In with the Old

St. Michael’s School Fifth Grade Class | Living Stations of the Cross

A home in our neighborhood was listed for sale this past weekend, so my husband and I decided to take a peek during the Open House. The owners, who had purchased the house new nearly 40 years ago, had completed some remarkable upgrades, doing away with the 80’s style appointments and opting for a more modern feel. Change can be a good thing, and we certainly see that demonstrated in the frequent style shifts in clothing, cars, furniture, and hair over the years.

There is also, however, much value in tradition and values that stand the test of time as change without purpose can be detrimental. Our Catholic faith is rooted in ancient practices celebrated worldwide, in a multitude of languages, holding firm to the story – our universal story – that is Jesus Christ. Throughout Lent, in addition to daily Religion classes, each of our students participated in a grade-level retreat to more deeply appreciate their faith. Students in grades 3-8 received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and our middle schoolers had the opportunity to hear a presentation by Dr. Scott French, who spoke on Eucharistic miracles.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred and hallowed time in the liturgical year. During the Palm Sunday liturgy, blessed branches signified Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. The Holy Triduum begins on Thursday, and marks the Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood, followed by Jesus’ Passion and Death on Good Friday, and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. At St. Michael’s School, our Holy Week activities are in full swing. Today, as is customary, our fifth-grade class presented to the student body, staff, and guests, The Living Stations of the Cross. Tomorrow, our seventh-grade class will portray The Seven Last Words of Christ. Wednesday, fourth-graders re-enact the Passion, and on Thursday, our eighth-graders will lead us in a Christian Seder meal.

Traditions are sacred to our faith, and though unchanged over time, they ignite new value and insight each year. In spite of the repetition, we find comfort and stability in this continuity. Some progressive Christian faiths have abandoned these important traditions, instead choosing to rely on change through gimmicks and an entertainment-style format to attract followers. But the tide seems to be turning, and a deeper, more meaningful experience is now being pursued, especially by younger generations. According to the Vatican, the Catholic Church has grown to 1.406 billion worldwide, now the largest Christian denomination globally, with nearly half of the world’s Catholics residing in North and South America. From a local perspective, in the most recent publication of The Southern Cross, our Diocesan newspaper, it was reported that 3,817 people will be Confirmed in the Catholic faith in the coming months. In addition, there are 1,846 who have completed the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), and will receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) during the Easter Vigil Mass this upcoming Saturday. That is truly encouraging news for which we are most grateful.

On behalf of the faculty and staff of St. Michael’s School, I wish you a blessed Easter and a renewed spirit of peace and joy.

Deo Gratias, Kathy