Memorial Day

Thank you to all those who gave their lives so that we may continue to enjoy our freedoms.  God Bless.

Graduation

Graduation is next Friday.  The school will miss you all.  Individually and collectively you bring a unique culture to the school.  Whenever there is a change in the classes, the school mourns.  Don’t get too choked up, when the new school year begins we move on, just as you will, and the school will adjust to the new classes and the new 8^th graders.

But before we move on, we should reflect on the impact you have had on the school and the impact the school has had on you.  Our school is not static.  It changes with each new class and with each new student.  Each class develops its own identity and personality.  That personality may change over the years as students come and go.  The collection of classes makes up the identity and personality of the school.  Even though this school has been around for over a hundred years, it is the students, classes and teachers along with the families and church that determines the cultural personality of the school.

Each of you alone and all of you together have helped shape this school and your influence will be felt for years to come.  I believe in the idea that whenever you enter into something, you should have a goal to leave it better than it was when you started.  I believe you are leaving the school better today than when you started.  For that, we all owe you a thank you.

But just as you have had the opportunity to shape the school, I believe the school has helped to shape who you are.  While it may take years before you are able to fully appreciate the impact the school has had on your lives, I would expect you can look back over the years and find one or two lessons you will carry forward with you.  You may be able to identify one or

two teachers which may have helped you to understand yourself as a student.  You may look at the friendships you have developed over the years and realize what a blessing it was to have them in your life.  You may look at the impact of having your Catholic faith as a corner stone of your education and how that has shaped your understanding of all subjects, not just religion.

What impact do you believe you and your class had on the school?  How would you like your class to be remembered?  What are your fondest memories or greatest life lessons are you taking with you from St. Joe’s? What advice do you have for future 8^th grade classes? 

Nigerian Kidnapping

On April 15, 2014 more than 300 teenage girls were abducted from the secondary boarding school Chibok in Lagos, Nigeria.  Boko Haram, and Islamic terrorist group has claimed responsibility and is threatening to sell the girls in the market. 

This is just another in a series of heinous acts committed by Boko Haram.  The organization has been classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and there is a $7 million bounty on the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau. 

While Boko Haram is responsible for countless murders and kidnapping, the size and atrocity of this act has captured the interest of international groups and governments, including the United States and China.  As recently as Tuesday, the U.S. State Department has pledged assistance with technical experts in intelligence, investigation and hostage negotiations.   China has offered to assist with satellite imaging and other technical assistance.  Unfortunately, the Nigerian’s initial reluctance to accepting help has given the terrorist organization a three week head start.

Boko Haram’s name is translated “Western education is sinful”. They believe in pure translation of Sharia law which considers everything Western as evil.  The leader, Abubakar Shekau recently released a video in which he says, “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah. There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell.  He commands me to sell. I will sell the women. I sell women.”

The Nigerian leaders, including President Jonathan Goodluck, have not demonstrated the ability to effectively handled Boko Haram or recover the abducted girls.  What should be done to recover these girls?  What role should the United States play in the recovery?  How do you think the international community should deal with groups like Boko Haram?  Lastly, please say a prayer for the safe return and recovery of the girls and their families.