I wonder if I was Simon, in this weekend’s Gospel, if I would have reacted the same way.  Let me give a bit if a back story.  Simon and his friends had docked their boats and were gathering their nets after a long day of poor fishing.  Jesus was on the shore preaching to a larger crowd, getting larger.  Jesus asked Simon if he would go out a little ways so he could stand on the boat and preach.  Later, after Jesus was done talking with the crowds, He asked Simon to go out into deeper waters and cast their nets.  Of course, the catch was so plentiful Simon had to ask another boat to help.

 

While I am sure Simon recognized Jesus, if I were Simon, I wonder if I would have acted the same way?  Have you ever had a plan for the day and by the end of the day, it did not go according to plan?  I am sure Simon went fishing, expecting a good catch, unfortunately it did not turn out that way.  So, he adjusted his plans, brought in the boat, and was planning on calling it a day, after drying and putting away the nets.  Instead, Jesus comes in with a different plan.

 

We have all heard the saying, “You want to make Jesus laugh, tell Him your plans.”  Each morning we wake up, we probably have a plan in place for how that day is going to work out, just like Simon.  Sometimes it is places to go people to meet, sometimes it might be just sitting on the couch and watching a weekend sporting event.  Regardless, we all wake up with some sort of plan in mind.  How often does this plan wander away from where we think it is going to go?

 

How often do we ask God to lead us each day?  Simon didn’t ask, he was just doing his normal daily routine.  I got up this morning, got ready for work, like I always do, and I did not ask God what His plan was for me today.  Last week, at our Bishop Chatard High School rescheduled Catholic Schools Week Mass, Fr. Macaslin, was talking to the high schoolers about what their plans were once they left High School.  Some are going to college, others trade school, and others had no idea.  He then challenged them to ask God what His plan was for them in their life.  Yet, another question I never asked God.

 

Simon was asked to take his boat out again, he was asked to cast his nets again, even though he knew the fish were not biting, yet, he had faith in God to do it and behold, he got to hear Jesus preach and receive a catch bigger than ever before.  I am sure if I was Simon, I might have tried to talk Jesus out of taking the boat back out, and definitely would have tried to talk Him out of casting the nets, knowing the fish were not biting.  I might have even tried to talk to another fisherman into doing what Jesus asked. 

 

Next time when your day is going down a different path than you have planned, instead of getting frustrated, take a moment to ask God, what His plan for you is, and how can you help Him achieve it?  Give it to God, like Simon, and let Him reward you in ways you were not expecting.

Greatest Day Ever

If you were asked to choose the greatest day of your life, what would you say?  Is it the day you were married, the birth of your children, the day you got your dream job?  Many of us would probably find it difficult to just pick one day. 

 

The long time Auxiliary Bishop of the Louisville Diocese was Bishop Maloney.  He held this position for almost 30 years, before becoming the Bishop of the Bardstown Diocese.  Bishop Maloney was a very popular bishop and was known for being sort of a spokesman when someone wanted to know something about the Catholic Faith.  Once Bishop Maloney was asked the question, “What is the greatest day of your life?”  His answer was, “The day I was baptized.” 

 

Of all people that could probably have a lot of “greatest days,” Bishop Maloney picked this day without hesitation.  Being baptized at birth, many might be wondering how could this even be a choice?  He certainly cannot possibly remember that day.  He chose this day because it was, “the day he became a Christian.”  What a powerful statement!!

 

Jesus commanded His disciples “to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”(Mt. 28:19)  Since our baptism, we have been given the gift of Christ, to share with the world, in our thoughts, words, and actions.  We are Christians, and our job as Christians is to share the word of God with everyone, sharing the joy of God’s love that He has given us, with others. 

 

Imagine if you were the person responsible for bringing someone closer to God, you were responsible for helping the fallen away family member, back to the church, or the neighbor that sees you loading the family in the car on Sunday morning to attend Church and it creates a conversation, leading them to the church.  Imagine then, this could be the best day of your life…

My apologies for the delay in publishing my weekly note, last week, about Advent week two. 

