Brick by Brick

Getting Out Of The House

Now that the weather's turned (April Recess...Awesome!), its time to get out and enjoy some good weather. Thursday, May 1 provides a great opportunity. First, we'll gather in Our Lady of Fatima Chapel for Ascension Thursday liturgy, then a few academic matters, followed by our school's participation in the Community Clean Up Day sponsored by Hyannis Main Street Association. This event provides a great opportunity to be of service to the community and join with students, businesses ,and agencies from the Main Street area toward a common goal.

After lunch on the Hyannis Green, we'll return to school for a fun Students vs. Staff Softball Game at McKeon Park. When we last met, the staff pounded got the best of the students in last fall's friendly touch football game. Softball might not be so kind to us staff members...who knows...care to comment?

Let Me Say a Few Words...

Last week I was asked to speak at a gathering of teachers and administrators from all the schools in our Diocese to be held on Friday. Specifically, I was asked to focus on Cape Cod as part of the larger story of Catholic education in the Diocese of Fall River and its attendant lessons of birth, death, and new life (For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven [Eccl 3.1]).

Despite (or because of...) the tight leash of time (2-5 minutes...I can't clear my throat in that time!), this little assignment's got me in a reflective way as I dwell on how our Cape 'trees' color and change the Diocesan 'forest.'

I'm told that the duty's mine in part due to remarks given at the Cape-Wide Catholic Schools Week Mass held at St. Pius X Church in January. This special liturgy featured students, teachers, and guests from all five Cape Catholic schools and was celebrated by Bishop Coleman.

Read those remarks here: Download csw_mass_remarks.pdf

Our Saint Is Dead!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008 marked the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. We observed this occasion with remembrance and an all-school liturgy celebrated by our friend, Fr. George O'Brien. I told our students that we're lucky; JPII's a great guy and a great namesake. I am grateful to have the such an life and example for our school to emulate.

May we always be worthy to be known as Pope John Paul II's high school.

Read Fr. O'Brien's homily: Download 20080404144210745.pdf