The Outward Appearance Can Impact the Heart

Outward actions and appearances can change our inward dispositions. Fr. Joe Menkhaus emphasized this as the main point of his homily yesterday.

Using Gaudate Sunday's rose colored vestments and candle as inspiration (this is a special week in our Advent journey - we wait in joyful hope), Fr. Joe recounted his discomfort as a boy having to wear special clothes to church, especially clothing that was too tight and restrictive.

Yet, his parents clearly communicated the message about the importance of Sunday Mass and how you get dressed up for important things.

In a sense, this is why gameday uniforms are different than those worn for practices. Similarly, it is why we require different dress for our communities on mass days.

The outward appearance can impact the inward dispositions.

As we prepare for guests and gatherings over the upcoming Christmas season, we attend to small details: finding the perfect gifts, preparing the perfect menus, and decorating and cleaning for the perfect atmosphere.

As we prepare for big events in our ministries, we may don the glasses that help us feel wiser, sport the outfit that brings confidence, and/or carry sacramentals that reminds us of parts of our past - heroes, events, messages - that can propel us into the future.

Some might call these props, and rightly so. These items help to "prop" us up so that we stand taller and stronger and "act the part" even when we might not feel like it in our hearts.

Outward appearances can impact our inward dispositions.

From an organizational theory standpoint, this phenomenon rings true. Whereas the visible, audible, and tangible parts of our communities demonstrate that which we hold sacred in our hearts, the actions, words, and signs of our communities can influence what we value and believe (Schein, 2010; Hatch, 2018).

This speaks to the power of using the foundational statements of our schools - the mission, beliefs, values/pillars/charisms - as they can and will have an impact on the hearts of our community members.

This provides even greater importance for the ways that we do things - discipline, grading, greeting visitors, holding assemblies, providing feedback to teachers - as these actions and words can impact the deeply held beliefs of those within our schools.

This means that the signs, symbols, stories, and significant people, places, and performances of our schools matter immensely. All of these outward appearances provide fertile soil for us to plant the core concepts of our schools - faith, hope, love, excellence, Jesus - into the hearts of all of our members.

In the words of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education (SCCE), "The Catholic school loses its purpose without constant reference to the Gospel and frequent encounter with Christ” (1977, para. 55).

Let us explicitly and specifically refer back to the Gospels in our ministries, "teaching (others) to observe all that (Jesus has) commanded (us)" (Matthew 28:20). Similarly, let every action, word spoken and written, sign, symbol, and story of our schools afford an opportunity for others to encounter Him. ​

Let us have the "courage to follow all the consequences of (our) uniqueness" as Catholic schools (SCCE, 1977, para. 66), ensuring that our outward appearances conform the hearts of our communities to the heart of Jesus.

The Clarity of Repetition

Repetition is the mother of all learning.

Repetition is the mother of all learning.

Repetition acts as the way to commit knowledge and skills to mind and muscle memories.

Repetition forms habits which significantly reduces the amount of mental capacity needed to complete tasks.

As I type this reflection, I’m reminded of my 7th grade computer teacher who drilled into my adolescent mind the location of letters and functions on a keyboard and increased my WAM (words a minute) and my accuracy.

Repetition also stands as an important component of our relationships. While I sometimes worry that I tell my wife and children that I love them too often, I know that the repetition of my declarations reinforce my love for them. Additionally, my words must be supported by actions that align, further entrenching my devotion and hopefully reminding and convincing my family of my love.

Considered from a deficit lens, imagine a house where spouses and children seldom hear the words, “I love you.” Similarly, a relationship where the actions of an individual misalign with the words spoken, weakens trust and leads to frequent disappointments.

Repetition reinforces. Alignment augments.

Let us do both as we lead our schools. Continue to provide clarity about our school’s mission statements, beliefs, and values/pillars/charisms. Use the words over and over and over and over again. When you feel as though others meet your constant use of these core messages of your schools with eye rolls and exasperation, use the words again. Lencioni (2012) exhorts leaders to create clarity, (over)communicate clarity, and reinforce clarity within their organizations. In Lencioni’s words, be the Chief Reminding Officer (CRO) of your school's missions, beliefs and values/pillars/charisms.

As you create, communicate, and reinforce clarity, you will more specifically identify what your school deems important, valuable and worthwhile. This will lead to greater alignment between words spoken and actions taken.

In turn, this will allow our schools to become who and what God created them to be.

As we near the midpoint of the academic year, double down on your efforts to repeat the mission, beliefs, and values/pillars/charisms of your schools.

I say it again, double and triple and quadruple down on your efforts to repeat the mission, beliefs, and values/pillars/charisms of your schools.

After all, repetition is the mother of all learning.