Preparations for Superdance

Today there is a heightened energy in the building. The last minute preparations for Superdance 43 are being tended, a rush of final registrations have been processed, and students are ensuring that all of us on faculty and staff have plenty of opportunities to sponsor Superdancers! A month ago, our community gathered for the Superdance Assembly, a chance to be reminded of the history and purpose of Superdance and to hear the personal stories of those who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis. That assembly was a call to arms, and tomorrow is the moment for our student body to do what Bishop Burbidge encouraged them to do during his homily yesterday -- "be all in." They are excited and they are ready. They have been led well by the SCA leaders in the senior class and they have our support and the support of the wider O'Connell community. I salute them and their efforts and I thank everyone who has encouraged and supported them, especially over the past month.

We count Bishop Burbidge among those supporters as he offered his prayers yesterday for the success of Superdance during his pastoral visit. The Bishop began his day learning more about a unique micro satellite project students are involved in that will culminate in a launch into space next fall. He then celebrated Mass for the community with Father Thompson before joining the student leadership of the Superdance project for an in depth briefing about tomorrow's dance. The Bishop had lunch with our school counseling team and then heard from student participants and faculty facilitators of our retreat programs. He spent the last part of his day with our Fine Arts students, greeting student studio artists in a "pop-up" gallery in the auditorium lobby before taking in a stage presentation in the auditorium that included choral, instrumental and theatrical performances. It is a special opportunity to share the many talents of our students with our Bishop and to see the students respond to his interest so enthusiastically and gratefully.