Bro. Plunket Doherty, C.F.X.
XAVERIAN BROTHER HONOREE
Bro. Plunket Doherty, C.F.X.
Brother Plunket Doherty, C.F.X., epitomizes the charism of the Xaverian Brothers that we celebrate at this first Saint John’s Gala. Just as it was no surprise to anyone who knows him that he was a recipient in its inception year of the prestigious Ryken Award for faculty service, so all nod their head in recognition of the rightness of honoring Brother Plunket tonight. It is all the more notable that this year marks the completion of Brother’s fiftieth year of teaching! How do you describe a Xaverian legend? With words like dedication, selflessness, humility, and life-long learning!
Having entered the Congregation in 1947 and having completed his undergraduate studies at Catholic University of America, Brother Plunket began his career as a mathematics teacher at Saint John’s on Temple Street (1953-1958). Since that time he has served at three other Xaverian Schools, returning to Saint John’s from 1962 to 1966, and from 1979 to the present.
During the middle tour of duty, at the “new” Shrewsbury campus, Brother served as assistant principal — for studies and discipline — taught three classes, and managed the student custodial crew. A talented carpenter and maintenance factotum, Brother Plunket has had a hand — literally — in almost all areas of the physical facilities of the school, and today remains as the caretaker of Flavian Hall.
An exemplary religious who inspires us with his faith, simplicity, and resignation, a challenging teacher who demands accountability of his students and of himself, a professional educator who has become a legend at national conferences on teaching with technology, Brother Plunket above all else is a quiet, spiritual gentleman who has graced Saint John’s for all of these years.
Perhaps the best words to describe Brother Plunket are the words he himself used to describe his dear friend Brother Philip Neri: “He [is] a model and an inspiration to his confreres and those closely associated with him. [He is] like a fine diamond — he has so many facets and they all shine with a high degree of brilliance.” Brother, proficiat! Ad multos annos!
From the “Living the Legacy” Gala Program Book, 2003.