“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whateveris pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” -Philippians 4:8
When I reflect on Saint Mary’s, it is the passage above, which happens to be one of my favorites, that defines Saint Mary’s High School. We, as parents, are called to be the primary educators of our children, by creating “a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule (CCC 2223).” How awesome to be able to have that faith life, that call to holiness, continued by all who make up the Saint Mary’s staff. I recently stopped by school around noon to pick up some scrip – but had to wait because of the daily Examen and Angelus. So, it wasn’t really that I HAD to wait, but more that I was PRIVILEGED to wait and pray with the school. What comfort this gives me, knowing that my child is being called to go deeper into his faith life every day.
Right now, my child at Saint Mary’s is a young man. Bishop Olmsted has a clear call to men in his Exhortation entitled Into the Breach.He says “Men, do not hesitate to engage in the battle that is raging around you, the battle that is wounding our children and families, the battle that is distorting the dignity of both women and men. This battle is often hidden, but the battle is real. It is primarily spiritual, but it is progressively killing the remaining Christian ethos in our society and culture, and even in our own homes.” I find such encouragement in the men who are leading my son, forming him to engage in the battle, and to not live in apathy. Whether it is during Mr. Spina’s Theology class, contemplating redemptive suffering, or taking advantage of daily confession or Mass, led by Fr. Bolding or Fr. Vietor. Maybe it is through the sophomore mission trip led by Mr. Ayala, learning to lay down one’s life for another through work and sacrifice, building fences or cleaning up sheep poop. It might be a coach, maybe Coach Brittain, calling my son to forget his pain and push through for the greater good – to be a member of a team, and not out just for himself.
