Bishop Annual Report rd4:Layout 1 - Bishop O'Connell High School

Dear Friends of Bishop O’Connell High School,In so many ways, Bishop O’Connell givesproud testimony to the African proverb,“It takes a village to raise a child.” Earlierthis month I had the pleasure of opening sixenvelopes that had been left on my desk.Each contained a gift to our Annual Fund.Each came from a member of the Sisters,Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Marywho serve at our school.Over my five-year tenure here, I have beenconsistently impressed by the engagementof our village of workers, believers andsupporters, bound together by a singlepurpose. Within the building, many ofour 150 faculty and staff members volunteerto serve on academic, disciplinaryaccreditation, personnel and policycommittees and, like our sisters, donatetheir personal financial resources to schoolfundraising activities. Outside our walls, anarmy of parents serves on the PTO, arts andathletic booster organizations, the All-NightGrad Party, and on the gala and golfcommittees. They and a good number ofour alumni, past-parents and friends alsogenerously contribute their talents andtheir treasures by serving on our Board ofGovernors and its committees, and byinvesting in the creation of opportunitiesthat benefit our students.Recently, our village has used its financialresources for its children to help purchasecomputers and LCD projectors, crew shellsand trombones, microscopes and softballs.Our village has helped to renovate our gym,our chapel, our training room, weight roomand bathrooms. And it has contributedgenerously to provide the extra resourcesneeded to attract, train and retain qualityteachers in a competitive market. Our villagehas watched over and supported its childrenby attending their games and concerts, byproviding them help with their homework, andby listening, healing and encouraging themafter every fall, wrong turn and bump in theroad. And our village has prayed unceasinglyfor its children, placing them always into theloving care and gentle protection of Jesus andhis mother, Mary.A senior girl came to my door recently andsaid, “Mr. Breen, I love this place.” I waspleased, but not surprised. Of course sheloves this place. This is our village. This is ourholy ground. This is DJO. So, on her behalf, Ithank you for being there for her and forsupporting her on her journey. I am proud ofthe achievements of our students. I am proudof our community and its commitment tosupport them as they grow in learning and infaith. And, like you, I am proud to be a smallpart of what has been, what is now and whatwill be in the years to come.Sincerely,Barry Edward BreenPresident