Friday School Mass

 

Here we are, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel school Mass, just like every Friday.  

I usually sit with the girls, on the bleachers, because I've always taught 1st Form and because I've been a girls' homeroom "Mom" for a couple of years.  The girls have always told me Fridays are their favorite day of school each week because they get to go to Mass and sing and pray.  They love the time at school but away from classes and schoolwork.  I love that they have a safe family-like environment that feeds them in more ways than just academically.  

  

The last couple of weeks I've been sitting with the 1st Form boys because the teacher I've been subbing for is their homeroom "Mom".  Since she's out they are in need of some motherly discipline during Mass, haha.  The boys carry their wooden desks to the basketball court and line up in not-so-neat rows for Mass.  

 

So this is the setting of my little reflection during Mass today.  It was a special occasion because Fr. Tony Anderson, a former pastor here, and Fr. John McHugh, the founder of the school and the pastor of the mission for 30 years, were here celebrating Mass.  

First I just felt so much gratitude for the high school here and all the blessings that have come through it for the students who have attended since it's opening in 1990.  Then, I looked at the almost 500 students around me I realized that I've taught all but 40 or 50 of them.  I felt so much gratitude for the privilege of teaching these students.  Thinking about how many people's lives you are in, how many people you come in contact with, how many people you affect either positively or negatively... is humbling.  Who am I to be given this awesome task?  And yet, I'm so happy it was given to me!  I love these kids more than I realized... and this is becoming more apparent as my departure date approaches.  Ugh, why did I wait to leave until the school is FULL of kids I've taught?!