Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

11/27/2019

This sculpture is on the river's edge in Council Bluffs looking toward the Omaha, Nebraska skyline. It is 33 feet tall and made of aluminum foil. It is quite unique.

The hallways of the school are mostly empty today. The childcare center is open as usual, but the school is in recess for Thanksgiving break. There are a few extracurricular activities happening such as basketball practice and rehearsal for the musical, Brigadoon. The maintenance crew is still active trying to keep everything in tip-top shape. Finally, I am finding this an ideal time to catch up on administrative details.

As you work your way toward Thanksgiving Day, please be aware of your surroundings. We don't know the burdens people are carrying, even our family members sometimes. Many folks are in a fragile state of mind. As you interact with others, be Christ-like.

If you go shopping on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, please remember that the store employees are people too. It is not the fault of the cashier that only two lines are open and the rest are all self-serve. Don't take out your frustration on that individual.

If you are driving, be prudent and patient even if the other drivers around you are not. Your calm demeanor may save a life.

Family tensions can also be a factor during holiday gatherings. Know when to speak and when to remain silent. You might want to pay attention to your tone of voice and body language as well. What is the cost of winning an argument?

May these days be a time of renewal and peace for each of you!

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

The Power of Praying Together at Saint Albert

11/26/2019

All of us experience trials and tribulations from time to time. The journey of life is far from being trouble free. However, it is how we respond to the challenges of life that can set us apart from the crowd. Do we respond by complaining about everything that is wrong, or do we focus our attention on what is right? Do we choose to be people of gratitude?

I understand how difficult it can be to remain positive when the world seems to be collapsing all around you. It is much easier to sit and complain about the circumstances rather than striving for a way out of the chaos. Having a grateful heart empowers us to see more clearly the blessings of God. That single step toward gratitude will bear an abundance of fruit. I encourage you to give it a shot.

Our whole school gathered together this morning for the celebration of the Eucharist. As I looked around at the students, the faculty and staff, parents, grandparents, and other supporters of the school, my heart was filled with gratitude and joy. The freedom to come together to pray is a privilege that brings us strength and healing. We are blessed indeed.

As the snow begins to fall here in Council Bluffs, Iowa, I offer a prayer of gratitude for a warm house, food to eat, clothes to wear, and all the necessities needed to sustain life. While I would prefer sunshine and 70 degrees, I will be content with cold, snow, and wind.

I realize that holiday travel plans for many of you are being disrupted all over the country. I extend to you my sincerest condolences. Being with loved ones over the holidays is something we can plan to do for months, but then with a day or two of bad weather our plans come to naught. Please know that I offer a prayer for everyone to remain safe as they seek out their destinations. If you are sitting in an airport, I pray also that you have the virtue of patience.

Random thoughts of gratitude:
1. Having a loving spouse (31 years) and wonderful children.
2. Being a new grandpa.
3. Being healthy.
4. Having a car.
5. Having enough money to run the car (insurance, plates, gas, etc.)
6. Having a nice home to live in.
7. Having electricity, heat, hot water, food, etc.
8. Being the executive director at Saint Albert.
9. Being a deacon.
10. Having the privilege of preaching at Mass today.
11. Having vestments to wear at Mass.
12. Knowing we are infinitely loved by Almighty God.
13. The freedom to exercise our religion.
14. Having beautiful churches in which to pray.
15. Hospitals and the medical personnel who staff them.
16. Friends who are recuperating well following surgery.
17. Technology that allows us to communicate messages of hope.

The list could go on and on, but you get the point.

On behalf of all the administrators at Saint Albert Catholic Schools, I extend to you my best wishes for a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

We Prayed For The Lewis Central School Community

11/25/2019

We began our Monday morning at Saint Albert by praying for another school community here in Council Bluffs. Two students from Lewis Central died in a car wreck on Friday. Our first order of business this morning was to lift these families up in prayer. We also prayed for all of those at Lewis Central who would be dealing with the grief of losing a classmate, a student, a friend.

We may be rivals and competitors when we typically speak of our schools, but today was a time for unity and support. We have the luxury of having something at Saint Albert that they do not. We can bring our whole school community together to pray. That is a blessing I try to never take for granted, but it was even more profound today. We trust in God's mercy and compassion for us. It is wonderful that we can boldly seek out that compassion for our neighbors in such a magnificent and public manner.

"Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen."

"Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise!"

11/24/2019

The weather was relatively nice today for late November so I decided to go for a walk after Mass. I had not yet been to the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge. I thought today might be a good time to make the trek across the Missouri River. This gave me an opportunity to reflect upon "The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe." I especially wanted to spend some time with the specific message contained in the Gospel reading.

As I stood in two places at one time (a tip I picked up from my favorite movie, "A Walk To Remember"), I could not help but think about the "good thief" hanging on the cross beside Jesus. His request was a simple one. "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." Although I have heard the reading many times throughout my life, there was something about it today that gave me goosebumps when I heard the reply of Jesus. "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Wow! Mercy, grace, forgiveness, and the assurance of eternal life in one powerful moment.

Standing on the bridge with my feet in two separate states was nothing compared to what this individual experienced. A convicted criminal who sought forgiveness in his moment of agony was promised eternal life. It is hard to ever top that gift.

There is good news for us contained in that narrative. That same amazing grace of Almighty God is offered to each and every one of us. I think that is why the reading impacted me so much more today. I had just experienced that grace personally, because I had the privilege of going to the Sacrament of Penance just before Mass started. The same gesture of forgiveness offered by Jesus to the "good thief" had been offered to me just minutes before hearing this proclamation of the Gospel. Wow! We are blessed to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

This is the final week of the liturgical year. I encourage you to live it well. The holidays can bring extra stress into our lives. Enter into Thanksgiving Week with a grateful heart. Love your family. Enjoy time spent together. Travel safely! This coming Sunday will usher us into the Advent Season. Let us give praise to Christ our King all the days of our lives!

Robotics Students Have A Visit With the Mayor

11/23/2019

Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh came to Saint Albert Catholic Schools for a question and answer session with our elementary and middle school robotics teams on Thursday. The students are working on this year’s competition theme, city infrastructures. Visiting with the mayor was an opportunity to get some first-hand knowledge on the subject.

The mayor answered questions about the sewer systems, the impact of the flood, street maintenance, bicycle trails, public transportation, housing issues, property taxes, enticing businesses to locate in the city, homeless initiatives, and much more. As a newcomer to Council Bluffs, I will admit that I learned some helpful information from the mayor. Mayor Matt Walsh is a 1974 graduate of Saint Albert, and it was great to have him on the campus. ‬

Reflection Question:
How do you make your community a better place to live?

Business Communications Class--The Job Interview

11/22/2019

In the midst of working on things for the annual appeal, the spring auction, and a few other administrative tasks today, I also had the privilege of helping the business teacher conduct mock job interviews. It was a well-organized event and my applicant was well-prepared for the task at hand.

It is easy to get jaded and look at everything that is wrong with our culture. Unfortunately, that can lead us to have a very cynical worldview. Once that happens, it is likely that the downward cycle will perpetuate itself. The end result is that it becomes more and more challenging to see the good that surrounds us. Negativity begets negativity.

Today, I was reminded of the immense amount of potential we still have in our society. My job applicant in the mock interview was professional in appearance and demeanor. His communication skills were far beyond his young years. It was evident that he has not only had good teachers in the classroom, but his parents have obviously taught him a great deal about life, business, and success. His accomplishments in the academic arena, along with all of his extracurricular achievements, are truly remarkable.

I gave my applicant some personal feedback about the interview process when it concluded, and then we enjoyed a brief casual conversation in a more relaxed setting. I hope the exercise was beneficial for the student. It was very good for me. This week has included endless amounts of meetings and challenges, but today's experience reminded me why I do this work. It is about setting up our young people to live a faith-filled life coupled with those skills necessary for success in the endeavors they pursue. Well done Ryan!

The Bridges of Madison County--June 2, 1995

11/21/2019

Winterset town square.

The Bridges of Madison County is a movie that I have not seen. However, I have been to Winterset, Iowa. The movie will mark its 25th anniversary (since release) on June 2, 2020. Maybe I should make the time to see it on that momentous occasion, but I will admit that I have a hard time picturing Clint Eastwood in that type of a flick.

