51 / 212
EAGLES’ PRIDE
/
2015-2016
/
49
“Making
our schools
as inclusive
as possible
is always a
goal of the
Basilian
Fathers.”
-Rev. Smith
But Fr. Fulton also intends
“the emphasis here to be
on the interaction between
students, retaining that spirit
of brotherhood and at the
same time providing a special
experience which they will take
back with them.”
The encouraging early returns
from a variety of academic
and athletic collaborations,
including a
third North
American
Basilian
institution,
Detroit Central
Catholic,
prompted
an unusual
yet emphatic
commitment
from the
Basilian
Fathers.
In July, the
Superior
General of the
Congregation
of St. Basil, V.
Rev. George
T. Smith, CSB
announced the
establishment
of an annual
$30,000 fund
for the three
Basilian
schools, $10,000 per school
for three years, to facilitate the
fellowship taking further root.
“This is a magnificent initiative
to bring together students
from our schools, but we’re
also aware that we don’t
want anyone to feel excluded
because of travel cost. We
are all in favor of discretely
providing assistance to those
who may be challenged
to meet the financial
responsibility to participate.
Making our schools as
inclusive as possible is always
a goal of the Basilian Fathers,”
Rev. Smith said.
There’s a growing belief
within the Basilian Fathers
that promoting these efforts
financially and emotionally is
merely an extension
of a tradition
and identity
nutured through
generations.
“The first Basil
Bowl was more
than a hundred
years ago when
one Basilian
was sent to
another school.
We’ve always
moved Basilians
throughout the
world. Now we’re
moving students.
It’s a natural growth. The
global world we live in today
promotes friendships among
those who live not just in
the same city but in different
countries. Our students are
building relationships that
could lead to professional
opportunities and friendships
that may last a lifetime,” Rev.
Smith said.
Fr. Fulton acknowledged that
the “Basilian Fathers steward
their resources conservatively.
We’re not a group to throw
money around. The General
Council sees the dividends,
a confirmation that these
are more than endeavors,
almost pilgrimages, spiritual
bonding among
brother schools. The
desire is to grow
a three-pronged
expansion ...
athletics, academics
and a social justice
project.”
Fr. Fulton’s obvious
connections to
both STH and
SMCS include
current relationships
with many of the
administrators and
coaches still in place
at St. Michael’s
from his time there. A
friendly wager on the October
outcome is not out of the
question.
“There will be dinners,”
Fr. Fulton said. “It’s just a
question of who’s paying.”