Ash Wednesday. Though it’s not a Holy Day of Obligation, people make it Holy by their turnout and participation. With the call to fasting, prayer and almsgiving, the challenge for me is to look at the excess in my life, and how I can cut back on material things and more importantly time-wasting activities that don’t really matter. Then I can focus on what is more important. And there are plenty of activities that present themselves each day that call forth compassion and a more generous response.
All the students who wanted to, could come forth to receive ashes. There was of course some giggling as the ashes dropped onto glasses, noses and even caused a few sneezes. But it meant something to each of them too. There’s something primal about being marked with ashes, that signals a call to repentance and conversion. I pray we can work together to rise from the ashes and build a brighter future for our students.
At our management meeting, we selected 8 staff members who had been nominated by their peers to receive our Employee Service Awards. I’m encouraged by the many hard-working folks we have in many different areas of campus who work so hard to make a difference, and do so with a positive attitude that helps others.
Shay, one of our high school seniors, who was accepted to Creighton University was ecstatically excited and encouraged today. She interviewed for one of their Native American diversity scholarships, and got word that she was selected! She will receive almost 2/3 of her yearly costs from that one scholarship alone! Besides college seeming more real to her, with other help and hard work, she sees it as affordable and doable. When those dreams come true for our graduates, it encourages and inspires us as well.
