I am saying Yes

It is amazing what one little word can do to change a perspective, idea, thought, or attitude.  One little word can take a negative thought and completely change a perspective.  Let me explain. 

Over the last week, we celebrated the anniversary of 9/11, the most horrific event, ever, in the history of the United States.  There were many tributes celebrating the lives of those that were taken from us, both victims and first responders, causing us to reflect on this terrible tragedy.  Just weeks before that, the scandal of the Catholic Church, when the priest report came out from Pennsylvania, caused many to question their faith.  Just the other day, I saw another scandal of a teacher/student inappropriate relationship.  You can see how this can lead to some negative thoughts and feelings. 

Last week, I sat in on one of the meetings, at church, in which people could express their thoughts and feelings of the priest scandal rocking our church.  It was a meeting that HAD to happen.  It was a meeting that allowed people to share their anger, frustration, sadness towards the clergy that did such evil to the flock they were trusted to lead in our faith.  After a while, it is hard not to allow these stories to affect us on a personal and spiritual level.  Let’s just say, that I went to the school Mass, this week, not in the best of moods.  But then I heard this little word and it changed my mood, my mind, and my thoughts

At Mass we sang the song, “I Say Yes My Lord.”  This song is a Cantor sing, Congregation follow song, and the Congregation’s part is to sing, “I say yes my Lord.”  With all that has happened, over the last couple of weeks, saying “Yes” to my Lord has not really been on my mind.  I decided to fill my mind with anger, hurt, frustration, etc.  I could walk away from the church, and I believe many people would understand, but, as always, God has a completely different plan for me

I am not going to negate my feelings of hurt, anger, and frustration, and I am not trying to negate anyone else’s feelings, either.  These are true feelings and feelings are never wrong.  However, I know that if I say “Yes,” to my Lord, over time He will help me understand my feelings and help me overcome these feelings, He will be the one that will heal my hurt.

We are in an unusual time in the Catholic Church.  While some will leave, and I can understand that; I am going to say “Yes” to my Lord.  I am going to allow Him to lead me and guide me through this tragedy and allow Him to use me in whatever way He chooses, to help our Church heal.  This is the time to return to the Church, to the Gospels, to prayer.  This is a time for us to stand for change in our Church.  It is time for us to show support for victims of the tragedies by supporting change.  It is time to let God lead us and guide us toward justice for the victims, including the Church.  It is time for us to say “Yes.”

 

Seeing and showing Mercy

I hope everyone enjoyed the last hurrah of summer.  It is been oppressively hot and hard to believe fall is upon us.  We realize this makes it very uncomfortable at pick up to turn your car off but we ask again for everyone to follow the pick-up procedures.  For the safety of our students and others in the lot, please turn your car off until all students safely in their cars.

 

It has been a great second week of school!!!  Things are starting to settle down and everyone is getting used to the schedule and flow of the day.  We look forward to our Friday assemblies starting on a regular basis this week, please join us!

 

Last Thursday and Friday, our 8^th graders were on retreat at Fatima Retreat House, it was an inspiring 2 days. The theme of the retreat was Mercy.  In continuation of this theme, I have a couple of thoughts…

 

Next week we start our Car Question of the week.  On the morning announcements each day we remind the students of the question, so they can be on the lookout for ways to do things better or help others.  Then, each afternoon, we hope that all the parents will ask their child about the question of the week and have a discussion on the car ride home.  It is a great way to expand on the typical, “How was your day?”  “Fine.”conversations.

 

The question for our first Car Question of the week came from Deacon Wagner’s talk to 8^th grade parents and students at the retreat last week - Where, today, did I fall short with friends, teachers, or parents?  I know this may seem like a real downer-type question but the purpose is to remind all of us that we are not perfect, no one is.  We are all human beings and we make mistakes, especially when we are frustrated or tired.  It is okay that our children fall short now and then, it is inevitable.  It is through the short comings that we hope they learn to better handle these situations and we need show them mercy and guide them through making amends or rectifying the issue.  A great follow up to whatever the answer they give would be, “How are you going to make amends, or ask for forgiveness?”  Will asking for forgiveness, or saying you are sorry, be hard the first time?  Yes, but just like anything else, the more you do it the better you get and the easier it is to do next time.  I imagine if you really hate doing something like admitting your short comings to others, maybe it will make you think the next time before making a mistake again.

Let’s all realize that no one is perfect.  Let’s all realize that we all make mistakes.  Let’s now take some time to teach our children how to recognize their mistakes and how to make amends for them.  Let’s do it now, before it is too late.