Being Xaverian - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Being Xaverian - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Being Xaverian - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
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<strong>Being</strong><br />
averian<br />
“Falling in love with the service <strong>of</strong> God.”<br />
We are <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Lady</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>. We are a <strong>Xaverian</strong> Brothers<br />
sponsored school. We are <strong>Xaverian</strong>s.<br />
Students learn it and understand it. Alumni know it and live it. <strong>Our</strong> faculty and<br />
staff communicate it and demonstrate it. But does anyone outside <strong>of</strong> our campus<br />
truly understand what it means to be a <strong>Xaverian</strong><br />
To comprehend the importance, the distinctiveness and the honor <strong>of</strong> being among<br />
this exclusive group <strong>of</strong> Catholic schools, you first need to learn what it means<br />
to be a <strong>Xaverian</strong>.<br />
History<br />
<strong>Our</strong> school, along with 13 others, is rooted from the history <strong>of</strong> the Congregation <strong>of</strong><br />
Saint Francis Xavier, which has shaped the unique character <strong>of</strong> <strong>Xaverian</strong> education<br />
today. Overcoming adversity, recognizing the limitations <strong>of</strong> humanity and utilizing<br />
the power <strong>of</strong> enduring relationships, the <strong>Xaverian</strong> Congregation lives its motto,<br />
“In harmony small things grow.”<br />
This congregation <strong>of</strong> lay religious brothers was founded in Bruges, Belgium, in<br />
1839 by Theodore James Ryken. The first <strong>Xaverian</strong> Brothers in America arrived<br />
at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1854. There they taught in parish schools and, in 1864,<br />
established the first <strong>Xaverian</strong> secondary school in America, beginning a long and<br />
distinguished history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Xaverian</strong> education that would quickly expand in the<br />
United States and complement the congregation’s work throughout the world.<br />
Today the number <strong>of</strong> <strong>Xaverian</strong> brothers is in a significant decline. The Congregation<br />
underwent many changes in response to the developments stemming from the<br />
second Vatican Council. Membership decreased in Europe and the United States,<br />
but forms <strong>of</strong> ministerial activity and geographic dispersion increased greatly.<br />
At <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong>, we have not had any <strong>Xaverian</strong> Brothers on staff for several<br />
years. The last <strong>Xaverian</strong> Brother at our school was Br. Bob Arrowsmith ’63, who<br />
left in 2009 and is now the director <strong>of</strong> the Ryken House—a home for retired<br />
<strong>Xaverian</strong> Brothers located in Louisville, KY. Brothers who are familiar to many <strong>of</strong><br />
our alumni include: Br. Bill Griffin ’62, Br. Mike McCarthy ’62, Br. Ivo, Br. Tom Murphy,<br />
Br. Bonaventure, Br. Anthony, Br. Greg Turlick and Br. Charles Wintergerst. Tales <strong>of</strong><br />
these Brothers are part <strong>of</strong> our oral traditions, and continue to help us understand<br />
what it means to be <strong>Xaverian</strong> and why it matters.<br />
In these times, our hope is that the simplicity, humility and intentionally<br />
unpretentious, non-hierarchical nature <strong>of</strong> the Brothers will appeal to those who<br />
seek a vocation to serve the poor and marginalized, while living a prayerful and<br />
supportive community life. With the passion <strong>of</strong> our founders and a <strong>Xaverian</strong><br />
Brothers history going back almost 175 years, <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Lady</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> is unwavering in its commitment to continue the legacy <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Xaverian</strong><br />
Brothers.<br />
2<br />
on campus