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Greetings!
This Lent, I have been reflecting on the theme of hope as it is woven through the Sunday Gospels. In particular, this past Sunday, as we heard the story of the man born blind, I was moved by something our pastor, Fr. David, shared in his homily.
Toward the end, he quoted a text message he had received from a brother priest. One line, in particular, stayed with me as I reflected on the grace we receive through the sacraments. He observed that while it is never difficult to find what is broken in the world, the grace we receive is not so that we might see more clearly all that is wrong, but rather that we might learn to see all that is good.
In our Catholic schools, this grace is reinforced through the lived example of our pastors, school leaders, faculty, and staff, who strive each day to draw attention to the good in our communities and in the world around us, seeking, in the Ignatian tradition, to find God in all things. This is not to suggest that we ignore suffering or the reality of evil. Rather, it is to recognize that brokenness often makes itself known quite easily, while the goodness of God can require deeper attention and faith to fully perceive.
Our charge, then, is to extend this grace into our communities and through our students, so that they may carry this message of hope beyond our classrooms and beyond their time in our schools.
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Move Your Feet 5K
Please continue to promote our Move Your Feet 5K, bringing together families from across all 74 Catholic schools in Western Washington.
Participation is open to everyone. The race fee is a suggested donation, and we do not want cost to prevent anyone from joining. Funds raised beyond event expenses will be donated in full to the Annunciation School community.
Event Details
Participants are encouraged to wear their school colors or favorite school gear so that each community can be seen as part of the larger whole.
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CYO Camps
CYO Camps is looking to partner with your school to support recess activities and early release days through engaging, faith-centered, outdoor-style programming led by our CYO Camp team.
They would love to:
- Lead organized recess games that promote inclusion and teamwork
- Facilitate structured activities on early release days (team-building, reflections, and camp-style activities)
- Share information with students and families about CYO Camp Hamilton and Camp Don Bosco programs
This partnership is meant to support your school community, not create additional work for your staff. We can coordinate schedules, provide trained camp staff, and align activities with your school’s mission and values.
If this is something you would be open to discussing, I would be grateful for the opportunity to connect and explore how we can best support your students. I can be reached by email at tafadzwa.mapiye@seattlearch.org.
With gratitude,
NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent
Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle
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