Labor Day

When we think of creative people, normally we think of poets, writers, musicians, and artists of all kinds. That is appropriate, because all of these are creative people; but this is only a small part of the picture. Years ago Pope St. John Paul II wrote a landmark encyclical about the meaning of work; and in it he taught that all of us are creative, because all of our work is a continuation of God’s work of creation. Specifically, he wrote, “Man is the image of God partly through the mandate received from his Creator to subdue, to dominate, the earth. In carrying out this mandate, man, every human being, reflects the very action of the Creator of the universe."

This means that from now on, when we think of creative people, in addition to the poets, the writers, the musicians, and the artists of all kinds, we should think of ourselves when we prepare a meal or take out the trash or work in the yard or at our desk.

You are creative; and if you join the challenges of work to the Lord’s cross, your work is also redemptive. And it will bear fruit not only in this world, but in the next, where God’s work of creation and re-creation will be complete.

Gratefully yours,

Our Litany of Saints

These last few weeks, it has been great to see how many of you have submitted names of saints to be assigned to the 13 rooms that will be commonly used in our Pastoral Center and Knight Hall. I wanted a lot of people to participate, and you did not disappoint me!In all, 267 submissions were made and a total of 93 different saints were nominated. You really know your saints! I hope the process of choosing which names to submit led to some good reflections and conversations about the saints.

Looking at the number of “votes” each saint received, I am able to announce the top 13 saints. These are the ones whose names will be attached to our 13 conference rooms: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joseph, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Padre Pio, St. Pope John Paul II, St. Maria Goretti, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Christopher, and St. Junipero Serra.

If you voted for a saint who did not make the top 13, please don’t be discouraged. Continue your devotion to your favorite saints, whomever they may be. I do think the list of saints whose names are assigned to rooms in our Pastoral Center and Knight Hall would make a good litany of intercessors and role models as we prepare to use our new facility. May these saints, and all the saints in heaven, intercede for us and watch over us!

Gratefully yours,

Back to School

Last Monday, the school staff—teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, and other staff members—returned to our school campus to begin a week of meetings and other activities to prepare for the school year. Appropriately, the first thing on their agenda was to participate in our 8:15 morning Mass. It was wonderful to see all of them, and I am truly grateful that our school is staffed by such well-qualified, dedicated, and inspiring people.

This Monday, August 22, the students will begin the new school year. It will be nice to hear them from my office window, and I look forward to Friday morning Masses with the students participating. Before long, I hope to begin visiting the classrooms, where I always feel so welcome and I am so impressed and inspired by the quality Catholic education our parish provides.

Every year, the faculty and staff choose a Scriptural theme which becomes the focus of the entire school year. This year the theme is Romans 12:12 – “Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.” Hope, joy, patience, and prayer: what a great “formula” for our students and for all of us, during this school year and throughout our lives! Please join me in praying for a good, grace-filled school year.

Gratefully yours,