Spring 2009 by Rick Rivers

Spring 2009

the

CHRONICLE OF

STRAKE

JESUIT

COLLEGE

PREPARATORY

Making Dreams Come True The Greater Glory Capital Campaign IN THIS ISSUE

A Hoop Dream The Crusaders climb to a No. 1 State Ranking and reach UIL State Finals

Houston, Texas

Senior Joey Brooks shares the moment of the Crusadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Region III Championship with his fellow students after their win over Chavez. The victory earned them a berth in the UIL Basketball State Finals, becoming the first private school to ever earn such an honor.

the

CHRONIC OF STRAKE JESUIT COLLEGE

Table of Contents Features A Hoop Dream p. 5 Making Dreams Come True The Greater Glory Capital Campaign

p. 14 Departments President’s Message - 2 Principal’s Perspective - 4 School News - 8 - 10 Development - 11 Spirituality - 13 Athletics - 22 - 23 Alumni News - 24 - 25 Class Notes - 26 - 27 Births - 27 In Memoriam - 27 By George - 28 Spring 2009 Vol. 40, No. 3 Editor Rick Rivers, Director of Communications Contributors Fr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ Richard Nevle Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ Ray Marshall Louise Parsley

ICLE PREPARATORY

The Chronicle of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (USPS 024165) Vol. 40, No. 3, Spring Edition, is published quarterly by Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, TX 77036. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, TX and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chronicle of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, TX 77036-4699.

President Fr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ Principal Richard Nevle Director of Development NJ Santarcangelo ‘67 ON THE COVER - The Bell Tower of the new Lahart Chapel of St. Ignatius now stands as a shining symbol of the school’s mission and will provide a welcoming light to all those who visit the campus.

President’s Message

Dreams do come true. Over the years I often have written about our strategic planning process, Vision 2008, and The Greater Glory Capital Campaign, which has helped to fund our many initiatives. Throughout the past several years I have been happy to report our success in the Campaign and what we have been able to accomplish as a result. I have mentioned new facilities opening in the last six years: first the Markle Steel baseball field, then the stadium and track, then the central heating and cooling plant and the maintenance building, then of course the athletic center. Last year at this time we looked forward with great anticipation to the moment when the dreams begun in 2002 would be complete. Today, with the opening of our beautiful new Moran Dining Hall, the Clay Student Activity Center, and the wonderful new chapel that moFr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ President

ment has arrived. Our dreams have come true. I love to tour visitors, alumni, past parents, or friends around this spectacular campus. Whether I show them the Parsley Center or the 800 building, the athletic center or the new Clay Center, I am proud of our campus. But more than proud, I am very grateful. Grateful for those who helped to dream this vision of our campus. Grateful for those who helped pay for it. Grateful for the workers who placed brick on top of brick. Grateful for those who guided the project each step of the way. But what I am most grateful for is that our young men now have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from these facilities. I am very proud of this campus that we have created and that we will continue to renew (Yes, that’s right, we’re not done yet!). But what we work toward each day, what we celebrate now is not only brick and mortar, as glorious as the results are. What our six years of work and what the bricks, steel, and glass truly celebrate is a Jesuit education that forms boys into young men. Young men who grow in academic ability and confidence. Young men who grow physically, socially, emotionally and most of all spiritually. Young men who through that formation come to recognize that the world isn’t all about them, that the world includes their brothers in their classes and their brothers and sisters around the world, many of whom have far less than they themselves have. We celebrate that our students grow in the knowledge that to whom much is given, much is expected. As difficult as any biology test might have been, as hard as it was to get cut from the baseball team, as painful as it might have been to be dumped by a homecoming date, as tough as things might be at home for many reasons, our students are incredibly blessed. But aren’t we all? The recent season of Lent reminded us how much we have been given and how much is therefore expected of us. To whom much is given, much is expected. As wonderful as the campus is on quiet nights, it is still more wonderful when it is full of our students. We didn’t build these facilities as monuments, but as living places to breath with God’s work. Recently we hosted eight grade school basketball teams who held their championships on our courts. We had the tennis teams from Dallas Jesuit and New Orleans Jesuit join our team for a Jesuit tournament. We have hosted baseball tournaments and the Crusader Relays. We have hosted fund-raising events for the Sunshine Kids organization. The campus is always busy, always alive in service to our students and so many others from our area. To whom much is given, much is expected. That is why we have gladly hosted Special Olympics here for the past five years. That is why we make space available every year to the Rotary Club to judge high school applications for college scholarships from the Houston Endowment. That is why we annually host the archdiocesan Catholic scouting awards. That is why last summer we started a Higher Achievement Program, a three-week summer outreach

Spring 2009

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program organized to provide opportunities for academic enrichment, supervised recreation, and other meaningful learning activities for rising 7th and 8th grade boys in the setting of a Jesuit high school. That is why, of course, we hosted a second session for Jesuit students from Katrina-flooded New Orleans in 2005. That is why the school and many of our community have been so supportive of the new Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep. To whom much is given, much is expected. That is why we instituted our Daily Examen this year. During a four-minute break at the beginning of seventh period, the entire campus comes to a complete stop as we remember God’s blessings in our lives. Make a trip to campus at 2:05 to listen to the quiet and to feel the prayer. To whom much is given. It is good for us to remember that part. In some ways this has been a very difficult year. We started out with Hurricane Ike, which left us with approximately $200,000 in damage, not to mention the hardships all of us faced without electricity. But all of that quickly becomes inconsequential as we remember that five of our students and six of our faculty and staff have lost a parent this year. We have had students injured, some seriously. Early this semester we lost one of our sophomores in a tragic car accident. Through all of life’s challenges we remember what we have been given and what we continue to receive. In the difficult moments it’s most apparent that this school is about so much more than buildings. The support for our students and families in times of difficulty is almost overwhelming. I am, of course, very grateful for the ways our community financially supports Strake Jesuit, but I am even more grateful for the ways we as a community support one another. Thank you. Thank you for your support. Your annual support helps us to be who we are. It enables us to have a strong faculty, to have and to care for a wonderful campus, to have the finest retreat program around, to have a diverse student body. It enables us to be a school community of Men and Women for Others. I hope you will have an opportunity to wander around our newest facilities, the dining hall, the student center, and the chapel. You’ll notice that in several places in the terrazzo floors we have committed ourselves very publicly to our beliefs of who we are. On the way out of the Moran Dining Hall, heading to the gym and the fields, we have placed “Magis” on the floor to remind us that we are called to the greater good. At the east entrance to the atrium, we have inscribed “Men for Others” to remind us all that this enterprise that we undertake is about service to others and our world, above and beyond ourselves. At the west entrance to the atrium, we have written “AMDG,” short for the motto of the Society of Jesus, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam. All that we do here – studies, sports, theater, music, even retreats and community service – all that we do, we do for the greater honor and glory of God. And finally, outside the Pastoral, Ministry Center, we have emblazoned the seal of the Society of Jesus, which has at its center “IHS,” the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek. At the center of all that we do is Jesus Christ. We have been given much. Of this I’m constantly reminded as I walk this campus. Thank you for making possible our attempt to live up to the great expectations you have of us. Thank you for being our partners in this vital project. Thank you for giving us your support, and to our parents, thank you for sharing your sons with us in this important work. Thank you for joining us as we continue to move forward serving this community and beyond. For we recognize, that to whom much is given, much is expected. Thank you.

