations, he provided charitable contributions amounting to millions of dollars for which he desired no personal publicity. In 1938, Mr. Burke was made a Papal Chamberlain of the Cape and Sword by Pope Pius XI. He was also a Knight of Malta and a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. Honorary degrees were conferred on him by the colleges and universities of Fordham, Manhattan, Notre Dame, Providence, Holy Cross, St. Bonaventure, and St. John’s.
John Burke will be remembered as a gracious, kindly gentleman who radiated charm and good will wherever he went, a great American whose career reflected honor on this country and his Church, an outstanding merchant, a dedicated civic leader, and a man of unusual cultural attainments. But, above all, he was a great man because he had the attribute of finding God and serving Him in the cause of charity. John Burke was called to his eternal reward on April 27, 1962.
