Catholic Schools of Fairbanks
  • About Us
    • Mission & Beliefs
    • History
    • Calendar
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Campus Ministry
  • Admissions
    • Enrollment
    • Tuition
    • School Forms
    • Student Shadowing
    • Uniform Policy
  • Parents
    • Volunteering
    • PTO
    • Safe Environment Portal
    • School Supply Lists
  • Student Life
    • Elementary School
    • Junior High
    • High School
    • Academic Center
    • After School Program
    • Athletics
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Counselor's Page
    • Summer Camps
    • Tech Support
  • Alumni
    • Events
    • Update Your Contact Info
  • Giving
    • Spring Matching Fundraiser
    • Donate Now
    • Easy Ways to Give
    • Monroe Foundation, Inc. >
      • Board of Directors
    • St. Patrick's Day Raffle 2023
    • HIPOW
    • Thank You Donors
  • Employment
  • Contact Us

Your cause gives purpose and hope

11/19/2016

Comments

 
Picture
This is an excerpt from the October 24 Full Curl published by Frank Ostanik, Monroe Athletic Director

My mom sends me an email, pretty much every day, regarding a “Saint of the Day.” She has done this for the better part of two years, I believe. Out of respect for my mom, I made an effort to read these as often as possible. Sometimes I would read them right away and sometimes I would binge read, taking in the lives of four or five Saints in one sitting. One thing that struck me was how many Saints are martyrs.

The martyrs always seemed to get my attention. In fact, whenever I realized the saint I was reading about was a martyr, I would go back and reread the text, making sure I was showing proper respect for someone who had given the ultimate sacrifice for his or her faith. Invariably, I would ask my self the same question: would I give my life for my faith?

The answer is always the same; I don’t know. I don’t believe anyone could say what they would do without actually being in this position. However, I know what I want the answer to be. I know I am hopeful I would say yes. I am in awe of the martyrs. I am in awe, because I think of the incredible commitment to their cause. To be so completely and totally invested in a cause that one would give one’s life for it commands my respect. All of us have causes we would give our lives for. The majority of us would gladly lay down our lives for our spouse or our children, no questions asked. However, while these causes are of course important, they are essentially innate, almost instinctual. I am of the opinion we all need more than this.

It is unrealistic to believe a high school student knows what their cause in life will be. It is important however to understand the need for a cause. Your cause today doesn’t need to be your cause in ten years. Regardless, you will need a cause. Most of us are not employed directly within our cause, meaning we will get up and go through the daily grind and then have to find time for our cause. Why would we do this? Because your cause gives you purpose. Because your cause gives you hope.

The joy derived from giving your heart and soul to something you do not have to do is unexplainable. I can’t define it and I don’t think it can be defined. It can only be felt. I asked the students to look at adults they respect and see if they can identify the individual’s cause. One thing I know and believe is that the greater the cause one chooses to give their heart and soul to, the happier they will be and the greater the sense of fulfillment they will take with them.

As I mentioned, your cause can change. Nine years ago, my cause, beyond my wife and son, was my basketball program. It took time, but I came to realize this was too self-serving. The first time I ran a basketball camp Mr. Fantazzi and I raised about $500. I couldn’t comprehend the notion of the money going to “athletics,” and not directly benefitting my program. I have since evolved and come to understand the importance of a cause greater than me. I get it now and I am better for it.

My cause is not unique. Ms. L and the rest of the gals who work passionately in HIPOW share it. We share it with many, if not all, of you. I saw that cause in the eyes of Mrs. Fritze, Mrs. Bennet, my sister and all of he ladies who gave of their time to make the holiday bazaar a success. I see it in Mr. Ribar, who will show up and keep score for a volleyball game eight years after his last daughter graduated. This shared cause is our school, our community.

In the end, if you can look in the mirror and know you gave your heart and soul to a worthy cause, isn’t that a life well led? I believe so, and I am grateful my mother took up the cause of educating me on the Saints. I know I am better for it.

You can follow all Monroe sports events by following Frank on Twitter: @thefullcurl.

Comments

    Archives

    February 2022
    May 2021
    January 2021
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    Categories

    All
    ICS Principal Message
    Monroe Principal Message
    School News
    Virtual Open House

    RSS Feed

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF FAIRBANKS
615 Monroe St., Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone : (907) 313-3062
Email: info@catholic-schools.org
Fax: (907) 452-5978
MONROE FOUNDATION, INC.
Phone: 
(907) 313-3291

School Hours

Pre-K
8 am to 5:30 pm
K-12
8 am to 2:30 pm (staggered departure times for K-6)
​After School Care
Available from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Accredited by the Cognia, formerly AdvancEd
  • About Us
    • Mission & Beliefs
    • History
    • Calendar
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Campus Ministry
  • Admissions
    • Enrollment
    • Tuition
    • School Forms
    • Student Shadowing
    • Uniform Policy
  • Parents
    • Volunteering
    • PTO
    • Safe Environment Portal
    • School Supply Lists
  • Student Life
    • Elementary School
    • Junior High
    • High School
    • Academic Center
    • After School Program
    • Athletics
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Counselor's Page
    • Summer Camps
    • Tech Support
  • Alumni
    • Events
    • Update Your Contact Info
  • Giving
    • Spring Matching Fundraiser
    • Donate Now
    • Easy Ways to Give
    • Monroe Foundation, Inc. >
      • Board of Directors
    • St. Patrick's Day Raffle 2023
    • HIPOW
    • Thank You Donors
  • Employment
  • Contact Us