www. s t r a k e j e s u i t . o r g

The Chronicle

Just the day before the formal opening of the Lahart Chapel of

from

office

St. Ignatius, I got word that they were going to fix the sculpted corpus

window over the

to the cross. The large cross, constructed from timbers from a one

better part of the

hundred-year-old Pennsylvania barn, had been mounted on the east

year. I had seen

wall of the chapel about two weeks before its January 31 dedication.

their agility and

I had seen the corpus earlier when it was still in the shipping

their skill. I had

crate in which it had arrived from Mexico. It was a little unnerving to

seen their ability

see the gnarled tense and twisted body, surrounded by plastic pack-

ing lying in the crate. Mexican artist Rafael Ortizgris Meixuerio had

to a crane opera-

been commissioned to do the corpus, and the bronze figure he cre-

tor with a simple

ated brings much of the intensity that is often seen in Mexican fig-

nod of the head

ures of the Passion. Both Meixuerio’s sculpture and the Stations of

or turn of a finger

the Cross by American artist Gib Singleton that line the North wall of

to move dangling

the Lahart Chapel evoke the agony and courage of the Passion and

steel beams into

Death of Christ with intense power.

place with surgi-

communicate

Meixuerio’s body of Christ was still in that crate the day that I

cal precision. As

walked into the chapel to watch it being set on the cross. It was late in

the men carrying

the work day, but the construction crews were hard at it. Some were

the corpus made

rigging electrical connections. Others were fitting molding between

their way toward

the ceiling and the rafters. Another crew was fitting the stained glass

the other end of

windows from the old chapel into the south wall of the new one. Of

the chapel, it was

course there was dust everywhere, clouds of it occasionally filtering

clear

the light that came through those windows and the clerestory win-

were not just moving another steel beam or even a bronze casting –

dows above.

their slow careful walk to the cross was a procession.

that

they

The packing crate with the corpus sat on the floor in the middle

They connected the harness that had been strapped onto the

of all of this noise and labor. Someone had rigged a construction

figure of Jesus to a line and hoisted the corpus to the cross – the

worker’s safety harness to the corpus in preparation for lifting it to

cross constructed from timbers of an old barn, a barn that once

the cross. Even though that body was clearly a sculpture, that har-

housed farm animals – like the manger in which Christ had been

ness, gave its strained form a reality and presence it hadn’t expe-

born. They raised the fragile body gently. Many of the men who were

rienced the first time I saw it. I had watched the riggers and other

not involved with the process stopped what they were doing to watch

construction workers strap into those harnesses for nearly a year,

the elevation.

It took a while to get the fitting right. The cross is

watched them snap onto whatever fixed rigid

massive and the body so much smaller. The

beam or machine that they could to anchor

cross is angular and powerful and the corpus

them should they slip or fall. The sculpture

is twisted and strained. It took some doing

in the crate was now one of them, and the

to make it all work out. Just a day later the

work crews seemed to sense this. At first just

chapel was dedicated. The dedication mass

a few came by, looked into the packing crate,

was the first liturgy to be celebrated in the

dusted away the plastic packaging, pulled out

new chapel, or maybe it was the second.

their cell phones and took pictures of the harnessed figure of the carpenter’s son. It didn’t take a poet to see the imagery of that moment – the body in the crate, was one of them. After much measuring, several construction workers lifted the corpus out of the crate and slowly carried the frail bronze figure toward the cross. I had watched these men

4 Spring 2009

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by Ray Marshall

The 2008-2009 Basketball Team at Strake Jesuit went for a wild and memorable ride and they took the entire school community with them. In a season that will be remembered for a very long time, the squad went where no private Texas school had gone before - to the UIL State Basketball Tournament. This recap of their magnificent season gives those who missed it a sense of what the journey was like. For those that witnessed it, it will bring back memories that will not soon

“To whom much is given, much is expected. And to those who are entrusted with as much, comes great responsibility.”

or Head Basketball Coach Wayne Jones and his 2008-2009 Jesuit team, this would be

their mantra. Last year’s 2nd round playoff loss was a thing of the past as the Crusaders got back to work. This year, the talk of getting to the Erwin Center in Austin was driven by a collective effort of 16 experienced young men which included 12 seniors, three juniors, and one sophomore. It was these young men that would lead the Jesuit basketball program on one of its biggest seasons ever.

www. s t r a k e j e s u i t . o r g

The Chronicle

The Crusaders opened up their sea-

along with their always present student

son with a rout of ex-district opponent

body cheering section to help them

Cy Springs. It was in that game that the

claim one victory after another.

Crusaders would showcase their new

found defense, one that would serve

them the #1 ranking in Texas and a na-

as the foundation that would carry the

tional ranking by ESPN of #13. Jesuit

team throughout the season.

Eventually, their success brought

Jesuit

would run off an amazing 14 games

would go on to capture the Magnolia

throughout district to claim the 18-5A

Tournament Championship, the first of

championship and stay undefeated at

three tournament titles. The wins then

32-0.

kept coming as the Crusaders got early

season key wins over crosstown rival

Crusaders were prepared for what

St. Thomas, Booker T. Washington, and

they had worked for all season long,

state-ranked Glen Oaks from Louisiana.

the post-season. Their bi-district open-

The Crusaders would then go west to

ing round would be against a familiar

the prestigious 35th Annual Fr. Barry

opponent in the Katy Tigers in Spring

Christmas Classic in Sacramento, Cali-

Branch’s Coleman Coliseum. After

fornia. There, they would face several

making quick work of Katy, the team

top California schools including Clovis

moved on to the area round where

East, Bishop O’Dowd and, finally, Sac-

they would again face another famil-

ramento Jesuit in the championship

iar opponent in the Madison Marlins.

game for the win and the tournament

More than 8,100 fans would crowd

title.

