MARIAN A N EWSLETTER
FOR
Matters
M ARIAN C ATHOLIC A LUMNI , PARENTS AND F RIENDS . . . B ECAUSE M ARIAN C ATHOLIC R EALLY D OES M ATTER FALL 2004
FAT H E R O ’ M A R A B R I N G S F R E S H P E R S P E C T I V E TO M A R I A N Years of experience, mixed with a fresh perspective. A shoulder when needed or a closer connection with faith for students. Filling a void of nearly two decades on the Marian Catholic campus. When Fr. William O’Mara retired from St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Orland Hills and decided to devote himself to the students of Marian Catholic, 1,675 students gained the benefit of all of the above. “I enjoy the liveliness, enthusiasm and energy of highschool-age kids,” explained O’Mara, who actually founded the new Orland Hills Parish. “They’re searching for things in a lot of ways and I believe high school represents some of the most important years of their lives. I really like to see the development of friendships and a Catholic identity.
“I hope to further the sacramental involvement and that can be accomplished much more easily with a priest on staff. It’s good for the kids to have a priest’s presence. There are a lot of great people to talk with in Campus Ministry, but many students are more accustomed to talking with a priest from their parish experiences. “I also want to be here to give a healthy image of the priesthood and what we do.”
Fr. William O’Mara Chaplain
“I also really enjoy going to the games, the events and just talking with the kids.”
To Marian, O’Mara brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong diversity in his experiences. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s, he served as a teacher, athletic director and coach for Quigley Seminary in Chicago.
O’Mara is the first full-time chaplain on campus at Marian since the late Fr. John Lambert, O.S.A., who worked in Guidance and Campus Ministry through the 1984-85 school year.
O’Mara already has added a 7:00 a.m. Mass for students and faculty, but there’s more to come.
O’Mara actually returns to some of his roots. His first assignment in 1958 was to Infant Jesus of Prague in Flossmoor, where he occasionally helped at Marian for Masses and reconciliation. Other assignments have taken him to Florida and Texas, but O’Mara has been back in the South Suburbs since returning to serve as an associate at St. James Parish (Sauk Village) in 1986. While he fills a role Marian has longed for, O’Mara is not going to try to change the complexion of Campus Ministry. “I’m not going to replace anyone, I just want to provide an added dimension,” O’Mara said. “As I get to know more of the kids, I will get more involved.
While a welcome presence is atop O’Mara’s priority list, he also wants to see an increase in reconciliation opportunities, some involvement with coaches and athletic teams, additional activities during the Advent season and consistent invitations to attend Mass. “I hope we can encourage students to see their faith as a very meaningful part of everything they do,” O’Mara explained. “Parents send students here for the good discipline and education, but we also want to give them some theology. “Kids are searching for a lot of things and it’s important for us to help them make decisions. We want to continue the faith development to help them make wise decisions––especially in high school and soon in college when they are making more decisions on their own.”
H A L L O F FA M E C L A S S E P I TO M I Z E S S P I R I T It’s no secret why the Class of 2005 Alumni Association Hall of Fame inductees are something special. While their names will be listed under four categories that include an array of impressive members of the Marian Catholic family, this group depicts characteristics of the Hall of Fame criteria.
Bishop Frank Kane, awardee Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P. ’67 and Bishop Joseph Perry chat at the American Catholic Press Awards Banquet. Our MCHS president was the first woman recognized by ACP.
The new group of five includes an alumnus who deserves recognition in the United States’ Hall of Fame, a former coach who helped mold Marian for decades to come, a fine arts recipient who now excels in the world of sports, and an alumni couple who serve as perfect representatives of Marian in any Hall of Fame category. Turn to page 8 for a look at the Hall of Fame Class of 2005.