Brick by Brick

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 

Spring Open House

Each day, it seems, we learn what brick by brick really means. It means building a school happens one family at a time, one accomplishment at a time, and one event at a time. Pretty soon, however, you look up and see that these bricks really do add up. Our terrific Open House yesterday was a great opportunity to show new families what we've accomplished. I was pleased with the turnout of prospective families and proud to see, through their eyes, what we've accomplished.

Here's the cool ad (created by Mr. Al Catelli) that ran in the Cape Cod Times earlier in the week...

The Wonderful Cross

The paradox of the cross -- a tough idea to 'get' both intellectually and emotionally -- is at the heart of our faith and central to how we can approach Holy Week. The paradox of the cross, the idea that it is in giving that we receive and that it is through dying we are born to eternal life, helps us accept the inevitable sufferings of life in a way that unites us with the life of God. 

I was thinking about this idea as our school prayed the Stations of the Cross (as re-formulated and prayed by Pope John Paul II in 1991) today. I watched our students struggle with mystery of Holy Week as they move from a childhood sense of Christianity into a more personal, adult, appropriated faith.  Not an easy journey at all but one that is the core of our mission as a Catholic school.

Watching this struggle also makes me wonder what struggles Holy Week has for me. We're all freshmen in high school, at least in God's eyes.

Wishing all the joy of the Resurrection this Easter season! 

Ready On Day One?

Monday, March 17 was the first official day of spring sports, and of course, the first day for our tennis program. Despite the high winds and 30-degree temperatures, JPII athletes took to the courts under the direction of Head Coach (and Math teacher) Mr. Joe Gaudet and assisted by Ms. Ashley Seidel (a veteran tennis player). I am delighted to have such strong leadership for this nascent program (Mr. Gaudet: 2002 Boston Globe E. Mass. Tennis Coach of the Year) and the enthusiasm of our student-athletes. As with many things, these first days and first steps promise great things to come as our athletic program and school grows.

Special, behind-the-scenes kudos go to Mr. Ernie Christian, Maintenance Director, for the extra time and effort required to bring the school courts back to life.

A Waiting Game

Guess it's raining up where you are.

I know this because Mr. Al Catelli, Advancement Director, and I are waiting out flight delays amid our return to Boston. At the moment, we're passing time in the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. While it's not tough duty to spend time in south Florida, the waiting's got me thinking about, well, waiting.

What does waiting invite us into? Folks waiting alongside us are spending time with families, reading, plugging into technology (such as your humble blogger), or perhaps sleeping. One inevitable reality -- and benefit, I would say -- of waiting is the opportunity to slow down and spend time in our own minds and hearts. Forced alone time, even amidst lots of other people, can give way to unexpected thoughts, new ideas, and maybe some realization of God in my life. Soon, it'll be back to the familiar busy-ness and distractions of everyday life. For now, it'll be whatever might come from the free, forced gift of unexpected time.

It's What's On the Outside That Counts

An anonymous donor helped "gear up" our students with the gift of fleece jackets for all -- each complete with the embroidered school seal and student's name. The jackets, distributed today, were a big hit with students.

Earlier in the day, a woman came to the school wanting to see the Chapel. A longtime supporter of the dream of Catholic high school education on Cape Cod, she told me that, though her own son is now out of high school, she is deeply gratified to see this kind of education available for Cape families and has been looking forward to the opportunity to visit the Chapel and pray for our school. I was glad to meet this longtime supporter of our school.

For me, these two events are connected, and not just because they happened an hour apart. The donor's free fleece and our longtime supporter's first steps in the building tell me that this school carries the hopes and dreams of many and receives the support and prayers of many. We, the first students and staff, are not alone. We are part of something larger -- and today's gift/visit shows us the care of the wider community. It was a good day.

Cosmetic Surgery over Break

Now that I know that...
    (a) there's a modicum of interest in a blog about the goings-on at JPII, and
    (b) I'm not totally unreliable in submitting new posts,
it's time to upgrade my account from Basic to "Plus" and design something decent to view. IMHO, visually, the previous free iteration was, indeed, boring basic.

