Page 55 - Priorities #74

Dear Priory Community,
How blessed we are to be members of a community grounded in values that have withstood the test of time, and values that have carried and guided us during this pandemic. How gifted we are to have exemplary educators who genuinely love and care for our students who worked tirelessly to reimagine and reconfigure what makes a Priory education special. How fortunate we are to have such dedicated,
generous supporters who believe in the foundational values of Benedictine education. Thanks to your enthusiastic support of the annual fund this fall and your exuberant response to our first online Gala, Priory was well-positioned to undertake the financial challenges of the pandemic. We are most grateful for the time, talent, and treasure of our parent community, in particular, for your partnership as together, we successfully
navigated the uncertainties of the last three months.
Alumni Liaison Todd Turner welcomed the Class of 2020 into Priory’s Alumni
Association through a virtual induction ceremony and invited them back to campus (in person) on December 19th for their first alumni event–Home for the Holidays. Our traditional Alumni Reunion postponed due to the shut down is tentatively rescheduled for October 17th.
When Benedict wrote his Rule, society was falling apart. Though materially prosperous, the Roman Empire was in a state of decline. Barbarian hordes overran Europe, and the very survival of Western civilization was called into question. Benedictine monasteries–with their message of balance and moderation, stability, hospitality, community, and stewardship–were credited with the preservation
of Western culture, and Benedict himself was named patron of Europe.
When a crisis hits, no matter the size, we lean on the enduring strength of our values to carry us through. The
2019-20 school year will forever be defined by these last three months when the pandemic required us to Shelter in Place, away from each other, and the beautiful oasis that is the Priory campus.
We look forward to safely coming together again this fall to welcome our new families to our beautiful campus and to share our sustainable Benedictine values with them.
We are all ready for a fresh start. The positive force that is Patrick Ruff, who becomes our new Head of School on July 1st, is prepared to lead the way toward a new beginning. Grounded in the past, we look to the future with hope and promise.
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Suzanne Couch
Director of Development
DEVELOPMENT