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Dear Families,
A native of Somerville, he attended a Xaverian school– he was known for his humility, courage, sincerity and simplicity. His two great loves were his faith and baseball.
He became a math and science teacher while finding any opportunity
to coach baseball. His goal was to “sanctify himself and to pilot youth in safety and virtue on the road to eternity.”
He possessed a great heart as a servant leader. He was
cheerful and humorous and said to be a great speaker but an even better listener. He established himself in the classroom and the athletic field, making a difference in the lives of many young people.
He had an uncanny knack for understanding and guiding young people to success. One day while watching some youth playing baseball, a player caught his eye. The student’s name was George, and he played catcher
without any of the standard protection except for a pair of blue overalls.
The young teacher noticed that George threw the ball harder than any other player and hit more home runs during the game. He brought the young player to the coach of an amateur team and asked him to see what George could do. The coach looked at George and then turned back to the young teacher responding, “Another one of your babes?”
George’s full name was George Herman Ruth. After hearing the coach’s reference, George adopted Babe as his first name. Maybe you have heard of him – Babe Ruth.
Babe Ruth went on to play ball, while the young teacher continued his regular duties, touching the lives of many others. He made such an impact wherever he went that one person reported, “a little of him there, a little of him there, all of him everywhere.”
A sought-out speaker due to his inspirational style and witty remarks, the teacher often told groups that the world needed “longer backbones and shorter wishbones,” commenting on the value of hard work and perseverance.
This young teacher eventually was eventually called to lead a school as the first principal – Immaculate Conception High School – an all-boys school in Malden, Massachusetts. You might know it as Boys Catholic
or, as it is known today – Malden Catholic.
You know this man’s name because his name is on our football stadium and our chapter of the National Honor Society – Brother Gilbert. He passed away in 1947 while in prayer.
After his passing, a poem was found in his personal belongings:
Lord, help me to live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for Others
Help me in all the work I do
Ever to be sincere and true
And know that all I do for You
Must be done for Others
And when my work on earth is done
And my new work in Heaven begun
May I forget the crown I’ve won
While thinking still of Others
Brother Gilbert exemplified the charism and spirit of the Xaverian
Brothers, who founded our school and formed the network of schools we belong to
- along with the Brother who is currently at our school – Brother Thomas Puccio.
P.S. This week’s note is based on my comments at our National
Honor Society Ceremony this winter.
Thank you for your support,
John Thornburg
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