Joyful, joyful we adore thee!
Greetings!
I was tempted to call my parents after Easter liturgy and tell them they didn't completely get their money's worth of 12 years of Catholic school. Our pastor had delivered the Easter homily and encouraged his congregation to be excited about our entering the Easter season. He said, "Lent has been 40 days of reflection and sacrifice, rejoice you have earned Easter season which is 50 days of joy!" Do you remember that we now get 50 "joyful" days? I hadn't.
Then came Easter Monday and we heard Father Olson's mother had been called home by the Lord. I was also aware of the deteriorating condition of a young lady who was the only survivor of a very serious car accident (caused by a drunk driver). I learned a good friend, who I hadn't seen in some time was just laid off from his job of 35 years. Was Father John talking to me on Sunday? Did he know I would need to remember that I was IN the state of JOY at a time when I was being hit with things so void of joy?
If you think like I do, you can only conclude that we are never really in control of so many things, only He is. We can, however, make choices; therefore I choose to reclaim my state of joy but also decided I need to be most thankful for my blessings and more prayerful for intentions of those in need of God's strength. In this edition of the Bonner & Prendie Ampersand, you'll read some incredible accounts of the joyful year we are having at the school. You'll see, 1) remarkable growth in our Admissions efforts, 2) exciting news in nearing the Annual Appeal goal, 3) the potential of new students from as many as 7,000 miles away and 4) a spring filled with events and activities like the Father's Club inaugural golf outing on April 19.
I hope after reading this edition you are inspired to claim your joy. I can assure you a "joyful" experience if you choose to become more involved with your alma mater, or lend us a financial gift that makes you feel good about giving and bring us that much closer to or even exceed our goal for the annual appeal. Please always feel free to call me. May God continue to bless you and your families as He reveals to us His spring creations.
Warm regards,
Jim Catrambone
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