Jesuit magazine (4-11).indd - The New Orleans Province of the ...

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Br. larry Huck, S.J., Clerk of the Work we affirm that the work and ministry in Grand Coteau is important The Southern Jesuit recently visited with Br. Larry Huck, S.J., who has been appointed Clerk of the Work by Fr. Mark Lewis, S.J., to lead the efforts to renovate St. Charles College. Br. Huck entered the Society of Jesus in 1993 and has taught at Jesuit High Tampa and Jesuit High New Orleans, his alma mater. We are grateful that he took the time out of what is already a busy schedule to answer our inquiries. You have been appointed “Clerk of the Work” by the provincial. Help us understand in more modern terms what that means for the renovations at St. Charles College? It means that I will, on behalf of the provincial, oversee the remodeling of St. Charles College. More specifically, I will check to make sure the job is done correctly, according to the plans, and make day-to-day decisions that come up during construction. Part of the job is to make sure the provincial is not bogged down in daily issues because he already has a full-time job. Also, if a construction issue arises, I would help resolve the issue. Personally, what does the work being done at Grand Coteau mean for you? This project for me is special and humbling. What I have been charged with in this project touches something that is important and special to many Jesuits. I want as much as possible to make sure the character of the College is maintained, made safe and can remain a place where Jesuits and retreatants continue to experience God and God’s call for them. Professionally, what skills and training do you bring to the table to help you in your work? Due to my experience as a master electrician, I have direct knowledge of working in construction. In my work for the family electrical business, I had to estimate projects, oversee electrical projects from start to finish and oversee others working on electrical projects. Not only do I bring construction experience, I have people and resources I can tap into if I have questions. 20 The Southern Jesuit Spring 2011 Renewing a Do you have goals for this project, and can you offer us insight into them? My goal would be that the job is done correctly and not done cheaply. The College is a home to the Jesuits and a comfortable and quiet place where retreatants can easily converse with God and Christ. Yet, I want it to be simple so that it fits our way of life. Part of my job is to control costs and not compromise quality of work that befits preserving this historic and sacred building. What does this work mean to the Province, its history and its future? This project ensures that the “family home” will be preserved for many Jesuits who are to enter the Society in the years to come. Many Jesuits’ lives were “born and nurtured” in this building. Also, by committing to do this project, we affirm that the work and ministry we do in Grand Coteau is important and valued. What things have you had to learn in doing this project that you never imagined yourself learning in the course of living out your vocation as a Jesuit Brother? I would never have imagined myself overseeing such a large project. I have experience in the construction field in the area of electricity, but I will need to be mindful of other trades and fields. I have spent nine of my 18 years in the Society working in our high schools as a teacher and a coach. Eight of my years have been in studies, and this past year was spent recovering my health. Thus, this will be my first time seeing how the Lord will work through me using my background in construction and electrical work. I will be challenged to see what I do as a ministry to all the construction workers that I will work with over the next few years. I do feel that my vocation as a Jesuit brother will be deepened through this assignment. This assignment is not about sacraments, it is about walking with others as a brother does with his siblings. Does this role as Clerk of the Work harken back to any type of “traditional” role of the brothers in years gone by? I would say that this does. Brothers before GC 31 (The 31st General Congregation took place in 1965 and 1966) would be trained in trades, to care for the buildings and grounds of our schools, parishes and retreat houses. So, yes this harkens back to that. Yet, it will be different. I have been trained differently than those brothers in that I have a degree in history and spirituality. I have training in spiritual direction and, during tertainship, I prepared a preached retreat. As I work on this project I hope my other skills and training help
Sacred Place me to be a good minister of the Gospel to those I will interact with each day. When you wake in the morning with this enormous task in front you, what is it that gets you going and keeps you focused? I wake up each morning knowing that I am going to learn much of the evangeline m. Vavrick, Campaign Chair the chance to give back and to help Evangeline’s association with the Jesuits has been a lifelong experience. When invited to take on the leadership role as chair of Renewing a Sacred Place, she graciously accepted without hesitation. “The Jesuits have always played a significant role in my life,” she says, “as educators, spiritual leaders, co-workers, friends and family.” This kinship began early on with her parents. Her mother, like Ignatius Loyola, was from Northern Spain, and she enjoyed cooking meals for Jesuit friends. “They were like family, and my father took Jesuits hunting and fishing on a regular basis.” Evangeline was also influenced by her Marianite educators but adds, “It was as if I attended a Jesuit school. Our principal was Sister Loyola, my Latin teacher was Sister Ignatius and mother superior was Sister Francis Xavier.” Many of her school celebrations were Jesuit feast days, and annual high school retreat masters were Jesuits. Fr. John Curley, S.J. was a favorite. Her activism began during high school when the Marianites encouraged students to become involved in the Catholic Students Mission Crusade. Off-campus meetings were held at Immaculate Conception Church or Jesuit High School and moderated by Fr. Albert Levet, S.J. The sisters also reinforced the belief that Catholic girls should not jeopardize their souls by attending secular college, promoting Loyola University New Orleans as the college of choice. Evangeline went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Education and Juris Doctor from Loyola. In between her education and law careers, she worked with Jesuits as dean of women, assistant to Fr. Anthony O’Flynn, S.J., who was then dean of men and later Fr. Robert Boggs, S.J., who succeeded history of St. Charles College and have a part in preserving that history. Each day is an adventure as surprises await me and others working on this project. Fr. O’Flynn. As a former student and colleague of Jesuits, she established lasting personal relationships with many Jesuits who became like family. The lessons she learned along the way from Jesuit friends were greater than the academics needed for life’s successes. The way in which one approaches life – striving to be a person for others, helping those who need an extra hand up to a better, more productive life – served as the greater lesson. Among her many Jesuit friends, counselors and advisors were Fr. Patrick Donnelley, S.J., former president of Loyola University of New Orleans, and Frs. Joseph Butt, Joseph Walsh and John Keller, all of whom were incredible spiritual advisors and close personal friends, visiting her home for dinner and special occasions and participating in family celebrations, weddings, baptisms and funerals. Considering how she will honor her Jesuit friends with her service as chair of Renewing a Sacred Place she candidly reveals, “Some of my friends must think I am a bit crazy to take on such a challenge, a $5 million dollar campaign in my golden years. However, having an opportunity to give rather than to receive is a blessing and a lesson learned from my parents, the Marianites and the Jesuits.” Of her commitment to the New Orleans Province and the renovations of St. Charles College, Provincial Mark Lewis says, “Mrs. Vavrick brings both an understanding of service and a wealth of experience to her role as chair of the Renewing a Sacred Place campaign.” She has served on the Jesuit Volunteer Corps board, the Loyola Law School Visiting Committee and on fundraising committees too numerous to mention – most notably as one of the first women to serve on the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. She has been on the New Orleans Province Development Advisory Board and was on the committee for the successful Forging a Future Full of Hope campaign. With her personal history with the Jesuits as friends, teachers, colleagues and spiritual advisors, the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province are honored and excited to have Evangeline M. Vavrick serve as the chair of Renewing a Sacred Place. The Southern Jesuit Spring 2011 21
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