A Man for Others

No matter how well we think we know the plan, we must always remember only God KNOWS the plan. This past week I was faithfully reflecting on one station of the cross, like I had promised I would in last week’s blog. All week I read different accounts of Jesus being Condemned to Death. I was prepared to write about how I initially thought Pilate was getting more blame than he deserved (he did after all “wash his hands” of the event). I was also prepared to write about how I thought the reason he is vilified is that God is sending a message to all who have the power to act but don’t or to those who do act but act under public pressure and not for what is right.  

That changed when a parent sent me the following video about CKS Alum and current Jesuit sophomore, Joe Edgar, speaking about friendship: http://www.jesuittampa.org/cf_media/index.cfm?obj=2670. In this video, he speaks about his pairing with a younger CKS student through our Kindergarten Buddy program, where 8^th grade students sit with younger students at school mass and participate with each other in several activities throughout the school year. Many years ago, when the program first started it was a way to give our wiggliest worms in Mass an older student to sit next to and give our (sometimes) hardest to engage group of students a reason to be engaged. The program quickly blossomed, activities outside of school mass were planned with kindergarteners and their buddies (Christmas celebrations, Valentine’s Day, and graham cracker parties). It gave the younger students a big brother or sister at the school as a role model and it gave the older students a greater sense of responsibility.

Watching the video, you can see how both students can grow from the experience. As an educator, the video also shows me that some of the most powerful lessons we teach our children happen outside of the “academic” curriculum. I think about how many experiences—inside and out of school—Joe must have experienced in 16 years. From all of them, he wrote about his buddy, Jake. My take away: everything we do in school—from what we teach to the way we respond to questions and even the way we plan recess—is an opportunity to impact the life of a child. Therefore, unlike Pilate who was condemned for not taking action to prevent the condemning of Jesus, we must take the actions necessary to create meaningful educational experiences for our students. 

Living the Stations

Last Friday I attended the living Stations of the Cross performed by our CKS students. As I was prayerfully reflecting before it began, I realized I couldn't remember the number of Stations of the Cross. I thought 10, but when the 10^th station started I knew  that wasn't right. I figured that guess was probably inspired by the number of Commandments.  I then thought 12 must be the end. I felt confident at the conclusion of that station but was quickly proved wrong when the 13^th started. I realized, again, I was confusing biblical numbers, and 12 is better suited for apostles or tribes of Israel. My wait was over after the completion of the 14^th Station. If you need a refresher, these are the 14 Stations as listed at http://www.loyolapress.com/stations-of-the-cross.htm:

1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death.
2. Jesus Takes Up His Cross.
3. Jesus Falls the First Time. 
4. Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother. 
5. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross. 
6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus. 
7. Jesus Falls a Second Time. 
8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem. 
9. Jesus Falls the Third Time. 
10. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments.
11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross. 
12. Jesus Dies on the Cross. 
13. Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross. 
14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb. 

More important than the number, though, is the journey they represent. These 14 snapshots from Jesus’ condemnation to death on a cross also represent different parts of our lives and faith journey. Lent is a fitting time to reflect on the Way of the Cross. Over the next few weeks, leading up to Holy Week, I challenged the students to pick one Station of the Cross each week, reflect on what it meant for Jesus, what it means in their own lives, and how it can help them better love God. I plan to make this journey with our students, and I will update you the next few weeks on my progress. 

Sacrifice

We are in the beginning of Lent, and the word I hear most during this time from our students is “sacrifice.” The Latin root of this word is sacer, which oddly enough can mean “holy” or “accursed,” almost near antonyms. Although this may seem confusing, it makes sense when you view it through the lens of the Gospel reading from Ash Wednesday. In that Gospel, Jesus preaches that when we fast (sacrifice) we should not “look gloomy” to make a point to others that we are making a sacrifice.  Instead He says we should bear our burden without making a big show of it.

Depending on how we bear our Lenten sacrifice, we can make it something that is “accursed,” or we can make it something that helps us become more “holy.” The difference is all in how we make our sacrifice: do we bemoan those around us snacking on a doughnut when we have given up sweets? Do we scowl at those sipping their morning coffee? Do we boast that not eating snacks will make us heathier when someone pops open a bag of chips? These reactions make our sacrifice a curse. Instead, let our sacrifice remind us why we’re doing it in the first place--not to suffer and be miserable but to bring us closer to God. During Lent, when we feel the temptation to complain, we should try to say a small prayer of gratitude and thank God for a blessing in our lives. By replacing a complaint with a compliment, God will bring Peace and holiness to our sacrifice.

Check my Instagram and twitter posts @cks_principal this Lent to see our CKS family making their sacrifices the right way and living the #LentLife.

Here is a picture of some CKS moms who sacrificed their time and resources to make a warm breakfast for students at Sacred Heart Inter-parochial School in Pinellas Park:

Where are You?

This past Saturday's first reading for the daily mass contained a familiar story from the book of Genesis. It was the story of Adam and Eve taking a bite of the forbidden apple from the Tree of Knowledge. The story ends with God relocating Adam and Eve East of the Garden of Eden to toil the land from which they came. Thus, mankind was born. However, it is not the end of the story that stood out to me in this reading. With the help of Fr. George's homily it was the beginning. 

At the beginning of the story, Adam is hiding--much like any child would after he has done something wrong--and God asks, "Where are you?" Ashamed of his nakedness, and his actions, Adam was hiding from God. Father George, during the homily, asked the congregation how they would answer. Of course, being in the chapel at Mass, we all would have shouted to God, "Here we are!" Father's pointed follow up question made us think: "When you aren't in church or at mass and going about your daily lives would you still be proud to shout your presence to God?"

