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Good evening, and Happy Veterans’ Day weekend.
Today we gave thanks for our veterans in our community, led by our 4th graders who did an excellent job in their assembly today. To those of you who served, or have family members, children or friends who have served, thank you. I am personally very grateful, and happy Veterans’ Day to you.
This time of year is filled with asks. Ask for your time, service and talents. Asks for pledges and monetary contributions. Asks for patience, prayers, gratitude and grace. It can be a lot. It can be overwhelming. Pause.
As I was walking out to my car the other night, well after the daylight had faded away, I shared a conversation with one of the other staff members, as we discussed the amount of things on people’s plates this time of year. The asks, the needs, the challenges, the struggles, the joys and the weights that people carry. We specifically spoke about the amount that is asked from our community, to our community, for our community on a yearly basis, around this season. A season of giving, as it is so often referred to, come the holidays, can at times it can be overwhelming, and all at once.
This wise coworker and friend remembered what it was like being a parent starting out with a kindergartener, feeling like she had to do it all, right in that moment. The drives, the recess volunteering, the class volunteering, the field trips, the service projects, the auction, the parish asks, the fund drive, etc. In our conversation, she reminded me about what her husband had told her years ago when she was feeling overwhelmed. “Pick something, you don’t have to do it all, and you do not have to do it all at once-- just pick something”.
As a community, we recognize that many things kick off at once for families, faculty, staff, community members and parishioners too. Many people fall into all of those categories. It can be a lot. So pace yourself. Remember, you do not have to do it all right now, at the moment. We hear you.
Volunteering and participating in service drives is wonderful. Do it if you can. Do it with your heart and your gifts and your talents. Do it with your time. Do it if you feel called. It makes a difference in someone’s life, even if you don’t realize it.
The School Fund Drive? This wonderful tradition that has been on pause for about 5 years, allows the entire community to rally around our school, our students and the future of OLG, by raising money for our endowment, tuition assistance and the needs of our students and teachers. 100K and 100% participation is our goal, and it is simply a portion of what our school needs to operate on a yearly basis. But remember it’s annual. You have ALL YEAR to participate and give what you can, no amount is mandatory. Pace yourself. It’s just beginning. Your generous gift (large or small) directly reflects your support of keeping our programs accessible to all who seek it.
The procurement for the auction? This is part of your yearly requirement that is mentioned at registration. Check the requirements and the deadlines. The auction team depends on everyone. It is our biggest event of the year, and our largest single event fundraiser that we have.
For parishioners, Stewardship of Treasure has also kicked off and runs for 6 weeks. Pay attention to the due dates and what you are being asked to do. Remember that this is part of a requirement if you receive in-parish tuition, but it’s also what sustains our parish, and allows them to also give to the school, as its largest ministry. What you can pledge, pledge.
And Tuition Assistance for the 24-25 School Year? Yes! This too is on your plate as families, and has a deadline. Applying before Christmas is an expectation. Applying before December 31st is a requirement for anyone seeking aid in any capacity. Another ask, in hopes to receive, and yet, a task to be done nonetheless.
So many things. In truth-- ALL THE THINGS matter and are important. We are so grateful that many of you participate in the many avenues and ways that you do. Remind yourself that you cannot do it all. None of us can do it all alone. That's why we are a community, as we need one another.
Your time, financial gifts, prayers, support of your children in their homework and in their projects, CYO practices and beyond-- they ALL matter. The asks this time of the year are a lot, so pace yourself, and know that it slows way down. Know too that they all happen now, to sustain us for the future.
Look at the tasks, the due dates, etc. and remember the message in Colossians 3: 23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart”. Pace yourself and take pause. Make time for prayer, discernment and grace to guide you through it all. That is enough.
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