Reflection Re-Entry 2020:

In order to truly be a disciple of Christ we need to keep first things first.  All the things we propose don’t seem to make any sense to anyone, all the issues we discuss falls on deaf ears.  The world was a mess 2,000 years ago much like it is a mess now.  God the Father had a one word answer to all of our problems….JESUS.  It is the same answer today as it was then because in all the questions, all the confusion, all the fear, Jesus is still the same now as then.  He is still the answer; He hasn’t changed it is us who have.  He is the only answer at the end of the day.  He is the answer to the question that is human existence.  In a world that is constantly branding us with all the issues, all the anxiety, all the division, all the hate, Jesus is still the answer.  How about we lead with that….we are the church of Gospel of Jesus Christ.  How about it?  We are the church of the best news ever.  Maybe we should stop believing that everyone gets that.  Maybe we should stop believing that all Catholics get that.  Perhaps we need to stop playing defense and become a church that is on the offense.  I don’t have the answers to many questions I know, but I have the answer to the need for good news in a world that is in such turmoil because it is the same answer God gave us 2,000 years ago: Jesus.

How do we heal?  Why do we fear?  Where is our hearts?  What is at the center of our lives?

In the Gospel Peter has great faith for a few minutes.  Like many of us, especially now, who would be so willing to jump from the boat placing our feet on the water and walk towards Jesus, Peter becomes distracted by the storms and waves around him and sinks.  We are surrounded by waves and storms right now in our current life.  Our focus doesn’t seem to be on God very much anymore.  We tend to focus on wealth, possessions, status, technology, trips, work, etc.  Many of us look to God just not necessarily at the center.  And, as we do, we most often row our boat directly into the storms of life.  Our fear and uncertainty and anxiety have overtaken our lives and we are feeling the water that we are standing on moving up our bodies to slowly overtake us just as Peter did.  It’s easy to focus on Peter sinking in the water, taking his eyes off of Christ and falling into the dark water.  However, I want to focus on what happens when Jesus reaches out to Peter and lifts him up from the water to place him back into the boat; As soon as Peter steps back into the boat, the storms stop.  As soon as we put God back into the center of our lives, the storms cease damaging our lives.  Our anxiety subsides, our fear relaxes, our focus shifts and our eyes are opened.  Jesus is still the same now as then.  He is still the answer to the question of human existence.  Jesus is the Way. 

We must begin to ask ourselves what is at the center of our lives.  What is it that we are looking upon during the crashing of the waves, and blowing of the wind, and the darkness of the storms that we are living in now?  There should be but one answer…

Mr. Swann – Principal

Reflection 4/24/20: Five + Two = Provided:

Today’s Gospel reading from John is the story of Jesus feeding the people on the other side of the Sea of Galilee with only five barley loaves and two fish.  Like you, I can picture in my mind the Lord standing in front of the people who are all sitting on the grass on the side of the hill.  I can almost hear him asking the Philip where they were going to buy bread to feed the multitude of people, and likewise, the panic in the voice of Philip and the other disciples, who are already convinced that this is impossible.  I can see Jesus smirk a little bit when he takes the bread and fish from the boy as if to say “now watch this.”

This Gospel has always been one of my very favorites because it shows the ability of Jesus to provide in anyway at any time.  I think what is most telling from today’s Gospel is that the Lord asked Philip about the bread because “for he himself knew what he was going to do.”  Make no mistake, God knows at ALL TIMES what He is going to do but allows us to be part of the process.  Today, we are faced with seemingly an unexplained and uncertain time in our lives with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Many people in today’s world, just as the disciples in today’s Gospel, have forgotten our Lord’s ability to provide in any situation. 

The Gospel highlights Jesus’s intent not only then, but still today.  Jesus intended to feed ALL the people that were there that day just as he intends to take care of us.  We need to have the same intent with our faith that He will do that very thing.  Throughout this pandemic, there has been fear, confusion, and anxiety all swirling around the unknown.  Wouldn’t it make sense to focus our attention on the one truth above all other truths that we do know?  Jesus knows what He is going to do and, although we may not understand it, we need to respond the way the disciples did, and follow Him.

My second favorite part to today’s Gospel is the extent to which God provided: “Gather up the fragments left over so that nothing may be lost. So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five loaves left, they filled twelve baskets.”  God isn’t going to provide for us “just enough”.  God will provide so much that we can live off of the left-overs!  Know this; we are the people on the hill who have gathered to see Him.  We are sitting there, unsure, uncertain, and hungry and at this moment, Jesus is asking us the question because “He Himself knows what He is going to do.”

 

He WILL provide.

