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Dear OLG,
Catholic Schools’ Week is here, beginning this Sunday! We kick it all off with our Open House from 10am- 1pm. Mass is at 11am, and I would love to see you there! You are the heartbeat of our school, the “why” to what we do, and the reason that our mission exists. As the largest ministry of the church, our school is more than just our now, but it is also the living example of why we began and why we will continue to exist long after your children are added to our alumni wall. We exist for today, yesterday and tomorrow because we believe in who we are called to be, and in the core principles in which we were founded.
This past weekend, I was in Arizona for a retreat for graduate school; the theme, “I am the vine, and you are the branches” (John 15). At our core, with God as the vine, the center and the focus in our lives, we can grow into amazing, healthy and strong branches. At OLG, we work to nurture, form and educate the whole child, mind, body and spirit, as individual beautiful. We focus on “the vine”, God, yes of course, but we also feed and tend to our branches. Our branches at OLG are each of you, your families, our community, and most of all, the children in our care. From the branches, stem our leaves and further branches (and smaller vines), that of course bear much fruit; academics, leadership, socially justice minded people for others, young people and adults alike who are the hope for tomorrow; Disciples with Hope to Bring. In the Gospel of John, the rest of the reading reminds us of the greatest commandment of all, “love one another as I have loved you”. This is a tremendous task for us to be asked to love like Christ. Tremendous or not though, this is what we are called to do as members of the church, as families in Catholic schools, as staff and faculty alike. God may be the vine, the root of all things, but together as branches we become the vineyard. Together we must feed our vineyard, work collectively to live for the vine, and in turn, live for one another.
As we enter into Catholic Schools' Week, let us fill our halls with the joy and the goodness of our community, bring your family and friends and neighbors alike to see the goodness and great things happening at OLG. Your children are so proud of their work, as are we. Come check it out. Feed the vineyard, and let us continue to grow as people of faith, and people for our mission.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
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