As a copy editor for the Blue Jay Annual in his senior year, Ray Fitzgerald (right)
and Eddie Lacour scrutinized all content.
Statement by Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, Jr., S.J. ’76
on His Appointment as Jesuit’s Next President “I am both honored and humbled to have been selected as president of Jesuit High School. I approach this office with a deep sense of gratitude and respect for all the administrators, teachers, benefactors, and alumni whose dedication and sacrifice
over 163 years have made Jesuit the fine school that it is. “I wish to acknowledge particularly the great work of Father McGinn, whose wise
and principled guidance continues to serve Jesuit and its families well. I find great encouragement in knowing the Jesuits, faculty, and students now at Carrollton and Banks. Their example and spirit give me great hope for the future. Jesuit’s mission statement calls upon all in the school to foster ‘men of faith and men for others.’
I look forward to working with all those connected to Jesuit to strive for this goal.” |
Date of Birth:
Ray Fitzgerald in his senior year portrait
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July 13, 1958
Place of Birth:
New Orleans, LA
Family:
Father was Raymond
Fitzgerald, Sr. (deceased), a shipping accountant.
Mother is Mary Caire Fitzgerald, formerly a professor at Loyola University.
One sibling, a sister
Neighborhood:
Grew up in Broadmoor on
South Johnson Street;
attended church at St. Matthias on South Broad Street.
Schools:
Attended New Orleans Academy from
kindergarten — 7th grade;
in 1971, he entered
Jesuit High School as a
pre-freshman; he graduated from Jesuit in 1976.
Raymond Fitzgerald’s Years as a Blue Jay |
1971-72 (Pre-freshman) Fitzgerald was randomly assigned to the S4 pre-freshmen class upon admittance to Jesuit. He was one of six eighth graders who made the principal’s first honor role. 1972-73 (Freshman) As a freshman in 1B, which consisted of mostly five-year honors track students, Fitzgerald began to settle in. He joined the Chess Club and the Christian Life Community (CLC), which in previous years was known as the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then, as now, CLC members coordinate two annual traditional activities — the Thanksgiving and Mission drives. The Chess Club that year welcomed a new moderator, an English teacher and, at that time, a Jesuit scholastic — Mr. Malcolm Villarrubia, S.J. (who is currently Jesuit’s director of professional development). When the year concluded, Jesuit’s young future president made the principal’s second honor role. 
The members of the CLC in the 1975 Yearbook:
Ray Fitzgerald is sitting on the front row, far left.
Mr. McGinn, S.J., moderator, is standing
in the back row, second from left.
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1973-74 (Sophomore) As a sophomore in 2B, Fitzgerald was elected secretary of the CLC. He also remained active in the Chess Club, serving as one of the group’s tournament directors. He was recognized in American History at the State Rally. Once again, he made the principal’s second honor role. 1974-75 (Junior) As a junior in 3B, Fitzgerald boldly branched out. After two years of toppling kings, Fitzgerald took a pass on the Chess Club, which, for the first time, was moderated by a fresh Jesuit scholastic — Mr. Tony McGinn, S.J. For the third consecutive year, he was recognized on making the principal’s second honor role at year’s end. He became a Big Brother and joined Jesuit’s Prep Quiz Bowl Team (hosted then by the iconic Mel Leavitt). Fitzgerald was elected vice-prefect of the CLC, which already was a profound and positive influence in his life. Looking back at his CLC experiences, Father Fitzgerald says, “The experience at a young age with a group that had an organized program of prayer, sacraments, service, and companionship helped to provide a fine environment for vocation discernment. Seeing and hearing about the revival of CLCs and Sodalities at Jesuit has been a source of great edification and encouragement to me over these last years.” 1975-76 (Senior) Every morning in senior Homeroom 4-306, Mr. McGinn, S.J. presided over his eager charges, including Fitzgerald. He was one of two returning junior players — and a standout star — on Jesuit’s Prep Quiz Bowl Team. The CLC elected Fitzgerald secretary (again). He was a Big Brother (again). At the district rally, he won in English. The Blue Jay Annual welcomed Fitzgerald to the staff as an English whiz brandishing sharp editing skills. Copy was not approved without undergoing the scrutiny of Fitzgerald and another editor. Fitzgerald was honored as one of Jesuit’s 29 National Merit Finalists, at the time the largest number of finalists in the school’s history. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. After a three-year absence, Fitzgerald was welcomed back to the ranks of the first principal’s honor role at year end. At the annual end-of-year awards night, Fitzgerald won the “Jesuit 500 Club Award for Latin” as well as “The Rev. William J. Ryan Memorial Award for Historical Essay.” Fitzgerald’s solid academic achievements resulted in the offer of a college-sponsored four-year merit scholarship. He was off and running to Loyola University. 
Never one to seek the limelight, Raymond Fitzgerald was a member of
Jesuit’s Prep Quiz Bowl Team during his junior and senior years.
This photo was in the 1976 Jesuit Annual.
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The Meaning of the Jesuit Senior Rings:
Homily of Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J.
at the 2009 Senior Ring Mass
on Sunday, September 12
Play the Streaming Video
(Total Run Time 8:37):
Download the Video:
Fr. Fitzgerald Homily 2009 Ring Mass |
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