There are times when I begin writing this occasional blog full of optimism that I might pull several threads of ideas together in an artful way that is more compelling than a reporting of events…and there are times when achieving that goal feels beyond reach. As Steve Martin said once in his stand-up routine years ago, "Some people have a way with words, and other people...uhh...'not have way' I guess you could say." Here goes...
Sitting down today, it’s 49 degrees and pouring rain outside. The leaves are definitely turning and daylight savings time is over. It's November, the month during which we pray for all souls, and we are aware this week of families in our community that are mourning the loss of a loved one. We pray that eternal rest be granted to those who have died and for their families in mourning, we pray that God will give them comfort.
November 1 is also an important college application deadline for many of our seniors. We know that they have been working hard, with the support of parents, teachers, counselors and coaches, to put their best feet forward in those efforts. Deadlines are stressful, and occurring as they do at the end of the first quarter adds additional burdens. We want to continue to pray for our seniors and all our students -- that they will know God's presence in their lives and continue to turn the Lord for guidance as they discern their vocation.
November 4-10 is also National Vocation Awareness Week and we have prayed each day this week for the five O'Connell alumni currently preparing for priestly ordination. We also pray for Allison Gliot, a 2012 graduate who is a postulant with the Daughters of Saint Paul.
The fall sports seasons are wrapping up. As I write this, several teams are out competing in championship events -- boys soccer is playing Cape Henry Collegiate in the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA) state championship game tonight in Richmond, while our cross country teams head to Fork Union and our volleyball team stays local, competing for a Virginia title. The football team is savoring an exciting 35-33 playoff victory over Paul VI last evening.
I think the most remarkable thing to happen this week was observing our students in the auditorium speaking directly to American Astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor, via amateur ham radio, as she flew 250 miles above the earth at 17,000 miles/hour. In about ten minutes of available radio contact, the students were able to ask about 20 questions and the connection was strong throughout. In the lead up to and execution of this opportunity, students (particularly those in our engineering electives) were able to learn a lot about the space station, amateur radio, space flight, and a host of related topics. The attentiveness of everyone in the auditorium was evidence of a collective awareness of how unique, and how cool, this opportunity was. There have only been about 1,000 connections like this done, so it remains a very unique learning experience. Our teacher Mrs. Melissa Pore deserves a special salute for her efforts in making this moment a reality.
The second quarter is underway and because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday interludes, as well as the pre-Christmas semester assessments, it will go by quickly and we will wrapping up the semester in January before we know it.