Dear Theophilous,
Labour Day has a sense of foreboding in our home. In a
household of 2 teachers and 1 student, it marks the end of carefree summer
routines and lax bedtimes, while heralding a return to routine and the
incessant 5:30am blare of the alarm clock. The world is not ending, however,
and in many ways we’re looking forward to a return to a more structured life,
as well as all of the other fun activities that we enjoy that take a summer
hiatus.
This holiday Monday always offers us the two-fold opportunity
to look back wistfully upon the summer months, while also looking toward the
promise of a new school year.
At the first staff meeting of the year, the ubiquitous
question, “How was your summer?” seems to make it’s way around the table. It’s
fun to hear of everyone’s adventures and to see their smiling faces. Looking
back over the past couple of months, it brings a smile to my face to think of
how any suffering brought much good in the long run, as well as the warm
memories of family time and celebrating sacramental milestones. We truly are
blessed.
But what of the year ahead?
In the same way that January 1st calls for New
Year’s resolutions, so does September 1st (or at least the Tuesday
after Labour Day) call for New School Year’s resolutions. It’s a typical First
Day of School activity that many teachers use – write down your goals for the
year and seal them in an envelope to revisit them again later in the year.
What about teachers? What about our own goals for the New
School Year? Do we take the time to pray on what we want to accomplish in the
coming year?
This is a kind of prayerful meditation that I do the last
week of every August, though not necessarily something I do publicly (I did
write about it Labour Day 4 years ago here). In the hopes of keeping myself
somewhat accountable, I thought to post my 3 New Catholic School Year resolutions here. Please pray for me, and
please lift me up when I falter.
Adoration
Teaching in a Catholic high school, we are singularly
blessed to have the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist in our school chapel.
Although I make it a point of stopping in and spending some time in Adoration
to begin each day (read my thoughts here), each year I start out with the best
of intentions to introduce my students to this practice on a weekly basis.
Unfortunately, some how curriculum and scheduling have a habit of taking over,
and after we skip one week, it’s way too easy to slide out of practice.
Once again, this year I intend to bring my students weekly
to Adoration. Past practice tells me that they long to be there – not a Friday
goes by that the kids are not asking me if we are going down to the chapel.
When I ask them why they like going to Adoration, a few will shame-facedly
admit that they like the free-pass from class; a few others say they like
hearing the daily Gospel; a few more mention the unformulated prayers I make
speak to what they are going through (I always make sure to thank God for the
coming week-end).
When I ask the students what they find to be the hardest
part of Eucharistic Adoration – the almost unanimous answer is the silence. In
a world dominated by cell phones and the internet, they have a hard time
turning off. When I ask the students what they like best about Eucharistic
Adoration – the almost unanimous answer is also the silence. Although they may
not like being forced to switch off, once they do, the students come to realize
how much their soul is thirsting for this solitude.
The Truth
This is probably the hardest part of being a Catholic
teacher – sharing the Truth that is Jesus Christ as taught by the Catholic
Church. It’s not exactly popular in the world today. Luckily, I have had some
great mentors over the years, and fantastic support from my school
administration. Still in the current social and political climate, I know the
Truth will not always be welcome news – please pray that I have the courage and
wisdom to see it through.
Evangelical Witness
I’m a bit of an introvert by nature; large group
conversations and social situations tend to make me uneasy. Standing up and
making a statement isn’t really my style (nor is it always needed – quiet witness
is most often the best). This is why I am so rarely in the staff room – I just
feel overwhelmed.
That said, when having a quiet lunch over a theological
discussion with a couple of friends, we noted that we cannot evangelize if we
are in hiding. Just imagine if the Apostles had stayed in the upper room after
Pentecost – there would be no Church to speak of. How can I be a witness to the
faith if I do not put myself in situations where I can be witnessed?
This will probably be the most difficult of my New Catholic
School Year’s resolutions, but hopefully one that will produce the most fruit.
I will try to get over my fears and into the staff room more often; not to get
on a soapbox and pontificate, but rather to be a quiet witness to the faith –
and yes, having those difficult conversations if they do arise.
As we start this new school year, please pray for all who
work in education, the future is in their hands. In a special way, pray for all
who work in Catholic education, in some ways the future of the faith is in
their hands.
All the best tomorrow Robert! You are a great witness and an inspiration. God Bless, -Geralyn
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Geralyn. May God continue to bless you and your family!
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