Weekly Principal’s Message

This week’s Principal’s Message is somewhat of a rant.  I apologize in advance for this rant, but I just can’t seem to accept what’s going on without tremendously struggling with what I’ve seen over the last few weeks.  It seems that everywhere you look, there is an obvious lack of civility between people.  I’ve witnessed it in the school, church and out on the street, the level of which I am just not accustomed to.  I find it to be very disheartening, considering most of the issues are quite trivial compared to the larger issues we hear and read about daily.  I ask myself, “where did this come from and why the exaggerated level of intensity that is so prevalent with each event”?
In an article written for the magazine  America, the Most Reverend David A. Zubik, bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, identifies  9 Rules of Civility from the Catholic Tradition.  The fact that we are Catholics should make us take a good look inward and reflect on these very salient and thought-provoking “rules”.  They are:

1.  In a healthy, civil dialogue, we listen to one another. 
2. Civil conversation presumes that we are each working for the common good.  
3. Any civil public discussion recognizes the validity of contending groups in society. 
4. Civility shows respect for the person with whom I differ.
5. Civility works for the inclusion of all members of society and is especially sensitive to minorities and marginalized persons. 
6. Civility distinguishes between facts and opinions. 
7. The flip side to this rule is that facts can only take us so far. Disagreements about values are difficult, and we cannot and should not avoid passionate discussion. We can critique an idea without lambasting a person.
8. We should not assume or impugn motives. People often turn to bad or questionable solutions out of a desire to do good. 
9. We must be willing to be self-critical. Honest dialogue helps us to examine the roots of our own positions, leading us to clarify—and sometimes modify—our convictions.

If you are reading this message, please use it to be a “solution” to the problem of incivility and help those who don ‘t seem to have the ability to control their temper or have a civil discourse about a difference of opinions.  If you decide that you are a problem as well, use it to reflect and remind yourself how we should act toward others.  Remember, the “little ones” are watching and learn most from us, the adults.  They will most certainly mimic what they see!
Please check our website, Facebook page and the Church bulletin for updates and upcoming events that you can enjoy with us.  Please continue to pray for our school, its staff, students and families, and our clergy as we strive to provide an education that is unapologetically Catholic, family centered, caring to others and respectful to all.  
 
God Bless, 
 
Craig Palmer
Principal