Adding a Blizzard to the Mix of Christmas Preparations

The Christmas season (especially getting ready for the holiday) is a frantic, frenzied although fabulous time of year. It is even busier than usual and our emotions are pulled by present responsibilities, past memories and hope for what is about to be. Add twenty inches of snow to this already complicated formula and it takes more than a little focus to see solutions and find some answers.
The last week we had classes at Mt. Carmel before the blizzard was more than a little frenzied and included that strange mix of memory and anticipation so typical of the season. At the beginning of the week, there was a prayerful tree lighting ceremony out front near the grotto. It honored a fine young man. Last year on December 15 one of our students, Zack Shiflett, passed away. This year his class, now juniors, had an outdoor prayer service to mark the day. As an adult, there are not enough words to convey the injustice and heartbreak that surrounds the passing of a young person. His friends, though, were able throughout this very difficult year, to work through anger, loss, and sorrow and land at a place of hope. The entire service focused on the gift of Zack's life--his laughter, his silliness, and the joy that was his trademark. Our prayer that morning also pushed all of us to use what Zack taught to enrich our own lives and to see that, with faith "hope does not disappoint." I was so proud of our kids that morning. As tears ran down their faces, they stood with steely courage. The tree was lit and with the light came the memory of a life--too short--but well lived. The light reminds us always that darkness "wins" only when we allow it, and our faith brings with it the character, endurance, and hope which never disappoints. The lights on Zack's tree will remain lit until Easter when the months of darkness turn to light for all of us.
And, the the emotional roller coaster continued, as students and adults alike anticipated our Christmas Concert. The concert includes several solo performances by some talented singers. It also includes some of our Christmas favorites and there is more humming and singing along than is the norm for teens at a concert. By far, though, the highlight of the event is a rousing rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"--Mt. Carmel style! Homerooms are assigned the lines of the song and try to outdo each other in volume rather than harmony as the song progresses. By the end of the song, everyone is standing by turn and the church walls seem to vibrate with the energy of our songbirds. This grand tradition is one which really captures the excitement and energy of the holiday. Anyone experiencing this event can not recall it without a grin emerging unexpectedly at the thought of pipers piping and geese calling--loud enough to be heard miles away!
The school week ended on Friday with excited whispers about the coming snow. And, snow it did! School was cancelled on Monday and Tuesday and I know that the students were grateful for the extended holiday. Some enjoyed a reprieve from term paper outlines and final tests before our scheduled break. It did seem strange, though, not to be able to say a final Merry Christmas to everyone. That is one reason I was so happy to see so many of our students at Mass on Christmas Eve.
My Christmas Eve experience always includes two Masses. I help with the little kids Christmas pageant at the Children's Mass at 4:00 p.m. Students from the high school read the Christmas story as the second graders create a tableau of the Nativity. After that Msgr. Bob gives his homily and the older kids sit with the little ones mostly to make sure the shepherds don't hit each other with their staffs and the wise guys do not take back the gifts! It was grand to see the high school kids volunteer their time and set such a great example for those very excited little ones. Having the high school so connected to the parish allows for this wonderful intergenerational faith experience for everyone. I think the 700 plus folks at the Mass took away a very positive vision of teenagers along with the message of salvation!
At the midnight Mass, my favorite, all the elements came together with beauty and meaning. The music was magnificent and Marty Coffman, who is responsible for it, deserves a great deal of credit. The Mass was cantored by Kelly Aquilla, a junior at Carmel, and she really did sing with the angels. The service was crowded and people joined in all the songs and prayers. Msgr. Bob had a great homily and when he sings the Mass parts that are generally spoken, there is nothing more powerful. And so, Christmas came. I saw many alumni and their families there that night and am always grateful to know that for most of our students, our relationship of sharing faith continues long after they leave high school and reach adulthood. Achieving those life long connections is Carmel's aim.
So, ready or not, the season is upon us. When we return to school there will be some regrouping to do and exams will be happening before we know it. All that can wait a little bit. Right now, it is a time to take a deep breath and remember the lessons just learned. Hope never disappoints. Students, at every age, are filled with spirit at Christmas. Sharing faith knows no age limits or boundaries. And, a painfully learned lesson for me--when it snows twenty inches, let someone else do the shoveling!!!

The Cougar Classic and the Mystery of Wrestling

This first weekend of December is always the date for The Cougar Classic. It is a weekend that showcases our winter sports teams: cheerleading, indoor women's soceer, men's basketball, and wrestling. Five out of the last seven years (including this year,of course), the first snow of the year has fallen on this weekend! Despite the complications that weather sometimes brings it is a great school spirit building weekend. There are always games and a pep rally. This year there was a sock hop as well--It was well worth chaperoning the dance to see one of our most macho basketball players in bunny socks!
The weekend is the result of many hours of planning and work by the Athletic Department. Led by Mike Naunton and including Heather Ganzman, Ashley Hanson, Drew Ganzzermiller, and a myriad of dedicated coaches, the group plans a weekend that provides competition, opportunity, and fun. Mike is always trying to find ways that the kids can have fun as well as play their sport. This year was a big success and I am grateful to this whole crew of dedicated Cougar devotees!
The mysterious winter sport that I am just beginning to appreciate is wrestling. This is only the second year we have had wrestling at Carmel and I must admit, though the kids loved it from the beginning, I was more than a little dubious. I wasn't a big fan of the uniforms and after seeing my first match last year, considered the entire event an injury generating nightmare. It seemed to me that at any second bones were going to break and muscles detach from their God given attachments! I have to admit I had no clue about scoring or skills, but I was frightened for the kids!
One strategy that Mike Naunton used to calm my anxious state was to introduce me to our coach,Tim Schoen. I was certainly impressed by Tim's wrestling credentials. Not only was he a champion wrestler himself in high school and college, he had coached teams that were ranked tops in the state. In 1999 he was recognized by the National High School Coaches Association as a Maryland State Coach of the Year. What settled my jangled nerves,though, was his calm demeaner and the way he spoke about our kids. He was appreciative of their effort, their determination to learn this new sport, and affirming of the good things they were doing in the rest of their lives--like doing well academically and taking leadership positions in the school. He was a Carmel kind of guy!
So, this is the second year of wrestling and I have just witnessed my third wrestling match. The second match was last week and I was lucky enough to sit next to one of the dad's who gave me a tutorial as we watched. I now understand the idea of pinning someone and the points you earn from throwing someone down and getting back up again. Obviously, I have a long way to go. The part I am beginning to like is the formal civility that is built into the sport. Every wrestler shakes hands with his opponent before and after every match and with the coaches after the match. The match itself is very focused and intense but the beginning and the end requires great self-control and sportsmanship too. I like that.
The other part that I really like is that wrestling gives everyone an opportunity. Because the matches go by weight and there are so many categories,kids of all sizes can be part of the team. Our smallest guy weighs only 103 lbs. and the biggest ones are problably over 200 lbs. That variation leaves lots of slots in the middle! I like this inclusive focus. What unites the guys has more to do with strength and determination than it does with size. I like that too.
So, I guess I have to say I am growing in my appreciation of wrestling. It is less a mystery but still a little frightening! I am glad we added this opportunity to our winter activities!
I am off to the last basketball game of the Cougar Classic weekend, the snow is falling,the cheerleaders are doing a super job, and there were no injuries at the wrestling match--which we won! Go Cougars!