As you may know, one of our most prominent alums is Archbishop Gerald Lacroix '75. Archbishop Lacroix is the archbishop of Quebec and the primate of Canada. We invited Archbishop Lacroix to celebrate our Baccalaureate Mass in 2015 as it will be the 40th anniversary of his graduation from Trinity High School. I am happy to announce that he has graciously accepted!
Stay tuned.
June 26, 2013
June 20, 2013
The Portiuncula
Each summer for the past 8 or 9 years we have brought students to Saint Francis Inn in Philadelphia. Saint Francis Inn is a soup kitchen in the Kensington section (i.e. where "Rocky" takes place) of the city and is run by the Franciscans. This year 9 students will be heading down from August 11-17 along with Mr. Sheehan '79 and Mrs. Trachim, both of our math department. I may be going as well.
I thought it might be nice for the students to get together before our trip and to learn a little bit about Saint Francis and the Franciscans. I remembered that there is a replica of the Portiuncula in Hanover, MA and we decided to take them there. The Portiuncula is a chapel in Assisi that was restored by Saint Francis and is considered one of the holiest sites for Franciscans. A basilica was built over the Portiuncula and people flock to it every year. Saint Francis is buried in the basilica.
The replica (one of 4 in the United States) is on the campus of the Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover, a school for special needs students founded by Cardinal Richard Cushing. Cardinal Cushing, who was archbishop of Boston from 1944-1970, loved Saint Francis and asked that a replica of the Portiuncula be built on the campus of the school. Each piece of the chapel is from Assisi and it is pretty much an exact replica. Cardinal Cushing is buried in the chapel at his request so he could forever be with the children.
We all traveled down there this past Monday. Mrs. Trachim could not be with us unfortunately but we were accompanied by Father John Bucchino, OFM of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Manchester. Father John is a Franciscan and graciously agreed to come with us to say Mass in the chapel and to talk to the kids about Saint Francis. We arrived around 10:45am and were immediately struck by the beauty and peacefulness of the campus. There are over 100 students at the school, both children and young adults. We went to the chapel and Father John celebrated Mass. Following Mass we went to the dining hall for lunch. The students serve the food and, I assume, help prepare it so they can learn some work. Everyone was so kind and welcoming and many students stopped to say hello. It struck me that this was a perfect introduction to Saint Francis Inn. The students will be serving food amongst people who are challenged and here they were now in a similar setting amongst people with challenges, albeit different ones. I never considered the school and the students helping our kids understand the work they will be doing, it was a wonderful grace.
Following lunch we gave the kids some time to walk around and Mr. Sheehan and I sat in a beautiful garden with a statue of Saint Francis. Father John wanted to walk around alone to take it all in. We then returned to the chapel around 12:30pm and Father John spoke more about Saint Francis and tied it all in with the idea of service and seeing the dignity in every human being. After some pictures we all headed out but not before stopping for ice cream!
It was a wonderful mini-pilgrimage. I was just expecting to focus on the chapel but it became so much more than that. The kids had a chance to bond as a group, they had a chance to see people who are challenged but beautiful, and they were able to pray in a special place. The weather was amazing to boot!
Thank you Saint Francis, please pray for us.
I thought it might be nice for the students to get together before our trip and to learn a little bit about Saint Francis and the Franciscans. I remembered that there is a replica of the Portiuncula in Hanover, MA and we decided to take them there. The Portiuncula is a chapel in Assisi that was restored by Saint Francis and is considered one of the holiest sites for Franciscans. A basilica was built over the Portiuncula and people flock to it every year. Saint Francis is buried in the basilica.
The replica (one of 4 in the United States) is on the campus of the Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover, a school for special needs students founded by Cardinal Richard Cushing. Cardinal Cushing, who was archbishop of Boston from 1944-1970, loved Saint Francis and asked that a replica of the Portiuncula be built on the campus of the school. Each piece of the chapel is from Assisi and it is pretty much an exact replica. Cardinal Cushing is buried in the chapel at his request so he could forever be with the children. 
We all traveled down there this past Monday. Mrs. Trachim could not be with us unfortunately but we were accompanied by Father John Bucchino, OFM of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Manchester. Father John is a Franciscan and graciously agreed to come with us to say Mass in the chapel and to talk to the kids about Saint Francis. We arrived around 10:45am and were immediately struck by the beauty and peacefulness of the campus. There are over 100 students at the school, both children and young adults. We went to the chapel and Father John celebrated Mass. Following Mass we went to the dining hall for lunch. The students serve the food and, I assume, help prepare it so they can learn some work. Everyone was so kind and welcoming and many students stopped to say hello. It struck me that this was a perfect introduction to Saint Francis Inn. The students will be serving food amongst people who are challenged and here they were now in a similar setting amongst people with challenges, albeit different ones. I never considered the school and the students helping our kids understand the work they will be doing, it was a wonderful grace.
