Page 3 - Priorities #47 2010-June/July

––––
S FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Priory Community,
Summer has arrived on the Priory campus, and I know that because the sounds have changed from the voices of students to the sounds of jack hammers, graders and electric saws. The Priory never stands still, and this summer is no exception.
Since the early 1990’s, the Priory has been on an upward trajectory in all aspects that pertain to creating and maintaining a quality school. Our Monks and Benedictine roots have provided us with a long tradition to be proud of, and a set of guidelines which assist us in shaping our curriculum and the types of courses and activities that we offer to our students. A Benedictine education is one to be valued – because it educates the whole person. That is what the Priory does better than any school around – daily and weekly we take time to “educate” our hearts and souls. “The mind is a terrible thing to waste” is a phrase we have heard many times before, but to waste our hearts and souls is a real tragedy and contrary to everything Saint Benedict wrote about in his Rule for religious communities.
The Rule states that every member is valuable and, whether young or old, their opinions and thoughts are to be respected because one never knows where wisdom may come from. We believe that the strength of any community comes from a place, as it says in our Mission. “where everyone is known and loved.”
The class of 2010 was the 50th graduating class of the Priory. The first class was in 1961, with nine young men receiving their diplomas. Jim Ruffo ’61 was in attendance at this year’s graduation and reflected on how far the Priory has come since those first days living and learning in the original “ranch house.” I said in my welcome remarks, “I am sure all of the Founding Monks, especially Fathers Egon and Christopher, who many of us also knew, are up above today, and even with their Benedictine humility, are filled with a sense of fulfillment and pride.” The class of 1961 was a brave group of young men. They traveled to a place called Woodside, a somewhat Western frontier at the time, and put their lives and education in the hands of Hungarian Benedictines. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions they ever made.
In this issue of Priorities there are several very interesting articles. One is called “Kitchen Confidential,” and you will get a chance to meet a number of Priory alums who work in the culinary industry; some near the school and some far away. One is a renowned pastry chef, and a couple of others are just getting started. I hope the article makes your mouth water.
The other article takes a look at the Board of Trustees from 2000-2010 – a decade of dramatic change in the Priory – and the four men who were the Board chairs during that period. We owe a great deal of appreciation to Wayne Davison, Ray Rothrock, Peter Campagna and Rick Magnuson for their leadership and dedication to the mission and vision of the Priory.
On June 9, Father Pius celebrated his 50th year at the Priory. It was the day of our Faculty and Staff Appreciation luncheon hosted by Priory parents. Though Father Pius is retired, he continues to delight us with his emails that always give us something to ponder or laugh at. His presence is still felt on campus and we love seeing him in Founders Hall almost daily.
Finally, we recently honored two members of our staff with the Saint Stephen award. This award is given annually to a faculty and to a staff member who model our Benedictine values and are selected by their colleagues. This year, our two recipients were John Sugden, Chair of the Performaing Arts Department, and Nate Spears in the kitchen. Congratulations to both of them.
The Priory could not accomplish what it does without your support and prayers every year. Thanks from the monks, faculty and staff for keeping us as part of your world.
“The flow of every school year is a bit different, and that makes for the excitement that working in a school environment brings to students and teachers alike.“
Tim Molak, Head of School