Page 2 - The Paduan Spring 2022

President’s Message
It is a beautiful time in Cleveland when spring once again renews our world. My father used to say, as you get older you start to count time by seasons, and I think he was right. Soon it will be time to end another school year and once again celebrate the joys of prom, award ceremonies, and the graduation of the Class of 2022. As I prepare for end-of-year speeches, I often take time to reflect on the past year and the great joy that so many moments contained. A Zen proverb states, “we cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.” As busy people, we
must slow down to truly understand what we have experienced. This time of year, and the stories within, are opportunities for us to take time to cherish these moments.
As you read through this Paduan, you will encounter page after page filled with many great Bruins. You will see a year filled with incredible moments of Bruin pride and events steeped in Padua tradition. Our entire focus this year was to celebrate our 60th Jubilee and to remember the Bruins that have set the foundation for our future. At the same time, we must also continue to plan for that future. I am excited about our newest initiative to develop Padua’s next strategic plan, appropriately named “Achieving Excellence!” I am confident this important work will guide us into a new era for Padua Franciscan. More information on this will be included in our fall issue.
For me, this first year as president has been a whirlwind of excitement and new events. Having recently met and reconnected with so many Bruins locally and across the country made me realize on thing is certain: Padua Bruins truly makes a difference. The Franciscan values of family, care, and welcome are at the cornerstone of so many of our alums. One such alum is Tony Kenney ’71, the past president of Speedway LLC. In our alumni spotlight, you will read about Tony, who throughout his life, has consistently reflected his Franciscan values and has achieved excellence in so many ways. I am joyful that Tony will also be our commencement speaker for the Class of 2022.
Every year there are challenges that we face. A waning pandemic, a tragic fire at nearby Saint Anthony’s School, the injustices in our world, and the war in Ukraine, all impact us as a school community in a profound way. Yet with these challenges, as a boldly Franciscan school, we are called to be instruments of peace and to heal and restore those who are hurting and injured. As a Franciscan family, we are called to reflect the love of Christ into our world. That is what we celebrate in this magazine as well – 60 years of Bruins making a difference through their great faith and service.
The word reflect means to think about deeply and it also means to send back out. As I think deeply upon the importance of what we do here at Padua, in educating students and the sharing of our Franciscan values, I know that these moments are transformational. They are meaningful experiences that are absorbed and then reflected back out to the world. Thank you, Padua family, for making a difference for the past 60 years. Please continue to be generous and thankful for all that you have experienced at Padua. I look forward to continuing our partnership in this incredible ministry, and in all great things to come.
Peace and all good,
David G. Stec '86 President