June 3, 2020
Hello everyone,
This message has two objectives: A call to respond to the events in our community and some info about next school year.
To this point, the events of 2020 have left us shaking our heads and wondering about our future. First Covid-19 and now the senseless murder of George Floyd. Our Twin Cities community, along with the rest of the world, is struggling to make sense of the demise of Mr. Floyd followed by the rioting and looting of so many neighborhood stores in our community, region and country. –Let us remember, We are one body, one body in Christ!
It is painstaking to watch so much hate and violence run rampant through our community. I ask each and every one of you to actively take steps within your family to educate your children on the beauty of God’s creation. We, the human race, are meant to be the crown jewel of God’s creation and yet we destroy so senselessly. We see differences called out in hateful ways, and our human race allows evil to rampantly run wild. How does this fit into us being the beauty of God’s creation? Let us remember, We are one body, one body in Christ!
The choices of our brothers and sisters that we have seen on the news over the past week do not have to be the choices that define us. We can be a great generation. A generation that brings an end to hatred and to evil. This is a time for us to be bold in our faith, our prayer, our service to one another in amazing ways. Jesus said, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49. He was not literally talking about fire on earth, rather it was fire in our hearts! Let us remember, We are one body, one body in Christ!
I encourage you and your family to be leaders in your neighborhood. Rally your neighbors to stand up and “Be Good and Do Good”. Do Good Deeds for others, deeds that are dripping with prayer and love! Offer your talents, your companionship, and your resources to rebuild our greater community. There are ways that we can do so, right here in this time and in this place. It is our call to do so! Let us remember, We are one body, one body in Christ!
I am hopeful that we all can find peace in our hearts, in our homes and in our community. I continue to pray for all of you. I ask God to shower his grace and mercy down upon you. I pray for healing for our community, our country and our world. I pray that evil will be eradicated and that we won’t be a sullen, slothful, stiff-necked people. Mostly, I pray that all of us will remember, We are one body, one body in Christ – we do not and can not stand alone!
Finally, I want to share with you that we plan to open our school in the fall. We, the 78 Catholic Elementary Schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, are committed to providing the best and the safest educational experience for you and your family that we can possibly give. This summer we are putting together plans for our schools to open safely. This likely will look a lot different than it has in the past, we know that relationships are invaluable amongst teachers, students and parents and so we strive to develop those as best as we can with in-person, face to face schooling. Bishop Cozzens has asked school leaders across the Archdiocese to send the attached letter to you. There are many questions left to be answered. Rest assured, we are working on solutions to bring our community together for the re-opening of schools in some way, shape and form. Many more details will come your way this summer! Let us remember, We are one body, one body in Christ.
Peace brothers and sisters,
Bruce