The reason for Advent is the preparing for the coming of Jesus, our Savior.  The first week of Advent we talked about Hope, hoping for the coming of our Savior.  Week two of Advent we focus on Peace.  The calmness of peace, the smooth flow of peace, the understanding of peace is something, I believe, we all strive for.  When we are at peace, everything seems to fall right into place.  Peace, freedom from disturbance, quiet, tranquil, doesn’t that sound terrific?

Everyone can think of a person that always seems to be at peace.  They are quiet, tranquil, they do not let things get to them.  They never seem to let things bother them.  I often see peace in the elderly and children.  Both seem to just go with the flow, and they do not let things bother them.  I wonder, how do they get their?  It is certainly not “life experiences” for children do not have a lot of life experience yet.  It is not because they are young, for that takes the elderly out.  So what can we do to achieve peace?

I heard a video blog, not to long ago, and the topic was the Advent season.  In this blog it talked about not just meeting Jesus, but getting to know Him.  It ended with the question, “How do we encounter Jesus?”  This got me to thinking.  Where have I seen Jesus this week?  Did I see Him and walk right past?  Did I miss the opportunity to see Him, because I was not at peace? 

Thinking back over the last week or so, I know that Jesus was in our midst.  Jesus was with us as we took our students on field trips.  The 8^th grade took their Kindergarten buddies to the North Pole at Sullivans.  Seeing the older students spending time with their Kindergarten buddies, getting to know them, helping them with crafts, caring for them as they rode the train back and forth from the North Pole, were just a few examples of our 8^th graders helping our Kindergarteners, making the trip peaceful for the young children.  The 5^th graders spent some time caroling at the senior centers and nursing homes, bringing the joy of the Christmas season to those who might not be able to get out and experience it themselves.  They were serving others with a servant’s heart, bringing the joy and peace to others. 

How do you encounter Jesus, in your daily life?  Do you see Him?  Do you not recognize Him, when he walks by?  Do you serve Him by bringing Joy and Peace to others?  This second week of Advent, look for ways to bring joy and peace to others.  Welcome Jesus into all that you do and you might just be surprised how a stressful task can become peaceful. 

Have a peaceful week two of Advent.

Hope and Advent

 

 

This Sunday we started Advent, the four weeks before Christmas in which we prepare for the coming of the birth of our Savior.  The word Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “coming.”  What do the next few weeks, between now and Christmas, look like for your family?

At Mass this weekend, we lit the first candle on the Advent wreath.  This candle represents Hope, the hope of the coming of our Lord, the expectations of the Savior coming to Earth to save us from our sins.  What do you hope for, this Advent and Christmas season?

I imagine many of us are in the process of planning family Holiday get-togethers, shopping for the family Christmas gifts, planning the family dinners, decorating the house in with festive Christmas décor.  We are making our lists and checking them twice, wondering how we are going to get things done, hoping to have the perfect gift idea and the time to get it purchased and wrapped. 

Advent is a time to wait, a time to prepare the way of our Savior.  In the busyness of this Christmas season, take some time to prepare for the birth of Christ.  Spend some time as a family praying together.  When I was a child, before our family meal, we lit the appropriate candles on the Advent wreath.  We would then enjoy our meal together, without outside distractions, no television, no homework, no phone calls.  We would let the candle burn for one hour, and would not leave the table until that hour was complete.  It was a time of prayer, family discussions, and a meal.  It was the time in our day to invite God to join our family.  Week one of Advent is about Hope.  Maybe your first meal this week could focus on Hope for our families, our Church, and our World.

Wishing you all a great week one of Advent!!

A Jonah in Time

 

 

These last few weeks I have had one of my, what I have affectionately termed, "Jonah moments."  If you recall, Jonah was called on by God to evangelize.  Jonah felt that his own plan was better, so he fled on a boat.  While on this boat, storms came up and the crew figured it was Jonah's fault, so they tossed him overboard and Jonah was consumed by the whale.  And before you know it, Jonah was spit out on the shore.  From there Jonah trusted God and evangelized as he was asked by God.

