Alliance for Catholic Education
Happy New Year! I have to admit, even though I am dreadful at keeping New Year’s resolutions, I love the idea of them. Resolutions offer us an invitation to embed a new habit into our lives—one that promises to improve our current state of being. Whether it’s a commitment to a daily exercise routine or the (ever-elusive) goal of keeping the kitchen island clutter-free, the hope is always the same: that this better way of living will eventually become my "new normal."
As transformational Catholic school leaders devoted to Forming Disciples, you have an incredible opportunity to influence the "new normal" for your school community. By thoughtfully embedding routines of spiritual practice into the rhythm of your school, the students, teachers, and families can develop habits that will encourage their growth in the faith.
I see this unfolding in my own home. At my children’s Catholic school, students attend Adoration every Friday. My daughter recently shared with me how much she looks forward to that half-hour of silent prayer. She described feeling a sense of calm and peace that she doesn't find elsewhere. In this weekly routine, her Catholic school is forming her - helping her develop spiritual muscles and a hunger for stillness that will nourish her long after she leaves elementary school.
These habits can transform the adults in your community, too. A simple daily faculty prayer huddle builds a culture of trust and mutual support as faculty members share prayer intentions with one another. Similarly, a monthly family Mass can be the gentle bridge for a family to rediscover the beauty of the Eucharist and begin building it into their own weekly rhythm.
The ways in which you integrate these spiritual routines are more than just administrative decisions; they are life-giving gifts to your community. As we step into this new year, I am praying for you and the beautiful, holy habits you are cultivating in your schools.
Sandria Morten, Ed.D.
Faculty, Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program