Today is the first day of Advent and, as Catholic people at a Catholic school we know what we should do to prepare ourselves as we await the arrival of the Christ Child. We'll conduct Reconciliation for the students, celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, pray, sing and focus much of our curriculum around the nativity. We'll also perform numerous musical programs including preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 through 8, before hundreds of cameras and camcorders. Everyone knows the drill and we believe it is very meaningful because the routine reminds us that Christian faith and culture began with the arrival of the Savior.

As we finish Thanksgiving weekend however, I feel a twinge of dismay at the mountain of advertising that comes with the morning newspaper. It's an incredible pile of full-color consumer eye candy! It's the antithesis of that line in the Our Father that says "...and lead us not into temptation." Further, the news often hints that with the proper level of frenzied buying, we might just have a positive impact on the economy. Wow, it's almost a new level of patriotism that requires only a sacrifice equivalent to the interest rate on your credit card!

Do you remember the "must-have" gift you gave or received after last year's frenzy? How about the year before? The only gifts I remember receiving last year and the year before were given to me by my daughter Emily, a former Marine sergeant and currently a veterinary technician at Meadow Hills Clinic. Last year, in my name, she paid an organization for a goat so some lad in a struggling country could have milk for ongoing nutrition and better health. The year before she provided someone with an egg-laying flock of ducks ( I hope they were long range thinkers who waited patiently for eggs rather than having roast duck!).

The reason I remember these gifts is because I already have enough stuff. The thrill is gone for neckties, electronics, power tools, sweaters, Old Spice gift sets, etc., etc. The older I get the more I realize I've gratefully received every conceivable gift and it made little difference in the end. I've got stuff piled everywhere that never gets used. As the days of my life add up my body tends to remind me that I have more years behind me than I do ahead of me. A time is coming when I'll be faced with a very critical discussion with Jesus Christ about about my eternal soul. I intend to mention the goat and ducks in that conversation while conveniently editing references to I-Pods and Old Spice, even though He already knows.

I'm not pontificating here. Again, I plead guilty as a willing participant in American consumer culture. It is in my psyche and affects my soul. I'm also aware that yearly messages to avoid the holiday hype can be a trite tradition in their own right too. With that in mind, here is my suggestion. Slow down, do a little less and spend a little less this year. Remember that TV and newspaper advertising is made to appeal to your cravings the way heroin appeals to an addict. Consider that if bigger and more expensive were measures of importance, Christ would have been born in Jurusalem or Rome instead of humble Bethlehem. Recall your "must-have" gifts of the past if you can and remember that the only one that lasted was Christ, the original Christmas gift. The first Christmas was celebrated by the Holy Family. As always, they are the true model for our goals at Saint Joseph's School.

This year the best gift I will give is not a scarf or sweater. It will be a donation to the Clear Creek Monastery in Oklahoma. It was started in a horse barn about 15 years ago by a group of Benedictine monks and has been growing steadily, attracting a surprising number of young men to the priesthood. The Benedictine order is 1500 years old and dedicates itself to prayer, work and study. They are currently building housing facilities for their members and a beautiful church that is designed to last a thousand years. They are keepers of the faith and powerful role models for us as individuals and as a culture. I believe they understand and practice the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.

Luke 15:1-10

The Gospel reading today was a great reminder to everyone connected to a school, whether they are students, staff, parents or parish. The tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus and were noticed by the scribes and Pharisees who commented, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Jesus explained his approach with the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd with a flock of 100 sheep will, upon losing one, leave the other 99 while he seeks the lost sheep. Upon finding the lost sheep he rejoices with friends and neighbors because he has found the sheep that was lost. A school always has some lost sheep too. While most of the students do a responsible job there is often the occassional one who steps out of line behaviorally, academically or spiritually. While it would be easy to point the finger at the lost student and simply criticize him or his upbringing, our school is much better at identifying his difficulties and reeling him back in before it is too late.

Confronting a student with what needs to improve and bringing his parents into the process is important. Bringing them together with staff to solve a problem and facilitate success provides more eyes and ears that let the student know they can improve with the help of adults who believe in acting as Christ would. Adding prayer and the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist, bring Christ's healing power to the situation.

When a student responds and improves there is rejoicing, relief and a satisfied feeling by everyone involved. When the parable tells us there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance it is not a scorekeeping situation. The ninety-nine already receive great rewards and grace. The ninety-nine must remember that goodness is a reward in itself and be gracious and happy that another person has joined their ranks.

I am grateful for the role our staff takes in being good shepherds. They care deeply about their students and are ever vigilant for those who struggle. They are equally good about returning them to the flock. That's why we have such a wonderful flock of students at Saint Joseph's School.

Judge Not

I came across this anonymous poem and chuckled at the truth it contains. I love the Catholic faith and recognize myself as one of the many sinners who fill the church each week seeking to repent and reconcile themselves to God through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We stumble and fall constantly but have hope when we refresh ourselves with the Eucharist and try, try again. We must remember always to encourage others while we are on the journey of salvation.


I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash,

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who stole my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

And why is everyone so quiet?
So somber - give me a clue."
"Hush, child," He said,
"They're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you."

JUDGE NOT!
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!

It is often self-satisfying to be critical of those who are making mistakes. At Saint Joseph's School we teach students and parents alike to extend their hand and help them up to a better way of life instead of pushing them further down with with overly harsh judgement. That's one more way to build tomorrow's leaders (and saints) today.

Litany of Saint Joseph

We are Saint Joseph's School. We don't take our name for granted. If you wonder why, consider the following litany. It is, in effect, a resume for eternity.

Saint Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church.

If I may be so bold as to add to this litany; Patron of the best school in America!

In your daily prayers remember to ask Saint Joseph to bring your concerns and the needs of our school to his beloved foster son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the true power and true leader of our school.

