Thoughts from our head of school, Dr. Joseph Vorbach:
Normally, our annual living rosary at the conclusion of our two week soup drive for local Catholic Charities programs is held on our athletic field. We often have a beautiful fall day, sometimes a little cool, and there is something special about the Chaplain bringing the Blessed Sacrament out to our temporary altar with the monstrance glistening in the sun. You can also sense the energy in the student body out on the field. And sometimes it rains.
Today we prayed the rosary together in the auditorium. As much as I missed some aspects of the tradition of our living rosary out on the field, there were some things about being inside that made the experience powerful in a different way. Being closer together, 1,200 people praying together for those who need the services of Catholic Charities and this soup, for those who serve those in need in our community, for the intentions of the Bishop O'Connell community, was powerful. There was a reverence and a purposefulness to our time together that, in my judgment, reflected the attitude of the student leadership and faculty moderators who guided this soup drive. Throughout the past two weeks there have been a definite, "we are going to get this done" mentality and a healthy sense of competition to support it.
The Student Council Executive Board had the last word when they told their peers the final count of can - 13,683! This number is several thousand above the average of the last eight years that I have been here. It is the product of a wonderfully spirited effort in the school community, led by our students. I thank you all for supporting your children and helping us do something so special as a school.