THOUGHTS FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL, JOSEPH VORBACH:

Yesterday, I had a very busy hour inside a very busy day inside a very hectic and shortened week. When the hour began, my mindset was too focused on the negative -- not enough time to get things done. When the hour was over, I thought about what a remarkable hour it was and reflected on the message God had been sending me about being present in the moment.

As the hour began, I was meeting a newly hired teacher who had come in to sign the contract for next year.  Even as I was concerned that I did not have enough time for this meeting before having to run to the next thing, I thought about how much I enjoy these meetings and how much hopeful and positive anticipation comes from the energy and talent of the faculty.  

I left this meeting to drive over to Washington Golf and Country Club where the Arlington Optimists were hosting a luncheon to honor the winners of their essay contest. There were 68 entrants in this contest and the three recognized winners were all O'Connell students.  I entered the room at the Club as quietly as possible because I was a little late, but when the MC began his remarks, he called attention to my presence and paid Bishop O'Connell a huge compliment regarding the quality of writing that the judges had seen from our student entrants in the contest -- not just the three winners, but many O'Connell students.  The hour was picking up!  What followed over the course of the lunch was the three winner reading their essays to the audience. Each was a response to the prompt (paraphrased) "If all the world's problems were solved, would there still be a need for optimism?" The responses, unsurprisingly, were all optimistic. But they were also unique, creative, well-constructed and presented. Attending this event was a great "deep breath" in the day.

But I didn't stay long as I wanted to get back to O'Connell to be present for at least the conclusion of the spring athletic signing ceremony in the gymnasium. This is another nice tradition of our high school at which family and friends salute student-athletes for having achieved the opportunity to compete at the next level at their college of choice. There was a lot of joy in the room and I was very happy to catch the conclusion full of hugs and family and team photos.

All of this happened in a little more than an hour in the middle of the day. But given the tempo this time of year, we were not finished. Before I left work for the day, I was able to participate in the senior recognition ceremony for the boys lacrosse team and to get the word that O'Connell's Thinsat project "DJOSpaceToast" was successfully launched into orbit aboard an NG-11 rocket launched from NASA's Wallops Island facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore (Read more about the project HERE).

The day ended and my glass was way more than half full.

Today, I had the privilege of attending the Chrism Mass at the Catherdral of St. Thomas More with seven O'Connell students. This was a special way for our students to grow in knowledge of our faith, and to pray especially for the priests of our Diocese, all of whom were present with Bishop Burbidge and Bishop Loverde.

Happy Easter everyone!