The usual (unusual) convo

There were so many moments yesterday when I wish I had a tape recorder (or whatever the modern equivalent is these days). The juxtaposition of conversations within the classroom and lunchroom can oftentimes not be any better.

Here's just one example -->

Student 1: "Ms. Foyle, how old will I be when I graduate from school if I become a pediatrician - the one who does the check-ups?"
Student 2: "What about if I want to be a heart surgeon, Ms. Foyle, how long?"
Me: "Well -"
Student 3 (running up from another table and holding a carrot to her forehead): "Look Ms. Foyle, I'm a unicorn!"

I guess it's fair to say that students have been extra wound up/excited this week due to all the additional activities to celebrate Catholic Schools' Week - and, I suppose, they should be excited. The games and dress down days are fun. Although, I hope that over time, they come to realize the true cause for celebration lies in the gift and blessings that Catholic Education brings to all those involved.

It started as a joke...

Rewind back to October of this school year...to a series of lunchroom conversations I had with two students about controlling the amount of candy corn a person could consume.

Quick back story --> One student had about 7 pieces of candy corn in her lunch each day for a number of days in a row. I commented that I couldn't possibly eat only 7, to which she said she did not pack her own lunch or she would have more too. I then proceeded to explain how I can't even buy candy corn because I eat it much too quickly, and I explained that this was definitely a dilemma. She and the other student perked up and decided we should build a machine of some kind to control the amount I could eat every day. Every so often, I have checked back in with them, saying, we should really build that...some day...

It was all meant as a joke, but these two girls took me seriously. They made a simple machine to dispense small amounts of candy - they couldn't find any candy corn at this time of year so they used Hershey kisses instead - and they shared it with the class today -->

"machine" in action

The fact that they took this project so "seriously" pretty much made my day. I love the creativity of these kiddos!

When the other students asked why they made it, I said (jokingly), "To keep Ms. Foyle from getting fat."

(That's a little joke.)

The more we rush about...

"The more we rush about, the less we do..."

Or so starts the song "Watch How You Go" (Keane).

And ain't it the truth? Rushing about makes it seem like we're getting somewhere. But, in reality, we're not truly moving towards a goal. Therefore, it's an illusion.

It's kind of like when you read a news article or book quickly to finish it within a certain amount of time or by a deadline. Yeah, you finished it...but what did you get out of it? (Truly?)

It's crazy just how much I keep trying to convey just this idea to our students each day - SLOW DOWN(!) It's oftentimes not worth going quickly because chances are you'll eventually have to do it again anyways.

So, don't get caught up in this illusion of rushing around gets things done and allows us to do more. If there is any truth to that, it is simply this - that rushing around gets things done more but at the cost of superficiality and incomplete understanding & appreciation.

Take your time. Enjoy the task and material. Make it worth your while.

And think of these lyrics kind of switched around instead:

"The less we rush about, the more we do..."

Catholic Education

Happy (almost) Catholic Schools Week 2013! 

I could go on and on about Catholic schools right now, but I prefer to leave the message I want to convey up to the Pope -->

This is from Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States in 2008, but the message still rings true today:

http://www.osv.com/PapalVisitNav/NewsfromNewYorkWashington/TextoftheAddresstoCatholiceducators/tabid/5882/Default.aspx 

"...Indeed, everything possible must be done, in cooperation with the wider community, to ensure that they are accessible to people of all social and economic strata. No child should be denied his or her right to an education in faith, which in turn nurtures the soul of a nation..."

Searching...

I was searching for one particular Thomas Merton quote ("My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going...") and came across another one instead:

“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” 

(It only takes a quote or two of his to really speak to my heart - I never feel like I know precisely what is happening or where I fit in the grand scheme of things! - if you feel the same, you may find more of his amazing quotes and insight by clicking here.)

The reason I've stumbled across Thomas Merton recently is that I've been reading My Life With the Saints by Fr. James Martin, SJ - it's for my parish's next Young Adult Book Club meeting. And stumble across him I am glad I did.

He's the saint who said, "For me, to be a saint means to be myself..." And, as Fr. Martin points out, Thomas Merton was a man who was always searching for something but unaware of what he was searching for. (Sounds familiar at times, right?) In his book, Fr. Martin also suggests that Merton has strong appeal because he is proof that someone so human (struggled with many worldly longings) could be so holy.

Reading that chapter has actually made me want to pull my copy of The Seven Storey Mountain (Thomas Merton's autobiography) off my shelf, as I bought it a few years ago at the recommendation of a friend. Both my friend and Fr. James Martin claim that the book changed their lives. I think I'm at the point now when it may have a profound effect on mine as well, especially since I find so much connection to and appreciation for his thoughts and words.

Guess I better start dusting off the cover...

Weekly Sunday Night Nourishment...And a "Bonus"

Over the past year, I have come to find Mass on Sunday nights to be a most wonderful experience. And when that Mass is the contemplative one complete with candles and meditative music held every third Sunday, then it's even better. Add in a thought-provoking homily by the pastor ("We have run out of wine...What does that have to do with me? (Everything.)" - I guess that I'll save the explanation of that for another time...), and you really can't beat it.

There was one song, in fact, that struck a chord with me so much that I ended up bringing the order of service home with me (and I know my sister did too) so that I may look it up again later.

And I did just that...

I honestly fell in love with this song...so much so that I purchased it in iTunes this morning. So beautiful in both lyrics and music. I even found a link to a video on YouTube to a church singing it, so that I may share it with you today. Please be sure to take time and enjoy it by clicking the video below.

Lyrics (& music) in PDF format may be found by clicking here.

Okay, that's enough gushing about this song from me for now. But I do pray that you allow the words and music to wash over you as you pray for God's loving care.

---

And here's that "bonus" mentioned in today's title of this post - it's a round-up of 3 brief articles and reflections I came across this morning. Consider them a starting (or continuing) point for reflection and thoughtful consideration this afternoon:

• Colloquy in the Car (Ignatian Spirituality): A short reflection about the potential of finding wisdom and purpose by placing ourselves in God's presence on the ride home

• Sign of God (America Magazine): A look into the life of Jesuit priest Fr. Joseph Bruce and how he faced the difficulties of growing up deaf but how he now uses sign language to celebrate Mass and the Catholic faith

• Investing in Futures: New Ways to Pay for Catholic Education (U.S. Catholic): An overview of innovative programs around the country (designed around unique business models) to provide scholarships to students

Didn't know you'd find so much food for thought in one post now, did you?

Just a Thought...

I'm just posting this for thought tonight. 

A reflection will follow at a later time.

But for now, I just want it to marinate.

So true...oh, so true...