Following lunch we gave the kids some time to walk around and Mr. Sheehan and I sat in a beautiful garden with a statue of Saint Francis. Father John wanted to walk around alone to take it all in. We then returned to the chapel around 12:30pm and Father John spoke more about Saint Francis and tied it all in with the idea of service and seeing the dignity in every human being. After some pictures we all headed out but not before stopping for ice cream!It was a wonderful mini-pilgrimage. I was just expecting to focus on the chapel but it became so much more than that. The kids had a chance to bond as a group, they had a chance to see people who are challenged but beautiful, and they were able to pray in a special place. The weather was amazing to boot!
Thank you Saint Francis, please pray for us.
June 15, 2013
Summer vacation!
Yesterday was the final day of the year for teachers. The students finished their exams on Thursday and we came in yesterday to clean-up, check grades, have a final meeting, and enjoy a BBQ with Mr. Mailloux's '72 amazing steak. It was also the last day for five members of our community who are moving on:
Ms. Kudrick of our math department is retiring after 40 years
Mrs. Magoun of our modern language department is retiring after 19 years
Mr. Nelson of our English department is retiring after 12 years (40 plus as a teacher)
Mrs. Hollingsworth of our athletic department is taking a job as a nurse. She was with us for 9 years
Ms. Girard of our theology department is leaving to pursue her vocation after 4 years at Trinity
I am going to take some time off eventually but we do have some trips planned this summer. Mr. Sheehan '79 and I are also taking some students on a day trip on Monday. This blog might be a little quiet after Monday but please do check in. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read about our work in Campus Ministry. As I often tell people, it's a labor of love and I can't believe I actually get paid to do what I do.
Happy summer!
Ms. Kudrick of our math department is retiring after 40 years
Mrs. Magoun of our modern language department is retiring after 19 years
Mr. Nelson of our English department is retiring after 12 years (40 plus as a teacher)
Mrs. Hollingsworth of our athletic department is taking a job as a nurse. She was with us for 9 years
Ms. Girard of our theology department is leaving to pursue her vocation after 4 years at Trinity
I am going to take some time off eventually but we do have some trips planned this summer. Mr. Sheehan '79 and I are also taking some students on a day trip on Monday. This blog might be a little quiet after Monday but please do check in. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read about our work in Campus Ministry. As I often tell people, it's a labor of love and I can't believe I actually get paid to do what I do.
Happy summer!
6th Grade goodbye
This past Thursday I was privileged to be invited back to Saint Christopher School in Nashua for the 6th grade luncheon. Each year on the day before "graduation" (Saint Christopher's only goes to 6th grade like most elementary schools in the diocese) they have a lunch in the church hall for the kids and their parents. They also pass out various awards.
Father Richard Kelley, the pastor of Saint Christopher's Parish and a very good friend of Trinity High School, was unable to attend so I was asked to say grace. I took the opportunity to also congratulate the parents on raising some amazing children. We were then all treated to a nice lunch and then the awards were distributed. They asked me to help pass out the Christian service awards which I was happy to do.
I am so grateful to the 6th grade teachers, Ms. Wefers and Mrs. Edmonds for inviting me and for continuing the wonderful relationship between Trinity High School and Saint Christopher's School. That night I happened to be at the mall in Nashua and I ran into one of the boys from the class. He actually recognized me at first and we had a nice chat. They are wonderful kids. Best of luck Class of 2013!
June 12, 2013
6th Grade Retreat
I was honored to be invited to speak to the 6th graders at Saint Christopher School in Nashua yesterday. They were having a mini-retreat and one of the 6th grade teachers, Ms. Wefers, asked if I could speak to them about service. I spoke to the students last year and this year on their Vocation Day so I have come to know them well. They are a fun group of kids and I love visiting them.
We began by reading the gospel passage from Matthew 25 where Jesus instructs His disciples to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, and visit the sick and imprisoned. I explained how these (plus bury the dead) have become known as the Corporal Works of Mercy and how we are all expected to do these for when we do so, we do them for Him.
