100 Words

If you asked me how things are going at Bishop O’Connell here with a month under our belts, I would say, “Exceedingly well!” First, the no-cell phone policy is working like a charm, and the support and compliance of our students is deeply appreciated by the adults of the school. The new policy has freed up our students from the gnawing tug of checking, checking, checking their phone in search of whatever it is that’s going on out there somewhere, anywhere, in cyberspace, and it has empowered all of us to be more present in the lives of one another. Second, the 400 new students—330 9th graders and 70 transfer students —have assimilated comfortably and well, a-joined arm-in-arm with the 830 returning O’Connell Knights. As led by the extraordinary example of our capable and caring senior class, it comes as little wonder that every day we see and experience many unifying and joyful acts of kindness and selflessness from members of the student body. Third, as is my practice every autumn, I am making the rounds in visiting for a full period the classroom of every teacher new to O’Connell, followed up with a casual debrief that serves as an enjoyable and informative check-in for me (and I hope for each of them). This opportunity to come to know one another is noteworthy, for created in God’s image, each of us is to be “known.”  These chunks of time—the classroom visit and the post-visit exchange—prove of great value to me, and I am excited to share that this cadre of new teachers, each strong and engaging, projects well for the future of the school and for our students. Last, earlier today we welcomed Bishop Burbidge for the first of his two annual visits to O’Connell, and what a day of joy it was! Whether celebrating Mass with the community or engaging in conversations with student and faculty groups, I am sure he left this afternoon with a bright smile and a song in his heart. Knowing, too, that Sister Catherine Hill, Academic Dean, and Father Peter McShurley, Chaplain, are with and among our students and adult colleagues every day, is a concluding grace note about where the school is and where, happily, it heads. O’Connell has much to celebrate and much to look skyward toward in giving thanks, finding ourselves in the loving and caring hands, presence, and guidance of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Last week I took a few days out of my schedule to travel to Manhattan to meet one-on-one and break bread with eight O’Connell alumni from the following classes: ‘67, ‘74, ‘84, ‘86, ‘89, ‘95, ‘99, and ‘99. I was there simply to meet O’Connell graduates who were interested in meeting with me; share with them a bit about how well and how thrivingly their alma mater is doing; and hear anything and everything they were interested in telling me about their days as O’Connell Knights, and their life’s journey ever since. Delightfully, each of these conversations took on its own wonderfully unscripted pathway—and the sheer number and eclectic nature of the topics was head-spinning. Suffice it to say that this great group of graduates, whom I feel exceedingly privileged and honored to have spent such quality time with, shared fond memories of fellow classmates and of high school “happenings,” as well as anecdotes and stories about memorable teachers, coaches, and administrators. Reflections of a more contemplative “life, indeed, has many challenges” nature were shared with me as well, which I forever will value. These conversations were revelatory and an inspiring blessing to me. All the more evident to me from my recent travels is that we humans are complex, sensitive, and social beings, and, as such, are ever-thirsty for personal encounter and insatiably hungry to be known, truly known. For all of us who work with and alongside our students within this unparalleled Catholic school, Bishop O’Connell, embracing at every waking moment the possibility of making a difference in the life of a young person is a gift from God like no other. 

NOTE: A big shout-out to the students, and student leaders, within the O'Connell community who planned out and presented ever so masterfully and inspiringly at today’s all-school Hispanic Heritage Assembly, and to their deeply devoted faculty moderator, Sra. Yanine!

Every year, the “Clubs Fair” proves to be one of the most engaging 49 minutes, as hundreds of students spend time meandering around the gymnasium looking over and leaning in to hear about the clubs and activities that the school offers. Informational dioramas, some artistic, some clever, some catchy—many of them all three—bolster club representatives in describing each club in what, in the end, comes to represent a remarkable swath of superbly dimensional options for student involvement. Each year’s Club Fair is unique, with new clubs debuting while others from the previous year may fade away. Critically then, clubs and activities, and their successes, are almost entirely the doing of our students (as it should be), while supported and guided, as needed and as essential, by faculty/staff members kind and invested enough to serve willingly as a club moderator. The tell in terms of the possible ensuing student participation in each club is predicted to a certain degree by the sign-up sheet at each of the club’s info booth, but as nothing about that sign-up is binding, the real tell will be in how things get underway and turn out when the rubber hits the road at the first and subsequent club/activity meetings. And you can imagine, with around 100 clubs to choose from, students encounter a variety of options that range from serious to fun, intense to whimsical, and with varying time commitments—some clubs meet a few times a week, while others meet only once a month. Whatever the case, it’s all good as it is our simple goal administratively to help position our young, ambitious charges in a manner that allows them to follow their pathway, pursue developing interests, and be in contact with and get to know fellow Knights of common interest within this non-academic setting. It delights me that O’Connell, largely through the lens of the enthusiasm, drive, vision, and passion of its student leaders, has plenty of room in its wheelhouse to answer the bell for this important and formative opportunity for its youngsters to explore and shine, as, joyfully, God is found everywhere.