School Is In Session!

A new academic year has begun and, while it would be a stretch to make a comparison to Lazarus, the school has sprung to life again. Student excitement at our Catholic school is genuine. They've made friends over the years in a close-knit, faith-filled environment where values and positive relationships are a daily priority. That creates an emotional safety zone that nurtures students and helps them build a lifetime of memories about their achievements, friendships and faith. Saint Joseph's School actually constitutes a positive subculture within our larger American culture. We think that speaks well for what American culture can become when our students mature.

As principal, I frequently meet people who are excited to tell me they attended our school. Their memories cover a time period from the last decade to over forty years ago. The stories are a consistent account of learning to practice the Faith and apply it across all academic subject areas. Their faces light up when they speak of friendships, sports, liturgical events and all the conventional Catholic practices they took part in. They internalized their faith as they approached higher education, marriage, family and career. Our Faith and our school gave them a reference point as they faced all the growth and change that accompany adulthood. Their stories are a powerful testament to the lasting effects of a Catholic education.

As we build tomorrow's leaders today, let us always remember that we are creating stories that will still be told fifty years from now. That is a solemn responsibility. I hope our graduates can use our Catholic school and the education it provides as a launching pad for a future where life is respected and nurtured, where peace and safety are realized, and where prosperity and justice are available to all. May they grow in the knowledge and faith it will take to make us truly "One Nation Under God."

The Narrow Gate

Fr. Juan gave a great homily today. In it he referenced today's gospel from Luke 13:24 about the difficulty of entering Heaven through the narrow gate. Christ's teaching was clear. We need to examine our own lives and realize how unworthy we are instead of pointing our fingers at others. Fr. Juan focused on three actions that will help us squeeze through that narrow gate into God's Kingdom. The first was prayer. Pray always and everywhere whether it be in praise, thanksgiving or problem-solving. Bringing all our thoughts and deeds to God in prayer will keep our focus strong and help us avoid the petty thoughts, hatreds, and jealousies that trip us up.

The second action was forgiveness. How difficult it is to forgive a transgression and pray for God to bless and redeem the one who has wronged us or upset us. It is the best way, however, to move forward toward the narrow gate, free from spiteful or hateful thoughts. At Saint Joseph's School I am glad we have the opportunity to work with kids when they do something wrong and show them the path to that narrow gate Christ wants us all to pass through. In my public career it was often required to remove a student you could have helped due to the unyielding nature of no-tolerance policies that painted everyone with the same brush. As a Catholic school principal I have found success and satisfaction in redirecting students who committed certain infractions and showed remorse and a desire to redeem themselves. I believe that is what Christ desires and there is evidence, both anecdotal and statistical, that shows this to be a strength of Catholic schools over public schools. We have the time, talent and divine inspiration to to get kids back on track after they have committed a behavioral infraction.

The third action Fr. Juan shared was charity. Since we are all so richly blessed, we need to be charitable to others in Christ's holy name. That charity could easily show itself in financial donations to a variety of good causes. Perhaps more importantly, it also comes by having a charitable attitude toward others. A charitable attiude forgives and offers to help when someone struggles. It does not condemn. It does not demand harsh and destructive punishment when a wrong is done. Rather it seeks to repair the wrong and help the wrongdoer redeem themself. Students, and even parents, get made at each other once in awhile. Instead of focusing on their anger and seeking vengeance, they must learn first to be charitable and ask Christ for guidance and wisdom. Christ walked, talked, and ate with sinners. He preached to them and forgave them. He still forgives. He still redeems. He still points to the narrow gate that leads to salvation. Let's stop picking on others and walk to that narrow gate with them instead.

Corpus Christi

Today is Corpus Christi Sunday. At Mass we hear the truth that Jesus is not just symbolically with us but is actually present in the Eucharist, which contains His body, blood, soul and divinity. When Jesus spoke those meaningful words, "This is My Body," He was not speaking in simile, allusion, parable or symbol. He simply said what it was and for over two thousand years it has been the center of our faith. This simple acceptance of Christ's gift of Himself is the foremost part of our religious practice. I see the Mass as the hub of a very large wheel that connects every ministry, outreach, sacrament and belief in our Catholic Church. The Mass is where we experience the physical reality that is Christ. His body in the Eucharist is what fuels us to be good Catholics who serve and improve the world in His name.

At Saint Joseph's School I remind students constantly that we exist as a school because of Christ and that He is truly present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is in our tabernacle and we can receive Communion every day. Therefore Christ is truly present on our school/parish campus. That makes our school a pretty important place! At our school the Mass never actually ends. We are just sent forth to love and serve the Lord until Mass starts again. That's a good way to live and a good way to learn. Every learning task must be connected to Christ so we can use our newly learned skills to serve God's Kingdom.

Our parish school is also fortunate to have a 24 hour adoration chapel in which the Eucharist is always on display. It is important to teach students that praying in direct view of the Eucharist means you are praying in the actual presence of Christ. It is a hard concept to teach because the Eucharist can be taken for granted, especially by young people. After all, it looks like a bland wafer with the consistency of styrofoam. It doesn't taste like much either. Teaching them that transubstantiation goes deeper than surface appearances takes awhile. Cognition is a developmental process and it is rewarding to us as catechists to see kids finally understand that what appears as bread and wine is actually body and blood. It is an "Aha" moment that leads to deeper faith and understanding of the Savior.

We also teach the students that priests are important first and foremost because they are needed to perform this miracle of transubstantiation at Mass. Priests are, of course, important for a thousand other reasons but nothing works in our religion until Christ is present because He is our religion. As more priests are needed to make Christ available in the Eucharist, it is our fervent hope that some will come from Saint Joseph's School. We certainly encourage them to follow that sacred vocation as a way to build tomorrow's leaders today.