Advent Reflection 12/15/21:

Speaking to our 2^nd – 5^th grade classes today in Morning Prayer I couldn’t help but feel that how much more simple it is to talk to children rather than adults.  They just seem to “get it” for the most part.  Perhaps it’s because they aren’t as busy as we all are with the holidays, or perhaps that their innocence has simply yet to establish the cynical mindset that majority of adults develop over this life.  Whatever it is, they often allow proof of their experiences to be the answer to their questions where we, as adults, seemingly need something just a little more.  My grandpa used to say that kids grow so much faster than adults because they haven’t figured out how to stunt their own process yet. 

Children don’t stress about what comes next because they have proof that their teachers have it all planned out.  Children don’t worry about where to go next because they have been given proof that their teachers will direct them.  These same children whom I was speaking to this morning allow their day, and essentially their lives to be directed by us (teachers/staff) and you (parents/grandparents) with faith that everything will be perfectly fine.  Even when we change the day up on them, they still trust that it will be alright because they have proof that we will take care of them.  This allows for the little surprises to be celebrated with genuine joy and excitement this time of year.  A child’s ability to truly prepare for Christ is taken in their ability to see the evidence all around them.  As they mentioned this morning: “What evidence do you have that Jesus is coming?” – Their answers “Christmas trees and decorations; The church is decorated in purple; Christmas music; Presents under the tree...” and so on. 

Adults on the other hand….well, let’s face it, our society shows us that there isn’t very much trust, excitement or genuine joy in one another.  We spend more time worrying about things that are days, even months away than we do focusing on the gift of the present moment.  We question everything at all times and question the answers even harder as we grow more and more cynical.  I wonder if I were to ask our adults “What evidence do you have that Jesus is coming?” what sort of answers I may receive.  Perhaps we would say something like, “my bank account is getting low; I’m trying to schedule dinner to accommodate everyone; I have to go to the store…” and so on. 

Today’s Gospel also speaks about allowing the proof of Christ to fill our hearts and minds during this season of Advent.  John’s disciples asked Jesus “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”  Jesus responds to them: “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, deaf hear, dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.  And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me” (LK 7:18-23).  It is this same type of questioning if Jesus actually is who He is that will keep a soul from Heaven. 

When will we take a cue from our children, and allow the proof of Christ’s daily workings in our lives to relax our walls enough so as to truly prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus at Christmas?  When will we stop and slow down enough to allow Christ to work in our lives?  It’s not irony that we have this Advent Season for that exact thing.  Won’t you prepare?

Mr. Swann - Principal

 

“Why We Should Be Thankful”

Reflection 11/24/21:

I realize it’s been sometime between my last reflection and now.  Truthfully, the job gets so busy with seemingly “small things” that it becomes difficult to etch out a few minutes to reflect and to write.  It is in that notion however, that seems to remind me that now is the most important time to reflect and to record.  Perhaps that reflection may have something to do with the current week or the larger picture of the previous year; regardless, we are approaching Thanksgiving where we will all sit down and “try” to remember what we are thankful for.  How obtuse. 

At the beginning of the year I sit down with a small committee and outline calendars, appointment, trips, special dates, ceremonies, meetings, etc. for the school and the many moving parts that play into the organizational works here at OLMC.  I do this knowing full well that almost all of them will in some fashion change based on other people’s schedules and desires or events that we were unable to anticipate at the time.  Needless to say even with this advanced knowledge, it is still frustrating and if any of you experience this at your place of work, you know all too well what I’m talking about.  As the days tick and the year moves forward becoming further and further away from that original meeting, I often get asked the age-old question of “why do we do this to begin with”.  There are several concrete reasons to our procedures – “Why do we have this policy procedure?”….”So that our students are accounted for and safe.”….”Why do we do this that way”….. “Because doing it the other way is illegal.”….. “Why can’t we do this?”…. “Because it’s a Diocese Policy” … “Why do we even go to school on this day” ….. “Because we don’t want to add an extra day to the calendar because we need to be out of school by Herrin Festa.” …. And my mother’s favorite answer of all time – “Because I am the boss and I said so.”  You get my point and yet, we ask the same things annually.  In all this questioning and second-guessing, I’m not surprised that it’s sometimes difficult to find something to be Thankful for.

