Saint Martin de Porres High School Blog

Thirteen Outstanding Seniors Participate in Academic Signing Day

2009-05-21T11:01:00.005-04:00

On May 20, thirteen Saint Martin seniors with cumulative grade point averages over 3.5 participated in an academic signing day. These thirteen students declared their intentions to attend Cleveland State, John Carroll, Loyola University Chicago, Miami, Oberlin, Ohio University, Ohio State, Otterbein, Spelman, and Xavier. They have all earned great scholarship opportunities at these excellent institutions.

Please follow this link to view WKYC's coverage of yesteday's wonderful celebration. Thanks to Kim Wheeler of WKYC for her coverage of this event!

National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine

2009-05-19T11:48:00.005-04:00

Yesenia Bucio `10 has been accepted into the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine at Emory University. This July, Yesenia will be introduced to all aspects of the medical field along with other outstanding students from across the country.

According to the Forum's web site, "since 1993, this 10-day forum has introduced students to professionals from some of the nation’s top medical centers and faculty from renowned institutions of learning. Currently, NYLF/MED takes place in the following key cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

With close cooperation from many prestigious and technologically-advanced hospitals, research facilities and medical schools, NYLF/MED enables students through its interactive format to explore a broad range of topics including educational requirements, career options, clinical practice and complex ethical and legal issues facing the medical profession today. Students also get firsthand accounts of what life is like as a resident, discuss global epidemics, cures for life-threatening diseases, medical specialties and primary care with current physicians and patients."
Congratulations, Yesenia!

Three Saint Martin Students to Participate in University of Notre Dame Summer Program

2009-05-05T16:11:00.006-04:00

Samantha King, Samantha Newton, and Jerry Robinson, all members of the Saint Martin de Porres High School Class of 2011, will participate this summer in the ND Vision conference on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. According to the program's web site, "ND Vision is committed to helping young people recognize God's call in their lives and respond to that call with courage and faith. Since 2002, thousands of high school students have come to Notre Dame's campus to take part in this unique experience. In 2009, participants from across the nation will join together at ND Vision to ask important questions about life, faith, their own gifts, and the ways in which we are each called to be the change we want to see in the world."

The Saint Martin community is very proud of Samantha, Samantha, and Jerry for continuing their spiritual, social, emotional, and intellectual growth over the summer.

Third Saint Martin Service Trip in New Orleans

2009-04-27T16:04:00.004-04:00

The following is an excerpted email sent out by faculty member and New Orleans trip leader, Ms. Devon Lynch-Huggins.

I’d like to share a short report and reflection about the recent service/immersion trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. We departed from school on Easter Monday in three vans: two rentals and "Merlot." We spent our first night in Nashville, TN at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. The St.VdP youth group cooked a dinner for us. We picked up a cake to celebrate Tyesha Cole’s 18th birthday. She nearly cried as we sang happy birthday. We played basketball and slept on the floors of two classrooms. The hospitality was magnificent. (Sidebar: alarm goes off in the school at midnight—I sleep through the whole thing…all other adults wake up…little do we know that an open window somewhere else in the building set off the alarm…several squad cars and the Nashville Canine Unit show up to investigate…eventually the alarm goes off and everything is ok). In the morning the pastor brought breakfast for us and we continued on our trip to New Orleans.

In New Orleans we stayed at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Their facility is gorgeous and perfect for hosting groups like ours. They have had to rehab a significant part of the building after Katrina, because after the storm they had eight feet of water in the Church. In addition to plenty of sleeping space and a number of nice showers, there was also a large kitchen—big enough that we could all stand around and admire as Rich cooked up feasts for almost every meal. (Sidebar #2: on our first night in NOLA we went out to dinner. Prior to dinner, Rich Clark decides to soak beans so he can make rice and beans the next day. He forgets to turn off the stove before we leave. We come home from dinner to a smoke-filled building [and some very well-done beans]. Three fire trucks show up…eventually everything is ok).

