"In the Business of Making Saints"

I have a new job. Actually, it's the same job but in a different place. To be more specifically vague, I have a new employer, at a different school, with similar respopnsibilities but a different focus.

Last week, school started at the Catholic school where I am the new assistant principal. It has been the best three first days of school since I started teaching. There were a number of reasons why, I think.

1. The staff was energized and well-prepared to go back to school.We went to Mass on Wednesday (first day of school) and Friday (The Feast of the Assumption)
2. I have a new focus on why I am an administrator.

Obviously I am there to help "run the school." But let's face it, a good school is run by the teachers and front office staff. I am kicking myself for not starting our in the Catholic school system. I'd have fewer grey hairs if I had.

But I think the real reason I, and the staff and the parents are there (or here on Earth for that matter) is to make these children saints.

In his homily on Friday, Father Joe reminded the children of that fact. God wants us, anyone involved with children, to be "in the business of making saints." How simple and concise. But, how do we do that?

Set The Example

Unless we are trying to become saints ourselves, how can we ask our children to do so?

• Do you know your faith?
• Have you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and understand it?
• Do you break open the Word of God every day?
• Do you pray by yourself AND with your family?

If you answered anything but YES to any of the above, you are not trying to become a saint.

Teach Them

Parents are the primary teachers of their children. A solid Catholic education is essential in making a saint. They can receive that from a Catholic school or CCD classes. But in addition, it MUST be taught at home. What should be taught?

The FOUR "R's":

• Reading - We all know how important this is! Read with them, especially Scipture.
• WRiting - Have them write letters instead of email or instant messaging once in awhile. Patience is a virtue.
• ARithmatic - There are different ways of teaching Math, just like there are different ways of learning Math. Understand how your children learn and are being taught.
• Religion - What can you teach them about their faith? Educate yourself. Attend Adult Catechesis classes. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Know your faith.

We are all in the business of making saints.

What an AWSOME job.

Cross-posted at Principally Catholic

Marian Prayer: A Prayer to Begin a New Day

Dear Lord, this day stretches out before me like a quiet ocean, calm and clean and potent with possibility as I sing out the words of Mary, "My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Help me to make the most of the beauty and opportunity within this day. I offer it to You through the following affirmations, confident that if I live what they contain I will have lived the day well.
I believe the Lord loves and remains with me at all times.
I believe the Lord provides for my earthly needs.
I believe the Lord cannot fail in anything He undertakes.
I believe I play a unique, important role in the Lord's plan.
I believe the Lord guides me to know His will.
I believe the Lord gives me all the strength I need in times of difficulty.
I believe good will come from all the situations I meet today.
I love all in and of the world and beyond; nothing can harm me.
I develop my talents, resources, and abilities to their best use.
I turn over to the Lord whatever I cannot changes and set realistic goals to change whatever I can.
I structure my day to include a balance of work, play, rest, and spiritual development.
I strive to live this day humbly, resisting the urge to belittle others or compare myself to them. realizing the presence of God within us all.

- from Marian Prayer Book (emphasis added)

In Remembrance: B. Michael Caudill

Mike Caudill, my boss and mentor, passed away on Friday, December 21, 2007. You may read the obituaries to find out about his long fight printed in both the Richmond Register and at Kentucky.com.

Mike was the superintendent of Madison County Schools and was the one who hired me in my current position. He was of great support to me both professionally and personally, and I'm sure I'm not the only principal, teacher, custodian, kitchen manager, etc. to say so. He was there for everyone on his staff. But mostly, he was there for the students of Madison County, especially the ones he dubbed, "Mike's Kids", the at-risk poulation needing the most help. The kids I serve in my Alternative Program.

I went to his visitation this evening. There must have been 700 people there, in just the first hour. He meant alot to many people. We were lucky to have known him.

In his visitation card, a small simple prayer is printed from A Gentle Thunder. It goes:

You want to make a difference in your world?
Live a holy life:

1. Be faithful to your spouse.
2. Be the one at the office (or school) who refuses to cheat.
3. Be the neighbor who acts neighborly.
4. Be the employee who does the work and doesn't complain.
5. Pay your bills.
6. Doyour part and enjoy life.
7. Don't speak one message and live another.
8. People are watching the way act more than they are listening to what we say.
   

Rest in peace, Mr. Caudill.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Father, all of Creation rightly owes you thanks and praise.

Your justice, love and mercy abound.

We thank You this day for all that you have given us:

For the Passion and Death of Your Divine Son, we thank You Father;

Through the Cross, He redeemed the world.

For the Church, we thank You Father;

It is our beacon for salvation.

For the martyrs and saints who give testimony to Your Son, we thank You Father;

Their witness to your Son is our inheritance.

For our loved ones and friends who have died and gone before us, we thank You Father;

Their love abides with us forever.

For loving spouses, we thank You Father;

Together we seek You.

For the gift of children, we thank You Father;

They are Your precious gifts to us and the world.

For the gift of our families, loved ones and good friends, we thank You Father;

Through them we see the reflection of Your Son.

For jobs, our homes and all that we have, we thank You Father;

Give us only that which we need, as we seek Your Kingdom.

We thank You through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

prayer by The Holy Spirit

Renew Prayer

Gracious God and Father,

We are your people embraced by your love.

We thank you for your presence with us

throughout all time.

Create us anew through Jesus Christ your Son,

Liberate us from all that keeps us from you.

Send your Holy Spirit, enabling us to recreate

our world and restore justice.

Heal us from every form of sin and violence.

Transform us to live your Word more profoundly.

Reconcile us so enemies become friends.

Awaken us to the sacred; nurture our relationships.

Enliven our parishes; reunite our families.

Fill us with joy to celebrate the fullness of life.

Empower us to be a community of love growing

in your likeness by the grace of Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee to we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, santify me;

Body of Christ, save me;

Blood of Christ, inebriate me;

Water from the side of Christ, wash me;

Passion of Christ, strengthen me;

O good Jesus, hear me;

Within Your wounds, hide me;

Separated from You, let me never be;

From the evil one, protect me;

At the hour of my death, call me;

And close to you, bid me;

That with Your saints, I may be,

Praising You forever and ever.

Amen.

Augustine Prayer to The Holy Spirit

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit,
that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,
that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit,
that I may be always holy.