It made me think. Although we may not know "the day or the hour" Jesus will return and ask us where we are, God is constantly aware of our actions. If we would rather hide these things from God, then perhaps we need to make changes in our lives--changes that would make Him proud of our actions. With Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent this week, we have the opportunity to prayerfully reflect on our relationship with God and practice ways to improve it. 

In the story of Adam and Eve, although his was disappointed in his children he clothed them and gave them a chance to survive. Fortunately, he continues to provide for His children even when our sins disappoint him. Confession is our second chance. At school our mission for the third quarter continues to be Accepting Forgiveness. This Lent make time for confession and feel the peace it brings. We may not be able to re-enter the Garden of Eden and experience it's joy but with confession we can at least visit.

St. Valentine?

This coming weekend, many Americans and people worldwide will take time to buy a card, send a gift, or take to dinner a loved one in the name of St. Valentine. I did a little research to find out more about this “Catholic” saint but found more questions than answers. Some websites suggested St. Valentine was actually three separate persons and not one. Other sites suggested the Catholic Church no longer recognizes it as a feast day, while another other site had a story about Pope Francis meeting with engaged couples last year on the “feast” of St. Valentine’s Day. About the only thing I could find with much consistency is that the holiday originated with a Roman fertility celebration Lupercalia, and was “Catholicized” during the time of Pope Gelasius.

Regardless of its origins, today in our society it has come to recognize love. Not that we need a reminder, but this presents a great opportunity to reflect on God’s love for us, especially as we mark the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday next week. Lent reminds us that God loves us so much that he sent His son to die for us on a cross. Considering the gift God gave us, what will you get him for Valentine’s Day?

I asked students this question at assembly. I meant it to be rhetorical but students’ hands shot up, eager to answer the question. One student said, “A really big card,” another answered “prayers,” and the last student said “show respect and love for others.” All great gifts. I challenged our students this week to pick people they love each day, picture their faces, and offer a Hail Mary. Hopefully, this will help all of us feel the love--God’s--on Valentine’s Day. 

Rest

“First tell the devil to rest then I’ll rest too.”

John Bosco’s closest friends were constantly urging him to rest. According to the biography of Don Bosco, after active days in the oratory he would often stay up late writing letters, books, or pamphlets, sleeping only 5 hours every night and abstaining from sleep one night each week (http://www.donboscowest.org/saints/donbosco). 

Don Bosco was a devoted priest, who never declined an invitation to preach or listen to confessions. On Sundays he would spend most of the day doing this important work for God, and often had to be led home half asleep or carried from exhaustion. Even through several near-death illnesses Don Bosco continued his work. As he aged and his once impossibly strong body failed him, he continued to write letters and give directions to his developing Salesian societies. He knew that although he may tire, the devil would not and this was a race for souls.

As we celebrate the Don Bosco’s bicentennial it is comforting to know that although he is no longer here physically to fight the spiritual battles over souls his thoughts and ideas still inspire millions to keep his spirit alive. In fact, at CKS last week, we did more than just keep his spirit alive:

Don Bosco’s work ethic can be an example for us academically and spiritually. We must always be aware that we control our choices and our actions. What we choose can bring us further from God and peers or it can bring us closer. Fortunately, when we make the wrong choice, we have a God that forgives and will help lead us to the right choices. He lends us His strength so we can rest, even while the devil does not.   

Catholic Schools Week

“I want to stay with Father”

“John, you no longer have a father.”

Sadly this exchange happened between John Bosco and his mother, Mama Margaret, when John’s father died of pneumonia. He was just three years old.Born on a small farm in Becchi, Italy, school was a luxury. Mama Margaret was the primary educator for her children, teaching them their Catholic Catechism. She saw an aptitude and desire in John for an education, but John’s step brother Anthony, who as the oldest became head of the household after the death of John’s father, forbade it. Anthony’s expectation was that John would work on the farm like the rest of the family.

Not giving up on the dream that her child would be educated, Mama Margaret, asked her sister, who was the housekeeper for the head of school, to consider taking John. The pastor agreed but John could not attend school during peak farming season and had to walk the three miles to and from school every day. Often, he would walk barefoot to save the leather of his shoes for school.

Sadly, John was not able to spend much time at school, as Anthony increasingly wanted him to stay home and work. As the boys grew older and John’s desire to become educated increased, there was much tension in the household. It came to a boiling point when Anthony chided John that he never went to school and was still strong enough to make a living. John’s response to Anthony was that the donkey didn’t attend school either and was much stronger.

Out of fear for John’s safety if he stayed at home, his mother had to send him away at the age of 14. He found work in a nearby town doing odd jobs for a widow. This allowed him to earn money and go to school. Because of his inconsistent schooling, John was placed in a lower school and attended classes with students five or six years younger than him. Despite the embarrassment and challenges presented at school, John Bosco worked hard and improved at a rapid pace, quickly moving from grade to grade. Eventually he was able to enter the seminary and fulfil his desire to study to become a priest at the age of 20. 

It is amazing to believe that this man, who received such an inconsistent and non-traditional education, would later establish a system of education that is still practiced today in our Salesian Schools. John Bosco had very little choice in his education and struggled. However, he had a goal and never gave up on his pursuit of the priesthood. As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, it is important to remember that someone made the choice to send our students to a Catholic school. Here they are given the opportunity to earn a consistent, faith-based, and academically challenging education. That is a blessing. Our students’ mission this week is to find someone each day that has contributed to their Catholic education—a parent, grandparent, teacher or support staff member—and say, “Thank you.”

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support of Catholic Education.

*Much of the biographical information about John Bosco’s life was taken from the book Saint John Bosco by F.A. Forbes.