Page 13 - The Gonzaga Record 1988
P. 13
REMEMBERING FR WHITE
In 1976, to stimulate interest in the activities of the past pupils' union,
a 'Gonzaga Dinner' was advertised in The Irish Times and attracted 100
guests, the largest number that could be accommodated in the dining
room of the University Club. There were rumours that an Alternative
Gonzaga Dinner had to be convened around the corner in Captain
America's for the late applicants. If so, the latecomers missed what for
the participants in the real Gonzaga Dinner was the high point of the
evening: the few words spoken by Fr White.
Fr White spoke that evening about freedom. I seem to remember some
remarks about 'how much freedom the boys could use'. I seem to
remember too that Fr White said that looking back, he could see ways
in which it might have been safe to allow a little more freedom in the
school than had been the case. But it was not primarily his words that
made Fr White's appearance that evening so memorable. It was the
sudden explosion of applause that greeted him as he rose to speak. It was
heartfelt applause, deliberately prolonged. It had overtones of shared
triumph. Fr White, in his person, seemed to represent the contribution
of so many teachers, pupils, and parents to the decades of endeavour in
Gonzaga. He represented the sense of belonging that each of us seemed
to enjoy.
What was the secret of Fr White's enduring rapport with all the boys,
-and all the families, who were part of Gonzaga? As someone who came
to Gonzaga only after Fr White became Rector, and who therefore had
direct dealings with him only on a few occasions, I can speak on this
subject as a member of the rank-and-file. Even at that distance, it was
always clear that Fr White was someone who paid attention to
individuals. He knew people by name and he knew what was important
in their lives. He was a man with a heart, who by thinking things
mattered made them matter. The school's concerns were Fr White's
concerns. It was an example of joyful service that like other gentle
features of our youthful landscape, we noticed too little.
One personal memory that I do have of Fr White is of the time I sat
the entrance examination for Oxford in one of the two sitting rooms on
the left off the hallway of the priests' house. Fr White himself was my
supervisor. Each morning of the exam he brought me tea and biscuits on
a tray, an impish smile of complicity conveying the support of the school
- once again one finds it easy to identify Fr White with the school.
The supportive community which Fr White laboured to create in
Gonzaga made the school the complement of a good home atmosphere.
The certainty of being known and valued, the stability and predictability
of school routine, the very high standard of dedication of the staff, were
easy to take for granted, as was the absence of bullying and conflict
among the pupils themselves. The consistent success of the school in
these seemingly small things are a reminder of the truth of William
11
In 1976, to stimulate interest in the activities of the past pupils' union,
a 'Gonzaga Dinner' was advertised in The Irish Times and attracted 100
guests, the largest number that could be accommodated in the dining
room of the University Club. There were rumours that an Alternative
Gonzaga Dinner had to be convened around the corner in Captain
America's for the late applicants. If so, the latecomers missed what for
the participants in the real Gonzaga Dinner was the high point of the
evening: the few words spoken by Fr White.
Fr White spoke that evening about freedom. I seem to remember some
remarks about 'how much freedom the boys could use'. I seem to
remember too that Fr White said that looking back, he could see ways
in which it might have been safe to allow a little more freedom in the
school than had been the case. But it was not primarily his words that
made Fr White's appearance that evening so memorable. It was the
sudden explosion of applause that greeted him as he rose to speak. It was
heartfelt applause, deliberately prolonged. It had overtones of shared
triumph. Fr White, in his person, seemed to represent the contribution
of so many teachers, pupils, and parents to the decades of endeavour in
Gonzaga. He represented the sense of belonging that each of us seemed
to enjoy.
What was the secret of Fr White's enduring rapport with all the boys,
-and all the families, who were part of Gonzaga? As someone who came
to Gonzaga only after Fr White became Rector, and who therefore had
direct dealings with him only on a few occasions, I can speak on this
subject as a member of the rank-and-file. Even at that distance, it was
always clear that Fr White was someone who paid attention to
individuals. He knew people by name and he knew what was important
in their lives. He was a man with a heart, who by thinking things
mattered made them matter. The school's concerns were Fr White's
concerns. It was an example of joyful service that like other gentle
features of our youthful landscape, we noticed too little.
One personal memory that I do have of Fr White is of the time I sat
the entrance examination for Oxford in one of the two sitting rooms on
the left off the hallway of the priests' house. Fr White himself was my
supervisor. Each morning of the exam he brought me tea and biscuits on
a tray, an impish smile of complicity conveying the support of the school
- once again one finds it easy to identify Fr White with the school.
The supportive community which Fr White laboured to create in
Gonzaga made the school the complement of a good home atmosphere.
The certainty of being known and valued, the stability and predictability
of school routine, the very high standard of dedication of the staff, were
easy to take for granted, as was the absence of bullying and conflict
among the pupils themselves. The consistent success of the school in
these seemingly small things are a reminder of the truth of William
11
