I’m a pain to work with. I’m often complimented (thanks!) with generous words that I do great things. I am humbled by that, but I often wonder if the person doing the complimenting would say the same thing if they actually worked with me. I am often short, arrogant, and unkind. I’m not much on compliments. If I’m not much of a role model it is because I never thought I’d be one. In short, I am a preposterous individual. I have no business working in a Catholic school. I am redeemed only in the knowledge that there is a God who cherishes me, a woman who loves me, a mother who nurtured me, and a leader, colleague and friend who walked with me.
The leader, colleague and friend I am speaking of is Michael Bruno who, for the second time, finds himself graduating from Mount Carmel. Beginning next week, Michael leaves us for Saint Joseph Regional High School where he was recently named principal. You may know him as the austere, disciplined man with the perfectly ironed shirts, a pretty strong left hand in basketball and a strand of hair never out of place — a man who you, too, were led by. Whether knowingly or not, for the past five years, two as principal of our Academy, Michael has done you proud by representing your school ministry. He has accomplished much, but really, as we say good bye, I want to tell you about my friend Mike.
I have often said of our principal that he was built rather than born. Though I’ve met his generous and beloved parents, I’m pretty sure I’m right about this. Mike is patient, interesting and interested, fiercely intelligent and deeply spiritual. His empathy is only matched by his integrity. Whether riding in the back of a pickup truck in one of New Mexico’s poorest towns or hosting an event at the Knickerbocker Country Club, Michael has been stalwart. Unshakeable in his treatment of others, no matter what has befallen them, he treats everyone as equals. And, I’m going to let you all in on a very closely guarded secret: he’s also very funny.
I am a ridiculous man, but your fellow graduate is an unreasonable one. George Bernard Shaw, the old grizzled Irish playwright once wrote, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the conditions that surround him. The unreasonable man adapts surrounding conditions to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” Michael is our unreasonable man. He has shown us, instructed us through embodying all the qualities that we hope our graduates have attained, and made us a better institution. Michael has taught us that discipline is a gift and not a punishment; professionalism is a kindness; and competence in our work is a matter of personal dignity and self-respect.
We will never know what was sacrificed for our happiness, our well-being — the hours, the tears, the sweat. That’s okay and natural, none of us do, but if you met Michael Bruno, and were lucky enough to watch him work for you, pray for you, laugh with you and dare I say, compliment you, it was a pleasure.
So, when tragedy strikes, should the Barbarians be at the gate, or the hikers precariously on the ledge, should all seem lost, it is my prayer, that you have someone as courageous, virtuous and wise as Michael Bruno by your side. I was lucky to have him by mine.
May our mother, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and her devoted spouse St. Joseph guide him, and should he ever lose his way, I hope he looks to our steeple. It will be of good use to him. I promise, the light will be on, guiding him home. It was a pleasure watching you work, Mr. Bruno.
I’ll be seeing you,
Elliot