TSU’s H&PE Arena for the re-match

It was at this point that the media

from the HISD Tournament. The Cru-

With their district title in hand, the

started to take notice of the Crusaders as their record was now 10-

saders used the opportunity to turn even more heads as it successfully

0. Back home, the Crusaders continued on pace as they prepared

defended its’ record with a 69-56 win and moved on to the regional

for the 69th Annual HISD Tournament (formally known as the Jay-

semi-finals. There they would come up against the district opponent that

cees). Jesuit would open more eyes as they showcased their tal-

almost ended its undefeated record, Alief Taylor. The Crusaders would

ents against some of the areas top programs. The final game, for the

again call on its defensive foundation as it left no doubt for the fans who

championship, would take place on the big stage against #1 ranked

the top team in the district was with a decisive 67-38 victory. That win

Wheatley. The Crusaders would claim their third tournament title,

would put the team in uncharted waters as it moved on to the Aldine

82-78, and run their record to 17-0. As the first private school to ever

Campbell Center for the regional tournament.

win this prestigious title, the victory would get everyone’s attention

In the semi-final game, Jesuit would face its most physical opponent

and catapult the Crusaders into their district season.

yet in the Elkins Knights. The Knights were tough, but the Crusad-

The accolades of both local and national media attention brought

ers would play tougher as it claimed yet another victory, 56-46, to put

the Crusaders to a high level of expectations. At 19-0, they were

itself in one of the most highly touted re-matches of the year. Destiny

on a roll when they faced one of their biggest challenges from Alief

seemed to be at work as the Crusaders would come face to face with

Taylor. It was at this point in the season that the Crusaders would

the team that ended their season last year. The Chavez Lobos would

rally the entire Jesuit community and the renewed student body

give the Crusaders the fight of their lives but the men in green would not

spirit called the “Xander Zone.” Down by eight with just 1:30 on the

be denied as they staved off the Lobos, 59-58, in one of the season’s

clock, Jesuit would fight back to take a 74-72 win and keep their

most emotional games. The win made Jesuit the first private school to

undefeated season intact.

win the Region III Championship.

“It was after this great come from behind win that I began to think

“I’m so proud of my guys and so happy for the Strake Jesuit com-

that this team might be ready to do something very special,” noted

munity,” said Head Coach Wayne Jones after the win. Then, pointing

Coach Jones.

out the Jesuit student section of the Campbell Center he added, “you

Other challenges came throughout district play from Stratford and

see those guys in white – we wouldn’t be here without those guys. We

Elsik, but the Crusaders would rely on their defensive foundation

would never be 37-0 and Region III champions without them.”

Spring 2009

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The long awaited invite to the big

you proved it with your hard work and

dance had finally arrived for the Crusad-

I’m proud to have been with you…from

ers. The Strake Jesuit community ral-

the bus rides, to the Sacramento wins,

lied behind the team as they prepared

the HISD tournament, district, and the

to take the floor on the biggest stage

playoffs…I was there with you,” he told

of their young careers in front of more

them. “You guys have left your legacy…

than 11,000 witnesses in Austin and the

you were the first and no one can ever

University of Texas’ Erwin Center. The

take that away from you. I can’t say

entire school community turned out in

enough of how proud I am of you and

full force as Jesuit would face DeSoto

love you guys.”

in the first semi-final game on Friday af-

For the final time, the Crusaders

ternoon.

came into their huddle together to say

The game would be physical and test

“1-2-3 Family!”

the Crusaders throughout. After being

“The season was monumental in

ahead late in the game, Jesuit relied

many ways,” observed Coach Jones.

on its defense once again to finish the

“We had a great group of seniors that

task. This time the bounces would not

cared a tremendous amount about

go the Crusaders’ way as the Eagles

each other. In addition, the community

took the lead late and held on for the

support was above and beyond the call

win, 48-44.

of duty on a regular basis. Add the un-

Back in their locker room, as they

defeated non-district and district sea-

ended their final prayers, Coach Jones

sons, winning the HISD tournament,

reminded his team of all that they had attained this past season. “Four years ago, all of you came to this program with a goal, and this season

capturing the Region III championship

The Jesuit fans, led by the Xander Zone, supported the Crusaders to the end when they left the floor of the Erwin Center after their only loss of the season.

and finishing the season with an overall record of 37-1 and it was season that I will never forget.”

Crusaders Rack-up Post Season Honors Predictably, after their remarkable season, several Crusaders received post-season recognition for their individual perfomances. Leading the way were seniors Tim Frazier (near right) and Joey Brooks (far right). Each was named First Team All-District 18-5A as well as to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) All-Region Team as well as the All-State Teams. Frazier was also namd District 18-5A MVP and was selected to the All-Tournament Team at the UIL State Tournament. Head Coach Wayne Jones was named the District 18-5A Coach of the Year and seniors Ryan Dunbar and Steven Rogers earned Second Team All-Disitrct 18-5A honors. Both Brooks and Frazier also learned after the season that they had more basketball to play this spring. Brooks was named to the U.S. All-Stars to play in the Capital Classic on April 9 in Washington D.C. against a team of the D.C. area’s elite seniors. Frazier will also be traveling to the nation’s capital to play in the Reebok All-American Game Weekend held April 16-19.

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The Chronicle

school news

SCHOOL NEWS

Plans for 50th Anniversary Celebration Begin To some it seems like only yesterday

To ensure that the book will be

while, to others, it seems a lifetime. Re-

something that every alum and past

gardless of the perspective, Strake Je-

parent as well as current students and

suit will celebrate its founding in 1960

their parents will cherish, the school

with its 50th anniversary during the

has enlisted the accomplished writing

2010-2011 school year.

skills of a former faculty member, Rob-

In preparation for this special year,

ert Cremins. Having served the school

planning has begun to make the entire

as an English teacher for 17 years and

year one of celebration. At the heart of

a product of a Jesuit education, Mr.

that celebration will be a commemo-

Cremins knows both the Jesuit ideals

rative 50th anniversary book which is

and the history of the school. The de-

under development. Set for publica-

sign of the book will be in the hands of

tion in the fall of 2010, this very special

Jesuit alumnus Bo Bothe ‘88 and his

book will lay down the rich history of

staff at Brand Extract who are providing

Strake Jesuit, highlighting the stories,

their creative expertise.

people, and events that have formed the school since its founding.

www.strakejesuit.org

To put this story onto paper is a ma-

SHARE YOUR JESUIT MEMORY Everyone (alumni, past parents, etc.) is invited to share their Strake Jesuit memories and stories. It can done online by going to the school website (indicated above) and clicking on the link on the home page.

jor undertaking. As a part of the research for the publication, in addition to looking through archived materials, alumni have been coming together in special gatherings. In groups by decades, alums have been attending meetings to reminisce and tell stories. In the end, the book’s publishers will have more tales than they

can tell, but it is sure to be a wonderful read for alumni and past parents.