On Wednesday and Saturday of our week in New Orleans we worked with an organization called Greenlight New Orleans. They are a non-profit that provides a free service to residents of New Orleans and surrounding towns. Volunteers go into the homes of people who have signed up and switch out old incandescent light bulbs and install CFL bulbs. We then let them know how much money they will save over the life of the bulbs and how much less CO2 they will produce. In short, it’s good for people financially and it’s good for the environment. Some of the homes were beautiful—being refurbished with new hardwood floors and granite countertops. Some of them seemed nearly (or completely) uninhabitable. This was our second year volunteering with Greenlight. The best part of this project is that it gives us the chance to go into the homes of families, many of whom have been affected by Katrina, and hear their stories. We were welcomed in, thanked, invited back, etc. Our kids took the initiative to ask people about their stories, talk to them about us and our school and just do the work we had been asked to do. Each home and each family or resident threw something new and challenging our way. (http://www.greenlightneworleans.org)

On Thursday and Friday we worked with an organization called St. Bernard Project. They work in St. Bernard Parish (just outside of N.O. and just next to the Lower 9th Ward) rebuilding homes that have been nearly destroyed by Katrina. Apparently in this area, even though the average family income is very modest, almost 70% of the residents were home owners. Thus—their homes are their major investments. The storm and the subsequent flood devastated them. St. Bernard Project brings in volunteers (like us) to gut homes, put up drywall, mud, paint, etc. We put up almost an entire house’s worth of drywall. It was difficult work and it was glorious work. We broke up into small groups and took on one room at a time. We did walls and ceilings. We used T-squares, key hole saws and lots of other fun sharp object. We cut holes for outlets and light fixtures. A local resident (though not the owner of the home) came by to thank us for our work. St. Bernard Project put him back in his home and he expressed to us how grateful he was for volunteers like us. (http://www.stbernardproject.org/v158/)

We visited the Lower 9th Ward and stood in places where water had reached more than 12 ft. We stood in front of one of the levees that broke. We saw homes that have been completely rebuilt and we saw homes that look the way they did days after the storm. We met a man who swam four blocks days after Katrina so that he could get to his boat and rescue people in his neighborhood. We drove through areas of the city where million dollar homes went almost completely untouched by the storm. We met a young man who can’t get into college because his high school diploma was washed away by the flood. We ate crawfish and discovered praline bacon for the first time. Our kids taught Jack Myslenski the Stanky Leg.

Our kids were fantastic. Whether putting up drywall, going into homes, going out to dinner, bowling, participating in a Mass that lasted an hour and forty five minutes…whatever, they were troopers. Tyeasha Doss was sick the entire time and the smile hardly ever left her face. Jjay Simms stepped up in a way I couldn’t have anticipated and guided the 11th graders through the experience. On the last day we gave the kids their cleaning assignments and they actually went about their work (cleaning bathrooms, showers, etc.) while SINGING. Yesenia Bucio was responsible for cleaning a bathroom and she turned the ends of the toilet paper rolls to points! The kids were so genuine, so reflective and were constantly shouting each other out and building each other up.

Thank you for supporting us at all levels: for approving our budget, writing recommendations for the kids, filling out eligibility sheets, donating money for the car wash or dress down day, for letting us take Merlot, for praying for us, for seeing us off and welcoming us back.

Our group consists of:
Claire Bopp
Yesenia Bucio
Tyesha Cole
Tyeasha Doss
Shawnta Eberhardt
Luciano Galindez
Jalicia Ruffin (student leader)
JJay Simms (student leader)
Rich Clark (presidente)
Devon Lynch-Huggins (theology/campus ministry)
Adam Musser (theology/campus ministry)
Jack Myslenski (chair of CWSP board)
Molly Vaughan (CWSP)

Please congratulate the students (and grown-ups) when you see them.

100% college acceptance again!!!

2009-04-24T10:40:00.003-04:00

The Saint Martin community gathered this morning to celebrate the Class of 2009. All 78 members of the Class have been accepted into at least one college or university. We are extremely proud of each member of the Class and are grateful to the parents, teachers, corporate work study sponsors, and friends of Saint Martin who helped make this dream become a reality. College counselor, Mrs. Susan Hren, deserves special recognition for all her work in ushering students and families through the challenging college application process.

During this morning's assembly, each member of the Class of 2009 addressed the student body and announced where he or she plans to continue his or her education and what he or she plans to study. Schools such as Miami, Oberlin, Spelman, and Xavier and majors such as biology, business, education, nursing, and psychology were announced and celebrated.

We are very proud of the Class of 2009 and eagerly anticipate their accomplishments as well as those of the Classes of 2010, 2011, and 2012 whom they inspired today.

