During his 50 years of ministry in education, Brother Paulinus Horkan has lived by something his mother often said to him in County Mayo, Ireland: "Always keep your character." She also taught him to trust in Divine Providence: "Things happen for a reason. It's good to be wanted, but sometimes, and for some reason, the good Lord says, 'It's time to move on.'"
As is the case with this Third Order of St. Francis Brother, completing 26 years of ministry at St. Bonaventure High School, six years teaching math and chemistry and 20 years as principal of the Ventura school. On May 18, Brother Paulinus was honored at a school liturgy attended by faculty, present and past, and the school's 750-member student body and their parents.
Cardinal Roger Mahony officiated at the liturgy in honor of Brother Paulinus and Notre Dame Sister Josanne Furey, who will also retire after 25 years of service to the school. During his homily the cardinal asked students to use adjectives that could best describe Brother Paulinus and Sister Josanne. Their responses: kind, generous, humorous, Irish, fair, holy, supportive, welcoming, humble, intelligent and wise.
The cardinal ended his comments with, "Well done, good and faithful servants. Come share in the Lord's joy."
At the end of the liturgy, Nancy Coonis, superintendent of Archdiocesan High Schools, presented a plaque to Brother Paulinus and thanked him for his years of service as principal of St. Bonaventure. On behalf of Sister Josanne as well, he thanked everyone for their many years of support.
"I am grateful to you," he said, "for placing confidence in me and I hope that you will continue this great tradition." Then to the students he added, "Continue to carry those adjectives in your hearts. God bless you!"
'I raised my hand'
Born in an area called Claremorris, Gerald Horkan was the second youngest of nine children. His father Martin died suddenly when Gerald was only seven, his oldest brother 18, and his only sister three. His mother Mary and his older brothers became the bread winners in the family working on their farm and doing construction work.
He became the first child in his family to attend a secondary school and the only one to graduate from college. At his boarding school, a Franciscan brother came to talk about vocations. "If anyone is interested in religious life, please raise your hand."
"For some reason," Brother Paulinus says wryly, "I raised my hand."
Like his mother, he firmly believes that nothing really happens by accident. October 4, besides the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, has been a very meaningful day for him --- the date his father died, the date he entered a Franciscan boarding school, and the date he professed his religious vows, adopting the name Paulinus.
In 1957 his Franciscan superior general said to him, "Would you like to go to America?" and gave him a half hour to make up his mind. A firm believer in doing what God asks of him, Brother Paulinus responded, "Yes, I will go."
He arrived at Logan Airport in Boston on --- of course --- October 4, 1957. He then came to Los Angeles and taught at the newly opened St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs for the next ten years.
In 1967 he became principal of a Franciscan boarding school for the next 12 years, which enabled him to spend some time with his mother. In 1974, at the age of 80, she had a heart attack. Brother Paulinus, a brother and his wife and children were with her at the time. "She died within a half hour in our hands," he recalls. "She just said, 'Good-bye.'"
It is the simple saying of "good-bye," requesting no gifts, that Brother Paulinus learned from his mother. "I have everything I need," he says of his connection with St. Bonaventure High School, which began in 1981. "It's been a great life," He takes his motto with him: "Have love in your heart and carry it every day."
His interaction with others is grounded in a lesson lived by his mother, he says. "I always had a tremendous regard for other people, where they're coming from. I always listen to them before I make a decision. If people are in charge of an area of responsibility, I allow them to function. I don't hamper them in any way. It's the same with the students: You have to know where they are coming from. You never penalize youngsters without finding out what happened and under what circumstances."
He enjoys, and will miss, "popping into" classrooms and sitting in the back. "The kids say, 'Hi, Brother Paul.' But I never disturb the teacher. I am there to help them, to encourage them to do their job."
What makes him most proud? "I would say my experience over the four-year period of seeing the graduating seniors become young men and women who contribute to society. That is a tremendous feeling, to know we have done something to help." |