Founding Orders Show Leadership

Reprinted from the April, 2004, “Carmel at the Crossroads,” which is the newsletter of Carmel High School in Mundelein, Illinois.

When the founding congregations built Carmel High School, they made a strong statement of commitment to bring quality Catholic Education to Lake County. That commitment was renewed when both the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) and Carmelite Priests and Brothers made six figure financial gifts to the Carmel at the Crossroads Campaign.

	Sister Joellen McCarthy, BVM, and Father John Russell, O.Carm., participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new science wing on June 4, 2003

From the beginning stages of the campaign, the BVM and Carmelite leadership got behind this project. Sister Joellen McCarthy, BVM, President of the Sisters of Charity BVM, said she recognized the viability of the project from the start. “The campaign was well researched and did not come out of the blue,” she said.

Campaigns are inherently risky, but even with the down economy, the BVM’s wanted to support the campaign because “we felt the decision to move ahead was grounded in solid data,” she said.

The BVM gift to the campaign also carries a significant meaning for the congregation. The gift was given as part of a celebration of Mary Francis Clarke’s 200th birthday. Mary Francis Clarke founded the BVM Congregation with a vision to educate young people.

Carmel High School’s ability to grow and adjust to changing times impressed the Carmelite leadership. “Our gift required us to sacrifice for Carmel High School because so many demands face our Carmelite community at this time,” said Fr. John Russell, O.Carm., Carmelite Prior Provincial. “We believe that the faculty and administration of the school have brought Carmel to a level of excellence that is competitive and recognizable, particularly in its status as a “Blue Ribbon” school. Quite frankly, we wish to be associated with a great school, its students and its faculty and administration. It is a concrete way we can say, ‘well done’.”

In a time when the news is filled with stories of school closings, the leadership contributions of our founding orders show their commitment to Carmel High School and their determination to be involved in Carmel’s future. Although there may not be as many brothers, priests and sisters teaching here as in the past, their continued presence in school administration, on the Board of Directors and as Corporate Members ensures their continued leadership well into Carmel’s future.