West Virginia Service Immersion Trip

2009-04-23T10:42:00.004-04:00

Six members of the Saint Martin community spent part of Easter Break participating in a service immersion trip at Bethlehem Farm in West Virginia. Sophomore Samantha Newton, and juniors LaDonna Duncan, Ariel Powell, and Dawn Ramsey were joined by faculty members, Pete Range and Lisa Ritchie, in what Mr. Range described as a "grace-filled week living in community with the members of Bethlehem Farm as well as three other high school groups from California, New York, and New Jersey"

Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia that strives to transform lives through serving the local community and teaching sustainability. They enable volunteers to join them in living out the Gospel cornerstones of prayer, community, simplicity and service.

During the week, the Saint Martin team awoke every morning at 6:30 a.m. for prayer and then did their farm chores which included putting up fences, feeding the donkeys, planting onions and yes, even moving manure. A favorite chore was chasing down the pigs when they got loose.

The Saint Martin team was of service in the afternoon as well, bringing groceries to those in need, building a ramp for an elderly couple, painting houses, putting up siding, cleaning up trash, and getting to know the members of the community. The Saint Martin team learned a great deal from the warm, inviting, and gracious people of West Virginia!

Saint Martin Sophomore Headed to Georgetown University Summer Program

2009-04-20T13:35:00.002-04:00

Samantha Newton `11 will participate in this summer's American Politics & Public Affairs summer program at Georgetown University. According to the Georgetown web site, Samantha will "learn firsthand from Washington experts about the presidency, Congress, the judiciary, political parties, women and politics, public opinion, and political behavior. In the classroom and on field trips, you’ll meet with key elected officials, Capitol Hill staff, lobbyists, and policy makers to discuss campaigns, legislative priorities, and emerging national issues. Then put what you learn into practice and gain hands-on politics and policy experience as you work on a realistic campaign simulation."

"Georgetown was founded in the same year the Constitution took effect, in the city that is the center of power and politics. It is rumored that the original Declaration of Independence was hidden on campus when the British invaded Washington in the 1800s. Nowhere else will you get such a uniquely intimate view of the people, institutions, and processes that shape American policy."

Congratulations, Samantha!

Track Team Off to a Promising Start

2009-04-17T09:01:00.003-04:00

The following members of the Saint Martin Lions track team set new personal records in the Beachwood Invitational meet Saturday, April 11.

Paige Black
Kamaya Galloway
Brittany Gregg
Alexis Johnson
William Null
Brittany McDonnall
Jeremiah Parks
Kyler Smith
Shawnetta Stephens
Quean Williams
Dameyonna Willis

Also, Brittany McDonnall finished 1st in her heat of the 400 meter dash and Jeremiah Parks finished 2nd in his heat of the 200 meter dash.

Scholarship news for outstanding students!

2009-04-14T10:54:00.007-04:00

Two members of the Saint Martin Class of 2009 recently received incredible scholarship news:

Lyla Wakut has received a four-year full scholarship from Loyola University Chicago. Congratulations, Lyla!!!

Elena Sanchez learned last week that she will receive over $49,000 in renewable non-repayable grants and scholarships for her Oberlin College education. Very well done, Elena!!!

The entire Saint Martin community is proud of Lyla and Elena and the Class of 2009.

First Boston College Acceptance!

2009-04-07T08:35:00.005-04:00

The Saint Martin de Porres High School community recently received word that senior Una Ilisinovic has been accepted to Boston College. According to the BC website, "for the Class of 2012, there were over 30,000 applications for 2,250 places in the four undergraduate divisions." Congratulations to Una on this tremendous accomplishment!

We have much to be thankful for at Saint Martin!

2009-04-03T11:50:00.006-04:00

We have not blogged for a few weeks and lots of great things have happened during that time!

Senior Renee Makupson received the Morrill Multi-cultural Scholarship from The Ohio State University. This scholarship will cover FOUR YEAR'S TUITION. Congratulations to Renee!

Five of our young women were recently selected to receive the Thea Award sponsored by the Diocesan Office of African American Ministry. These students are:

Samantha King
Chelsea Murray
Sunni Wenson
Tyler Hughley
Ariel Powell

Below are the criteria used for selecting recipients for this award as well as a short biography of Sr. Thea Bowman, for whom the award is named.

Criteria: The “Thea” Award will be given to women in the African American Community who have provided strong and effective leadership and service. Award recipients foster educational opportunities, demonstrate strong personal faith and compassion for others, and have an intense interest in encouraging Black Catholic identity. They continue to dedicate their time and talents to evangelization efforts in the African American community and are concerned with and sensitive to the social teachings of the Church.

