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Ray Whiteman is one of a rare breed of men. He is an
idealist who believes in truth, justice, compassion and
a fair go for all. He believes in the innate goodness
of people who are created in the image of a loving God,
and that if they are led by example and encouraged, they
will perform miracles. This was what happened at St.
Columban’s Albion when he became Principal. He trusted
the parents, gave them their head and they did the
rest. A miracle happened and the impossible was made
possible.
Ray’s life has been a constant battle
against overwhelming odds and he has never given up, he
has always accepted the challenge, and won, mostly. He
is a fighter and he fights for what he believes. This
usually involves the welfare of others, students,
parents, friends, relatives, neighbours. Love of
neighbour is important and treating others as self,
likewise. The Golden Rule always shines through, even
though the students could not always see it.
Among the challenges Ray has faced are:
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The challenge of poverty in his
childhood and youth, where he had the example of his
mother to show him how it was beaten.
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The challenge of being a Christian
Brother who was always expected to teach boys
whatever subject they needed to be taught wherever
they needed to be taught, where he had the example
of numerous Brothers to show him how to succeed.
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The challenge of reforming the
Religious Education in a school system, where he had
the example of Edmund Rice to show him how it could
be done.
Ray has not finished yet; he is fighting
one more battle. The cancer is not going to beat him.
His spirit is undimmed and he has the example of Christ
to show him how he can win, again.
These
comments were written by Pat O'Shea in relation to Ray's
battle with Multiple Myeloma diagnosed in 1996. Ray beat
that cancer but now, in 2011, his health is threatened
on a number of fronts and he knows he cannot win this
time.
Terry
Fogarty
11 May
2011.
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