THOUGHTS FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL, JOSEPH VORBACH:
On Wednesday, Bishop Burbidge celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass with us. For his homily, he came down from the altar and stood in front of the seniors. He recalled how St. Teresa of Kolkata was once asked "What needs to change?" Her response was, "You and I." Bishop Burbidge then offered a reflection on how, with God's help, we might make positive changes in our lives through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Shortly after he left O'Connell, Bishop Burbidge returned to the Cathedral where he offered another Ash Wednesday Mass that was reported in the Arlington Catholic Herald. You can get a better sense for Bishop's homily by reading this short article.
At the beginning of Lent, offering up our own suffering, we hold in prayer particularly this week all those who lost their lives in the school shooting in Florida this week, as well as their families and all those who mourn their passing. We pray too for all public servants who play important roles working to ensure that our communities our safe.
It is very natural in the wake of tragedies like the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, for parents and others involved in any school community to worry about the safety of their school. Please know that the safety of students at Bishop O'Connell is our foremost concern and I invite you to read this message about our school security posture, what we are doing to review our systems and policies, and how you can help.