Biography: Sister Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, lived life with hope, love and justice for all people. A tireless advocate, Sister Thea always educated and preached about the need to break down racial and cultural barriers. Her spirited presentations combined singing, gospel preaching, along with prayer and story telling, inspired all to live deeply the Christian values of justice and peace. Through her teaching, she was described as a “soul liberator, a mind liberator”. Thea also used music as an important part of her ministry. Sr. Thea died on March 30, 1990 of cancer.

Junior LaDonna Duncan has been accepted to the Stephanie Tubbs Jones’ Summer Legal Academy. This program will take place on the campus of Case Western Reserve University and is sponsored by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Sophomore Angel Caban-Alvarez was accepted to the Learning About Business summer program at Lake Erie College.

Two Saint Martin Lions Recognized

2009-03-12T10:10:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to junior basketball players Kenneth Tutstone and Christopher Barnes, Jr. Both Lions were recognized as 2008-09 Associated Press Northeast Lakes All-District Honorable Mentions for Division IV. This list was highlighted in the Sports Section of The Plain Dealer this week.

Kenneth and Christopher contributed to a young and promising team that advanced to the second round of the OHSAA basketball tournament. Congratulations to Coach Myron Jackson and all the Lions for a great season!

The Miracle of Saint Martin

2009-02-23T10:06:00.002-05:00

Contributed by Pete Range, Saint Martin Theology Teacher

During these winter months, when the days seem so long because the earth is so barren, we often long for the miracle of spring. And every year, as the snow slowly melts and spring blossoms we’re born again with the realization that everything in nature points to resurrection. But often, if we look hard enough in our daily lives even in the midst of being buried under snow, we can find semblances of resurrection, even if it’s just waking from our sleep. Nonetheless, to get us through the last few months of gray and slush I wanted to share a quick story that has brought a warm smile to my face during these cold months.

December had been a really difficult month for me. Burdened by the extra work of a graduate class and unrealized dreams in the classroom, I was struggling professionally and personally. It all seemed to come to a head when one day while dismissing my students a few were horsing around in the back of the classroom. I had stepped outside with one of my students to quickly do an exit interview, but when I heard the crash I quickly jumped back into the room. Standing around and laughing were a few boys and girls who had accidentally bumped into the file cabinet and knocked off the 2 feet tall Saint Martin statue that watched over the class. I had inherited the statue from our previous freshmen theology teacher, Andrew Staron and I believed he had inherited it from someone else. It had watched over the class for the 3 years now I’ve been teaching and was always a reminder to me to be loving, be patient, be kind and never give up. But now it was broken, and while most of the class was shocked and saddened, those few who showed a lack of remorse hurt. Nonetheless, I didn’t overreact, I was upset, but after all it was just a statue I told myself. And after a very brief investigation I talked to the parties responsible and the importance of behaving at all times – but ultimately I told them people are more important then things and so I told them I loved them and they left the room.

A few weeks later, after some other students made a make shift memorial for Saint Martin including a sign in marker that read ‘R.I.P. Saint Martin’ I gave up hope that it was going to be fixed. Although I told the students who broke the statue they were responsible for fixing it, I knew it was beyond fixing. Some other recourse would have to suffice. December marched on into January and Saint Martin remained as crumbled as I was.

Then, one night while doing a little research late in my classroom, I came across a saint, whose name I’m amiss to remember at this point; who as the legend goes performed a miracle of sorts with a broken vessel. The legend has it that he was walking home one evening and ran into a young boy who was crying over a broken dish that was made of glass and very expensive. The little boy, fearful of his punishment and with no money to fix the vase asked the saint for help. At once the saint puts his hands over the broken glass and miraculously it was restored. Now I’m no saint, but I’ve seen the Lord work in mysterious ways so I’d figure I’d give it a shot with the Martin statue. I checked out the hallway and made sure it was all clear and I walked to the back of the classroom where the broken statue still laid crumbled. I know this may sound crazy that I would even try this, but if you know anything about me you’d probably say I’m a little crazy anyway. Nonetheless, figuring this might be my last option to get the statue fixed I placed my hands over the statue, closed my eyes and whispered to God, “Lord, I believe in your healing power, and I know this is just a statue, but if it be your will let it be new again, in Jesus’ name, Amen,” and then I opened my eyes…

And the statue was still broken. Still in 20 pieces I smiled as I realized I indeed did not have saintly powers. So I prepared by the end of the week to simply have the statue thrown away.
The next morning, however, one of my first period students came up to the room about 7:45 a.m., that time of morning that I’m still waking in preparation of that first class, and caught me off guard as she asked for the statue. It was Essence Flores, the quiet, but perky young freshmen who innocently asked if she could take the statue home to try to fix it. Remembering nothing of the night before I said sure thinking there was no way possible that the statue could really be fixed. After two weeks I had nearly forgot that Essence had taken the statue home when one morning she came walking into the classroom with something hiding under a sheet. Her face was beaming with a smile from ear to ear as she placed the object down on the desk in front of me, “Surprise, Mr. Range!” she exasperated as she lifted the sheet off of the resurrected Martin statue. Newly painted, perfectly restored I remembered at that moment what seemed to be my silly prayer to the Lord, “Let it be new again, in Jesus’ name.” God answered the prayer, and He did it through an unexpected way, through an unexpected person. Essence was so proud as she explained how she fixed it and how her family helped out, and I was so proud of her. Martin was fixed and in a small way my faith was restored; restored in the belief that God answers prayers and can bring newness out of what was destroyed, newness out of the old, and life out of death…
In Mark’s gospel we’re told in chapter 6 that Jesus was not able to perform miracles in his home town because the people did not believe in him. Maybe it was time for me to believe again, to have a little faith. Now, I know this is just a story of a statue, but for me it was about believing again, about being open to the Lord answering prayers in unexpected ways, and ultimately about resurrection. Martin like my winter spirt was crumbled, but through the help of loving kindness both of us were made whole again. So if the snow gets you down or if something is broken in your life or in your heart, ask the Lord to heal it, for as sure as He can restore a statue, and as sure as He will bring the new spring - He will bring healing, and He will bring resurrection.

Catholic Schools Week

2009-01-22T14:00:00.002-05:00

Why is there a Catholic Schools Week? Is it a narcissistic attempt to elicit praise and tout our successes? Is it an effort to elevate Catholic schools to heights above other systems of education? If these are the reasons to advocate a celebration of Catholic Schools Week, I would be the first to advocate not celebrating this special week. Rather, I believe that Catholic Schools Week is a reminder to the Catholic school community to always focus on our mission, a mission expressed very well in the theme for 2009: “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.” To me, one of the hallmarks of the Catholic school is the creation of a learning environment in which relationships are based on love, mutual respect and Gospel values. In this nurturing environment, faculty and students are propelled into service of those in need. Thus, I think that Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to celebrate the life and love that we share. Yet, far from turning us to only look at ourselves, it challenges us to always be looking for ways to follow the Way, the Truth and the Life in proclaiming Good News and transforming the world!

Recent College Acceptances

2009-01-22T13:42:00.003-05:00

Please follow this link to see an updated listing of all the colleges and universities Saint Martin students have been accepted to over the last two years. Our community is proud of all the members of the Classes of 2008 and 2009!

We are particularly excited about seven of our students who are the first from Saint Martin to be accepted to Marquette University, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio State University, Otterbein College, St. Louis University, Spelman College, and Spring Hill College.

Una Ilisinovic is accepted to Marquette
Mariah Watts is accepted to Ohio Dominican
Renee Makupson is our first student accepted to Ohio State
Kylie Kelly is accepted to Otterbein College
JJ Simms is our first student accepted to St. Louis University
Sunni Wenson is our first acceptance to Spelman
Abby Mrozek is accepted to Spring Hill

Overall, 67 pecent of our seniors have been accepted to at least one college or university as of 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 22. Congratulations, members of the Class of 2009!!!

More great news to come...

Heartfelt Thanks

2009-01-16T13:13:00.003-05:00

The Saint Martin Student Advisory Board chose to send Christmas cards to some of our men and women in the armed service. Below is the response of one of those who received one of those Christmas cards.

Ms. Vogel,
For ten days in December I was a patient at the Miami Veterans Hospital. I cannot tell you how pleased and happy I was when two days before Christmas, someone walked into my room and gave me a card sent by The Student Advisory Board of your school.

It brought a tear to my eye to think that these students would take time out of their busy lives to send these cards. I cannot tell you how much joy it brought to me, I will save this card for years to come.

Please tell these students that their work is very appreciated.

Thanks for lifting my spirits, when they needed to be lifted.

