"I ask you to do everything in your power to expand the work of Holy Cross, to spread it by every means that heaven puts within your reach" (Blessed Basil Moreau, Letters).
August 19, 2019
Dear Bishop McNamara family and friends,
Welcome back to a new school year! As we begin our School's 56th year, my 31st in Catholic education and 23rd year at Bishop McNamara, I couldn't be prouder and more excited by where we've been and the bright future that lies ahead. A new school year brings with it so much promise, optimism, excitement, and hope .
Hope is such a powerful word. Father Basil Moreau, C.S.C., Founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross and the educational mission that guides all we do at Bishop McNamara believed that no education in the faith is complete without understanding the power of hope, including hope in the Cross. Hence, the motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross, "Ave Crux Spes Unica," the Cross is our only Hope. Fr. Moreau challenges all of us to be "men and women with hope to bring." Likewise, we at Bishop McNamara embrace this hope and challenge our students and faculty to strive for the vision to be "empowered leaders, inspired by the Gospel, transforming the world." With this in mind, the motto for the 2019-2020 school year is Bringing Hope.
It is in this spirit of hope and anticipation that I share with you that this will be my last year at Bishop McNamara High School.
I am humbled and honored to have received an invitation from the Provincial Leadership of the Moreau and Midwest Provinces of Holy Cross, the Board of Governors from the Holy Cross Institute, and Dr. George Martin, President of St. Edward's University, to serve as the first lay Executive Director of the Holy Cross Institute at St. Edward's University.
In a year in which the Brothers of Holy Cross are celebrating their 200th anniversary from their original founding as the Brothers of St. Joseph, and Holy Cross education enters its 182nd year, it is humbling that the Congregation of Holy Cross has turned to a layperson to lead and oversee their educational ministries throughout the U.S. and abroad.
With twenty Holy Cross primary and secondary schools in the United States including my beloved Bishop McNamara, nine colleges and universities in the U.S.—including such schools as the University of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College, St. Edward's University, the University of Portland, King's College, and Stonehill College—and schools and ministries in countries as diverse as Brazil, Chile, Uganda, Ghana, India, and Bangladesh, the responsibility is both exciting and formidable, yet it is one I feel called to fulfill and achieve.
In my new role, I will continue to serve Bishop McNamara on an even greater scale. I look forward to sharing the journey with all of you as the hopes and dreams for our students and our beloved School continue to take shape.
As you know, I am a proud product of Holy Cross education. During my years as a student at Bishop McNamara, I discerned religious life as a Holy Cross Priest or Brother. It was the personal witness of the Brothers, Priests, and lay teachers at Bishop McNamara, coupled with the mission and charism of Holy Cross, that called me to my vocation as a Holy Cross educator.
Upon returning to Bishop McNamara in 1997 as Principal, then becoming President in 2010, I strove each day to lead our School by following the examples of those who came before me--to walk by faith, lead with my heart, be guided by love, and work with the "zeal to make God known, loved and served" (Moreau). Over my past twenty-two years at Bishop McNamara, I have often commented that I have the best job in the world. Who could ask for more than to respond to God's calling? Here I am Lord.
Bishop McNamara High School is remarkable because of the PEOPLE, the MISSION, and GOD'S GRACE. I have such hope and optimism for the future because of these people. The School is on very solid footing under tremendous leadership of our Board of Directors, the Board of Members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, our School Administration and an outstanding faculty and staff. With the future La Reine Science and Innovation Center on schedule to start construction later this academic school year, we have such a bright and impactful future ahead of us.
Over the past twenty-two years, our school has nearly doubled in size and has established itself as a top Catholic and private school nationally. The diversity of people that make up our community—our family—is our greatest strength.
I have been blessed to work with the incredible educators of Bishop McNamara. These committed lay leaders have embraced the School's mission and charism; their loyalty and friendship have been great gifts. I am especially grateful to my predecessor, Mrs. Heather Gossart, for calling me home to Bishop McNamara, and I am grateful she remains an inspirational leader, mentor, and dear friend.
These twenty-two years have also been defining for me personally. Twenty-two years ago, my children were just six, four, and two years old. This year, as my wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, we also welcomed three grandchildren to the world. My children, who are now the parents of the next generation, have been informed, formed and transformed by their Holy Cross education at Bishop McNamara. Thank you for your impact on them and their future.
The Bishop McNamara community has been there for me through my battle with pancreatic insulinoma in 2013 and the death of my mother in 2017; and it was your prayers last year that brought our granddaughter to a viable and healthy future following the numerous open-heart surgeries she went through in the days, weeks, and months following her birth. I am forever grateful.
As I respond to God's call to lead Holy Cross education on a broader level, it is with mixed emotions. I love Bishop McNamara and I love each of you. I am grateful for the sacrifices that my family has made over the years, as well as the sacrifices that are upcoming, not the least of which is a move to Austin, Texas, where the Holy Cross Institute is headquartered.
I am also extraordinarily grateful for the support that so many people have given me and Bishop McNamara over the years. What I am most grateful for is your love, prayers and the sacred trust you have given me. I have never taken this lightly; and serving you has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.
As I go into my final year as Bishop McNamara's President, with God's grace, I pledge to you that you will receive my very best. I owe so much to this amazing community and want to assure that there is a smooth transition and that we reach all of our goals, not the least of which is the fulfillment of our Capital Campaign and the construction of the La Reine Science and Innovation Center.
I am deeply appreciative of the wonderful community of students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff that make Bishop McNamara so special. Rooted in strong, dedicated school leadership, a phenomenal, impactful staff and faculty, and with the exciting establishment of the new La Reine Science and Innovation Center on the horizon, Bishop McNamara is growing and thriving while faithfully guided by the mission and charism of Holy Cross.
Let us continue to be men and women with hope to bring.
May God bless all of you this school year and may God forever bless Bishop McNamara High School.
Ave Crux Spes Unica!
August 19, 2019
Robert Summers Chairman, Bishop McNamara High School Board of Directors
With warm regards, in Holy Cross, Dr. Marco J. Clark '85 President/CEO
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