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THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
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NDA: Beginning anew with Jesus this school year UNITED NATIONS: Catholic leaders join prayer service
FROM PAGE ONE Only Father Slavinskas received Communion, as it was the first day, and new safety protocols needed to be worked out, the principal explained. Paula Isakson, head of campus ministry, added that they wanted to practice social distancing, and that some students might not be used to attending Mass. Father Slavinskas en- couraged them to think, as he elevated the Eucha- rist, that "this is what St. Julie lived her life for" and that they are called to do the same. The Eucharist is not just a symbol, but Jesus' presence, he ex- plained. He asked them to pray that their hearts would be opened and that they will grow into the holy women they are called to be. In his homily he had preached about St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, who sponsor the school. He said St. Julie was hated for her Catholic beliefs during the French Revolution. She sought to educate young women's minds, but also their hearts and souls, so they would experience eternal happiness, he said. He told today's Notre Dame students that their educators love them and that they are called to live Jesus' love. Jesus says, 'Love your enemies,'" he said, chal- lenging them to share the Good News, even though not everyone wants to hear it. "Jesus says, 'Live it even if they persecute you' - not just for your own salva- tion" but for theirs. He acknowledged that this is a time of uncertain- ty and craziness and asked how to get back a sense of normalcy when things aren't normal. To have to leave school at a minute's notice, all be- cause of this virus that has attacked so many - has instilled fear," he said, and talked about holding 10 funerals a week during the height of the pandemic. But in the midst of it "I also saw the best of hu- manity working together," he said, speaking of nurs- ing home staff caring for It also has caused the closing of places of wor- ship," he said, "and upset what is deeply ingrained in our human nature: our shared impulse to gather and face hard times to- gether." The crisis also high- lights both the interde- pendency and the fragility of our world," he said. "It shows that no one can do it alone. It reminds us why international cooperation is essential." The secretary-general said, "Our common family is at a crossroads. We will only succeed through unity, leadership and solidarity." Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York noted the prayer service was the first for its presider, Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, who was appointed papal nuncio to the U.N. in November 2019 and officially took the post in January 2020. The cardinal said the pil- lars of the United Nations resonate cogently with the church's teaching. He described them as "pre- venting the scourge of war, affirming human rights, promoting social progress especially among the poor, and maintaining justice and responsibility for ob- ligations of treaties and international law." He said the "horror of COVID-19 displayed how interconnected we are" and heightened our planet's solicitude for elders and the vulnerable" and "un- leashed heroic acts."
PRINCIPAL: Pandemic led to school improvements
FROM PAGE ONE
practicing the faith. I am curious if God's hand isn't here, welcom- ing them back," she said. Our pastor, Father Carlos (Ruiz), is very good with the kids, because he gives them real examples that they can identify with. I'm really excited to be with him. I think it's going to be a nice partnership for us." St. Anna's Elementary is the school of St. Anna Parish, where Father Ruiz is pastor. Mrs. Legendre said her own family's faith grew during the pandemic through watching Mass on- line, when churches were closed because of the vi- rus. She and her husband, Jeffrey, and their children, Ava, 13, and Maximus, 7, are members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in West Boylston. You get too comfortable" at times, going through the motions at church, and not internalizing things, she said. Watching Mass at home gave them the op- portunity to discuss the readings and parts of the Mass. She wondered aloud whether some of the new families coming to the school embraced prayer again because of the virus. I do hear a lot more people saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and having that be ac- ceptable again," she said. Mrs. Legendre comes to St. Anna's with a bach- elor's degree in elementary education from Bay Path University in Longmeadow and a master of education in reading from Worcester State University. While she has not been a principal before, she has worked in school adminis- tration as an intervention specialist, overseeing spe- cial education in Quabbin Regional School District from 2018-2020. Other jobs she has held include being a Title I co- ordinator for the Spencer- East Brookfield School District and, from 2008- 2014, a teacher of various subjects and grades at St. Bernadette Elementary in Northborough. She's also been involved with the arts, teaching lit- eracy through reader's the- atre and music at McKay Arts Academy in Fitchburg, serving as operations man- ager for Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, directing the choir at St. Bernadette Par- ish and doing music min- istry at Our Lady of Good Counsel. Asked about her vision for St. Anna's, Mrs. Legen- dre said, "I think for me as the principal - you don't want to change the traditions here. - But I do think we can provide some opportunity for growth for the school." The pandemic led to brainstorming about tech- nology. The school budget includes a Chromebook laptop computer for each student to use at school, and to take home if classes need to be held remotely, she said. Another thing that we did because of COVID - I think it's a wonderful prac- tice - we have a full-time nurse," who replaces the previous part-time nurse, she said. A volunteer nurse remains. The school also invested money to clean up a weed- filled courtyard, which can now be used as an outdoor classroom, where masks can be taken off, Mrs. Leg- endre said. And hot water heaters that cap at a safe temperature were installed in the classroom sinks that previously had only cold water, she said. So many of these things we've done for COVID - these are great investments we've made for the school," she said. Some funding for the projects came from parish- ioners and a neighboring parish, Our Lady of the Lake, that doesn't have a school, she said. Father Ruiz said parish- ioners are generous, and the school also had money for these investments be- cause of good administra- tion and good planning by the school board. Other investments included in- stalling a telephone in each classroom in case there is an emergency, and setting
LOH: Resumes campaign
FROM PAGE ONE
tions is also at the heart of stewardship," said Michael P. Gillespie, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development in the diocese. "Fundraising, whether it is offertory in a parish, the annual Part- ners in Charity appeal, or the longer-range capital campaign, is all about the relationship that the Church has with the pa- rishioners, who are also donors. Understanding what we are grateful for relies on meaningful com- munications." How we conduct the campaign will feel a bit dif- ferent than it did in 2019," shared Mr. DeJesus. In a world where everything has gone virtual, so has fundraising. Receptions were the foundation of our 2019 parish campaign. Now they are being adapted to not only meet safety guidelines, but also involve people remotely, or virtu- ally, in order to meet them where they want to be," Mr. DeJesus said. Other than a presentation at Mass, small gatherings are going to be key, whether online, in-person, or even one-on-one on the phone. We need to have a con- versation with a donor to be able to address their questions and concerns," according to Michael Mes- sano, who oversees lead gifts for the campaign. We have been witness- ing tremendous generosity in this diocese in the par- ishes which have already conducted campaigns. Once they understand the need, and how their sup- port will make a differ- ence, they respond. "Even during this pan- demic, pledges made in 2019 are being paid at nearly 100% redemption rate. We always explain to donors that a pledge is re- ally a best-intention prom- ise and not a contract," Mr. Messano explained. "We want people to know that these parishioners are put- ting extra effort in fulfill- ing those pledges, knowing that this will make a dif- ference in the future of the diocese." I believe that Legacy of Hope's success so far, as well as having achieved nearly 90 percent of the annual Partners in Charity goal this year, in a COVID pandemic environment, are miraculous success stories that we must share! They are a tribute to the faithfulness and generos- ity of the Catholics who call Worcester County their home," said Mr. DeJesus. The lessons learned this fall will certainly assist the parishes in 2021," said Mi- chael Cusack, CEO of Guid- ance in Giving, who has been working closely with the team he assigned to the Diocese of Worcester. "If I had to sum up in one word what it will be like, I think the word is 'personal.' That is what participating in this campaign should always be, a personal commitment to support establishing a Legacy of Hope for the Diocese of Worcester." If you, or someone you know, were abused by someone representing the Catholic Church, please believe in the possibility of hope and help and healing. We encourage you to come forward and contact:
Victims Assistance Coordinator
at the Diocese of Worcester
508-929-4363
(a direct, confidential line)
or
jaudette@worcesterdiocese.org
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'Simplicity resembles that beautiful flower called the sunflower which follows all the movements of the sun and ever turns towards it. Those who possess the beautiful virtue of simplicity are always turned towards God alone.'
- St. Julie Billiart, as posted at www.sndden.org/ who-we-are/st-julie-billiart
TANYA CONNOR CFP
Elizabeth Nompleggi, a senior at Notre Dame Academy, leads the prayer of the faithful at the opening Mass there, as Father Jonathan J. Slavinskas, chaplain, listens. patients and people con- tributing generously to his parish's food pantry. He said his listeners have experienced frustration and confusion but that, as we begin anew," this is an opportunity to reflect on the Lord inviting us to enter into relationship with him for our own salvation and that of others. up an isolation room with two beds, separated by plastic, for anyone exhibit- ing COVID symptoms, he said. It used to be the teach- ers' lounge," he said of the small room. "They have to make the sacrifice - for now." Speaking with The Catho- lic Free Press as final prep- arations were being made to open the school Sept. 8, Father Ruiz praised the teachers and Mrs. Legen- dre: "She has done a great job, and all the teachers. They have been working hours and hours. They're very excited. We have been praying for each other, sup- porting each other." He also rejoiced in the school's diversity, includ- ing Hispanics, Brazilians and new students from various cultures. Asked about plans for retaining families, Mrs. Legendre talked about showing them "that we are a real community here, a community of family and faith. There were "meet and greets" for families before school started. And, she said, the Parent-Teach- er Organization has Zoom meetings that families can participate in, and hopes to hold future meetings in person, with a Zoom op- tion. I feel blessed to be here," she said. "It's a very sup- portive environment."
'We have been witnessing tremendous generosity ...'
Michael Messano
Guidance in Giving
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