Luke 1:46-55 Advent Devotional

2008-12-22T09:58:00.003-05:00

Advent Devotional for Monday, December 22, 2008

Week 4: PEACE

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Luke 1:46-55

Mary’s Magnificat says so much. I’d like to ask you to read it again (and maybe even three times): certainly one reading is insufficient. Even after half a dozen readings, I find it difficult to move past the wondrous opening line: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” What more do we need, especially at this hopeful time, than to allow our souls to do that for which they were made?

Mary’s prayer reminds me of the great (and difficult) Gerard Manley Hopkins poem, “As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame.” Hopkins was a 19th-century English Jesuit and is a favorite poet of mine. In this sonnet Hopkins develops a theme similar to that of Mary’s prayer. Here it is:

AS kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves—goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

I say more: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is—
Chríst—for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.

My prayer today is that we can hear and follow Mary’s magnificent lead. Let our souls proclaim God’s greatness in everything that we do today. And let us, as Hopkins suggests, see Christ in “ten thousand places.”

By Adam Musser, Theology Teacher/Campus Ministry

Scholastic Art Awards - Congratulations Shantasia Creer

2008-12-18T11:48:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Saint Martin sophomore Shantasia Creer for winning a Silver Key Award in the regional Scholastic Art Awards! She and other regional high school artists will be honored at an awards ceremony Jan.18. The Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition is open January 18 –February 1 at the Cleveland Institute of Art (Reinberger Galleries). Gallery Hours are 10am-6pm Tues.-Sat., and 12pm-6pm Sundays, Closed Mondays.

Philippians 4:4-7 Advent Devotional

2008-12-18T08:45:00.003-05:00

Advent Devotional for Thursday, December 18, 2008

Week 3: JOY

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

One of the etymological roots of the word “rejoice” is “rejoir” meaning “to welcome.” The first line in this passage of Paul’s message to the Philippians can, therefore, be read as a reminder to welcome the Lord always.

What do we do when we prepare to welcome a friend into our home? We might need to vacuum or do some mopping. More than likely, we’ll need to make a trip to the store to pick up our guests’ favorite food or drink. Then, we might prepare a meal or some snacks to share with our guest.

It can be a lot of work to welcome a guest, but that work is richly rewarded when we relive shared memories, listen to good music, and enjoy some good food. This time spent with a dear friend is not about accomplishing anything other than just being together, but it is time very well spent because we are given the great gift of peace through these visits. We are comforted because we are with someone whose company we enjoy and who loves and appreciates us.

This calls to mind Antoine de Saint-Exupery who reminded us in The Little Prince that the time we “waste” for our friends is what makes them so important. Other things may seem more important or may be the source of greater stress, but we must make time with friends a priority. We must be intentional about making time for our friends.

Our friends have also made time for us and have provided us with a sense of peace. It is important, then, that we also express our gratitude to them. (Thank you for sharing this time with me. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for who you are.)

This “thanksgiving” is important for a friend to hear, but it may be even more important as an act of humility on our part. Our expression of gratitude allows us to admit that we need others. This acknowledgement might also serve as a helpful reminder to make time for our friend again soon.

***

We do not need to get out the vacuum or the mop in order to welcome the Lord, so in some respects welcoming Christ should be easier than welcoming a guest to our home. But how often are we guilty of not devoting time to spend with Jesus? We simply have too much to do to “waste” time; we have important work to do! Are we really too busy for 20-30 minutes a day?

Think of how rewarding it could be to spend time daily with our dear friend and Lord. This time could be used to celebrate our many blessings - our friends and family, a great meal, or a warm smile. This time could also be used to ask for assistance as we try to grow to become a better friend, husband, wife, son, daughter, neighbor, or co-worker. Time spent with our friend, Christ Jesus, would also make us more mindful of His presence as we celebrate life’s blessings and endure its struggles, as we fall short and as we succeed.

We must simply slow down a little bit - step away from the computer, turn off the TV, take off the headphones, and take a break from texting. We must make an intentional effort to welcome Christ and be glad in His presence. It is through this welcoming, Paul reminds us, that our hearts and minds become “guarded” from the unhelpful anxieties that so often trouble us. Paul’s simple formula is this: Humbly welcome the Lord and set your heart and mind at peace.

Rejoice and be glad! Welcome the Lord always!

By Keith Laschinger, Director of Admissions

Zechariah 9:9-12 Advent Devotional

2008-12-18T08:34:00.003-05:00

Advent Devotional for Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Week 3: JOY
Zechariah 9:9-12

“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
and the war-horses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.

