Principal's Post

On Monday morning, our staff resumed acquaintances after two weeks of well-deserved rest. We gathered at 8:40am within the pews of St Joseph’s Church. Many followed the advice and wore a coat and gloves. There are always some that do not feel the chill and, oddly, dress lightly. We sat. Still. Reflecting upon our own stories of faith. We connected these to our new Vision and Mission statements. Personal stories. We shared our stories in small groups. One person talking and three others listening. No story more important than another - yet all hospitable to learning from one another. What is your story of faith?

It takes courage to explore such a question. It takes confidence in those around you to share it.

It is a privilege to work and learn alongside such a wonderful staff. Staff who deliberately work on improving themselves for the good of our students. We at FCJ College invite our students to ponder such questions of faith and how to live a good life for the benefit of others.

As a staff, we celebrated this opportunity to learn from one another by reciting and reflecting upon the below prayer by American Theologian Joan Chittister:

Another Kind of Hospitality

Take off your shoes. Stay awhile.

Join me at the table, there is always an extra place. Break bread with me.

Or sit on the floor. Let’s play, watch, listen, create.

I see you, the One and the Many. I see you in all your many selves—your playfulness, your fear, your loneliness, your becoming. I see that you see me, too.

Welcoming you, I meet a part of myself that perhaps I didn’t see before.

Being with you teaches me about who I am, more of who I am becoming.

I take time to stand still, to be here, to look within. I see me and I see you.

Take your shoes off and stay awhile.

Amen.

I encourage you to join us in celebrating 125 years of stories at our Gala dinner.

Pro Deo Semper.

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