Over the past few weeks, we have focused on the importance of shared language, shared understanding, and aligned actions across our network and our local communities.
From clarity, to coherence, to consistency, we have concentrated on ensuring that the actions of our schools uphold, embody, and advance the mission, beliefs, values and/or charisms of our schools.
The more we use this language, the more that people will remember it.
The more that we talk about what this language means, the more that the community will understand it.
The more that we encourage our school communities to align their words and actions with these statements and our collective understanding of their messages, the more we will become the institutions that God needs us to be.
Much in the same way that we need encouragement to stick with something difficult - especially new ways of operating and leading our schools, let us encourage our communities to attain the levels of excellence merited by organizations bearing the stamp Catholic.
Let us presume the positive intentions of others, seeking the good in any situation and starting with ways in which we agree before highlighting areas of difference.
Let us creatively look for third options, especially in situations that seem as if there is only an either/or choice. These alternative innovations can come when we reframing challenges as opportunities to lead and minister, invoking the Holy Spirit and asking for His inspiration, wisdom and guidance.
We can encourage each other to attain the highest levels of excellence by recognizing the giftedness in each other.
We can honor each others' giftedness by striving to be authentically human - slowing down and focusing on the most important elements of our missions and ensuring that we, and others, take time to care for ourselves and those we love.
Finally, and most importantly, let us continue to turn to the Lord in prayer, not that He would answer the hopes we have for our ministries but that we would align ourselves with the hopes that He has for us. Pray for the Holy Spirit's inspiration, wisdom, guidance, and humility to follow His plan for His schools.
"Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). "(R)ouse one another to love and good works...encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Take heart.
