Lasallian Tradition at Archbishop O'Hara High School

Saint John Baptist De La Salle, a French priest, organized the Brothers of the Christian Schools (also known as the Christian Brothers) in France in 1682, an order dedicated solely to education. In the 300 plus years since then, the Christian Brothers have never lost sight of that singular mission, as the organization has grown to include secondary schools, colleges and universities in more than 80 countries.

John Baptist De La Salle was declared a saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1900, and was named patron saint of all teachers by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

Today at O'Hara High School, while the faculty and administration consist of primarily of lay men and women, the vision of De La Salle remains alive in an educational community, characterized by high standards of teaching, good relationships between teachers and students, high priority given to religious education and an overriding concern for the poor and social justice.

Among the Christian Brothers who have contributed significantly to O'Hara over the years are Brothers Bernard LoCoco, Richard Geimer, Norbert Roseberry, Timothy McNary, James Krause, Austin Makowski, Douglas Hawkins, Richard Merkel, Charles Gregor, Norman McCarthy, Christopher Englert, Lawrence Humphrey, Robert Werle, Michael Fugger, Mark Snodgrass, Martin Grimm, and Stephen O'Malley.

Hopefully this Tradition will carry over to Saint Michael the Archangel High School in Lee's Summit if and when that educational venture comes to fruition.  It may be up to John Purk and John O'Connor.