Dear St. Francis of Assisi Families and Community,

Today begins the first day of a new school year. Whether this is your very first "first day" or your 10th, 20th, 50th or more, it still feels new, exciting, and filled with anticipation. Who will I sit next to? What will people think of my outfit? (A good reason we wear uniforms is to take that worry off the table.) For those joining us for the first time, the question might be: will anyone talk to me, or what do I do if I don't know what to do? Whenever we step into something new, we're all really asking the same thing: will I belong?

There's a moment in the Gospel of John where the disciples go back out fishing and still, they catch nothing, even though this is something they have done 1,000 times. It's only when Jesus calls to them from the shore and tells them to cast their net to the other side, that things change. Not a totally new plan. Just a small shift, a willingness to try again in a different way. And the result is more than they can even imagine.

How might you cast your net this year? Perhaps introducing yourself to a face you don’t recognize, taking a quiet moment in prayer at the church before pick-up or after drop-off, or even as simple as utilizing our carpool? Our carpool system may feel a bit intimidating: will I forget my sign? Will I know which line to get in? Will my kids actually make it to the car? Will it be efficient? I can answer yes to these questions as we truly give this system time, energy and thought each year to ensure it is safe and gets smoother as the year goes by. Or, maybe if you're close enough, walking instead of driving will help ease our congestion. Anyhow, small shifts. New sides of the boat. Whatever it looks like for you, may all of our "first days" this year be filled with God’s grace and goodness. 

Peace and blessings,
Mrs. Farewell