Fr. Rowland Pens Final Message as Marist School President

I look forward to J.D. Childs becoming the next President of Marist School beginning July 1. Like so many of you who have met J.D., I am also impressed with what he will bring to the position in terms of his experience and education, his commitment to Catholic education, and his compatibility with the Marist mission and charism. Congratulations to Mike Cote, chair of the Search Committee, and the other committee members for their excellent work, landing J.D. to come to Marist and lead the school at this critical juncture.

I also want to thank Fr. David Musso, S.M. for his 23 years of service to Marist School as Chaplain. Going forward, he will serve as the part-time chaplain at Notre Dame Academy, a Marist-sponsored school in Duluth, Georgia. Fr. Musso always has a ready smile to welcome anyone who happens to be in his vicinity. I am particularly grateful for his attention to students, families, and faculty who needed pastoral care at critical moments in their lives. He has a heart of gold and witnessed to the best of what it means to be a Marist. We are glad that Fr. Musso will continue to reside at the rectory and be available to help at Marist if needed.

Marist School is blessed to have Fr. John Ulrich, S.M. return to Marist as the School Chaplain. Fr. Ulrich taught at Marist in the early days of his ministry, beginning in 1973 when he was known as Brother John before he was ordained to the priesthood in 1986. He is remembered for founding the Emmaus Retreat Program, which I am happy to say has not missed a beat while he has been away from Marist. He is a member of the novitiate class that includes Frs. Kenney, Harhager, Frechette, and me. I want to welcome Fr. Ulrich back to Marist, where his ministry as a Marist religious began. We are blessed for his timely addition to Marist, which coincides with J.D. Childs assuming leadership as the next President. Both have known each other since they were in San Luis Obispo with J.D. as principal of Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School and Frs. Ulrich and Fr. Kevin Duggan, S.M. were campus ministers at Cal Tech.

I will assume my new role as Rector. As such, I will be a visible reminder of the province's commitment to Marist School. I will oversee the school's efforts to be faithful to its Catholic and Marist identities. In addition, I will serve as a consultant in that capacity since the Marist faculty, staff, administration, and Board of Trustees are responsible for ensuring the school's fidelity to both. I will not be involved in running the school and will quickly remind anyone who may approach me, believing otherwise! I will take some time to be away to let J.D. establish himself in his role as President and for me to "de-establish" myself from the same.

You may be surprised to realize that I came to Marist in 2010 as the first alumni chaplain. Little did I know then that I would serve as President. Jeremiah, when he was called to be a prophet, argued before the Lord that he was too young and inexperienced. I followed the prophet's lead but argued that I was inexperienced in this role and too old. The Lord replied to us both, "Do not say, 'I am too young (or too old in my case).' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you." (Jeremiah1:7) I leave it up to you to decide if I did as the Lord commanded.

When I look at where the school is today, especially with the addition of J.D. Childs and Fr. Ulrich, a very competent and dedicated faculty, staff, administrators, and board, I believe that the school is where it is supposed to be at this time in its history. It is similar to when a person reaches a stage where they look back on their life and conclude that they are where they are supposed to be, that their purpose in life is in sync and harmony with God's aspirations for them.

That is how I look at this moment that was arrived at after enduring considerable challenges, especially in the recent past. I bow in the direction of the patroness of this school, Mary, the mother of God. We have sailed into the calm waters of this port that this transition in leadership provides because of her intercession and maternal care for this school that bears her name, and we dare to say, is her work. 

When I became the president of Marist five years ago, someone asked me what my vision was for Marist. In this reflection, Looking Backward While Going Forward, I finally answer that question.

With peace and joy that this world cannot give, I invite you to join me and put an exclamation point on all that has transpired, bringing you and me to this moment filled with promise. Let us greet the challenges of the future with the same words we addressed those in the past by saying,

Mary, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

In the name of Mary,

Fr. Bill Rowland, S.M.