We returned from the blizzard with a week's worth of late starts. In a high school that means that all classes meet but for a shorter amount of time. So, students straggled into school by 9:45 a.m. and met quickly with all their teachers for about a half hour each and then went home. It was the end of the winter sports season and games were squeezed in where they could be and tournaments were modified to meet time constraints. All in all, it was not a perfect week! BUT, it was a week and we did accomplish something and perhaps learned a lesson that will be important in days to come.
In life, we need to learn to be flexible! Though things do not always go the way we plan, wish, or hope, they do move forward. At that point, we either "go with the flow" as some say or we become disgruntled, angry, and frustrated. I think the path of flexibility is the best. So, at school, we flew through that short week and just finished a more "normal" week with only one late start. All the events that were postponed because of weather have been re-scheduled and everyone is looking forward eagerly to them. Things tend to work out!
In a week or so, there will be a huge announcement about the future of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The report is the result of a great deal of research, analysis of current data about our schools, and deep reflection on the vision and mission of the schools as a whole. I am certain the the report will result in the need to change so that we can best meet the needs of our current students and our future students. The plan will generate high emotions and there will be mighty changes that should eventually result in a better, stronger system of schools.
At that point, there will be many educators who will need to not only be flexible, they will need to be energized to move forward and implement the changes (sometimes as unexpected and unpredicatable as several blizzards in one week!) that are called for with dedication, skill, enthusisam and faith. Learning the lessons of flexiblilty in little ways in life sometimes prepares us to handle the bigger changes as well. We need to remember that things tend to work out. It is also important to believe that in matters of faith, mission, and vision, the Holy Spirit does work!
As we continue to deal with this "winter to remember" with flexibility and good spirit, we will also be called upon to deal with the bigger issues of our lives in that same positive way. Things will work out according to "the Plan"--even if the plan is not ours but His!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Out of Signt, Out of Mind--Not Even in a Blizzard!
Yesterday at Mt. Carmel High School the excitement level was off the charts! It was Student Appreciation Day of Catholic Schools Week so kids were out of uniform. Baltimore County had decided early on to dismiss two hours early due to the impending snow. To top it off, Mr. Jim, our resident chef, decided to serve wings for lunch--What more could we all ask than the convergence of all these wonderful things!
So, we did enjoy the wings and then we all left early to await the snow. And, as we all know, the storm arrived with great force and now almost twenty-four hours later, it is still snowing!
Since I was snowed in this morning I decided to sort through some papers and straighten up a bit. I rediscovered letters that needed answering and bills that needed to be paid. I also found the Annual Appeal Brochure request that I received a week or so ago. When the brochure arrived, I looked at it rather carefully. It was eye catching and had great photos of students in both our schools. It also made a real plea to alumni and friends to support the schools. These are tough financial times for everyone, but Catholic schools have been especially hard hit because our families have been hard hit. At Mt. Carmel we continue to be firmly committed to providing a loving,faith filled environment where learning for a life time can happen. Our resolve is unwavering. The school, though, like everyone else needs to pay the bills--faculty deserve so much more than they receive, kids deserve the best that new technology has to offer, aging buildings need to be repaired, and then there is always BGE--Last month the high school gas bill alone was $10,000! I am aware of these facts and a million more that make me want to support our schools as much as I can. Yet, when that brochure arrived, I put it on the stack of "take care of this later" items and did not send my gift. That brochure may have been headed for the "out of sight, out of mind" stack had I not had some time this morning to rediscover it. I hope that each of you will rediscover that brochure and make a gift too. Our kids deserve the best and I believe that the education provided at Carmel--where heart, mind, and spirit are attended to each day--is the best! Be generous, my friends! Do not take Carmel for granted!
Now, there is another related issue that has been on my mind as I watched the snow accumulate and bury my car. There is no doubt in my mind that I will not be able to dig out until Monday which means no driving tomorrow and no Mass for me. I think that I am not alone. I know that these last several weekend storms have taken a toll on many people and businesses but I think that they must have taken the greatest toll on our Church. Please do not let your envelopes languish on the "out of sight, out of mind" stack of things to which you have to attend. Snow or not, the work of the Church continues. At Mt. Carmel, as at most churches, the only source of income comes from the generosity of our members. Whether we are present on Sunday or not, the bills need to be paid. Now, in addition to all the regular expenses, I am sure there are several whopping snow removal bills that have been added to the list!
So, I hope you are safe and snug and enjoying the beauty of this snowfall. I also hope that you are aware of the negative impact that can be part of the winter season on those institutions we know, love, and on which we depend. I hope that you have some time to sort things out ,too, and that you are generous to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Both our schools and our Church need the support of all of us!
So, we did enjoy the wings and then we all left early to await the snow. And, as we all know, the storm arrived with great force and now almost twenty-four hours later, it is still snowing!
Since I was snowed in this morning I decided to sort through some papers and straighten up a bit. I rediscovered letters that needed answering and bills that needed to be paid. I also found the Annual Appeal Brochure request that I received a week or so ago. When the brochure arrived, I looked at it rather carefully. It was eye catching and had great photos of students in both our schools. It also made a real plea to alumni and friends to support the schools. These are tough financial times for everyone, but Catholic schools have been especially hard hit because our families have been hard hit. At Mt. Carmel we continue to be firmly committed to providing a loving,faith filled environment where learning for a life time can happen. Our resolve is unwavering. The school, though, like everyone else needs to pay the bills--faculty deserve so much more than they receive, kids deserve the best that new technology has to offer, aging buildings need to be repaired, and then there is always BGE--Last month the high school gas bill alone was $10,000! I am aware of these facts and a million more that make me want to support our schools as much as I can. Yet, when that brochure arrived, I put it on the stack of "take care of this later" items and did not send my gift. That brochure may have been headed for the "out of sight, out of mind" stack had I not had some time this morning to rediscover it. I hope that each of you will rediscover that brochure and make a gift too. Our kids deserve the best and I believe that the education provided at Carmel--where heart, mind, and spirit are attended to each day--is the best! Be generous, my friends! Do not take Carmel for granted!
Now, there is another related issue that has been on my mind as I watched the snow accumulate and bury my car. There is no doubt in my mind that I will not be able to dig out until Monday which means no driving tomorrow and no Mass for me. I think that I am not alone. I know that these last several weekend storms have taken a toll on many people and businesses but I think that they must have taken the greatest toll on our Church. Please do not let your envelopes languish on the "out of sight, out of mind" stack of things to which you have to attend. Snow or not, the work of the Church continues. At Mt. Carmel, as at most churches, the only source of income comes from the generosity of our members. Whether we are present on Sunday or not, the bills need to be paid. Now, in addition to all the regular expenses, I am sure there are several whopping snow removal bills that have been added to the list!
So, I hope you are safe and snug and enjoying the beauty of this snowfall. I also hope that you are aware of the negative impact that can be part of the winter season on those institutions we know, love, and on which we depend. I hope that you have some time to sort things out ,too, and that you are generous to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Both our schools and our Church need the support of all of us!
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