Page 3 - Priorities #22 2003-April

From the Headmaster
Dear Priory Community,
As I write this, the conflict in
Iraq is just a few days old and
looms large in my thinking. At
school, we are dealing with this
situation in two ways. First, although
none of us expects the conflict to touch
the Bay Area, it is reassuring to
everyone for us review our usual
emergency procedures. We have done
so and are updating parent contact
information. I have also contacted local emergency preparedness authorities for any additional precautions that we should be taking. They, as well as we, feel that the Priory campus is a safe place to be.
Students and adults react emotionally and personally to this conflict in a wide variety of ways. In the same vein, feelings about the necessity of this war of cover a wide range of views. We are taking several steps to acknowledge and support this diversity. We are providing time for discussion of all sides of the issue and are doing what we can to relieve emotional stress.
The church and Chapel have a role to play in this difficult time. First, the Chapel is a place of peace and contemplation and we remind people through the morning bulletin that they are welcome to drop in during the day, if they wish, to meditate or pray. Second, the Benedictine rule of hospitality—that all are welcomed with honor and respect—is our guide as we explore differing views.
Now, on to other matters of campus life.
We were honored recently to have Bishop Wang, the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, on our campus. Father Martin invited him to our Ash Wednesday service to meet our community and also to receive the crozier that is the symbol of his office. The crozier was hand crafted by Father Martin—please see Benedictine Letter, pages 8-9, to learn the interesting details of this and other croziers.
Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent for
the Priory and for Christian churches throughout the world. At the Priory Lenten service, we read the Parable of the Talents— the Bible story in which a good master chastises his servant for hiding his "talent" (which meant money in biblical times) instead of using it to good purpose. At the end of the story, we gave everyone in the community $1 each, with the challenge to make it multiply over the days of Lent, using their own "talents" –in this case, their
personal efforts. This Lenten project has been very successful for the last two years, both in inspiring students to realize what they can do on their own, and as a source of funds for charity. Last year, the initial $300 grew to more than$1,800. SeethephotoinSpringataGlance.
The "talents" contributions this year will be used for Rebuilding Together, a national one-day home renovation program in which the Priory has participated with both funds and volunteer workers for the past 14 years. Mrs. Rosetter (sic.) Crockett, an East Palo Alto resident, is the homeowner who will have her abode redone by our team of students, faculty, parents and staff on April 26. I always enjoy the day—for me, it’s a perfect way to end this special liturgical season.
The arrival of springlike weather has all of us thinking about how quickly this school year has moved. Last week, we sent out acceptances to students and families for the next academic year, and in a few short months we will graduate the class of 2003.
May the Easter season help you leave behind hypocrisy and gloom and open yourself to the peace and joy of new life. And may it bring a season of peace to the world.
Yours in the spirit of Saint Benedict, Headmaster
This Lenten project has been very successful for the last two years- inspiring students to realize what they can do on their own, and as a source of funds for charity.
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