I cut out pieces of paper with the works of mercy on them and the kids broke up into seven groups based on which one they had. They had to come up with 5 ways they as 12 year olds could carry out the work of mercy.
They then reported back their ideas to the full group. I reminded them that they don't have to wait until they are older to do amazing things and to things for others, they can do them now. We concluded our time by praying the Prayer of Saint Francis from a prayer card I gave to each of them.
We ended the retreat with pizza and brownies. I sat with some of the kids and loved chatted with them, they are so much fun.
I look forward to going back to Vocation Day in October!
We began by reading the gospel passage from Matthew 25 where Jesus instructs His disciples to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, and visit the sick and imprisoned. I explained how these (plus bury the dead) have become known as the Corporal Works of Mercy and how we are all expected to do these for when we do so, we do them for Him.
I cut out pieces of paper with the works of mercy on them and the kids broke up into seven groups based on which one they had. They had to come up with 5 ways they as 12 year olds could carry out the work of mercy.
They then reported back their ideas to the full group. I reminded them that they don't have to wait until they are older to do amazing things and to things for others, they can do them now. We concluded our time by praying the Prayer of Saint Francis from a prayer card I gave to each of them.
We ended the retreat with pizza and brownies. I sat with some of the kids and loved chatted with them, they are so much fun.
I look forward to going back to Vocation Day in October!
Habemus statua
And they're off
This past Monday and Tuesday we said our final goodbyes to the Class of 2013. On Monday we had our Baccalaureate Mass at Saint Anselm Abbey Church and last night was our Commencement at Saint Anselm Sullivan Arena.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Francis Christian, the auxiliary bishop of Manchester (he and Bishop Libasci rotate saying the Baccalaureate Masses at the four Catholic high schools each year). We were blessed to have four concelebrants - Msgr. Charles DesRuisseaux, Fathers Richard Dion, John Fortin, OSB, and Richard Kelley. In his homily Bishop Christian urged the students to live a life of meaning and to keep in mind that we are simply passing through. Our choir was beautiful as always and added so much solemnity to the Mass. Following the Mass, two students - Angelita Connell '13 and Patrick Taillon '13 - offered reflections. They both had a common theme, Angelita never wanted to come to Trinity and Patrick wanted to transfer on two occasions. But thanks to so many teachers, they came to love the community and the opportunities that presented themselves.
Following the reflections, the choir sang a song of blessing as each student received and lit candles. After the blessing the students processed out of the church with the candles, symbolizing that as they leave us they are to go into the world and be the light of Christ.
We always begin our commencement with a sort of receiving line. The faculty line up and the students process in and are greeted individually by each teacher. It actually began about 20 years ago because a former principal was worried the students would be carrying in beach balls or other items and he did this as a way for the teachers to see that the kids didn't have any contraband on their person! Luckily it evolved quickly into an opportunity for all of us to say goodbye and good luck one last time. I was privileged to offer an opening prayer. I brought with me the processional cross we use at our Masses to help introduce my prayer. The right arm of Jesus broke off about a year ago and even after we fixed it, it fell off again. Around the same time I heard a talk from the superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Memphis, TN who said she was reluctant to take on the job and asked Jesus to wrap His arms around her and help her. Shortly thereafter she came across two crucifixes, both of which had no arms. She took that as a message from Jesus that He was not going to wrap His arms around her, she had to be His arms. I decided then to not put the arm back on our crucifix as a reminder to all of us that we too are to be Christ's arms. After telling this story I prayed the following prayer by Mother Theresa:
Father Richard Dion concluded the commencement with a benediction and offered a final blessing to the newest alumni of Trinity High School.
Best of luck to the Class of 2013! Please stay in touch.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Francis Christian, the auxiliary bishop of Manchester (he and Bishop Libasci rotate saying the Baccalaureate Masses at the four Catholic high schools each year). We were blessed to have four concelebrants - Msgr. Charles DesRuisseaux, Fathers Richard Dion, John Fortin, OSB, and Richard Kelley. In his homily Bishop Christian urged the students to live a life of meaning and to keep in mind that we are simply passing through. Our choir was beautiful as always and added so much solemnity to the Mass. Following the Mass, two students - Angelita Connell '13 and Patrick Taillon '13 - offered reflections. They both had a common theme, Angelita never wanted to come to Trinity and Patrick wanted to transfer on two occasions. But thanks to so many teachers, they came to love the community and the opportunities that presented themselves.
Following the reflections, the choir sang a song of blessing as each student received and lit candles. After the blessing the students processed out of the church with the candles, symbolizing that as they leave us they are to go into the world and be the light of Christ.