Reflection Questions:
1. How does your past shape your future?
2. How have movies and entertainment impacted your spiritual journey?
3. What is your worldview?
4. How do politics, religion, and culture affect your worldview?

Pre-K Four Celebrates Annual "Men's Day"

11/20/2019

Today was the annual Pre-K 4 Men’s Day from 7:45 to 8:45 A.M. at Saint Albert Catholic Schools. Dads and grandpas took time to join the children for some play time and a breakfast snack. There were games, puzzles, coloring pages, and a variety of toys from which to choose as the children excitedly shared this time with their cherished loved ones. Completing a puzzle together was just one of the many successes I witnessed this morning.

My thanks to the teachers, aides, parents, grandparents, and all who made this endeavor possible. We are indeed blessed at Saint Albert Catholic Schools.

The Benedictines--Conception and Clyde, Missouri

11/18/2019

Some nice weather (for mid-November) prompted my wife and I to make a drive to Maryville, Missouri on Saturday to visit our son at Northwest Missouri State University. After doing some stuff around town and walking around campus, we decided to go to Lake Mozingo to have a look at the recreation area.

After our visit to Lake Mozingo, I asked if they wanted to see Conception Seminary. Neither one of them had ever been to Conception Seminary, and I had not been there since 2002 when I was the Vocation Director for the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado. Thus, we decided to take a short drive from Maryville over to Conception and Clyde.

Conception Seminary was hosting a discernment weekend. I knew that nine young men were coming from the Diocese of Cheyenne for the weekend. It was my hope that we would see Father Steve and Father Hiep but they had not yet arrived. We spent a little time walking the grounds, visiting the basilica, and of course, visiting the gift shop.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception meets the vision of the founder Abbot Frowin Conrad. He wanted "A church as dignified as possible, a monastery simple yet solid." That vision in 1873 is still flourishing today.

We also took time to visit the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration just across the field in Clyde, Missouri. The Benedictine Sisters who used to be in Dayton, Wyoming are now in Clyde, Missouri. They originally left Wyoming and went to Arizona, but that monastery also closed. While the numbers of the Benedictine Sisters in Clyde were at one time in excess of 200, their numbers have decreased significantly. Even with the sisters from other monasteries joining them, they are down to just 52 sisters actively praying for the needs of the Church and the world.

The monastery is beautiful. The main chapel is simply stunning. The side chapel housing nearly 600 relics gives one a sense of the sacrifices made by all those who have gone before us. If you are ever in northwest Missouri I would highly recommend a stop at the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri.

Saint Albert The Great--Pray For Us!

11/15/2019

Today is the feast day of our school's patron saint--Saint Albert the Great. Some of our students had an opportunity to learn more about the saint and create some artistic work in the process.

Saint Albert took time to stop in and do a "self-portrait".

We are very blessed to be in an environment where we can teach the faith and celebrate the glory of God.

In my role as the executive director of Saint Albert Catholic Schools, it is my responsibility to ensure the financial viability of our institution. That is a burden of responsibility I take very seriously. I am of the opinion that we need solid Catholic education to thrive in all of our communities. Saint Albert Catholic Schools is a beacon of light in the Council Bluffs region that needs to shine brightly for generations to come. We are poised to make that happen in a grand way.

We have kicked off our annual fund drive to raise money for the continuation of the mission of Saint Albert Catholic Schools. While I have typically made it a point not to "raise money" on my website, I am making an exception today by extending a special invitation to each of you. If you would like to partner with us in our work at Saint Albert Catholic Schools by making a tax-deductible gift, your investment would be graciously welcomed. We have made a commitment here at the school to bring the transforming love of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. It takes financial resources to do that. The pledge I make to you is that we will be good and faithful stewards of all that is entrusted to our care in accomplishing this mission. Thank you for considering this invitation to partner with us during our annual fund drive.

Please send your gifts to:

Saint Albert Catholic Schools
400 Gleason Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

You can also donate online at the school's website. Scroll down on the home page to the "DONATE" tab near the bottom left hand corner.

saintalbertschools.org/