In the transition, it was necessary to put in all previous posts and comments by hand (Did I say to old account was basic?). This explains why all comments appear under the February banner -- a minor inconvenience.

Any feedback you have on the new look is most welcome.

So much is happening as we build, brick by brick, a great high school. Through this blog, I'll keep trying to shine a light on this special year. Your questions, comments, and observations help -- keep 'em coming!

Guest Blogger -- Hannah Dulmaine, '11 on the Washington D.C. March For Life [02-13-08]

In mid-January, 14 freshmen -- nearly 40% of our student body -- participated in the Washington, D.C. March for Life led by Bishop Coleman. Hannah Dulmaine, '11, a participant on the March, offers the following reflections:

"On January 20-22, the 35th anniversary of Roe v.Wade, I joined thirteen of my classmates on a journey to Washington, D.C. where I participated in a momentous event, the March for Life.

The pilgrimage began early in the morning when I boarded a bus and began the eight-hour drive to Washington, D.C. The bus stopped at Bishop Connolly High School, where we joined many other students from Fall River Diocesan schools for a Mass. The Mass unified the group as one body in Christ, got us excited about our faith, and encouraged us to stand up for what we believe in.

Once we arrived in D.C., everyone was quickly grabbing their sleeping bags, crash pads, pillows, and bags. Along with the other girls from the Fall River Diocesan schools, I piled in the gymnasium of Bishop O'Connell High School where we slept for two nights. That evening, in the auditorium of Bishop O'Connell HS, nearly 450 high schools students from Cape Cod to Boston spent an hour of prayer, praise, and adoration with Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston. Cardinal O'Malley talked to us and encouraged us to live our faith and stand up for our beliefs. That is exactly what we did.

The next day, we toured Washington, and that night, we joined bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians, and thousands of religious and lay people for a Vigil Mass celebrated at the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The basilica was breath-taking but the number of people that overflowed the basilica meant even more.

Early that final morning, we joined over 20,000 people in the Verizon Center Sports Arena for a Rally and Mass. We celebrated Mass, sang along with songs of praise and adoration, listened to motivational speakers, and became ready to prove that we are Pro-Life Catholics. This event lifted my spirits and made me eager for the March. When the March came, I was shocked at the number of people who made the journey. Over 200,000 people marched and I was honored to be among them.

It was an emotional journey and truly made me closer with God. It helped me realize the importance of standing up for your faith and making a difference in the world. We are not too young to make a difference and our participation on the March for Life proved just that."

Not Another Auction! [02-04-08]

Yes it's true...JPII will be presenting a silent auction this spring, on Saturday, May 17. No doubt many families have 'previous auction experience' due to their involvement with other schools. They are fun, but a lot of work, too. I know I'll go to more than one this spring.

But our auction comes with a twist. Piggybacking on last year's enormously successful major fund-raiser, JPII will present this spring An Evening with Livingston Taylor Concert and Auction. Not to use the term lightly, but last year's Livingston Taylor concert was , dare I say, profitable magical. Liv Taylor's a great fit for our splendid auditorium and a terrific entertainer. Last year we were sure to tell him "Let's do it again next year", and so it shall be.  Last year's event sold out, so, don't wait 'til the final weeks to get your tickets. Check the main website for details as they become available.

Not familiar with Livingston Taylor (other than is well-know, folk-singing brother)? Check out his website here.

To support the Cape's only Catholic high school, to enjoy a great concert experience, to see the school and its beautiful renovations, or perhaps to win some first-class auction items, join us on May 17. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Some Nice Words [1-23-08]

Let the buzz begin. The Register, a weekly newspaper serving Dennis, Yarmouth and Barnstable, praised the school's recent hiring of Coach Paul "Spanky" Demanche to inaugurate football and baseball.

See the editor's blog here.