Friday, its contents - enclosed in a tiny metal box tied with a torn red ribbon - revealed a glimpse from the school's past.

"This cornerstone has kept a silent vigil, always on watch, day and night," said the Rev. Ralph A. Westerhoff at a morning Mass commemorating the building's 100 years. "If it only could speak, imagine what it could say - the thousands and thousands of people who have walked by."

After Mass, students, staff and community members walked around the corner from the Warsaw Avenue church to the school at 1020 Carson Ave.

Inside, the shiny slate stairs have grooves in the middle from years of wear.

Outside, the school had its own timely distinctions - birthday balloons, banners and streamers.

"One hundred years ago, when this school's cornerstone was laid, the people of St. Lawrence cared enough about their children to build a school," Principal Alma Lee Joesting told the crowd.

The school itself, Joesting said, was founded in 1870 with 45 students. Enrollment today is 247.

Social studies and religion teacher Janet Breitner, whose idea it was to open the cornerstone, said she hoped to find "buried treasure" inside.

The cornerstone was left in place, but several bricks above it were removed so the time capsule could be retrieved. Breitner, Joesting and Westerhoff did the honors.

The time capsule contained several religious medals, including one of St. Christopher and one of the Blessed Virgin Mary; a prayer card in German; and church stationery with the 1903-04 faculty list and other pertinent information (in Latin).

In closing the ceremony, student representatives from each grade presented Breitner with new time capsule memorabilia to be shared with future generations.

Among the items: pictures of popular cartoon characters, a news magazine, a snippet of a school uniform and a school supplies list - "so somebody a hundred years from now can check prices," Breitner said with a laugh.

Eighth-graders wrote a letter. They talked about after-school activities and they talked about the Bengals.

"The Cincinnati Bengals have been known as a losing team. But this year, the Bengals have proven everyone wrong."

The new, larger time capsule was placed in the cornerstone, after 20 minutes of chipping away more brick to accommodate its size. The crowd cheered and clapped, then Westerhoff re-dedicated and blessed the school.

"May it continue to be a center of Christian learning for all of the children who attend," he said.

E-mail aguido@fuse.net