Like most, I have attended a gazillion Google Meets and Zoom conference calls since the start of the pandemic. It would appear to be the new way things are and is likely something that will continue even when we get to the other side of our current reality. Over the course of the last two months, numerous individuals hosting the various meetings I‘ve attend have started or ended the meeting with a prayer from Saint Francis de Sales. Remarkably, these groups and individuals are not directly connected in any way. But I imagine that everyone who has chosen to recite it, has done so because it can provide comfort.
“We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right,
our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God.
If at times we are somewhat stunned by the tempest, never fear.
Let us take breath, and go on afresh.”
Each time I hear this prayer it too helps ground me. It gives me renewed strength. It also gives me hope. Most importantly, it serves to remind me that I am not alone in this – none of us are. To stop, take stock, and draw breath before we move forward – but above all – to place our faith in God and in each other will never fail us in our quests. And it will not fail us in our current battle with the Coronavirus!
With gratitude…
Every opportunity I get, I thank our students and our staff for their commitment to our community, as well as their efforts to keep our school safe. Every action we collectively take enables us to continue to meet our important mandate as a faith and learning community. I want to use this particular opportunity to also thank you, our parents. This year marks my 31st in this craft. To say that the last seven months have been a challenge is a massive understatement. We are all working harder than we ever have before to ensure that the pastoral and educational care of our students remains top-notch. The overwhelmingly positive, unwavering support we have received from parents since March has provided the wind that all of our wings have required. We may stumble… We may even get it wrong at times. But to know that our families have our backs is incredibly heartening. On behalf on my entire staff… Mille grazie!
Yours in Christ,
Stephen J. Garland
Proud Principal of STMC
