Spring 2003 - Fenwick High School

The Goals We Pursue
In this issue of the FENWICK Magazine we pay tribute to and honor the memory of Mr.
Dan O’Brien. No one who ever knew Dan personally, or who had ever heard of this
legendary man, would deny that he was a successful person. He set his goals early in life,
the chief one being the positive formation of young men* in mind, body, and spirit. At the
time of his wake and funeral, several of us came forward to give testimony to Dan’s
attainment of his goals. Was Dan a success We definitely answer in the affirmative.
It is natural that every one of us in our very busy lives will
occasionally pause and ask ourselves: Am I a success Am I a
successful person Do those around me consider me to be a
success in my work and in my relationships with others For some,
this is just a passing thought, for others it is a major concern.
Moreover, the word is most often associated with fame, or wealth, or
position. This may be misleading and narrow our concept of what
success really means. We all know that to be a success in any one
of these areas does not necessarily make a successful person.
PERSPECTIVE
The dictionary says the word success means the attainment of a
desired object, goal, or end. It becomes important to know what
goals we pursue, what end we seek. The quality of our success will
depend on the quality of our goals.
I can speak personally, when I say the goal of my life is neither fame
nor fortune, although others may legitimately pursue these goals. My
personal goals are to achieve a life of integrity, perfecting my ability
to know and love, improve my capacity for friendship with God and
my neighbor. Each of us must decide what it is we hope to attain.
“It is natural that every one of us in our
very busy lives will occasionally pause
and ask ourselves: Am I a success...
For some, this is just a passing thought,
for others it is a major concern.”
Sharing is the completion and capstone of a successful life. Here at
Fenwick we promote a myriad of virtues and values, but sharing is a
way to give back to God for all that we have received, and also to
those who are in any way responsible for our success. I know that
we here at the school deeply, deeply appreciate the ways you have
shared your successes with us. As Jesus reminds us in the Gospel
according to Luke: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good
measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be
poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will,
in return, be measured out to you.”
Thank you for all the ways you support Fenwick – with talent, time,
and treasure.
Fenwick President
Fortunately for Fenwick, many of our alumni/ae have achieved
success on many levels, and they have reached success down a
variety of paths. Complete success, they also may have learned,
requires two additional actions. The first is both to acknowledge the
talents they have received from God and to thank Him. The second
is to share with others, in whatever way possible, the fruits of one’s
success.
*
During Dan O’Brien’s many years as coach and athletic director,
Fenwick was an all-male school.
2
SPRING 2003
And Celebrate they did!
Greg Melnyk, Fathers Club President; Kevin McGirr ’69,
Auction Chair; Rev. Richard LaPata ’50, O.P., Fenwick President;
and Paul McCaffray ’68, Auction Co-Chair, greeted more than
550 members of the Fenwick community who attended the
Fathers’ Club Auction, “Celebration,” on March 28.