A Jonah Moment comes in three particular phases.  Phase one, a person is asked to do something by another person in charge, a spouse, parent, whoever.  If said person does not do what it asked of them, it is often because they think their personal plan is better and deny the request or move in their own direction, phase two.  The final phase is when said person realizes that their plan or choice was not the correct choice and they go back to what was originally asked of them and complete the task.  If you need an example of the three phases in action, just ask a teenager, for if they are like my teenager, they have mastered this concept.

I find that every now and then, just like a teenager, I go through these phases, and just so happen to be going through a Jonah moment.  I have been given a task with a plan of attack, and I am pretty sure my way is better.  I am positive I do not want to do the plan as I probably should, because I am scared of the ramifications that might come.  I have let my fears overcome the desired outcome.  I believe that when we fear, we have taken our eyes off the prize, God's plan, and that until we give it to Him, we are going to be in the belly of the whale.

That being said, I have also shared my concerns with others, prayed about it, and feel that maybe I am just about to be spit up on the shore, so to speak, hopefully soon.  These feelings have come after thought and prayer, asking God to guide me, give me the wisdom and understanding to know His path for me.  I have to trust in Him and allow Him to use me as He wants me, whether it is my plan or not. 

The best thing one can do to avoid those Jonah moments is to give it all to God, and completely trust in His plans.  However, when we fail, we need to realize our errors and get back on track, so we can spend as little time in the whale as possible.

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.

Letter about School Safety

I shared the beginning of this letter at the Back to School nights last week.  I said that I would share details of the safety plans and answer some commonly asked questions, I apologize for the length of this letter but the information is very important…

 

One thing I reflected on, from the end of last school year, was the school shooting at Noblesville Middle School.  While these situations seem to occur more and more, never has one been so close to home.  I fear that with our 24 hour news cycle and the short attention spans of social media, these tragedies will soon be considered the norm by those that report such horrific attacks on our children.

 

I would like to reassure our SPX families that we have safety plans in place, in case of an emergency of any kind. These safety plans are fluid, as it is important that we learn from these events in hopes to be the best prepared, as no 2 situations have really been the same. We review and update our safety plans each year.  We communicate and train our staff with all the most up-to-date procedures and they in-turn will practice with our students.

 

Below are some commonly asked questions from parents, regarding the safety of our children and our procedures.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions.

 

What is the current lock down procedure for an active school shooter?

In the event of a lockdown situation, all teachers are to make sure there are no students in the hallways, close and lock their doors, turn off the lights and sit quietly away from doors and windows.  We are currently looking into new door handles that will allow teachers to be more efficient in this process.  Our hope is to have this completed in the very near future.

 

How will parents be notified if there is an active school shooter?  Via text, phone call?  Immediately or after the lockdown?
There are different types of lockdowns that could occur at school and each has a different procedure including how it is communicated.

 

1.  School lockdown - students are still allowed to go from classroom to classroom, but will not be allowed outside the building for any reason.  We will NOT allow anyone to enter the building.  This has happened at times when a suspect was in the area of our school and the police have notified us to lock down.  In this instance, we will inform parents of the events via email after the situation has been resolved.  If the timing of such lockdown affects drop off or pick up, parents will be notified via the OneCall Now system with instructions of procedural changes.

 

2.  Classroom lockdown - all teachers are to make sure there are no students in the hallways, close and lock their doors, turn off the lights and sit quietly away from doors and windows. This is what Noblesville MS had to do.  In this case, parents will be notified as soon as the situation is safe and under control, via the phone messaging system OneCall Now.  If this were to happen, instructions will follow as to what to do to retrieve children.  No communications will go out until the police have secured the location, and a plan is made for parents to pick up the children.  The more people that are on campus, in the event of such a circumstance, make things difficult for police, EMT, fire and rescue, so we will not notify parents until the procedures are in place. 

 

3.  School/Church evacuation - in the event we have to evacuate the school/church property, we have an agreement with the North Side Baptist Church and all students and staff will be relocated to the church.  In the event this happens, once all students are accounted for, the OneCall Now system will be used to notify parents and give instructions for pick up. 

 

Please understand that we have these procedures in place for everyone’s safety - your children and our staff.  So please do not come to the property until you receive instructions. This is critical for a couple of reasons:

1.       If the suspect is still at large, we do not want those involved questioning a parent who wants to make sure their child is all right.  We want the first responders involved in the search to focus only on the suspect.

