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Brother Henry S. Wright, C.F.C.
Jubilarian
When  October 12, 2002, dawned it was still raining. The recent drought conditions, which had reduced reservoir capacities to half of what was normal for the time of year, had been banished, it seemed, at least for a while. Record amounts of rain had fallen the previous day as the remnants of Hurricane Kyle (or was it Lilli?) passed through the area. As the `bus left Farrell it was still raining!
Outside, everything was cold, wet and dreary , but inside the church of the Holy Family in New Rochelle the warmth of the love and the spirit of kinship generated by the event of the day more than compensated for the atmospheric conditions.
A stalwart of the Language Department at Monsignor Farrell since 1974, Brother Wright, was celebrating fifty years as a Christian Brother during 2002.
Stop and think for a moment about that piece of information:
Fifty years of dedication to the principles of the religious order founded by Blessed Edmund Rice;
Fifty years of selfless devotion to the task of working with God's children;
Fifty years of education - guiding, helping, striving, learning, teaching, grading, preparing, hoping, elevating, caring - and always with a deep concern for his students to succeed.
  Mass began around 10:15a.m.and was concelebrated by several current and former Farrell priests with Msgr. Emmet Nevin presiding.
Led by a lively choir, the mass was an exhilarating experience and the church rang with the sound of voices raised to heaven. Members of Brother Wright´s family (from St. Louis for the occasion) performed the readings and participated in the Offertory procession.
During the mass Brother Wright renewed the vows he had first recited back in 1952 and, then, acknowledged the applause that filled the church.
After the mass had concluded  Brother Wright greeted his family, his brothers and his friends as they left the church - with the intention of meeting up again at the V.I.P. Country Club in New Rochelle where the celebration was to continue.
At the reception Brother Wright celebrated and was celebrated for his remarkable achievement. Joined by his family the party lasted until late afternoon. This was a time to appreciate the speeches, renew old acquaintances,  and, of course, enjoy the fine food and drink available.
Reflecting on his fifty years, Brother Wright is glad of the opportunity to serve. He remarked:
" I thank God for having granted
me this wonderful vocation of
working with His children and
helping them to grow in maturity
and Christian values as reflected in
His words of the Gospels"
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Brother Wright and (his) Sister Loretta |
Typically, Brother Wright gives credit to others for his own success:
" I have been blessed for fifty years of knowing and working with wonderful people. In every place to which I have been assigned it has been the people - Brothers, Priests, lay faculty, students, parents, office staff and maintenance staff - that have helped make my life as a Christian Brother most rewarding."
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Brother Wright is pictured with Brother Burke
after being presented with a Papal Blessing |
Recalling his time at Monsignor Farrell he commented:
"I have been privileged to be a member of the faculty. Farrell is my home! I pray to God that He will grant me the health and stamina to continue on to serve His people in this outstanding school."
Brother Wright - WE are the privileged ones to have you at the school
Congratulations on your Golden Jubilee!!
You certainly have The Wright Stuff ! |
