Reflection #45 (Only 1031 to go!): The more things change...

      I had to pay a visit to "1076" (Saint Ignatius for those of you not in the know) last week, and as I passed by a classroom, I saw Mr. Ed Ernst proctoring an exam, so I poked my head in the door to say, "Hi!" It caught my attention that each student was using a "laptop" (Is that the correct term?) computer. Ed came out of the room momentarily, and told me that, not only do they take the exam on the computer, but the test is automatically and immediately corrected and graded electronically. Holy ....!
     I had heard that, within the next few years...maybe next year...there will be no textbooks; all texts will be electronic. It's a whole new world. I was reminded of the time, many years ago, when an alumus came to a basketball game, and, when I went to greet him, he just shook his head and said, "This isn't my school anymore." I have some peers who would just shake their collective heads and say, "This isn't our world any more."
     While I have to admit to a certain “comfort” in the methods and styles of my earlier years, I also recognize that change is inevitable. Do I like the internet? It doesn’t matter whether I do or not, so, “Yes!” I like it.
     Ed was also very excited about something else when he greeted me. Had I seen that an Ignatius cross-country runner had won the 3A state championship? Jack Keelan was the first Ignatian to win the state meet since Mike Patton did it in 1980. Carm Pintozzi and Jim Connelly would have been so proud. (Apologies to all of the other fine and dedicated "cross" coaches for my naming only those two. They were the ones that I knew best.)
     In addition to Jack Keelan's accomplishment, I discovered that the girls' swimming team came in 8th in the state, after having won the state sectional. One young lady, Nikol Lagodzinska, came in 3rd in the 100-free at state.
     Finally, in a sport that has special significance for me, the Ignatius soccer team, under the venerable Jim Luzzi (How old do you have to be to be considered "venerable"?) ended their season with a 20-4-1 record, making it to the championship game of the state regional, and losing a hotly-contested game to Hinsdale Central High School.

     This coming Sunday, Dec. 2nd, Ignatius is holding its annual Open House, and I'm especially interested in attending this year, because my granddaughter, who is a freshman, is playing in the orchestra. Grandma and grandpa will be there, cheering her on, but trying hard not to embarrass her by telling everyone in ear shot who she is, and that she is the BEST ONE...even though she is.

     I hope that you had a fabulous Thanksgiving. My wife and I had great weekend. In addition to an elegant turkey dinner at our son and daughter-in-law‘s home on Thursday, an offspring got married on Saturday. It was very much an Ignatius affair, since the beautiful bride and groom and all their siblings are Ignatius alumni. This also included the minister from the class of ‘86.
     This is really just an excuse to say that, I had a delightful conversation with Adrian Garibay, ('84), who is Director of Registration at U.S. Soccer Federation. His kind words about the role that Saint Ignatius has played in his life certainly lifted my spirits...as if my spirits needed lifting when one of my children gets married.
     Additionally, my wife and I were the happy beneficiaries of the kindness of John Tan, also '84, and his lovely wife, Zara, who drove us from the reception to our hotel. Thank you again, John and Zara.

Reflection #44 (Only 1032 to go!): Oh, What A Year!

     Sadly, I read of the passing of Fr. John Reilly, S.J.  The death notice stated that he died while in residence at the facility in Columbiere, Michigan, a retirement home for Jesuits of the Chicago Province.  At this point in my life, many of my former Jesuit friends and colleagues reside there.
     Father’s passing is one more emotional loss for us “old-timers”.  You are no doubt aware of the passing of Jim Connelly and the physical problems of Frank Raispis.  There are others of my generation of Ignatius personnel who have been dealing with serious health issues, but that’s not for me to disclose.
     Father Reilly was an integral part of my early years at Ignatius.  I started teaching in 1961, and Father Reilly was teaching English. In the fall of '63, he became assistant principal.  In 1967, Fr. Reilly was made principal, and in 1971, he started a four year stint as president.  This was a very difficult period in the history of Saint Ignatius.  The number of Jesuits was in decline, creating the need for an increase in the number of laymen, and, thus causing the tuition to jump dramatically. That, in turn, caused a decrease in the size of the student body.  There were times when future of the school was in doubt.  This was the challenge that was laid at Fr. Reilly’s feet as he became president.
     For those who never knew Fr. Reilly, he was a very tall man...I'd say 6'5'' or better.  I have to admit that I never knew him very well on a personal level.  The Jesuits and the laymen had a good working relationship, but it should go without saying that laymen and Jesuits lead very different lives. Laymen went home to their families; Jesuits, priests, brothers and scholastics, lived at the school, ate with one another and shared the events of the day with one another.
     Father Reilly was also a man of great passions in an "O'Mara-esque" fashion.  He might have a very angry response to a request, but, after an initial reaction, he would discuss the idea calmly and logically, looking for a way to fulfill the request in a viable manner.  Pat O’Mara could "rip you apart" with a word or look, but with “Big John”, it looked like that might not be a euphemism.   When Father got mad, your best chance was to not make eye-contact, turn quietly an walk away...quickly.
     The fact is, though, he was a man of great kindness and empathy.  I am aware of at least one instance when, he was confronted by a teacher that he expel a student for an egregious action, Father talked to the student, and discovered the underlying cause of his actions.  Because of the sensitive nature of the cause, Father was not free to explain his “non-action“, much to the dismay and anger of the teacher.  Such was the depth of his courage and compassion.

     I was moved by the dedication of the 1975 Prep, the yearbook. At the risk of violating copyright laws, a portion of it reads:
“Since Fr. Reilly is a graduate of the class of ’46, he is the only person in the history of St. Ignatius to come up the ranks...from student to President.
As Fr. Reilly moves on to Loyola University he will always be a part of Ignatius. He will be remembered for his years of dedication and service. He is a gentleman. He believes in Ignatius.
This then is John Reilly’s book because Ignatius is John Reilly’s school.”
      God bless you, Father Reilly. Rest in peace.