Page 3 - Carrollton 2017

V I P J D I T A S

To go into the presence o f God
is like going out into the freshness
o f the morning air.

Mother Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ

The theme o f this book, Viriditas, was inspired by Father Vallee's sermon at the first community Mass o f the year on the Feast
o f the Assumption in which he referenced the writings o f Saint Hildegard o f Bingen (1098-1179), German Benedictine abbess,
philosopher, mystic, visionary, writer and composer, who employed the word, "viriditas," to speak o f the power o f G od in a novel
way. "Viriditas" is a combination o f the Latin words for "green" and "truth," and is loosely translated as greening and renewing,
encapsulating the Divine force o f nature. Saint Hildegard's writings are as fresh and relevant today as they were prescient a
millennium ago and have been translated into many languages.

Saint Hildegard writes, "O most noble Greenness, rooted in the sun, shining forth in streaming splendor upon the wheel o f the
Earth. No earthly sense or being can comprehend you. You are encircled by the very arms o f Divine mysteries, You are radiant
like the red o f dawn! You glow like the incandescence o f the sun!"

The other great inspiration came from Head Master Kalkus, who, when we returned in August, spoke about the school's
commitment to Sustainability consistent with Pope Francis' encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si, and the Goal III criteria, "The
school teaches respect for creation and prepares students to be stewards o f the earth's resources." Mr. Kalkus also appealed to
us as a community to take time this school year to reflect on "gratitude and kindness."

So moved by both the messages o f Father Vallee and Head Master Kalkus, we have themed the 2016-2017 edition o f
Yggdrasill, 'Viriditas."

Aptly, w e have organized this yearbook by the Five Goals o f Sacred Heart Education which call us to: renew our faith daily;
cultivate our intellect and creative spirit; enrich our commitment to social justice and be proactive in our respect o f God's great
green earth; that through a grateful heart, w e nurture kindness toward all; and grow - consistent with our Sacred Heart values.