We always begin our commencement with a sort of receiving line. The faculty line up and the students process in and are greeted individually by each teacher. It actually began about 20 years ago because a former principal was worried the students would be carrying in beach balls or other items and he did this as a way for the teachers to see that the kids didn't have any contraband on their person! Luckily it evolved quickly into an opportunity for all of us to say goodbye and good luck one last time. I was privileged to offer an opening prayer. I brought with me the processional cross we use at our Masses to help introduce my prayer. The right arm of Jesus broke off about a year ago and even after we fixed it, it fell off again. Around the same time I heard a talk from the superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Memphis, TN who said she was reluctant to take on the job and asked Jesus to wrap His arms around her and help her. Shortly thereafter she came across two crucifixes, both of which had no arms. She took that as a message from Jesus that He was not going to wrap His arms around her, she had to be His arms. I decided then to not put the arm back on our crucifix as a reminder to all of us that we too are to be Christ's arms. After telling this story I prayed the following prayer by Mother Theresa:
- Make us worthy Lord to serve our fellow men throughout the world,
- who live and die in poverty and hunger.
- Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread
- and by our understanding love give peace and joy.
- Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
- That where there is hatred I may bring love,
- That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness,
- That where there is discord, I may bring harmony,
- That where there is error I may bring truth,
- That where there is doubt I may bring faith,
- That where there is despair I may bring hope,
- That where there are shadows I may bring light,
- That where there is sadness I may bring joy.
- Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted,
- To understand than to be understood,
- To love than to be loved.
- For it is by forgetting self that one finds.
- It is by forgiving that one is forgiven,
- it is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
- Amen.
Father Richard Dion concluded the commencement with a benediction and offered a final blessing to the newest alumni of Trinity High School.
Best of luck to the Class of 2013! Please stay in touch.
June 8, 2013
Theology Fair X
Last night was Trinity High School's 10th annual Theology Fair. Each year in January, the freshmen receive a scripture passage and are tasked with creating a giant 3-D project of that passage by June. I taught freshmen theology at Trinity for three years and always loved working with the kids on the Theology Fair project. They all worked so incredibly hard and produce work that I would never have been
capable of when I was 14/15 years old.
Ms. Girard and Ms. Zolkos did an amazing job preparing the students for this year's fair and the gym was packed all evening. What impresses me year after year is how the students are able to explain their story so well. It's one thing to make a nice project, it's another to be able to discuss it with so much poise and confidence.
At the end of the fair, Ms. Girard and Ms. Zolkos recognized some students for their work and they came on stage to receive a gift. Ms. Zolkos and I then thanked Ms. Girard for her hard work over the years and for her stewardship of the Theology Fair over the past four years. We also wished her the best as she prepares to move to Nashville to enter religious life.
Great job all around!
Ms. Girard and Ms. Zolkos did an amazing job preparing the students for this year's fair and the gym was packed all evening. What impresses me year after year is how the students are able to explain their story so well. It's one thing to make a nice project, it's another to be able to discuss it with so much poise and confidence.
At the end of the fair, Ms. Girard and Ms. Zolkos recognized some students for their work and they came on stage to receive a gift. Ms. Zolkos and I then thanked Ms. Girard for her hard work over the years and for her stewardship of the Theology Fair over the past four years. We also wished her the best as she prepares to move to Nashville to enter religious life.
Great job all around!
June 7, 2013
The Most Sacred Heart
 |
| The Sacred Heart statue outside our chapel |
It's harder to open our hearts and let God love us than to love God in return. But the only way to really love God is to love others, especially the poor. God is an expert in the science of tenderness and we should allow ourselves to be loved by Him.
Senior Lock-in
Earlier this semester some members of the senior class approached the administration about having a senior banquet and a lock-in. As yesterday was the last day of final exams for the seniors, it was scheduled for last night/this morning. The banquet was held in the gym at 7pm and a delicious meal was prepared by parents of the senior class. All the members of the faculty attended as did most of the seniors. Following the banquet many games like ping pong tables, a Wii, corn hole, basketballs, etc. were brought in and the kids spend the next 6 hours or so playing. I could not believe their energy, they kept going and going. It reminded me of when we arrive at our host schools for the March for Life. The boys have so much energy and play basketball for hours.
At 2am or so we put on a movie ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off") and I took the opportunity to sneak down to my office to sleep for about an hour or so. I came back up as the movie was wrapping up and when it concluded we all cleaned up as our annual Theology Fair is tonight.
