From Archbishop Donoghue
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Dedication of Our Lady of Mercy High
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Dear Friends in Christ, About a month ago, I had the good fortune to be here at Our Lady of Mercy High School, to celebrate Mass, and to invite everyone who is devoted to this school, to begin the academic year, by offering prayers to God for the success of this endeavor. Today, we have gathered to formally dedicate this same school, and though we are certainly well on our way with the academic year, our actions this evening, place our hopes and our prayers in a greater context, than this single year alone. For we understand – if we look to our history, the history of Catholic education in our country - we understand that the establishment of a Catholic school, to serve any particular locale, is in a way, a sure planting of the truth of Christ and of His Gospel. On that basis alone, we can confidently expect, that many young men and women, destined for the good of our society and the world, will pass through the doors of this school - this year, next year, and for many years, many generations yet to come. It is the grace that comes from God's revealing to us, in the life of Jesus Christ, how we are to believe and live, that gives us the desire and determination to make this school a reality. St. Paul, who has a way of pinpointing the central meaning of our belief, our faith, gives us this advice about education: Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise. . . do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. (Ephesians 5) These words, at first consideration, seem perhaps to apply most significantly to our young people - for they are embarked on a journey of self-discovery - a journey of discovering how to live in the world, while keeping true to the will of the Lord. Every sacrifice we make on their behalf, private or public, time, skill or money - these are gifts, coins of love in the spiritual purse of our children, sustenance for their minds and hearts, as they undertake this journey through the years of high school education. And the gift will persist beyond these years – for the memory of what we have done will be with them for ever – our love will be enshrined in their beings, as they mature and marry and begin their own families, and as they in their own turn, make their own sacrifices, so that their children might come to enjoy the same blessings that we have sought for them. And so we say to them first, the students of Our Lady of Mercy High School – this is all for you – so be wise, not foolish, and learn now, while their is still time, while you are still young, how to make the will of the Lord your own will - how to do what He asks, how to walk faithfully in His way. The words of St. Paul are also meant for those here who are older, those who are in charge. For teachers, “be wise” means bringing your teaching in line with the teaching of the Church, for the teaching of the Church is the living presence of the Holy Spirit among us, the will of the Lord we are to follow, and the only pure truth. For those who serve on the professional staff of this school, “be wise” means, be examples of service for those young people who are ever watching what you do, and how you conduct yourselves. Not every child who passes through this school is destined for public fame, or for the making of critical global decisions, but every one of them is destined to grow into responsibility for their own conduct, responsibility for the well-being of those they will be given by God to love. Their first lessons in these facts of life come from their parents - but when these young men and women are here in this school, 5 days or more in a week, everyone who works in a position of responsibility becomes a surrogate parent. So “be wise,” all you who work here - be the best of examples for these young men and women who watch you, and see what you do every day, and who miss very little of what is done around them. Dear friends, we are involved, as St. Paul righteously asserts, first and foremost, in trying to do the Lord's will - as adults, parents, teachers, professionals - and as dedicated and diligent young people, and all are looking to benefit – to receive grace from what we have been given, this great bounty of the Lord’s favor, this gift of Catholic education. I encourage everyone, in all parts of this valiant enterprise, to do whatever you can for the sake of our new school, for in doing so, we are, both as individuals, and as members of the one Body of Christ, banishing ignorance from our world, and laying the groundwork for a better day, for a more enlightened civilization, for the Kingdom of God – we are a light for the world, as the Gospel says, set on a hill, for the glory of God, and for the good of His people. May our light shine, and the darkness overcome it not. Thank you, and God bless you all. + |