Remember those blazers? In preparation for Jesuit’s 50th Anniversa-

ry, we are building and organizing the school archives. While the archives are full of memories, there is plenty of room for more, including photos, news clipping, letters, yearbooks, and more, we want to add as much as we can.

If you still have that blazer (or maybe just

the patch), or a letter jacket, uniform, sweater, beanie (yes, beanie) you would like to donate

or loan to the archives, please let us know.

Please contact the school archivists by e-

These items can also include photos, books,

mail at archives@strakejesuit.org. Someone

corresponsdence (that acceptance letter, as

will get in touch with you to discuss your item

an example) or anything else that is Jesuit

or items and make arrangements to transfer

related.

it to the archives.

Spring 2009

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school news

Musicians Receive Statewide Recognition Two Strake Jesuit students, sophomores

TMEA All-State status is the highest honor

Simon Lee and Michael Ehrenkranz, were

a music student may achieve among public

named to both the Texas Music Educators

and private schools in Texas. These students

Association (TMEA) All-State Chamber and

earned their honor as a result of an elimina-

Philharmonic Orchestra and the Texas Private

tion process that began in November 2008.

School Music Educators Association (TPS-

They were selected from thousands of stu-

MEA) All-State Orchestra. In addition, one

dents statewide through live and recorded au-

additional student, Grant Gordon, was named

ditions. Students selected are 1 percent of all

to the TPSMEA All State Orchestra and three

the music students in Texas.

others, Beau Guedry, Zach McMenemy, and

The TPSMEA All-State students were se-

John Culbreth, were named to the TPSMEA

lected from a pool of outstanding private high

All-State Band.

school talent across the state of Texas. They

The TMEA All-State status is the highest

performed on Saturday, January 31, in the

honor a music student may achieve among

Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University in San

public and private schools in Texas. Lee was

Antonio.

named to the Chamber Orchestra on the cello and Ehrenkranz was named to the Philharmonic Orchestra on the String bass. Each performed at the TMEA 2009 Clinic and Convention, held February 11-14 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.

Eight Named National Merit Finalists

Sophomores Simon Lee (left) and Michael Ehrenkranz (right) were each named to both the TMEA and the TPSMEA AllState Orchestras.

Debate Program Selected to Emory University’s Prestigious Barkley Forum

Among the Finalists named in the an-

Strake Jesuit’s successful debate program

“This national recognition validates years

nual National Merit Scholarship Program are

has been selected as a Member School of

of hard work and dedication by many students

eight Strake Jesuit seniors. The Finalists,

the Barkley Forum for High Schools at Em-

and coaches,” noted Head Debate Coach

which represent less than one percent of

ory University in Atlanta, Georgia. In the last

Jerry Crist. “It is an honor for all of the coach-

U.S. high school seniors, were selected from

several years, the school’s debate program

es and debate alumni who have worked hard

more than 1.5 million juniors in over 21,000

has seen consistent success both locally

throughout the history of the program.”

U.S. high schools that entered the 2009 Na-

and nationally. This includes a No.1 national

The Barkley Forum awards Memberships

tional Merit Program.

ranking in 2005-2006, two individual state

as a way of honoring quality performance in

The Strake Jesuit students among the

titles by Andy Werner ‘06 and David Donatti

the past. Only two hundred eighteen schools

Finalists are Daniel Blado, Paul Doyle, Pat-

‘08 and a national Lincoln-Douglas Debate

have been awarded chairs since 1964.

rick Hoskins, Andrew Schneider, Henry Ung,

Championship by Todd Liipfert ‘08.

Joseph Vennix, James Webb, and John Whitney. Each will now continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards worth $35 million that will be offered later this spring.

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The Chronicle

school news

SCHOOL NEWS

Crusader Rugby Player Gets Help from Rival Dallas Team by Steve Mark

entering above his right eye, he is somewhat lucky. Steinhubl hopes

Examiner Newspaper Group

to return to Strake Jesuit for graduation and continue on his planned path to be an engineer. The uncertainty of when he will become even

Competitors one moment, comrades the next.

close to normal, though, still remains.

In an admirable display of sportsmanship and brotherhood, an en-

tire team from Dallas has rallied around one player from Houston. “We’re here to help one of our buddies, one of our Jesuit brothers,”

said Anthony Mattacchione, coach of Dallas Jesuit’s rugby team.

Friday’s visit certainly helped Steinbuhl’s mental outlook, if nothing more than helping provide an uplifting bond with contemporaries who, a year ago, were merely rivals on a rugby field. Andy Steinbuhl shakes hands with Dallas Jesuit’s coach as the

Strake Jesuit senior Mark Steinhubl, a member of the Crusaders

team leaves TIRR. His son, coming home for the first time since that

rugby team, suffered an accidental gunshot wound to his head Janu-

fateful January night, is all smiles after making a team of new friends.

ary 4, 2009. The bullet pierced Steinhubl’s skull, and the young ath-

Dad has to work hard in avoiding emotion to overcome his words:

lete was unconscious for a month.

“This is pretty awesome.”

Four major surgeries and a semi-miraculous recovery later, Stein-

hubl was transferred to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research

The score against Strake Jesuit seemed incidental. Dallas Jesuit proved themselves to be winners.

in the Texas Medical Center. Coincidentally, Dallas Jesuit’s rugby team was scheduled for a trip

to play St. Thomas and Strake Jesuit the weekend of his release. Learning of Steinhubl’s plight, Dallas Jesuit’s players all showed up at TIRR that morning as a show of support for Strake Jesuit’s fallen player, combining that visit with a lengthy service project at the facility.

Dallas Jesuit’s players spent the morning visiting with patients,

tending to the park and bonding with their comrade from Strake Jesuit. Steinhubl’s incredible progress has now allowed him to walk — though haltingly —and throw a ball, which Mark did with his new friends from north I-45.

“Thanks to efforts like this, his spirits have been strong and posi-

tive,” said Andy Steinhubl, Mark’s father. “There’s a lot of camaraderie among rugby players, and I think it’s wonderful that these young men took time to share that camaraderie with Mark.” “Many of us on the team do community service every week,” said

Dallas Jesuit player Chris Calero. “We were excited to come here when we found out our rugby brother was here.” “That (the gunshot incident) could have happened to any one of

us,” said Calero. “It happened to Mark, and we want to show our support for him. I think he’s really enjoyed today with us.” “We know that rugby is more than just about the game,” said Mat-

tacchione. “Giving back to the community and being there for one of our brothers is just as, if not more important.” The act of sportsmanship was not lost on Strake Jesuit coach Bill

Rung.

“There’s a community among Jesuit players,” said Rung. “And,

when you commit to this game of rugby, the game commits to you. Wherever you go in the country, you have friends. This outreach to Mark has been wonderful.”

Doctors have hope that, physically, Steinbuhl will make a complete

recovery. Other skills will take longer to revive, with extensive therapy, and for a young man who a few short months ago found a bullet

Spring 2009

Dallas Jesuit rugby players team up to boost the spirits of Mark Steinhubl from rival Strake Jesuit as he recuperates from a gun accident.

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evelopmen

DEVELOPMENT

President’s Dinner Moves to Campus in 2009 to Enjoy New Facilities The annual President’s Dinner, which recognizes and honors many of the school’s top benefactors, moved onto campus this year. This year’s function was held in the new Clay Student Activity Center and the W.T. and Louise J. Moran Dining Hall on Sunday evening, March 1. The evening began with a reception in the 3-story atrium of the new Clay Student Activity Center. Many of those in attendance used the opportunity to explore the second and third floors as well. The attendees then moved into the Moran Dining Hall, which was elegantly prepared, for the dinner. During the dinner they were entertained by members of the Strake Jesuit/St. Agnes Orchestra. Fr. Lahart used the occasion to express his gratitude for the support the almost 400 guests in attendance have provided the school over the last year. “Thank you for your support. Your annual support helps us to be who we are; it enables us to have a strong faculty, to have and care for a wonderful campus, to have the finest retreat program around, to have a diverse student body; it enables us to be a school community of Men and Women for Others,” he stated. He went on to personally thank and recognize the three annual drives chairs. The Parents Drive, which had already surpassed last year’s drive, was chaired by Dave Bethard ‘77. The Alumni Drive, he noted, was closing in on last year’s as many alums had made

en much, of this I’m constantly reminded as

significant gifts to The Greater Glory Capital

I walk this campus,” he said. “Thank you for

Campaign. Fr. Lahart then recognized Bill

making it possible for us to attempt to live up

Schneidau ‘80, president of the Alumni As-

to the great expectations of us as a school.

sociation for his contribution, leadership, and

Thank you for being partners with us in this

efforts.

vital project. Thank you for giving us your

Finally, Fr. Lahart pointed out that the Fac-

support, and thank you for sharing your sons

ulty Drive, under the direction of Michael Ker-

with us in this important work. Thank you for

ley, had once again achieved 100% participa-

joining us as we continue to move forward

tion.

serving this community and beyond. For we

In conclusion, he reminded those present that their support made them a part of

recognize, that to whom much is given, much is expected.”

Nearly 400 of Jesuit’s benefactors enjoyed a special evening on campus at the 2009 President’s Dinner where Fr. Daniel Lahart thanked them for their continued support.

something very special. “We have been giv-

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The Chronicle

Why We Choose to Give

When it came time for us to revise our wills, since we don’t have children, our plan was to distribute virtually all of our estate to a portfolio of faith-based causes. We received advice to look at institutions which had established an excellent track record of investing and achieving superior returns, much the same way we would evaluate a money manager to manage our assets. In our view, Strake Jesuit is the best ‘investment manager’ in our group of faith-based causes. Not only is Jesuit on that list, it is the foremost beneficiary of our estate, a fact that we are both proud of.

Rick ‘76 and Shana Walker

Jesuit’s track record of achieving good returns on investment is evident on two levels. Most obvious is the track record of shaping young men that are spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically equipped to bring a positive impact to our world. Equally as important as the product Jesuit produces is the responsible manner in which it conducts its fiscal affairs. We offer thanks to the many directors, faculty, staff, alumni and parents whose collective wisdom, management and sacrifice have enabled Strake Jesuit to evolve into one of the most admired secondary education institutions in our city and state. More than the thanks we offer, we pledge our long term support to Jesuit through our estate planning decision. We urge all of you in the Strake Jesuit community to consider a planned giving gift as you are able.

For more information on The Loyola Society and Planned Giving at Strake Jesuit, contact N.J. Santarcangelo ‘67 in the Office of Development at 713.490.8152.

Spring 2009

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THE GREATER GLORY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Making Dreams Come True

THE GREATER GLORY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

As Bob and I watch games from the new football stadium,

committee turned to current parents at the time to preside over each

wander slack-jawed inside the new gym, fieldhouse, practice gyms,

class and solicit pledges. They, too, while nervous, had equal faith,

locker rooms and weight room. As we watch the swimming and

determination and gumption to step outside their box.

water polo teams create waves in the mesmerizing pool and smell

There were, of course, highs and lows over the five-year

the still-fresh scent of the newly-laid tennis courts. As we mean-

marathon. But the highs sustained us – the first foundation pledge,

der across the food court, taking our trays from one station to the

across-the-board Directors’ support, the handful of dollars from

next and turn to a panoramic view of the Moran Dining Hall for our

those who could not afford to give anything, donors who generously

choice – choice! – of places to sit. As we sit in the leather chairs in

returned to their wells upping initial pledges, the groundbreakings,

the atrium of the Clay Student Center, craning our necks to take in

the naming of Markle Steel Field, the Capt. Andrew Houghton Me-

the number of new offices looming above, new homes to Campus

morial Weight Room, Moran Dining Hall, Clay Student Center and,

Ministry, Debate, Yearbook, Newspaper, and SJET. As we pass in

yes, the Lahart Chapel of St. Ignatius. And I would be lying to say

reverence, awestruck by the beauty and magnificence of the Sta-

that we are not ever-thankful and blessed to have concluded this

tions of the Cross, feel the shiver across campus and our souls as

campaign at a time when the economy began sliding down the slip-

the chimes toll from the bell tower, pass the luminous glow from the

pery slope of downturn.

Vigil Light, we come to rest, reflective in prayer, in the Lahart Chapel of St. Ignatius. And we give thanks.

slowly morphed to $29 million. Yet, we did it - the only semblances

Thanks for the team effort of countless volunteers who came

of the campus from years gone by are … the speed bumps. Yet,

together to make our campus the best high school campus in Hous-

even they are new, improved speed bumps.

ton, period. Thanks for the foundations, parents, past parents,

A photograph rests on my desk of Bob, me, the Knausses and

students, alumni, faculty, staff and administration, none of whom

Fr. Lahart at the launch of The Greater Glory campaign in 2003.

faltered in the belief this could be done. And thanks for every dol-

With the exception of Fr. Lahart, I can’t say we look quite as youthful

lar, dime and penny each of you so generously contributed to this

today. There is a little more grey around our temples, lines of wisdom

effort.

add character to our faces and our skin is a little thicker, if not our waists … well, everyone’s except Don’s. We have all outgrown any

It is not often we are surrounded with concrete evidence of the fruits of our labor.

degree of shyness in asking others to dig deep to secure the future

But, in addition to that which we can see, just as concrete is

of Strake Jesuit just as past generations provided for our sons. Most

that which we cannot. The bonding of souls committed to continuing

importantly, we are all better people for having hitched our wagons

the original vision, our sense of completion of a job well done, friend-

to an unblinking

ships formed that

star.

are

everlasting

and a deep belief

from those who

in a bright future

are given much,

where the cam-

much is expect-

pus is fertile to

ed … so follows,

enrich future gen-

from those who

erations of Men

envision, grander

for Others.

vision is antici-

Just

the

be-

pated. There is

ginning, was the

much left to do,

original

wish lists contin-

And God’s grace.

ue to grow, as do

Greater Glo-

dreams

vision.

ry, indeed.

our desires. But cannot

come true without hard work, faith and a leader who can turn dreams

The Greater Glory Capital Campaign Chairs Bob and Ellie Knauss (left) and Bob ‘72 and Louise Parsley (right) join Fr. Lahart at the Chapel Dedication on January 31.

into reality.

www. s t r a k e j e s u i t . o r g

Making Dreams ComeCAPITAL True THE GREATER GLORY CAMPAIGN THE GREATER GLORY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

tants setting out the strategy of raising unprecedented money, the

Over the years of this campaign, the original goal of $23 million

Spring 2009

Without the support and committement of so many parents, alumni, and friends of the school, the progress realized under The Greater Glory Capital Campaign would have, literally, been impossible. Each of those who have supported the Campaign, listed here, should take pride in knowing that, with their help, Strake Jesuit is positioned to be Houston’s leading private high school today and decades to come.

Diamond Society Anonymous The Brown Foundation, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Clay ‘85 Pat Moran ‘66 / P.J. Moran Foundation Strake Foundation / Parsley Family Strake Jesuit Community Platinum Society Harry S. & Isabel C. Cameron Foundation Vincent D. & Margaret L. Foster Pat Moran ‘66 Estate of John Brooks Williams The W.T. and Louise Moran Foundation Gold Society Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Leland Ackerley The Adcock Family The Gordan & Mary Cain Foundation George & Janis Fleming The Medallion Foundation, Inc. P.J. Moran Foundation The Roberts Family - Sean ‘07 & Ryan ‘11 Scanlan Foundation John ‘72 and Marian Seger Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Werner in honor of James P. Grizzard & grandsons Matthew ‘02, Daniel ‘05, and Benjamin ‘08 Werner Silver Society Anonymous (3) Richard E. & Judith T. Agee The Bandy Family Jack & Barbara Bonner Giorgio & Cathy Borlenghi John & Holly Brennan Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Brock Gerardo & Loretta Bueso Michael & Lucia Cordua Terry Crane Foundation In Honor of Mike, Donna, & Jacob Crowley The Cullen Foundation The Darouiche Family Endowed Scholarship Stephen M. & Michelle M. Fraga John & Betsy Garibaldi The John Hagale Family Mr. & Mrs. Quinn Joseph Hebert The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Don & Ellie Knauss Robert & Jane Kochman Sandi & Jim Lemming The Family of James J. Loughlin, Jr. ‘74 John & Sharon Lynch Lyons Foundation THe Kevin & Janine McArdle Family Bob & Alyce McLamb The Honorable & Mrs. Robert Mosbacher, Sr. Mr. Ronald E. & Dr. Mary Neal Dr. & Mrs. Angelo Mattalino ‘69 M.D. Matthews Foundation Hunter & Betsy Nelson NFL Grass Roots Program John J. & Betty H. Norkus, Jr. John & Charlene O’Shea Family Foundation Robert S. ‘72 & Louise B. Parsley Mr. & Mrs. Albert A. Pepi The Ray Family, Jordan Class of 2011 Strake Jesuit Booster Club Michael L. & Elaine D. Thiele Bronze Society Anonymous (6) Tom Adolph ‘75 in memory of Bob & Beanie Adolph Brock & Colleen Akers M D Anderson Foundation Stephen V. & Deborah Arbogast James & Lee Ann Badum Robert & Bunny Bambace In Honor of Eillen M. Bardwil, Mother’s Club President ‘73 David ‘77 & Catherine Beathard Bob & Carol Beck Mr. & Mrs. Alan D. Bergeron ‘77 Dr. & Mrs. John Bertini ‘74

Spring 2009

Jeb & Cynthia Blackwell Tom & Toni Blizzard James M. & Emilie D. Booth Charlie & Lou Braun Allen D. & Patti M. Brown George ‘73 & Jo Ann Brueggeman Mr. & Mrs. H. Mark Burck Mr. & Mrs. Roger D. Burks Charley, Bev, & Shannon Casserly in memory of Kelly Patricia Casserly The Thomas P. Chambers Family Gerardo & Gelines Chapa In Honor of Cole Medrano, Benjamin Medrano, Reese Chapman & Howard D. Chapman Jim & Amy Claunch Richard & Karen Coffman John & Jeannie Cogan David W. & Paula B. Cole M. David & Bobbie Colley Chip & Vivian Colvill James A. Crehan Estate Mr. & Mrs. David Dacus Mr. & Mrs. William E. Dalton Corey B. Davis Class of 1990 John & Michele Dearborn Marcus & Mary Daire Delouche Vincent & Francine DiCosimo and Family In Honor of Dr. Stanley & Marie Dobrowski Mr. & Mrs. J. Patrick Doherty Dolan Foundations Mitch & Jamie Eichelberger Paul & Liz Espenan The Family of Alexandre Feghali Greg & Melanie Frank Mr. & Mrs. Marcel Frey ‘74 Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Gangelhoff Lex Gillan and Cathy Nunnally Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Girotto ‘93 Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Girotto ‘93 Ron & Judy Girotto Bob & Elena Goldman Jim & Mary Goodyear Catherine D. & George F. Goolsby and Family In Honor of Jackie & Willie Graves Joe & Claire Greenberg Mark & Aileen Hansen The Family of Marianne Hanus D. E. Harvey Builders John & Sarah Hastings John & Renee Hawkins Frank & Sharon Henning Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Herrera David & Lori Hessel The Hildreth Family Mr. & Mrs. Gary Hmaidan Glen & Eve Hou - G.E.T Enterprises Mark & Yvonne Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. Gregory S. Jannasch Rick & Jean Jenner Jesse & Gloria Jefferies Steve ‘74 & Jackie Kamel The Family of Ryan A. Keel ‘06 Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. Kegg Mr. Duane King Mr. & Mrs. Alfred J. Knapp, Jr. Michael & Julie Koch Doug & April Konopka Christopher J. & Irene Y. Lahart Eileen & Vern Lahart Joseph & Betty Lahart Phil & Anne Lauinger Paul & Penny Layne Family The Lynett & Haggerty Families Antonio & Carla Maarraoui Enrico A. & Lucille A. Mango Mr. & Mrs. R. Stan Marek, Jr. In Appreciation for the Lives and Service of Fr. Pete Morfin & Fr. Daniel Barfield Mr. Larry A. Mason ‘66 Todd & Janie Mason Maryland Province of The Society of Jesus Bill & Mary McDonald Lisa & Peter McStravick In Honor of our Mother Jeanne Mealey Mr. & Mrs. Francis Joseph Messina Dee & Stacy Methvin

Chris Miller Family Victor & Lisa Miranda Jim Moriarty Mike & Lynne Morris Ron ‘75 & Susan Mucci Hon. James ‘76 & Dr. Kathleen Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Emil A. Nakfoor The Neyland Family In Memory of Herb & Barbara Neyland The Family of Paul & JoAnne Nick David & Corinne Niemann The Niemann Family David & Amy Novelli ‘83 Mike & Brook Novelli ‘75 Brian S. Parsley, M.D. ‘74 The Mother of Rex Potts IV Mr. & Mrs. Gary Quenan Dr. Lindy & Mrs. Karen Rachal Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Reckling, III Edward & Julie Rhyne The Roach Family The Family of Bill Rose Mr. & Mrs. Carl J. Schiro Stephen ‘82 & Mary Schneidau Mr. & Mrs. William S. Schrom David, Donna, & Grant ‘04 Schmidt Boone & Rose Schwartzel Randy & Kaye Schuler Judy & Darby Sere Monte & Dana Sneed Joyce and Tom Standish Stedman West Foundation Andy & Marie Steinhubl Family Dr. & Mrs. Randall A. Stenoien Guy and Ginny Sullaway ‘78 Mr. & Mrs. Brian Sweeney ‘81 Larry & Kay Tanner Ron & Marilyn Taylor E.J. Chip & Jan Troxclair The Family of James & Sandy Walker Mr. Richard S. Walker ‘76 & Ms. Shana Sloas Kerry & Linda Walsh Shane ‘91 & Elena Walsh The West Endowment Mr. & Mrs. Chris Winters Gerry & Martha Wyrsch Founders Society Anonymous (4) Ray & Mary Albrecht In Memory of German, Gabriel, & Gonzalo Amador The Andrews Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Armour, III Charles T. & Susan Y. Ashy Randy & Barbara Ayers Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Azios Andrew Bagot & Lori Cunningham Dr. & Mrs. H.S. Bedi Cindy & Scott Brann John & Vicki Brentin Denise & Butch Callegari Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Carmouche David & Cindy Chambers Mr. & Mrs. Howard C. Chapman Stephen Chen ‘03 & The Joseph Chen Family Dr. & Mrs. Guy L. Clifton Tracey & Anne Coats Sheila Condon / Clark Condon Associates The Michael Connelly ‘69 Family Daniel & Wendy Daboval Tom & Way Denkler Patrick Dickson ‘95 Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Donnelly Doug & Sharon Ehrenkranz James T. & Dorothy S. Doyle Estate Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Faulk The Fenelon Family Joni & Mark Fichter in honor of Evan Fichter William and Maureen Fisher The Franshaw Family Charlie & Joyce Frazier Mike & Mary Jane Gallagher Humberto & Luz Galvan Juan & Peggy Garcia Robert & Alina Garcia Jerome & Jane Glass

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James L. & Mary K. Goodyear Mr. Matthew Hansen ‘93 Russell Henien & Shawn McKean Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hennessy Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Hensley, Jr. ‘72 Ruthie & Mark Herfort Mr. & Mrs. K. Daniel Hinkle David & Janet Hinners The Family of Steven Hogan ‘03 The Family of Stephen & Karen Hornberger Bo & Pam Howard Hugh & Peggy Idstein Jean Janssen & Stephen Pate, Parents of Ted Crane ‘09 David R. Juist and Annie O. Fabio Mr. & Mrs. Greg J. Jungeblut The Kenney Family Richard & Monica Keogh Eric & Shazia Khan Eddy Knight Family Foundation in Honor of Brett Sobiesk ‘09 Mr. & Mrs. Perry La Forge Mr. & Mrs. Philip C. Lauinger III Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Lee M. Jerome Lewis, D.C. Victor T. & Karen S. Linck Mark Livesay, in Memory of Karen Livesay Dale Marietta Kathy Marietta David Marks & Mary Grimord The Family of Hunter Martin Ron & Susan Martin Gregg & Jackie McBride Richard G. McCann & Bonnie M. McCann W. David & Anne E. McChesney B.J. & Catherine Mehrinfar Bob & Kathy Meyer Bill & Cathy Miller Joseph & Anne Miraglia Peter E. & Martha Ramos Mims Rev. David & Kay Moore Clyde & Brenda Munoz Mr. & Mrs. James Nakfoor ‘82 Dr. & Mrs. Philip C. Noble Laura & Kerry Notestine Daniel S. & Allison Parsley ‘81 John & Jill Parsley Joe Bob & Jeanne Perkins Angela & David Peterman Pat & David Peters Robert T. & Dana M. Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Alan Petrov ‘79 The Family of John J. Phillips IV Dan and Patricia Pipitone Gregory S. & Suzanne D. Price David & Shelley Reeves G. Michael & Phyllis Reinhardt William & Costanza Restrepo Phillip & Jill Ribbeck The Family of Rene Richard William V. & Gail B. Rogers Mark ‘74 & Melissa Sacra Mr. & Mrs. N.J. Santarcangelo Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Seckel The Family of Stephen & April Siegfried Mr. & Mrs. Christopher D. Sims Richard Walker & Shana Sloas Scott & Katie Smith Mr. & Mrs. Stephen A. Snider Dr. & Mrs. Paul Sobiesk Tom & Bridget Staudt Sterling-Turner Foundation David R. Stewart Paul & Amy Stewart Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stoia Mr. & Mrs. Austin Tenette Mr. & Mrs. Paul Till ‘82 In Thanksgiving for our Sons The Matthew Wall Family Mr. & Mrs. James A. Webb Bob & Cindy Wilson Kathryn & Tom Wilson Dan & Lori Wolterman Marvin A. & Lynn N. Wurzer