Sunrise was at 5:07am this morning so I thought it would be nice to end the lock-in with a sunrise prayer service. We all walked over to the adjacent golf course to watch the sun rise but it was too cloudy and at about 4:55am we decided we weren't going to see the sun (and the kids were getting antsy) so I just offered a prayer. I prayed the famous Irish Blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Mega kudos to Ms. Comiskey of our modern languages department and the student council advisor for pulling this off. She was helped by many parents, Ms. Foley, and Mr.Mailloux '72. In addition to me and these three, the others teachers who spent the night were Mr. Gadecki, Mrs. Henning, Mr. Martinez, and Mr. Sheehan '79.
At 2am or so we put on a movie ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off") and I took the opportunity to sneak down to my office to sleep for about an hour or so. I came back up as the movie was wrapping up and when it concluded we all cleaned up as our annual Theology Fair is tonight.
Sunrise was at 5:07am this morning so I thought it would be nice to end the lock-in with a sunrise prayer service. We all walked over to the adjacent golf course to watch the sun rise but it was too cloudy and at about 4:55am we decided we weren't going to see the sun (and the kids were getting antsy) so I just offered a prayer. I prayed the famous Irish Blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Mega kudos to Ms. Comiskey of our modern languages department and the student council advisor for pulling this off. She was helped by many parents, Ms. Foley, and Mr.Mailloux '72. In addition to me and these three, the others teachers who spent the night were Mr. Gadecki, Mrs. Henning, Mr. Martinez, and Mr. Sheehan '79.
June 6, 2013
Year in Review
As I mentioned in the previous post, I just mailed my annual year in review letter to all the priests in the Diocese of Manchester. As I was composing the letter I was struck by how much our students did this year. Take a look:
Prayer
Prayer
- Celebrated school-wide Masses on holydays and special occasions. Bishop McCormack and Fathers Ray Ball, John Bucchino, OFM, Richard Dion, John Fortin, OSB, Jason Jalbert, Chris Martel, Paul O’Brien (Archdiocese of Boston), Charles Pawlowski were our celebrants.
- Hosted monthly Sunday Night Masses and dinners/fellowship for Trinity families.
- Held retreats for the faculty, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the start of the academic year. Most were held at parishes and Saint Anselm College to connect our students with the wider diocesan community.
- Students and faculty composed the daily prayers that are recited at the start of each school day.
- Launched a Facebook prayer wall where community members could post their prayer requests.
- Distributed symbols of faith to students at various points in the year: freshmen received a Bible, sophomores a rosary bead, juniors a Tau cross, and seniors a candle.
- We took three students on a Kairos retreat with students from BC High to learn how to conduct the retreats at our school.
- Had periodic opportunities for confession in the school chapel.
- Students wrote the names of their beloved dead on cards that were placed in the chapel during the month of November.
- At the conclusion of each session of Driver’s Education, I presented the students with a medal of Saint Christopher and offered a special prayer for their protection as they begin driving.
- We offered prayer services during Advent, including on on the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe. We purchased a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe which now hangs outside our gym.
- We hosted Lucernarium (Night Prayer) and a social during Advent.
- Following our Catholic Schools Week Mass in February we had the Blessing of Throats.
- On the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, students and faculty who were ill were invited to come to the chapel for a special prayer and to bless themselves with water from Lourdes.
- Over 40 students took part in a Holy Thursday pilgrimage, visiting the Blessed Sacrament at 5 parishes and then enjoyed ice cream at the Puritan Backroom.
- in August 7 students travelled to Saint Francis Inn in Philadelphia spending a week serving the poorest of the poor while praying and living in community amongst Franciscans, religious sisters, and lay volunteers.
- Served dinner on a few occasions at Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, MA
- On the first Thursday of each month students, teachers, and parents helped serve dinner at New Horizons of New Hampshire
- On the third Monday of each month students assisted at the Saint Raphael’s Parish Food Pantry
- Sponsored a canned food drive to benefit the New Hampshire Food Bank. Students donated just under 2,000 pounds of food.
- Helped clean up after the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund fundraiser
- Took students on a tour of the New Hampshire Food Bank and New Horizons to learn about their work
- Hosted Father Bill DeBiase, OFM of Saint Francis Inn in Philadelphia. Father Bill spoke with the juniors about social justice and had a surprise reunion with Bishop Libasci. Father Bill and Bishop Libasci grew up in the same parish in Queens and the bishop served Father Bill’s first Mass!