2.       If you were to fill the parking lot, or line the streets with parked cars, the proper emergency vehicles might not be able to get into the parking lot.

3.       The students may have already been evacuated to another location, much like what happened at Noblesville MS, and this will cause more confusion.

 

What is the lockdown procedure on Mass days going to and from the church?

In the event that a situation arises as students are moving to and from the church, supervising teacher(s) will decide which building is closest and move the students towards that building.  In the event we are in a building lockdown, for example, the police have a suspect on the loose, students will remain in the school and not pass outside to church or vice versa until we have been notified by police that the situation is cleared.

 

What is the lockdown procedure during Mass?

At this time, we do not have a lockdown procedure at Mass.  We have discussed this at parish staff meetings, and will be formulating a plan soon.  Once this is completed, it will be shared with all involved.

 

How often do the students practice these procedures?

The state of Indiana requires that we do fire drills, once per month, and tornado drills, and security drills once per semester.

 

How are the students and teachers being instructed to address other students who may make threatening accusations or are demonstrating abnormal behavior?

If a student experiences or observes another student making threatening accusations or exhibiting abnormal behavior, we ask they tell an adult immediately - a teacher, parent, assistant, administrator, an adult of any kind.  These reports should then be communicated to the administration for investigation. Our staff has received bullying awareness and training and this will continue to be an ongoing part of our monthly staff meetings.  Teachers encourage students to reach out to an adult if another student is experiencing difficulties and we ask that parents encourage the children to do the same. 

 

Again, please know that your children’s safety is of our utmost concern and we are constantly striving to anticipate and prevent any of these situations and if one should occur, respond immediately and appropriately.  Please do not hesitate to contact me to further discuss or if I can answer any other questions.

2017-18 8th grade graduation speech

The following is the speech I delivered on May 24th, 2018 to the St. Pius X Class of 2018

First, I would like to say welcome to all the families and graduates of the Class of 2018.

One of the final and most touching traditions here, is when all the students line the hallway and cheer you, the 8th graders, out of the building on your last day of school.  I want to apologize for missing this special event, as I had to attend a family funeral in northern Indiana.  I ask your forgiveness and know I was there in spirit.

That being said, while driving up north, I had to use GPS for directions to the funeral home and it got me thinking…  I love my GPS because it tells me exactly how to get to where I need to go, and assuming traffic patterns are okay, the GPS can tell me, within minutes, the time I will arrive at my desination.  If I know I am going to be late, I can call, and if I am going to be early, maybe I can stop for lunch or a soda.  It is so nice to have the route laid out for me with a predicable arrival.

Now, no matter how old you were when you first came to SPX, I imagine you were experiencing feelings of being lost or unsure of your path, just as I was three years ago when I arrived at SPX and much like I would have been last night had I not had my GPS.  But the St. Pius community - teachers and classmates, family members and friends, were all here to assist you and give you guidance and directions, and before you knew it, you had the SPX-thing under control.  You knew where to go, how to get there, the shortcuts and road blocks, basically how to navigate to get yourself to this moment - 8^th grade graduation. 

You went from being a scared and nervous Kindergartener to a confident and comfortable 8^th grader.  You went from being lost and overwhelmed in this big school, to being experienced leaders and showing others around this school that doesn’t seem so big anymore.  You learned how to maneuver the path through school following the lead of the older kids and now you have acted as the GPS to new families taking tours and to your kindergarten buddies.

Today you leave a legacy of Leadership.  You might not know this but you’re the first middle school class to go from 6th through 8^th grade while I’ve been principal and I have had extremely high expectations for you.  I have also had much more patience than I could have dreamed of waiting for all of you to become the 8^th grade leaders.  And I must say, it was worth the wait.

Your leadership will ring through these hallways for a long time to come.  From being the Kindergarten’s buddies and student ambassadors, to leading Kaizens and taking care of the daily flag responsibilities, you were never afraid to show your true leadership abilities.  You proved not only to be good examples for the entire SPX student body but especially to the kindergarteners.  You have all stepped up and led this school, exceeding the expectations I had for you.  Please continue being the leaders at whichever high school you attend.  Be confident knowing that you have what it takes to stand strong and supporting you will be the roots and core values you have learned from your teachers and the Leader in Me. 