 

Mr. Swann – Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Reflection April 14, 2020:

The last several days have been busy with administrative work and, although I am thankful that our job still requires our focus and effort during a time when so many are out of work, I am beginning to see the hours and days blend together.  As many of you did I’m sure, I had to put some things aside in order to allow myself to focus on the great blessing and foundation of our Christianity that is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.  Much like you all, I am simply trying to do my very best to keep things moving forward in the face of a most unprecedented and confusing time. 

What I have realized is that there is no slowing down, no rest, and no end to what can be thrown at any person regardless of what may be going on in the world.  Perhaps many of you are feeling this way as well.  To that I would say, it’s okay, it’s acceptable, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed.  At the same time, and if this Lenten journey has shown us anything, it is important to slow down in the face of so much uncertainty and focus on what we know to be certain – Jesus.  Today’s Gospel reminds us that we are not to spend time in fear or pain; to not be self-absorbed in our anxiety and to not waste our gifts by focusing too long on “us”.  It is understandable that each of us must have our “moment” but then we must remember our purpose and, if we are to fall, get back in the race.

In today’s Gospel, the angels said to Mary Magdalene, “Woman, why are you weeping?” to which she answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”  At that moment Jesus stood behind Mary and asked her Himself why she was weeping and, as He so often did, didn’t share in her despair yet instructed her go to His brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”  How many times has Jesus walked up behind you in your “moment” and transforms your sorrow, anxiety, confusion into wonder at the power of God?

If this current time has reminded us of anything, it has shown us that we do not need as much, we need to put our lives back in order, we need to focus on our families, we have the ability to adapt even if we don’t want to, we can survive change, we are much stronger than we realized before, we are not the most important thing in the world, we have a much greater purpose than we thought, we must lift each other up, and….Jesus is the answer. 

I pray that we all may recognize and respond to Jesus in all of His surprising moments in our lives.  I pray that we, like Mary in today’s Gospel, will allow the hope and promise of Easter to transform our “moments” into accepted action that reflects our Father’s will.  Amen.

Mr. Swann - Principal  

Gospel Reflection March 27, 2020:

As I read the Gospel from John, I am reminded of two very significant things; first, Jesus truly knew what anxiety and suffering was, and, second, I miss the morning hall-prayer with our students more than ever.  One of the things I am going to develop is a morning prayer for our groups just as we have done all year, only it will be through a visual platform.  I would like to invite you as parents to pray with your students and me during the day your respective grade level engages in our “Pod-Prayer” as we call it here at OLMC.  The schedule will follow the same as it has all year as follows:

Monday – Jr. High Wing 6^th – 8^th

Tuesday – Kindergarten & 1^st

Wednesday – 2^nd – 5^th

Thursday – PreK

Regarding the format, this is still up in the air however; I’m most likely going to be using Facebook or Zoom.  I will get the information to you quite soon as we continue to wait on the State’s decision as to when to officially move to E-learning/Distance Learning.  In the meantime, let’s share in the Gospel of John: 7:1-2, 10, 25-30.

Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near.

But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret.

Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah? Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”

Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”

Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come.

Several things remind us of Christ’s human form and vulnerability in this Gospel reading.  As Jesus went around Galilee He was anxious as He knew that there were those who were searching for Him to kill Him.  When the Lord did go into the festival, He did so in secret.  This is significant.  Often, we forget the “human” side of Christ.  That he suffered from hunger, cold, anger, frustration, worry, perhaps even fear for the human race, and, of course, pain. 

If Christ could not embody these feelings he would not have been human.  In this reading however, it continues to show that in the face of the anxiety of knowing there were people searching to kill Him, Jesus faces this emotion publicly through the strength and protection of God stating “I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him and he sent me.” 

During this most frustrating COVID-19 pandemic, it is extremely important for all of us to remember that, just as in today’s reading, the Lord understand fully our human fears, anxieties, frustrations, anger, and pain.  At the same time, we are able to face ANYTHING if we do so standing next to God who strengthens and protects us from any danger.  We must have faith not only when things are going well, but especially during the times which challenge us the most with uncertainty.  That faith will be seen by all who see us.  It will be seen by our co-workers, our friends, our children and grandchildren, and it will be seen by God who will continue to bless us. 

Please know that we at OLMC are here, we are working, your children/students will be receiving the best education that can be delivered during this time, we will be assessing and advancing and, as we move forward, we will be praying for each of your families’ health and peace continuously.  Though our work may look a little different now, it is not finished.  As the state, and country, slowly returns to normal, we too are heading in that direction as well. 

Thank you for all your continued understanding and support for your school and parish.  May God continue to bless you always!