SPIRITUALITY

Making Dreams Come True THE GREATER GLORY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN THE GREATER GLORY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

where heaven and earth meet by Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ and Fr. John Folzenloigen, SJ

“For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

I want to share with you a prayer that Fr. John Folzenlogen, SJ offered as the Invocation at the annual President’s Dinner held on March 1 of this year. In it, I find that all that we work for and we hope for here at Strake Jesuit is summed-up in the Greater Glory of God, the Magis, as it unfolds in the life of each of our students, teachers, parents and benefactors.

by Louise Parsley Along with her husband, Bob ‘72, and Don and Ellie Knauss, Louise Parsley served as a co-chair of The Greater Glory Capital Campaign. As such, she has had a front row seat over the last five years and has seen the campaign begin with a vision and witnessed the completion of project after project. Here she provides her personal insight into the journey that has, indeed, been The Greater Glory Capital Campaign.

Dear Friends. As we gather here today, let us pause to put ourselves in the He was not thinking small.

That which begins with vision cannot afford to be lulled into a

presence of God and to give thanks: O Lord, we thank you, first of all, for each other. It is your Love which created us. It is your Spirit which calls us together and unites us today. But most of all, we thank you for our students, past and present. They light up our lives and give them meaning.

sense of complacency. It must continue to stretch its mind’s eye,

Excuse me, did he say twenty three, gulp, million? When our

maintain its focus on the future, anticipate needs before they be-

last campaign only five years earlier – unofficial, at that - had reaped,

come demands. It must grow, change … evolve. Vision, followed

what, $4,000,000? Still feeling the lump in our throats, Bob’s and my

with expanded vision.

hearts came to an abrupt stop when he asked us to co-chair the campaign.

Strake Jesuit was founded on a vision.

We give benefactions to our kids – but they give even more back to us. Their

It was a vision of the Society of Jesus and a handful of Housto-

While “No” has evolved in my vocabulary over the years and is

Each individual is a unique work of God. As the psalmist describes it:

nians dedicated to establishing a Catholic college preparatory high

now used as a complete sentence, we could never deny this man’s

“He is the potter and we are the clay, the works of his hands. “

school based on Jesuit principles. Based on that original vision al-

request to be a part of something so exciting - particularly for a

most 50 years ago, Strake Jesuit has continued to grow.

place that has meant so much to us, as well as shaped our entire

gifts to us? - affection and joy, shared songs and tears.

A student is a symphony which he and God are composing.

With clear-eyed objectivity, in the fall of 2001, Fr. Daniel Lahart

Thus, each graduate of Strake Jesuit is an unfinished symphony, of master-

family, past and present.

set foot on campus as President and, instead of seeing how far

Never did we waver. With intense belief in Fr. Lahart, Bob and

Open to God’s guidance and inspired by the Spirit, a graduate will continue to

we have come, he saw potential and how far we could go. We old-

I, paired with Don and Ellie Knauss, virtual strangers at the time,

weave into his symphony all the experiences of his life. And, in the end, when he

timers still saw a school that had endured bankruptcy and survived

signed on knowing we were hitching our wagons to an unblinking

stands before the throne of God:

quite well, adding buildings as needed. But over the years, we had

star.

piece quality, well begun.

Oh! What a masterpiece he will have become!

come to be quite comfortable with a cafeteria bulging at the seams,

Little did we know that on this journey we would meet and col-

Our task, then, is to listen with reverence and awe. May no one’s song go un-

an antiquated field house, and a weight room in a garage with no

laborate with people who, like the Knausses, would become friends

air conditioning. We had managed with no central meeting place on

of the highest, most intense magnitude.

sung because there was no one to listen! In conclusion, let us pause to give thanks for and to savor the completion of this final stage of Vision 2008 – the Moran Dining Hall, the Clay Activity Center, and the

campus for students, not enough gyms and speed bumps that could Fr. Lahart’s plan, reflective of his personality, was that of a per-

rattle your jaws out of line.

Daniel Lahart Chapel of St. Ignatius.

Fortunate to be among the first to meet Fr. Lahart, I was cap-

fectionist. In the same manner in which he clips away the ragged

The Chapel of St. Ignatius will be the centerpiece of the campus for genera-

tured by his youthful appearance, wondering if perhaps he mis-

residue of glue from his cube of SJ notepaper resting on his desk,

tions to come. Its bell calls us to prayer as a worshipping Community. And, its tower

takenly had entered what he thought was an interview for Student

equally methodical was his attention to every detail moving forward.

marks Jesuit as a sacred space where heaven and earth meet.

Council President. Little did any of us realize the depth of wisdom

Only he could manage the billions of details and keep them operat-

and foresight he brought to the table, thereby raising the bar of what

ing as smoothly and cleanly as the top of his desk.

A chapel, however, is built of brick and mortar. But we fulfill the words of St. Paul

needed to be – what could be – done, forcing us to consider im-

who said: “You form a building, which rises on the foundations of the apostles and proph-

First, the creation of Vision 2008. Knowing the importance of having everyone’s input, Fr. Lahart orchestrated groups of parents,

provements outside of our comfort zone.

ets… with Christ Jesus himself as its capstone. Through him the whole structure is

With level-headedness and total composure, Fr. Lahart tack-

students, faculty and administration as they participated in a series

fitted together… In him you are being built into a temple [made of living stones] to

led his first year in the President’s office taking measured notes,

of discussions. In a perfect world, he asked, what does Strake Jesu-

become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-32

observing through fresh eyes. I doubt the wheels in his brain ever

it need to become, not the best Catholic high school in Houston, but

stopped. But I can assure you that our hearts certainly did as he,

the best high school, period? After realistic culling, the plan was set,

sitting comfortably in an easy chair in our family room, turned to my

thus setting the wheels in motion to accomplish what was named

husband Bob and me and outlined with signature aplomb, his plan

The Greater Glory Capital Campaign.

Let us, this day, invite into ourselves the Holy Spirit. May all our works begin and end in Him. Amen.

for the future.

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The Chronicle

Spring 2009

After scores of meetings with professional fundraising consul-