As I walked around this morning before school started (as this is generally the only quiet time I can carve out to do so), I thought very hard about the things I am thankful for here at OLMC.  It’s easy to rap off the standard answers:  “I’m thankful for my family, friends, job, home, food, clothes, etc.” but let’s face it, although there is no question of our appreciation for those things in our lives, they are also easy answers.  When is the last time you were thankful for not getting your way?  When was the last time you were thankful for that person who challenged you resulting in you becoming a better person, boss, husband, wife, and student?  When was the last time you said you were thankful for struggle? 

Today’s Gospel reminds us that in the difficult times, Jesus will give us the words to say, the actions to take, the relationships we need and the appreciation of persecution.  Saint Luke reminds us that as we are “seized and persecuted, handed over to the prisons and put to death”, we are to be thankful of the Grace and Love of Jesus Christ in our lives.  “You will be hated by all because of my name: By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”  Perhaps we need to focus a little more on our gift of eternal life this Thanksgiving than our non-eternal disappointments or possessions that seem to dominate our talk and our social media posts. 

My walk this morning around the campus allowed me to be thankful for a lot of things here at OLMC.  I am thankful for the faces of my students.  I am thankful for the dedication of my teachers.  I am thankful for small victories our school has had over the course of the past three years.  I am thankful for the challenges and struggles I have seen in this job both from inside the school and out.  I am thankful for the let downs, frustration and disappointments which have forced me to become stronger and more attentive.  I am just as thankful for the attacks as I am the support.  In the end, I am thankful most that God has given all those things to me to sharpen me in the end and, for that, I am thankful. 

As I close this letter of thanksgiving I think about how contagious different mindsets can be whether on a team, in an organization or just in the general public.  I’m not sure at times that what I’m doing here truly makes a difference for anyone or, that God put me here to make a difference in me.  No matter which outcome was intended or if they both were equally, I will do my best to maintain a mindset of peace and thanksgiving regardless of what may come my way in the future.  My prayer is that each of you will as well. 

May you all have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  May God gift you with His peace and keep you all safe and close to his Sacred Heart. 

Mr. Swann

Reflection, October 12, 2021:

It’s been a while now since I’ve last written a reflection.  I mean to often and then the endless chores of the day, sudden interruptions or constant directional pulling seem to pull me from that intent.  Today, however, a student here said that “I know you used to write things weekly, my parent’s would read them.  You haven’t done that in a while huh...”  Okay, so perhaps Jesus is talking to me just as he did the Pharisee in today’s Gospel.  If you listen, he may be saying something to you as well.  Regardless, I’ll take the hint. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about cleanliness from within.  I have worked in many places and have been fortunate to meet many great people both personally and professionally during my career.  Likewise, I have met several Pharisee’s like the one Jesus is getting ready to eat dinner with in today’s Gospel. 

In Luke’s writing, Jesus reclines at table ready to eat and of course, given the laws and custom of the time, the Pharisee begins to wash in preparation for a meal.  In seeing that Christ did not do this, he looks at Jesus almost as if to say “who do you think you are?”.  Jesus, as he so often has a knack for, says to the Pharisee – “Oh you Pharisees!  Although you clean the outside of your cup and dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil…Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?”  The statement Jesus makes to the Pharisee is just as relevant to us today as it was to him 2,000 years ago.  We have all known of people, maybe even been one ourselves at times, who dress the outside up while the inside is in need of some serious sprucing.  As I read and explained this Gospel to my kindergarten & 1^st grade classes this morning during Morning Prayer, I wondered what their little minds were thinking. 

The short of it is, we can clean our “cup and dish” as much as we want; we can say the right things, post the right things, drive the right car, have the right house or family, or whatever…but if we are not treating people, loving our neighbor as ourselves, it is all for show.  How we care for others, talk about others, address others and even, like the Pharisee, judge others shows either the same inside filled with “plunder and evil” Jesus spoke of or, perhaps, shows the disciple of Christ we should grow to be. 

Often in our own attempt to do the right thing, we neglect what is really important.  The Pharisee was amazed to see what Jesus was not doing (washing as the law required) and Jesus called him to account for what the Pharisee was not doing (living as Christ calls us to).  Is it time for us to be called into account for what we are not doing?  Maybe the Pharisee’s story is our story too.  Perhaps it is we who need to refocus on what is actually important in this life, waiting for a word from Jesus who will show us that we aren’t as great as we think we are if our actions don’t do that first. 

Mr. Swann – Principal

 

Reflection 8-20-21:

Here we are finishing up the first week of school.  As we walked into the 2021-2022 school year, I know that we all did so with a new anticipation, almost hope that finally this year would be different.  This is the year that would begin our journey back to “normal” after the unpredictable, unprecedented pandemic and political year that hit our country so hard last year.  This year would be the year where it all comes back together and we would take the lessons learned from the previous year-plus and grow into a more understanding and happier people.  Maybe it’s still early yet. 

Today’s Gospel tells us about the Pharisee scholar who decided to test Jesus by asking him “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  Two things we must remember from this scripture, the first is that the Pharisee wasn’t really seeking an answer from Jesus, he was merely attempting to trip him up and use whatever answer he gave against him.  The second thing we need to remember is that when we ask Jesus something, we need to remember that the answer may not be the one we want to hear.  Jesus says in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and first commandment.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

I believe it may be difficult to find someone, especially in our community, who would say that they do not follow the first one of these commandments if we were to ask.  It’s an easy answer and truthfully, difficult to prove otherwise.  The second commandment however, one does not have to ask for the proof is in our actions; our words; our lives.  Whether or not we follow the second commandment can be seen in the way we treat each other, the conversations we have about people at dinners and ball games, and the decisions we make regarding other people.  Certainly many of the decisions we make daily may be amoral.  But even the little things, conversations we take part in or avoid, considerations we make or don’t for others, the shows we choose to watch or music we listen to, all these things can influence us to make certain choices. 

Jesus tried to make it easy for us.  Love God; Love each other - such a small number of requests yet, such an enormous impact on both our lives and the lives of others. 

Mr. Swann

 

Reflection, June 29:

“And Jesus asked His disciples ‘Who do people say the son of man is?’….He then said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus again questions the disciples in order to hear what they know to be true.  The disciples answer the Lord’s first question based on what people have said, on how others not directly influenced by Christ attempt to explain who this man who does these things in the name of God must be.  The disciples answer the second question; “But who do you say that I am” based off of their own experience.  This concept for some reason caught my attention this morning. 

Let’s think of the experiences which the disciples had in order to conclude that Jesus was in fact “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Each of them was asked to give up everything they had; all of their possessions, their families, their lifestyle, everything they ever knew to follow Christ.  After that, they were for all intents and purposes – homeless – living from town to town, following Jesus as he taught Gospel, healed the sick, cast out demons, etc.  The disciples were mocked, ridiculed, hungry, dirty and often times, confused while constantly being quizzed by Christ.  Honestly, this doesn’t sound like a vacation full of blessings does it?  I’m sure there must have been thoughts of “what are we doing?” by the disciples throughout Jesus’s ministry on earth.  How many of us would have so willingly chose the same path?  There must have been an easier way right? 

Today’s Gospel made me think about how we view God, or, more importantly, how we want God to be.  I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked why God was so harsh in the Old Testament but seemed so loving in the New Testament.  I’ve been asked why if Jesus was love, why did he seem so disenchanted with His disciples so often, why was he so condescending at times with the elders of the church and of people?  Why wasn’t it all just a “feel-good” story?  Perhaps it’s because rather than what people wanted to happen, it’s what needed to happen.  At some point, we –God’s People – need to realize that we are not the ones writing this story.

Pride wants God to tell us what we want to hear.  We prefer the God of the New Testament vs. the God of the Old Testament as if they are two separate Gods.  Pride wants Jesus to be nice to us when we do something stupid.  We are a society that desires to hear what we want, not always what we need to.  We have become a people who want to be the one in control as if God perhaps doesn’t know what He’s doing anymore….”we will handle this issue so that it feels good for everyone, God, you just take care of the forgiveness part okay, thanks.”  The fact is, we are people whose own arrogance, whose own righteousness is going to pull us further away from God not bring us closer, and whose own ideology will blame God for when this ultimately happens.  You don’t believe me, go back and read Exodus again. 

The truth is this, God has a plan and whether or not that plan conforms to our desired lifestyle or choices, it is still His plan.  It is time that we as a Church start listening to what we need to hear, not complaining for what we want to hear because it makes us “feel better”.  We need to accept challenge, not rest comfortably in complacency.  If we cannot listen to God’s call in our lives as His Church, how can we possibly expect anyone outside of the Church to do so? 

Mr. Swann

 Reflection for April:

One hundred and fifty one:  Think about that for a second, 151 days.  I hear a lot about how many days we have left (25 for those counting) and, while also significant, shouldn’t overshadow the fact that our students have been in school for 151 days during the 2020-2021 academic year.  So before we move forward, please let that marinate for a few minutes. 

Thank you to our families, teachers, coaches, and ALL our volunteers for making these past 151 days possible.  It didn’t look like we wanted it to for sure.  The year didn’t take on the feel of past years nor did it accomplish all that we accomplished in previous years.  We couldn’t have field trips, couldn’t rotate classes, were unable to bring in speakers and have assemblies, instruction had to be cut in half in order to balance the many different classes, and the overall stress and procedure development/changes were overwhelming.  However, through prayers and the diligence of many individuals we were able to open our doors, play sports regardless of how they scheduled out, had the Mardi Gras parade, attended mass during the week on a rotating schedule, and will receive First Communion, Confirmation and attend Graduation on time all while attending school 151 days and counting thus far. 

As I look back on this year just enough to remind myself that we still need to look forward, I know that there will be several things that will change moving into this summer and next fall.  The structure of the day, several procedures, the rotation of classes, creation of opportunities, recruitment of new students and staff, all these things will be able to create a more conducive and familiar look to what next year’s school year will be as we move onward and upward. 

At the same time, it’s almost impossible to compare many surrounding school districts and what they were able to accomplish to us and what we were able to accomplish.  I know that many of you, just as I do, have older children in other schools in our area.  I think about what many of those students have faced and wonder where we will be with them moving forward.  I think about how important it is to learn and move forward into next year.  I think about my last two years, my only two years, here at OLMC and all that they have encompassed.  I remember a quote I read from an old football coach that said “There are only four mental qualifications necessary for success – Aggressiveness, Obedience, Concentration and Determination.  Add to this Harmonious cooperation and you have the making of a real team.”  Once the upcoming 25 days are complete and the dust settles on this school year, we will need ALL of those same mental qualifications in order to move forward into the 2021-2022 academic year.  However, before we get there, it is only fitting and necessary to remember the many positive aspects which can be pulled from the past 151 days our students, staff and families were able to live in this past year. 

So thank you, congratulations, and as we finish this out, let’s grow forward together! 

Mr. Swann - Principal

 Reflection for March 22, 2021:

Well, spring is finally here.  To think where we are compared to the previous spring season is something phenomenal at best.  As many things are different than they were a year ago, many others are still the same.  Nothing of course has come without significant adjustment, planning and re-planning, sleepless nights and most of all…worry. 

Our school is attending full days however; these days do not look like the days of school’s past.  Regulations and restrictions haven’t gone away; they have just developed into new and different regulations and restrictions.  Procedures have given away to new, amended procedures that will almost certainly be re-amended again later into newer procedures.  COVID has not gone away either.  As evident in the continued positive cases within our schools, cities, and families it is clear that we are not out of the woods yet. 

So, where does this leave us?  Things seem normal in our little world don’t they?  Our OLMC students are in schools yet our classes and lessons look very different.  Our athletes are back on the playing fields yet our games and practices look very different.  Our school year has seemingly droned on and yet, each day opens with uncertainty and difference.  It is safe to say that things are beginning to look the same only…different. 

So this is where we are left - a new spring a year later in the middle of our Lenten journey.  A Lenten season that seems it has been going on throughout the entire year.  We sit in the face of constant challenge and slow progression and many of us have failed to see Jesus in all of it.  How are we supposed to do that seems to be the echoing question I have faced, and if I am to be truthful, asked myself so many times throughout these past 365-Plus days.  It’s been a long trip for all of us I know, however, it is important to remember that we all have in fact been on this trip!  There are going to be issues that continue to arise and, although our school year looks “normal” it is/has been anything but.  The struggle to implement and grow through this school year still remains until the end.  We are NOT back to normal in any way – socially, academically, athletically, etc. and unfortunately won’t be for quite some time.  That is why it is important to take joy in the small growth and steps we have made as an organization to date, and hopefully, the large steps we have made as individuals in the face of this extended Lenten season. 

Nine full calendar weeks, forty school days, and a lifetime is what remains of this year at OLMC.  While other schools across our nation are just now discussing bringing students back to class for the first time in over a year, we are in a small group of schools and school districts who moved forward navigating the ever-changing frontier.  Perhaps next year will be better.  Uncertainty remains yet, so does hope.  This year has become much more about relevance than about curriculum; much more about social and mental health than about academic performance, and much more about perseverance than advancement! 

As we move forward in the year(s) to come, I pray that we will be able to get the focus back on those other endeavors but for now, remember it is a new spring and, like with all springs, gives rise to new life.  Let us pray that we grow in Christ during this season of Lent and we are able to show Him to others who are also walking the same path.  May we all remember to show Grace just as we receive it. 

God bless!

Mr. Swann