Being Xaverian - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

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Being averian “Falling in love with the service of God.” We are Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. We are a Xaverian Brothers sponsored school. We are Xaverians. Students learn it and understand it. Alumni know it and live it. Our faculty and staff communicate it and demonstrate it. But does anyone outside of our campus truly understand what it means to be a Xaverian To comprehend the importance, the distinctiveness and the honor of being among this exclusive group of Catholic schools, you first need to learn what it means to be a Xaverian. History Our school, along with 13 others, is rooted from the history of the Congregation of Saint Francis Xavier, which has shaped the unique character of Xaverian education today. Overcoming adversity, recognizing the limitations of humanity and utilizing the power of enduring relationships, the Xaverian Congregation lives its motto, “In harmony small things grow.” This congregation of lay religious brothers was founded in Bruges, Belgium, in 1839 by Theodore James Ryken. The first Xaverian Brothers in America arrived at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1854. There they taught in parish schools and, in 1864, established the first Xaverian secondary school in America, beginning a long and distinguished history of Xaverian education that would quickly expand in the United States and complement the congregation’s work throughout the world. Today the number of Xaverian brothers is in a significant decline. The Congregation underwent many changes in response to the developments stemming from the second Vatican Council. Membership decreased in Europe and the United States, but forms of ministerial activity and geographic dispersion increased greatly. At Good Counsel, we have not had any Xaverian Brothers on staff for several years. The last Xaverian Brother at our school was Br. Bob Arrowsmith ’63, who left in 2009 and is now the director of the Ryken House—a home for retired Xaverian Brothers located in Louisville, KY. Brothers who are familiar to many of our alumni include: Br. Bill Griffin ’62, Br. Mike McCarthy ’62, Br. Ivo, Br. Tom Murphy, Br. Bonaventure, Br. Anthony, Br. Greg Turlick and Br. Charles Wintergerst. Tales of these Brothers are part of our oral traditions, and continue to help us understand what it means to be Xaverian and why it matters. In these times, our hope is that the simplicity, humility and intentionally unpretentious, non-hierarchical nature of the Brothers will appeal to those who seek a vocation to serve the poor and marginalized, while living a prayerful and supportive community life. With the passion of our founders and a Xaverian Brothers history going back almost 175 years, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School is unwavering in its commitment to continue the legacy of the Xaverian Brothers. 2 on campus
Beliefs Rooted in the rich traditions of Roman Catholic education, the mission of the Xaverian schools is to foster the moral and spiritual development of young people. The goal of each school is to prepare students not only for success in college and in life, but also for meaningful lives in the service of God. Along with the faculty and staff, students are provided time and space for reflection, prayer and the sharing of faith, and are supported as they integrate their personal faith with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Beyond our Catholic faith, we also share a uniquely Xaverian perspective and approach to education. Theodore James Ryken, founder of the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier, described his personal commitment to his ministry as “falling in love with the service of God.” That same atmosphere of joyful and vibrant spirituality is alive at Good Counsel and in the hallways of each Xaverian school today, fueled by the enthusiasm with which each school embraces the core spiritual values of the Brothers—simplicity, humility, compassion, zeal, and trust. With a deep commitment to our faith, we accept our personal limitations and understand that all we have comes from God. Education The heart of a Xaverian education is our commitment to the full development of each person. Realizing that each student enters with a unique set of talents and interests, our academic offerings and the teaching/learning process are structured to provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to allow students to explore areas of study that engage and excite their individual interests. The Xaverian focus on building enduring relationships allows us to cultivate outstanding achievement in students with a broad range of abilities. Teachers take the time to know each of their students, while guiding them to make the most of their talents and encouraging them to persevere and learn from challenges. We sustain the Xaverian educational tradition while preparing our students for careers and lives in the twenty-first century. School leaders join together for collaborative planning; teachers and administrators meet for continuing education and the sharing of ideas; students connect with a diverse network of peers to support one another in their academic and Christian development. The diversity and geographic breadth of the Xaverian network offers our school an extraordinary range of professional resources and access to the best practices and emerging thought in education nationally, in the context of one of the most distinguished, continuous traditions of Catholic education in America. Like the philosophy of Ryken, we are advocates for the education of everyone. True to this mission, Good Counsel is nationally recognized for its offerings of a strong college preparatory curriculum, the rigors of the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs for high achieving students, and the Ryken Program for students with mild, learning differences. Good Counsel families understand that the values formed by a Xaverian education— responsibility for the welfare of others, stewardship for the natural world, a rejection of success that is quick and easy—are essential to our survival as a society. Xaverian schools educate the whole student—academically, morally, ethically, spiritually and physically. Our students will graduate into a world that is increasingly global, diverse and continually changing. It is a world in which the Xaverian approach to education is more relevant than ever. Our Lady of Good Counsel High School provides the groundwork to prepare our students to lead the way. ✦ on campus 3
Page 1 and 2: Being Xaverian “Falling in love w
Page 3: Student artwork by sophomore Shaely
Page 7 and 8: I’M XAVERIAN | Peg Weidner, Chair
Page 9 and 10: HAITI Students Gain a Greater Aware
Page 11 and 12: Missionary Brother Michael McCarthy
Page 13 and 14: Introducing... Stefanie Morgan-Davi
Page 15 and 16: WCAC CHAMPS ONCE AGAIN! Going into
Page 17 and 18: FALL ATHLETIC SEASON WRAP-UP GIRLs
Page 19 and 20: 30 Years of Tradition to Honor stev
Page 21 and 22: On July 23, 2012, Denver area alumn
Page 23 and 24: 25th Anniversary of Girls at GC On
Page 25 and 26: While a student at Our Lady of Good
Page 27 and 28: 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 The class
Page 29 and 30: Class of 1962 Celebrates a Mileston
Page 31 and 32: Saint Francis Xavier Society Dinner
Page 33 and 34: A Special Thank You to Our 2012-13
Page 35 and 36: ALUMNI TODAY TONY CAPONE ’84 Stan
Page 37 and 38: cLass noTEs 1964 After graduating f
Page 39 and 40: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Davis of Lusby,
Page 41 and 42: 2008 Eric Kinch graduated from Geor
Page 43 and 44: Join us for the 6th Annual Falcon 5

Being Xaverian - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

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