- Over 100 students (including students from Saint Joseph Regional Junior High School) took part in our annual Cardboard City event in October. The students slept outside to raise money for New Horizons. The students raised $7,277.00.
- Collaborated with the charity of a Trinity family to collect kits to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy and the Oklahoma tornado.
- We organized our annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive to benefit the food pantries of Blessed Sacrament and Transfiguration parishes. Our families donated over 450 baskets of food.
- We hosted a talk by Mr. Bob Curley of Cambridge, MA whose son Jeffrey was murdered in 1997. Mr. Curley was an advocate for the death penalty but has changed his mind and travels to speak about his opposition to the death penalty.
- Students paid $2 to dress down in December with the proceeds ($668.15) going to New Horizons.
- We hosted a baby shower to benefit Our Place of Manchester. The amount of items collected filled an entire Chevy Suburban.
- Students took part in mission trips to Blackfeet Nation in Browning, MT and Guatemala City over April vacation.
- In July 6 students travelled with me to Buffalo, NY at the annual Lasallian Youth Assembly, a gathering of high school students from Lasallian high schools (Trinity is a former Lasallian school). This is a week long event consisting of prayer, service, and fellowship.
- I had the honor of speaking to 5th and 6th graders at Saint Christopher School’s annual Vocation Day.
- New Horizons honored our students for their work at Cardboard City with a special recognition at their Thanksgiving breakfast.
- Over 90 students and family members spent a Saturday in December in New York City. Everyone spent the day shopping and sightseeing and we topped off the day with Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.
- We presented Ms. Betty Kudrick of our math department with the 2nd annual Bishop Leo O’Neil Award at our Advent/Christmas Mass at Saint Anthony’s Church in Manchester.
- We celebrated Catholic Schools Week with different “honorees” each day: faculty and staff were honored on Monday with a social, parents were given coffee and donuts as they dropped off their children on Tuesday, our students were given a dress down day and ice cream on Wednesday, we honored our poor on Thursday by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for New Horizons, and we honored God on Friday with Mass. In addition we worked with students from area schools to compose a prayer that all the schools prayed at their Masses during this week.
- We took part in a radio ad for New Hampshire Catholic schools that aired on WZID.
- Nearly 100 Trinity students, parents, and teachers took part in the March for Life in Washington, DC.
- We hosted a concert by the Boston Black Catholic Choir on Washington’s Birthday in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Over 40 students participated in a Skype Q&A session with Archbishop Gerald Lacroix ’75.
- Mr. Joe Donnelly of our science department found a way to make black and white smoke which he let off during the papal elections.
- 5 students visited Catholic TV in Watertown, MA to attend the daily TV Mass and the live broadcast of “This Is The Day.”
- We hosted Grandparent’s Day for over 250 grandparents and grandchildren. We celebrated Mass, gave tours of the school, and had a luncheon.
- Two Nashville Dominican sisters visited Trinity and spoke to the freshmen and sophomores about religious life.
- We hosted the main reception following the ordination of our former campus minister Father Andrew Nelson.
My helpers
I have the pleasure of teaching two classes at Trinity High School in addition to working in Campus Ministry. Both of my classes are Advanced Placement level and the exams were in mid-May. So since we are done with the material, my classes have occasionally helped me with some Campus Ministry projects (especially my AP US History class). Today they efficiently and quickly arranged, folded, stuffed, and sealed my annual year in review letter to the priests of the diocese. I did this by myself last year and almost went insane! These guys got it done in 20 minutes. Last week they helped in various ways getting ready for Father Andrew's reception, including rolling heavy round tables from our garage to the gym. That was not easy!They are great kids and I am going to miss them terribly when they graduate next year.
June 5, 2013
Why we do what we do
The University of Notre Dame sponsors groups around the country called Advocates for Catholic Education. They are groups of individuals who are committed to Catholic education who gather for Mass, fellowship, and service to Catholic schools. There is a group in Boston and I have attended their Masses on occasion. Ironically I missed many of them this year because they fell on evenings I had a Trinity event!
This past Saturday the group had their final Mass for the year and while I could not attend they posted on Facebook a reflection offered by Caitlin Keaton, the outgoing principal of Saint Rose School in Chelsea, MA. She is moving to Maryland this summer to be the principal of a Catholic school there. Her reflection is a beautiful testimony to why we work in Catholic education. Enjoy.
"It feels like home to me" - remember that song? "It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong." That's how I feel about Catholic schools.
My first year of teaching was in a public school in rural NC. It was a great school with a great principal, great teachers, great parents, and great students. it seemed like the perfect place to start a career in teaching. That fall, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast, and I remember thinking, how do I talk to my 5th graders about something like this happening without mentioning God? They had so many questions, and although I didn't necessarily have answers, everything I wanted to say was either directly or indirectly tied to faith, and the hope that faith gives us, even in the face of tragedy- perhaps especially in the face of tragedy. I couldn't help but feel like something was missing. There was a big part of me that I couldn't bring into the classroom- at least not in an explicit way.
When I moved to Boston seven years ago and started teaching at St. Angela School in Mattapan, I felt such freedom. I felt like I could finally be real. My teaching felt real. When we read novels that addressed big themes like courage and cowardice and life and death and friendship, we didn't have to filter those conversations or pretend that faith doesn't enter into all of those big ideas. When bad things happened in the world around us, we could look at them through a spiritual lens and talk about what our faith teaches us.
Throughout the last seven years in various Catholic schools here in Boston, I have found myself growing in authenticity. Each day, I feel that I become a little bit more of my true self- the person God created me to be. And each day, I see this happening in others all around me, too. This is the great gift of Catholic schools - they give us all environments in which we can become more fully alive, more fully human, more fully ourselves.
I can be my whole self in a Catholic school. I can give my whole self in a catholic school. I can help others- both children and adults- to discover and be their unique, whole selves. I can talk about Jesus in conversations with children about discipline. I can talk about vocation with teachers. I can talk about the hope that our faith gives us in conversations with parents who are sharing their trials and tribulations with me. I can share the gospel and a relevant reflection on it every week when I write the weekly memo to my staff on Sunday and the weekly newsletter to parents on Thursday. I can pray with my school community every morning. I will never forget right before April vacation, our beloved secretary was going to be having surgery and she was very anxious about it. The pastor came over for community gathering that morning and invited her to sit up on the stage. The whole school extended its arms in a special blessing for her. She had the surgery over vacation week, and the results were beyond our wildest dreams. The surgery was to remove a malignant tumor on her lung. The surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor and confirm that the cancer had not spread. No further treatment was required- no chemo, no radiation, nothing! I have never been so happy to share good news with anyone as I was the Monday after vacation when I told everyone at community gathering how Mrs. Wright was doing. The children knew that they were a part of this little miracle, and it became for them a very big and very clear example of their prayers being answered!
We had a fundraiser at a local restaurant on Thursday night and a dad of a second grade student came up to me. In his beautiful broken English, and with tears in his eyes, he grabbed my hand and said, "Miss Keeton, I just want to thank you. Thank you for all your hard work. I don't have any family here. My mother died. My brother died. Everybody else is back in Brazil. But St. Rose...St. Rose has become our family. I'm a single dad so I work too much, but you and the teachers help me raise my son. You teach him everything he needs to know. You make him fix his mistakes. He has grown so much. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with everything, but I know I can do what I need to do because I am not alone. I have St. Rose School - my family. Thank you." Those simple words and the fact that he took the time to share them perfectly sum up why I choose to do this work everyday.
To return to the lyrics of the song I began with, "If you knew how I wanted someone to come along and change my life the way you've done...it feels like home to me." I will always be grateful to Catholic schools for changing my life and for feeling like home to me,and I will always be an advocate for Catholic schools because I can think of no greater work than to change lives and provide learning and growing environments that feel like home.
This past Saturday the group had their final Mass for the year and while I could not attend they posted on Facebook a reflection offered by Caitlin Keaton, the outgoing principal of Saint Rose School in Chelsea, MA. She is moving to Maryland this summer to be the principal of a Catholic school there. Her reflection is a beautiful testimony to why we work in Catholic education. Enjoy.
"It feels like home to me" - remember that song? "It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong." That's how I feel about Catholic schools.
My first year of teaching was in a public school in rural NC. It was a great school with a great principal, great teachers, great parents, and great students. it seemed like the perfect place to start a career in teaching. That fall, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast, and I remember thinking, how do I talk to my 5th graders about something like this happening without mentioning God? They had so many questions, and although I didn't necessarily have answers, everything I wanted to say was either directly or indirectly tied to faith, and the hope that faith gives us, even in the face of tragedy- perhaps especially in the face of tragedy. I couldn't help but feel like something was missing. There was a big part of me that I couldn't bring into the classroom- at least not in an explicit way.