As I left my family function yesterday evening to head home, I again turned on my GPS.  However, this time, all I had to do was hit “home” on the screen and it automatically gave me the directions to my house, I did not have to add the city or type in my address.  Today I want to reiterate to each and every one of you that St. Pius X community is your home button.  When things get difficult, and they will, when things get out of control, and they will, when things seem to be going in the wrong direction, and they will, just hit “home” and know that you are always welcome here.   No matter where you are attending high school or where your journey takes you in life, you know you are always welcome at the home in which you sleep, now know that you can press the home key and will be welcomed back to SPX and our special community. 

So, to the class of 2018, our newest SPX alumni - I say good luck and God speed.  Know that we will keep you in our prayers, remember that you are loved and will be missed, and finally - CONGRATULATIONS!!

What is Holding You Back?

 

Monkeys, while cute and jovial animals, are not known for being very smart.  In my previous job, Fr. John Kamwendo, a name we are all familiar with, talked about his life in Tanzania while he was a visiting seminarian.  Fr. John, as a boy, worked on his father’s farm.  His job was to keep the monkeys away from the crops planted each year, usually peanuts.  Fr. John would tell me about all the ways they would trap or chase off the monkeys from their fields and there was one that I found interesting, the trap.

 

 

There is not a lot of thought put into trapping a monkey, for they are not considered the smartest animals in the forest.  A trap was simply a box or jar with a banana in it.  Imagine a jar with an opening 3-4 inches wide.  To set the trap, all they would do is slide a banana through the top and lay it in the bottom of the jar.  The monkey would then reach in the jar, grab the banana and try to get it out. 

 

Unfortunately, again not the smartest creatures, the monkey did not have the decision making skills to grab the banana on the end and slide it through the opening.  It would simply grab the banana in the middle and try to pull it out, to no success.  Instead of giving up on the banana, and walking away, the monkey is so stubborn, that it sits there, holding onto the banana, not giving it up for any reason, making it easy for the farmer, or other prey, to eradicate them from the farm.

 

I often think about this story during the Lenten season, especially later in Lent, as we are now.  We are almost to the end.  While many of us have done a great job with abstaining from whatever we have given up for Lent, now is about the time some of us start dreaming of consuming again, the one thing we have deprived ourselves.  It is so close to the end and we cannot wait to treat ourselves to that soda, piece of chocolate, potato chips, whatever. 

 

This leads me to these questions:  What are the things I hold onto, out of stubbornness, out of fear, etc., that I cannot overcome or has a strangle hold on my life?  What are the things that I grasp onto and will not give up, no matter what the consequences?  We all have the one idea, or vice that has a hold of us.  Some of us have a lot more than one.  Looking at these vices, are we acting like the monkey, and letting it take hold of our lives, refusing to give it up, or moving things around to make it better for all of those around us?

 

Take these last few days of the Lenten season and instead of counting the days until Easter, pray that God gives you the courage to remove the things that have a strangle hold on your life, and ask for the strength to live without them.

 

The true challenge

SPX parents,  

This week, as many of you know, students across the nation are planning a walk out of school for 17 minutes, to remember the victims of the recent school shooting.  As you all know, SPX will be walking over to church to have a prayer service for the end to all violence, on April 20^th, the anniversary of the Columbine shooting many years ago.  

I received the following letter from a parent regarding the student walk outs.  With all the political rhetoric that has risen to the top from this unfortunate tragedy, this letter might just be the first positive way to help prevent situations like this from happening in the future.  The letter challenges us as parents, to challenge our students to do something.  It challenges all of us to step outside of our comfort zone and do for others, as we would want done for us.  I hope you find this letter as powerful as I did.

 

 

An Open Letter From A Teacher To Students "Walking Out"...

"Dear Students,
I know you. I am a retired teacher of 24 years. I have taught you as 7th graders all the way through 12th grade. This is not a tweet or a text. It's called a letter; lengthy and substantial. Do you really want to make a difference? Are you sincere about making your schools safe? Don't walk out, read this instead. Walking out of school is easy compared to what this letter will challenge you to do.