Mr. Swann – Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel  

A Reflection for March 20, 2020 – Come Back:

In today’s readings there are two very important areas of Scripture that I feel, during this time; we need to pay close attention to.  In the first reading of Hosea, the Word tells us “They will come back to live in my shade; they will grow wheat again, they will make the vine flourish, their wine will be as famous as Lebanon’s.  What has Ephraim to do with idols any more when I hear him and watch over him?  I am like an evergreen cypress; you owe your fruitfulness to me.”  In saying this, God is suggesting that although He allowed a period of time when the people were/are self-serving, there will be the opportunity for them/us to refocus our eyes back on the One True God. 

Likewise, in today’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus instructs the scribe that “you must love the Lord your God with all our heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength..”  When the scribe recognized this to be true he told Jesus that His answer was good and that His instructions were more important than any burnt offering.  With that Jesus, seeing that the man was honest, told the man “you are not far from the kingdom of God.”

The truth is, because God is ever present, we are never far from the kingdom of God should we choose to be close to Him.  However, there is the problem for the overwhelming majority….choice.  Working in reverse, the Gospel suggests that even during this time of panic over the COVID-19 virus which has been forcing world-wide closures and shutdowns of schools, organizations, cities and boarders, we are still close to the kingdom of God so long as we continue to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  This means we must trust in Him!  Don’t trust in CNN, Fox News, ABC World News Tonight, WSIL, KVS12, and so on.  Believe in the power of prayer, don’t fall to anxiety.  Consider your sources, be intelligent, and take your concerns to God.  Yes, this is the foundation to health physically, emotionally and spiritually.  However, it is a choice. 

In addition to this, and retreating back to the first reading today from Hosea, if you have made the choice to panic, to become overwhelmed by the things of the world which are outside of your control, if you have placed your faith in some news channel, some political candidate, some social media platform, God reminds you that you can “come back…and flourish.”  He “hears” and “watches over” you, and He always will.  During this time, don’t lose sight of that.

 

Perhaps this is the time when, due to being forced to be at home with our families, cancellation of sports and social gatherings, we are reminded of the things that are truly important in our lives!  We are reminded that God needs to be at our center and not all the other distractions which the world offers us.  Now is the time to remember that God hears and watches over us, and that we need to make the choice to come back to Him fully and flourish. 

Mr. Swann-Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

Dear OLMC Family,

Just as you are, we are all aware of the health concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).  The school has taken measures to keep our students, faculty and staff healthy and safe.  We will be adding hand sanitizing stations throughout the school and in the rest rooms to use after washing hands, increasing the frequency with which we disinfect high-touch surfaces and restrooms, and will be putting together an internal task force that meets to carefully monitor the situation and any/all new developments from the school districts. 

I am meeting with several area principals and the superintendent of the Diocese today to discuss the overall threat and concerns.  As with anything, it is important to use common sense.  Wash your hands, avoid family members who are sick, and keep yourself healthy food-wise.

We will continue to update if/when there are any changes.  Continue to enjoy your break and try not to borrow worry.  As for now, we are following the steps which were posted on Option C and our social media outlets last week. 

God bless!

Jason C. Swann/Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

What We Do Unto Others: A reflection for 3/5/20:

Today’s Gospel in Matthew is true to the current Lenten season.  Jesus instructs us to act faithfully in pursuing Him.  He encourages us to be forthcoming with our desires, our fears, and our thoughts and in doing so, promises us that He will be there as he always has been.  However, Jesus also reminds us that we are to treat others in the same manner that He treats us when we fly to Him with the things in our hearts.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.  Everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened.”  Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it?  Two things we must remember about this Gospel, and Lent is the perfect time to do some remembering…..the questions come on our time…the answers come on God’s time…WE ARE NOT THE ONES IN CHARGE HERE!  A more appropriate translation of this Gospel could be “Ask, and wait for God to answer; Knock and wait for God to open the door; Search and wait for God, who has been constructing the plan of your life all this time, to allow that plan to unfold at the right time as to best benefit you!”  It’s always the second part that trips us up huh.

About that second part...how about the second part of today’s Gospel: “Is there anyone among you who hand his son a stone when he asked for bread?  Or would you hand him a snake when he asked for a fish?  If you, then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?”  Understanding this, we are to trust that God will not only answer our prayers, but He will answer them in the way, and at the time, that will be absolutely best for us! 

There is however, one last part to this excerpt from today’s Gospel which may be the most reflective of our Lenten journey this year.  Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel from the Book of Matthew, to “always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the Law and the Prophets.”  Putting this all together…if you feel like God isn’t answering your call to your expectation, perhaps it is because you aren’t answer His call in your life for others….

Trust in the Lord our God, always. 

“Lord, your son taught us that those who ask, receive; that those who seek, find; and that those who knock, have the door opened for them. May we pray with such believing faith, trusting in your divine providence, so that we may receive the gifts you wish to give to us as we faithfully seek to follow your son. Amen.”  - Rev. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C.

Mr. Swann/Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel