Reflection 9/4/20:

Well, it’s Friday.  Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is getting ready to turn the page on week 4.  As I’ve said before, this may sound insignificant to some however; four weeks ago we started with a plan and several prayers.  Likewise, we were up against significant unknown and surrounded by doubt.  Yet by the Grace of God, a LOT of hard work from teachers, and some diligent actions from many of our families we have been able to reach this small milestone.  As we roll into the Labor Day weekend, we will need some more of all three in order to see another successful four weeks!

In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisee that “no one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it onto an old one; otherwise it will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old.  No one puts new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the new wine will burst the old skins.  And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine but says, ‘The old is good.’”  Just as the “bridegroom” refashions the wine skins, Jesus refashions each of us into a new creation.  Jesus gives us the strength and fortitude to adapt to change; to withstand the uncertainty and fear that surrounds the outside world. 

Adapting to change is difficult.  Adapting to constant change is both difficult and frustrating, and most times can bring out the absolute worst in the best people.  This is the environment that we are in right now!  Not only is much of the divisive rhetoric that echoed throughout the summer beginning to resurface, we are dealing with the issue of new concerns and divisions all around us.  My prayer is that we do not get comfortable with this environment.  I was listening to a person talk earlier this week and was concerned with the statement that came from the conversation “I believe all this is just going to be the new normal.”  I disagree.  “All This” will only be the “new normal” if we accept it as such and grow comfortable with it. 

Our Catholic Schools have succeeded to this point because we have adapted to the rules and regulations; because we have been focused on providing the safest and most appropriate learning environment that we can, and that we continue to strive to do things better during this pandemic without accepting that this is “the new normal”.  I am proud of all of you for the level of patience and perseverance that has been shown over that past month-plus. 

The dictionary defines a Crusader in its second definition as “A person who campaigns vigorously for political, social, or religious change.”  In order to be a Crusader the acceptance of any “New Normal” is not possible.  Let’s continue to be Crusaders as we successfully push forward into our next four weeks! 

May God continue to bless each of you!

Mr. Swann – Principal