What if God was your only friend on Facebook or your only follower on Twitter or Instagram? Would you still post to those social media apps to connect with Him? As we draw closer to Lent (Ash Wednesday is on Feb. 14), I find myself more and more aware of the annual call to reignite my baptismal promise and be a more ardent witness to the lessons laid before me in Jesus’ final days among the people earth. Social media can be a great source of inspiration and ways to connect with like-minded Catholics (once you get past the ads). For example, I subscribe to Jean Vanier’s daily reflections, which include snippets from the many books he has written about embracing community surrounded by persons with disabilities and learning through compassion. Jan. 27’s reflection was from a PBS publication in 2006 entitled ‘Seeing’: "The question is not just believing in God, but believing in human people, believing in ourselves, believing in ourselves as children of God called to see people as God sees them, not as we would like them to be." In 10 seconds of reading, I got an entire week’s worth of thinking! Maybe this Lent, I am going to focus on asking myself, “Am I looking through the eyes of God? Do I believe in that co-worker? That child? That stranger?” Over on Twitter, I follow Pope Francis (@pontifex) who posted this on Jan. 29: I regularly tell friends and colleagues about Matthew Kelly’s inspiring work at www.dynamiccatholic.com and FORMED (available through your parish) just released a Lenten reflection package based on the works of Bishop Donald Hying subtitled “Experience the Catholic faith in a whole new way”. Without an online presence, I might hear about these publications and thoughts, but I would not be reaping the benefits of exploring them myself. Now, all that said, it is essential to revisit this point. You really don’t need to take on a ‘40 day challenge’ for Lent (which sounds painful, really), and it certainly does not need to be inspired by something you met with on a screen. In fact, your source might be a book you’ve owned longer than most others - your Bible. God already knows your deepest desires and longings, anyway. Just pray and talk to Him. No posting required.
0 Comments
Even though September often constitutes a ‘new year’ at school, January still brings with it a lot of hope in our personal lives - hope for the discipline to keep a resolution (God love us for those darn things!), hope for the chance to strengthen friendships and to build community, and hope for seeing new, better things in ourselves that show Jesus reflected in our thoughts, words, and actions. The Magi’s gifts were more than gifts for a newborn king; the way Father Lukas presented it at the Epiphany mass, those gifts were a sign of putting wonder before any certainty, current practice, or the regular order of things. That inspired me to ask a new January question of our fine arts school community:
How often do you put wonder and curiosity before the safety of what you already know? If, in our fine arts school, we can honestly say, “not as much as I would like”, then it is time to shake things up and remember the excitement that comes from taking a risk, trying something new, and intentionally seeking joy. In finding and nurturing joy, we grow stronger as a community, and cannot help but to be better together. It is through the arts that we create opportunities to be more than we thought we could be - a ‘wonderful’ place to be not only for learning, but for life. Now, in 2018, let’s be WONDERS, and share our gifts with one another - the gifts of friendship, of patience, of forgiveness, and of humility. Let’s care for the least among us, and insist on putting love before all else. Lofty? Yes. Doable? Double yes. I don’t know when I first heard about Residential Schools as part of colonizing Canada. I don’t remember it from my K-12 years, but if I actually did hear, it fell out of my mind like many algebraic expressions and French verb conjugations. I am not proud of that, and it sparks my present commitment to know more and to do more by the young people I serve today; moreover, I want to listen and to take action so that, like other tragic parts of Canadian history, I don’t forget. In a CBC radio interview with Rosanna Deerchild, Ry Moran, the Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, speaks about the logo of the NCTR, which was created from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The TRC published its findings in 2015 with 10 known Truths and 94 Calls to Action. The logo is that of a flame, the ‘flame of reconciliation’ that burns in Canada. He says that, “Like all flames, it is fragile, and it has gone out.” He urges all of us to ask what we can individually bring to that fire, whether twig, log, or a whole bunch of logs. No matter, the goal is to build that fire, “as bright, as strong, as resilient, and as enduring as possible.” That beautiful image can shape anyone’s next and forever steps towards complete reconciliation. No doubt, people of all levels of comfort and knowledge around this piece of Canadian history ask, “What can I do?” At St. Patrick Fine Arts, we strive to create opportunities for staff and students to truly see each other, Indigenous or not. This comes from connecting more often with Blackfoot elders, reading more literature written by and about First Nations people, celebrating Indigenous achievements, and having more and more age-appropriate conversations about the truth in history and the challenges that ultimately affect us all as Treaty people. It is a lot to take in, and as Catholics especially, it may not be an easy road for some. We are committed, though, to travelling together. Our staff is participating in ongoing professional development to grow our foundational knowledge and to become familiar with First Nations-supported lesson plans so more can be shared with your children. We are taking risks by asking questions of ourselves to really discern how our earlier years’ experiences and the ‘truth’ we were raised with have shaped the quality of our current ‘fire-making’ skills. I don’t know when I first heard about Residential Schools (among other related topics), but I know now, and I want to know more and share that with my family and our school community. I welcome your ideas around advancing this crucial goal. Like many of you, my family spent time in Canada's national parks this summer to unwind, explore and make new memories. Our favourite walk is up Red Rock Canyon in Waterton, where all you need is a pair of grippy shoes, a sense of adventure and a little bit of bravery in tricky terrain or higher water.
For the three of us, we tend to take turns in the lead, scoping out the best path of rocks and ledges to move through each beautifully lit bend in the canyon. With our return to school on my mind during our walk two weekends ago, I noticed how that when I was the leader, my daughter (who is 8) would inevitably follow my step choices almost like a shadow jumping along from rock to rock. Since we are different heights and I am aware that I don't always make the most logical choices while hiking, I encouraged her to find her own path if it made the going easier. She said "Okay", but when I turned back, she was right there, pushing herself to match my wet footprints. This got me thinking of how important our work in schools is. Even when comfortable and encouraged to follow their own paths, students will often choose (even if automatically) to follow their teacher's (and parents') lead. If you equate every supportive comment or seemingly small bite of instruction with a leap or a handhold in new terrain, it all adds up to a phenomenal amount of trust. Back in the canyon, I was equally awed by reflecting on the times my daughter was the leader. To keep up with her, I automatically put my feet where her littler ones had been. This affirms that adults can learn so much from children when they have the room to lead. Sometimes it is enough that another person you trust is going before you. In our Catholic school, may you feel strength in a community that has responded to Jesus' call to "take up the cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:21-27). At our district Spiritual Development day on August 31, our Superintendent, Chris Smeaton, reminded staff of what our guest, David Wells, emphasized: "Nowhere in the Gospel does it say you need to be successful or popular." Through our prayers, words, and actions, we can tend to the fires burning within us and become the children of God that He intends for us. Catholic school is a wonderful place to be. |
Details
About MeI have been a Catholic school teacher for 20 years (yikes!!), and administrator for almost 7 of them. Although my knowledge and experience have changed many of my perspectives over the years, some basic things hold fast: I have more to learn, simple is generally better, and all kids are worthy of love. Archives
January 2018
Categories |