Greetings!
Happy New Year! I pray this finds you well and rested as we return from the Christmas holidays.
I have spent some time over the last few days reflecting on the life and legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. One of my favorite quotes to which I often return was delivered by Benedict XVI in his homily at his inaugural mass as pope: “Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” Necessary echoes. It reminds me that each student, family, staff member entrusted to our care is of God and that without them, our school would not be whole. It reminds me of the sacred nature of our work.
The death of a pontiff offers an opportunity to learn more about the role of the Holy Father in the Church. It also reminds of our unity in faith as we mourn together. Wanda Stewart, principal of St. Vincent de Paul, offered three concrete ways that she and her community will take time this week to pray for and remember the late pope:
- Start each morning this week with the three suggested prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
- Pray an all school rosary for the repose of deceased Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI on Thursday, the day of his funeral mass in Rome.
- Encourage teachers to take this teachable moment to talk to students about the importance of the Pope in our church.
In that homily, he went on to say, “There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with Him. The task of the shepherd, the task of the fisher of men, can often seem wearisome. But it is beautiful and wonderful, because it is truly a service to joy, to God’s joy which longs to break into the world.”
Let us find joy in the evangelizing work of our schools and share gratitude for the lived example of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Faithfully,
Nicholas
NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent
Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle
