On Monday morning, the eighth grade students read our prayer over the intercom. First they recited the St. John School Mission Statement; St. John School is an inclusive Catholic Community, committed to inspiring moral development, academic excellence and the courage to act for the common good. Then they prayed. “As we participate in Catholic Schools Week, help us to remember that it is more than just a fun time in school. Let us enjoy spirit day and free dress but not get totally distracted from our Catholic Teachings. We must hear the call of Jesus: reach out and help others.”
Our mission is rooted in Gospel values. The Schoolwide Learning Expectations which you helped us to frame and write, include living the Gospel values, and the Catholic Social Teachings, valuing the diversity of all God’s children. We are called to act like Jesus, to pray like He did, to welcome strangers to the table like He did, to take care of the sick like He did, to befriend the marginalized, the refugee, the poor, like He did. The stories in the Gospels overflow with examples of how we are to behave, how we are to be an inclusive, caring community, valuing the diversity of all God’s children.
In the classrooms and in our hallways, I see the students’ posters and prayers describing how we live out the SLEs, Corporal Works of Mercy and the Catholic Social Teachings. Key among the Themes of Social Teaching is Solidarity (http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm): “We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.”
We are called to live that statement, not just learn it in the abstract. As one member of our community stated, “It is our responsibility and a tremendous privilege to stand in friendship and solidarity with those who find themselves vulnerable and alienated in these hard times.”
At Mass, we so often sing, “We are called to act with justice, We are called to love tenderly…” The events of the past month have opened up many prayers and discussions among the students here at St. John. What would Jesus do? What would Mary say? We answer with the Gospel in mind. Jesus loves and welcomes everyone, unconditionally.
Please know that St. John School, like Jesus, welcomes and values each and every member of our community. You participate in the many actions we take to care for those in our local and global communities. We will continue to teach and learn about integrity and justice. Our sixth graders will head over to Westside Baby this afternoon. Read on to learn about the eye- and heart-opening experience that our third grade Girl Scout Troop had recently and about the eight grade trip to the movies.
God Bless,
Bernadette O’Leary