First of all, put down your stupid phone. Look around you at your classmates. Do you see the kid over in the corner, alone? He could likely be our next shooter. He needs a friend. He needs you. Go and talk to him, befriend him. Chances are, he won't be easy to like, but it's mainly because no one has tried to like him. Ask him about him. Get to know him. He's just like you in that respect; he wants someone to recognize him as a fellow human being but few people have ever given him the chance. You can.

Next, see that kid eating lunch all alone? He could likely be our next shooter. Invite him to eat lunch with you. Introduce him into your fold of friends. You'll most likely catch a lot of flack from the friends you eat with because they don't want him upsetting the balance of their social order. After all, who you hang out with is critical to your status, is it not? If status is important to you, don't you think it's important to him also? The only difference being that he has no status because generally, shooters have no friends. Are you serious about wanting to make your school safe? Invite him to your lunch table and challenge your friends to do something meaningful with thirty minutes of their lives each day.

Lastly, are you completely frustrated by that kid who always disrupts your class and is consistently sent to the principal's office? He could likely be our next shooter. Do you know why he causes so much trouble? He initiates disruption because that's the only thing he does that gets him attention, and even bad attention is better than the no attention he receives from you and your classmates. You secretly wish he would get kicked out of school or sent to the alternative disciplinary school so that he wouldn't disrupt your classes anymore, that somehow, he would just disappear. Guess what? He already feels invisible in a school of thousands of classmates, you included. So, before he acts out in your next class, why don't you tell him you'd be willing to help him with the assignment that was just given? Or why don't you ask him to join your study group? If you really want to blow his mind, ask him for help on the assignment. He's never been asked that. Ever.

If you've read this far, you probably really do care about the safety of your school. Don't trust that walking out of school will bring an answer. Gun control or more laws is not, and will not, be the answer. You are the answer. Your greeting, your smile, your gentle human touch is the only thing that can change the world of a desperate classmate who may be contemplating something as horrendous as a school shooting. Look past yourself and look past your phone and look into the eyes of a student who no one else sees. Meet the gaze of a fellow human being desperate to make contact with anyone, even just one person. You. If you really feel the need to walk, walk toward that person. Your new friendship can relieve the heartache of one person and in doing so, possibly prevent the unjustifiable heartache of hundreds of lives in the future. I know you. I trust you. You are the answer.

And teachers, my fellow guardians of our youth, I know you too. I know the desire of wanting to make a difference in a young person's life. I know the thrill of stepping in front of a classroom of students but simultaneously intimidated by the trust bestowed upon you. I also know the crushing, sometimes unbearable responsibility that your shoulders are asked to carry. But that's why you got into teaching, because you have big shoulders. And a big heart. You're overworked (I would add underpaid, but you didn't get into teaching for the pay, so it needn't be said), underappreciated and exhausted. May I add one more item to that list? You're also a miracle waiting to happen in the life of your worst student. He could likely be our next shooter. The next time (and there's always a next time) he's ready to wreak havoc in your classroom, I challenge you to pull him aside and ask him if he's ok, if there is something bothering him and is there anything you can do to help? Your genuine concern for him may be just the miracle he's looking for. The miracle we're all looking for. I know you. I trust you. You are the answer.

 

A former teacher who is as heartbroken as you and trusting you not to walk out on the real answer,

David (yes, teachers really do have first names) Blair

The BIG Ten, Not the College Conference

This past weekend, in the first reading from Exodus, we got the list of the Ten Commandments, as some like to call them the BIG Ten.  The Ten Commandments were the ten basic rules given to us by God, basically telling us what we “shall not” do, with the exception of numbers four and five. 

 

In today’s world we tend to complicate rules.  Rules are put into place to protect/guide us as a society and help us create a civil life for everyone.  Rules help keep us safe, such as following street signs and traffic signals.  Rules are meant to guide us in our work places to help us complete the tasks at hand.  Rules, contrary to some popular belief, are often for the good. 

 

Throughout this Lenten season, I challenge you to look over the Ten Commandments, and use them as you follow the rules of your daily life.  For example:

 

Commandment One- I am the Lord thy God, thou shall not have any gods before me.

What are the things that you put in your life before God?  How often do you have a conversation with Him?  Spend some time, each day, praying, inviting Him into your day.

 

                Commandment Two- You shall not make for yourself and idol in the form of anything.

Many who take this literally, are quick to check this off the list.  For how often do you take the time to make a statue or idol, like they did in the Old Testament?  However, what are the things that you idolize and put before God?  Is it a chore, a calendar event, or any task that keeps you for focusing on God?  Take time to remove whatever it is that takes away from your focus on God.  If you haven’t given it up for Lent, it is not too late to try.

 

                Commandment Three- You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Again, for those that might be taking this one literally, you might not ever say the Lord’s name inappropriately.  Do you understand that what you think or what is in your heart, is known by God?  It is almost impossible to not think negative things, but when you do, take note of it and share with God a short prayer asking for His forgiveness and understanding, so that you can change your thinking and change your heart.

 

                Commandment Four- Remember to keep holy the Sabbath

It is so simple to attend the Saturday night vigil Mass or a Mass on Sunday morning.  Once you do that, it is pretty easy to say, “check.”  But keep in mind the last words said by the Deacon or Priest.  “Go forth proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord.”  When you leave Mass, are you relieved that you are done?  Do you maybe get a little frustrated or angry trying to get out of the parking lot?  Were you a little perturbed with the crying baby at Mass, and that is all you talk about?  If so, maybe you should stay and attend the next Mass.  When we leave Mass, we have just received the Good News.  Share it!!  Talk with your spouse or children about what you heard.  Get them involved in a conversation.  Take this time to evangelize, sharing the Good News.

 

                Commandment Five- Honor your father and mother

As a parent, this is my favorite commandment.  If I take this literal, then I am set and ready to go.  However, while I expect my children to honor their mother and me, am I honoring my parents with my actions?  In dealing with children, you might hear me say something like, “Would you say that those same words in front of your parents, or grandparents?”  If the answer is no, then it should never be said.  This goes for me as an adult as well.  Are my actions honoring my father and mother?  Keep that in mind next time we say or do something, and see if that does not possibly change your thoughts.

 

               

                Commandment Six- You shall not murder

Yet, we have another easy item to check off the list.  But, is there a person in your life that you have shunned, or wish to never speak to again, because they have hurt your or offended you?  Failure to forgive said person is the same as murder.  Take some time, between now and Easter, and seek out forgiving this person.  Going to a Penance Service and reconciling this with God, is a great first step to help with forgiveness. 

 

                Commandment Seven- You shall not commit adultery

“Check!”  Adultery is not just the physical act.  Remember, it includes what is in your thoughts and heart.  In our very busy world, take time to be with your spouse to grow in your relationship.  Set aside time to talk about what you have seen or heard in church.  Take time to focus on what it is that God wants your relationship to be by praying together.

 

                Commandment Eight- You shall not steal.

“Check!”  If you have never stolen anything from anyone or any place, you got this one, right?  Unfortunately, stealing is much bigger than items.  Taking poorly about others, trying to crush ones dignity through words is essentially stealing.  This Lent focus on helping others in unfortunate situations.  Be there for someone who needs help getting through a tough time, or help through an issue they do not understand.  Be there for someone who is struggling.  Spend time giving to them, instead of stealing from them.

 

                Commandment Nine- You shall not give false witness against your neighbor

                Commandment Ten- You shall not covet your neighbors, house, wife, or property

I combine these two commandments because they deal with your neighbor.  When we say neighbor we are really talking about everyone, not just the people that live next door.  Giving false witness or coveting the things of those in our life can be struggles many have.  Sometimes we want more, so we can have what our neighbor have.  This might take us away from our family time, as we work harder to get more.  Take some time this Lent to help thy neighbor.  Take some time to do unto others…  Take time to give thanks to God for all the blessings you have, and ask Him to give you the wisdom to share with others.

 

Take these Commandments and try your best not to complicate them.  Expand these Commandments into your daily prayers, thoughts, and activities.  Allow these words of God to guide you in the decisions you make.  Try not to add subsections or look at them as the rules.  Remember them when with those you interact with each day.  Allow them guide your heart and to protect you.

I Am Always Looking For A Bargain

Week one of Lent is underway.  We have spent some time thinking about giving up something for Lent, or doing something extra for Lent, like helping the poor, adding prayers, saying a daily Rosary, etc.  Now that we are under way with our "resolution," so to speak, I wanted to bring up the idea of bargaining.  

I love to bargain over things.  I look at bargaining as a way to find win/win solutions to all types of situations.  My children are becoming very good at bargaining with me, especially when it comes to doing something they do not like.  For example, my daughter will all of the sudden remember her homework or a test she needs to study for, when I ask her to clean her room.  My son will immediately tell me he is in the middle of something and needs a few more minutes before emptying the dishwasher, in hopes that I will forget that I asked him to do this family chore.  I am not sure, but I am getting the feeling that bargaining is not necessarily a skill obtained over time, as much as it might be human nature. 

I bring up bargaining, because, as I stated, I love to do it.  I really like the idea of finding win/win solutions.  That being said, have you ever found yourself bargaining with God?  Have you ever said something like, "God if I get (fill in the blank), I will attend Sunday Mass more frequently?"  Or how about "God, if I get (fill in the blank), I will spend more time helping the poor."  I have to say, I have said that more times than I care to admit.  I can especially hear myself saying things like this during times of struggle, such as sickness of a family member, or the craving for a steak dinner, Fridays, during Lent. 

 

While our human nature might be to bargain with God, how do we change that mindset?  We need to remember that God has a plan for all of us.  He will give us what we need, and the strength and courage to handle anything.  One of my most recent favorite quotes is "If God is all you have, you have all you need."(John14:8)  God does not need to bargain with us.  If we trust in Him, no matter how hard the task is at hand, God will get us through it.  If we have the conversation with Him, God will give us the strength, courage, and understanding to overcome.  If we trust His plan, we will have no problem getting over the hump.  Unfortunately, God's plan doesn't always jive with our plan, and that is where the bargaining begins.   Trust in Him, the Lenten season.  Take some time out of the busyness of the day and listen for His guidance and understanding.  If you have complete and total trust in Him and His plan, you will then realize bargaining is not necessary.

Don't Let the Word "Fast" Scare You

So, the Lenten Season is upon us.  This Wednesday, we celebrate Ash Wednesday and for the next few weeks, we are asked to fast (no meat on Ash Wednesday or Fridays), and put aside a full meal.  We are asked to repent (attend a Reconciliation Service).  And finally, we are asked to spend more time with the Lord in prayer.  Then there is the ever hanging idea of giving up something for Lent. 

 

I am not much of a New Year’s Resolution person, not because I cannot do it, but it just seems to me to be a worn out kind of idea.  I used to make a “resolution” for Lent, like giving up Diet Sodas, one year I drank nothing but water from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday, and donated my soda money to help build water wells in a third world country.  I gave up stuff because it was what I was supposed to do.  But, much like my New Year’s Resolution, giving up something for Lent was becoming a worn out idea. 

 

About 10 years ago, I decided to change my perception of “giving up” things for Lent and decided to try and do things to make be a better Christian.  I would try to do something that would increase my prayer life, or increase my relationship with God.  That year, I fasted for one meal, each day, not just Fridays, and when my stomach would start to rumble, I would remind myself that I am doing this for God.  While I was still giving up something, taking the time to remember Him whenever I would feel hungry, reminded that there are others that have hunger pains, but they do not have a choice.  It increased my relationship with God, and made me appreciate the things I have even more.

As time has gone on, I am finding it more and more a struggle to find ways to increase my faith life.  Not that I have the perfect faith life, please do not read it that way, but finding things that I can do that fit into my schedule of work and shuffling my children from place to place.  Last week, a parent shared with me a list of simple things to put on the bathroom mirror or the screen saver on my devices that will act as a simple reminder of the things that we can do to help us grow in our relationships with God.  Looking at the title, please do NOT let the word “FAST” scare you or discourage you.  Fasting involves changing, and here are a few ideas of things that you can do to change your relationship with others and with God.