At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished...It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back. - Denzel Washington
Our school theme this year is, “On our journey choose joy.” And you have done that. Yes, the pandemic has been quite a challenge and may curves have been thrown our way, but given all this, we as a parish and school community have brought joy along nonetheless.
Here are a couple of the ways we have brought joy with us on this journey: You responded to Fr. Gino when he found a drawing of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago and asked for letters to accompany the picture when he sent it to them. Providently it arrived in time for the Advent week celebrating joy and Reverend Shannon Kershner, filled with the joy you brought, let the congregation know about your letters. If you have not already seen it you can view her homily sharing the letters on both SHA’s and Holy Name’s Facebook page as well as the Diocese’s Inland Catholic Byte.
In this week’s parish bulletin Sharon Callon-Schwartz highlighted some of the ways you have responded with joy when “you [gave] food, funding, bagged lunches, floral arrangements, office supplies, and clothing - all marked by gratitude and faith in God’s generosity.”
The pandemic will, thankfully, some day end but our journey with God is a life-time journey. May we continue choosing joy this school year even among pandemics and other hardships. We have been nourished by joy as we have nourished others with love and generosity. Happy 2021.
Showcasing 7th grade’s talents: Annalise's sun and grass picture is a spot of joy on the journey.
God bless,
Mrs. Alhadef
Campus Minister
4th Grade Aide
Jr. High ELA Aide