Page 8 - Carrollton 2015

Ideally, the greatest gift o f Sacred Heart education
is the capacity to he a person o f prayer.

Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ

Throughout her tenure as Headmistress, Sister Cooke has nurtured the spiritual development of the
entire community. Her commitment to religious instruction and prayer has deepened Carrollton $
understanding of Christ's redeeming mission and the Church's role in that mission . "A life firmly rooted in
prayer, focused on God's: love, enables one. to act in love no matter what the circumstances. Without the
discipline and habit of prayer, such love is not possible. May we grow... so that the personal love of God,
as shown through the. person of Jesus Christ, remains at the center of all that we do."

When asked, one of the things Sister Cooke is most proud of is her implementation of Espacio, a brief
period of silence observed daily. "The simple daily practice of Espacio helps develop the capacity for
prayer and reflection by instilling an instinct for silence. As we come to know the Spirit within, We grow in
our self-understanding as God's beloved. The key to that quality of life is the capacity for silence so that
one can attend to the Spirit of God dwelling within, our hearts."

Sister Cooke restored the High School Campus Ministry program enabling students to become
Eucharistic Ministers, retreat and prayer leaders. Both Montessori and Primary School students are
receiving religious instruction through the Catechesis of the Good Shepard, program in the Atrium —a

chapel-like facility in the middle of their campus designed to help the relationship between the child
and God flourish . In Second Grade, students are prepared to receive the Sacrament of First Holy
Communion, and Confirmation in the Eighth Grade. 'The ability to celebrate Sacraments as a community
strengthens the faith of the individual. Our ultimate responsibility is to get you ready for life and Heaven."

Sister Cooke commissioned the installation of Sacred Heart icons throughout Carrollton's campuses.
These include murals of the iconic Mater Admirabilis, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, Saint Rose Philippine
Duchesne as weil as other Sacred Heart imagery. Such iconography provides the community with the
opportunity to learn about Sacred Heart tradition, and to retreat from daily life to contemplate and reflect.