When I moved to Boston seven years ago and started teaching at St. Angela School in Mattapan, I felt such freedom. I felt like I could finally be real. My teaching felt real. When we read novels that addressed big themes like courage and cowardice and life and death and friendship, we didn't have to filter those conversations or pretend that faith doesn't enter into all of those big ideas. When bad things happened in the world around us, we could look at them through a spiritual lens and talk about what our faith teaches us.
Throughout the last seven years in various Catholic schools here in Boston, I have found myself growing in authenticity. Each day, I feel that I become a little bit more of my true self- the person God created me to be. And each day, I see this happening in others all around me, too. This is the great gift of Catholic schools - they give us all environments in which we can become more fully alive, more fully human, more fully ourselves.
I can be my whole self in a Catholic school. I can give my whole self in a catholic school. I can help others- both children and adults- to discover and be their unique, whole selves. I can talk about Jesus in conversations with children about discipline. I can talk about vocation with teachers. I can talk about the hope that our faith gives us in conversations with parents who are sharing their trials and tribulations with me. I can share the gospel and a relevant reflection on it every week when I write the weekly memo to my staff on Sunday and the weekly newsletter to parents on Thursday. I can pray with my school community every morning. I will never forget right before April vacation, our beloved secretary was going to be having surgery and she was very anxious about it. The pastor came over for community gathering that morning and invited her to sit up on the stage. The whole school extended its arms in a special blessing for her. She had the surgery over vacation week, and the results were beyond our wildest dreams. The surgery was to remove a malignant tumor on her lung. The surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor and confirm that the cancer had not spread. No further treatment was required- no chemo, no radiation, nothing! I have never been so happy to share good news with anyone as I was the Monday after vacation when I told everyone at community gathering how Mrs. Wright was doing. The children knew that they were a part of this little miracle, and it became for them a very big and very clear example of their prayers being answered!
We had a fundraiser at a local restaurant on Thursday night and a dad of a second grade student came up to me. In his beautiful broken English, and with tears in his eyes, he grabbed my hand and said, "Miss Keeton, I just want to thank you. Thank you for all your hard work. I don't have any family here. My mother died. My brother died. Everybody else is back in Brazil. But St. Rose...St. Rose has become our family. I'm a single dad so I work too much, but you and the teachers help me raise my son. You teach him everything he needs to know. You make him fix his mistakes. He has grown so much. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with everything, but I know I can do what I need to do because I am not alone. I have St. Rose School - my family. Thank you." Those simple words and the fact that he took the time to share them perfectly sum up why I choose to do this work everyday.
To return to the lyrics of the song I began with, "If you knew how I wanted someone to come along and change my life the way you've done...it feels like home to me." I will always be grateful to Catholic schools for changing my life and for feeling like home to me,and I will always be an advocate for Catholic schools because I can think of no greater work than to change lives and provide learning and growing environments that feel like home.
June 4, 2013
FATHER Andrew Nelson
This past weekend was one for the ages. On Saturday, our former Campus Minister Andrew Nelson was ordained a priest by Bishop Libasci at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Manchester. The Mass was beautiful (although it was very hot!) and the church was standing room only (imagine one person filled an entire cathedral). The ordination took place after Bishop Libasci's homily. Andrew prostrated himself on the ground while the congregation sang the litany of saints. This is an ancient tradition whereby the man about to be ordained asks for the prayers of God and all the saints in heaven as well as the congregation. Andrew then approached the bishop at his chair and he laid his hands on Andrew's head. That, plus the prayer that followed, constituted the ordination. Father Cecil Donohue, OSB of Saint Anselm Abbey then helped removed Father Andrew's deacon stole and placed on him the stole and vestment of a priest. Father Andrew then joined the rest of the priests and helped con-celebrate the Mass.
Father Andrew wanted an Irish themed reception so Irish music played over the loudspeakers, he made scarecrow type men with Irish themed clothing to look like an Irish band, and Mrs. Krassowski of our art department created a wonderful Irish village backdrop.
The next day Father Andrew celebrated his first Mass at Ste. Marie's Parish at 2pm. It was preceded by a breakfast at Saint Raphael's Parish whose pastor, Father Jerome Day, OSB, preached a brilliant homily at Father Andrew's first Mass. The choirs of Trinity High School and Ste. Marie's sang beautifully at the first Mass.
It was a full weekend but a wonderful celebration of Andrew and the many people he has come to know over the years. There was a cross section of people there from all aspects of his live and it was an amazing testament to the good he has done (and will do).
Ad multos annos!
all pictures copyright Michael Richards
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)