12 Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope;
even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”

You never know who or what will come around in life to save you. Some are saved by religion. Other people find a cause, political or otherwise, which gives them passion and direction. There are still others saved by finding a person with whom they can share their lives. I was saved by a 26 pound, fuzzy-faced, brown-and-tan German Shepherd mix named Kiri.

The month of October was always a tough one for me in college. Midterms were hitting, I hadn’t been home since I left for school the last week of August and my birthday was approaching. I would have down days when I felt like I just needed something that was missing from my life.

My friends decided that, for my 22nd birthday, I needed a pet. This was completely their idea—I had no idea that they were even planning to give me a present let alone a pet! On October 27, 1992 they surprised me with a trip to the local park where I met my birthday present.

Kiri (sounds like Keary) was a rescue dog. She had been abused, abandoned and rehabilitated. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to keep her, but later that evening she rested her head on my shoulder and sighed. That was it—I was now her mom.

Kiri taught me more lessons than I can ever list. She relied on me for everything, which is a good lesson for anyone who will ever have children! She taught me responsibility and unconditional love. I learned to prioritize as I had to put her needs above my own. I learned to take a deep breath and exhale right before I went to sleep. I found out that the funny face a dog makes when riding in the backseat of a car can mean that they are about to throw up. Valuable lessons.

Kiri died 6 months after my first child was born. It was 3 years ago but I sometime still cry when I think about her. She really trained me to be a parent by demanding my time, my attention and my love. Sometimes it takes a great, public leader—religious, political or other—to save us. However you must be open to finding your own salvation in the quieter and smaller places. I found mine in a park on a sunny October afternoon in Ann Arbor, Michigan and I am eternally grateful that I did.

By Susan Hren, College Counselor

The affect that college students can have on the community

2008-12-17T10:00:00.008-05:00

Yesterday we were blessed to have 15 of our alumni visit Saint Martin. It was great to catch up with all of them and hear how well they were doing at schools such as Akron, John Carroll, Kent State, Morehouse, and Ohio U!

We also had seven eighth grade students visiting Saint Martin yesterday. One of these young people met an alumnus of ours, Christian. Christian (Chris) is a Saint Martin graduate, Class of 2008, and a first year student at Morehouse College in Atlanta. The young visitor saw Chris and asked him if he was a professional athlete. Chris's response was outstanding: “My profession is academics.”

Christian went on to tell the young man that he should not choose Saint Martin, or any other high school, for its sports program. Chris told the young man that he should choose Saint Martin for overall guidance, college counseling, and because the culture of the school calls students to strive to be their best. Chris said the idea of attending college was hammered into him daily at Saint Martin and the more he heard it, the more it became his focus and goal. Chris proudly stated, “Today, I’m at the college that I wanted to attend. I’m at Morehouse."

How many other young people has Christian impacted in a similar way? Our other alums? This is how urban America will be transformed!!!

Micah 6:8 Advent Devotional

2008-12-16T16:24:00.003-05:00

Editor's Note - This devotional was published internally at Saint Martin December 4 and was not included on the blog until now inadvertently.

Advent Devotional for Thursday, December 4, 2008

Week 1: PREPARE

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice,
and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
- Micah 6:8

Life can be really painful at times. If anyone knew this it was the prophet Micah. A member of the lower class Micah suffered not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as he watched the nation he loved turn away from God. I’m sure we’ve all suffered this past year whether it’s been emotional or otherwise. We simply can’t avoid pain in this life no matter how hard we try. The cold reality is, the only common experience of humanity is that we all experience pain in one form or another. But that fact may point us deeper into the mystery of why Jesus chose the cross. With open arms and every fiber of his being he said with a resounding cry, ‘I am with you.’

As we prepare this advent season for the coming of our Lord again into our lives maybe we should take a step back, take a deep breath, and allow the Lord to tell us, ‘I am with you.’

Maybe then with the spirit of understanding that Christ is with us will we be able to work for a Kingdom of justice that Micah envisioned: one in which “all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees” (4:4). Maybe then will we again love kindness and treat the person who pours our coffee or hands us our groceries with the same love that Christ showed us. Maybe then will we this advent season hand over all our problems to Christ who asks us to (Mt. 11:28) and humbly realize that without Christ our own vines and fig trees will produce nothing (Jn. 15:5).

We will fail, certainly for as Micah reminds us, we are mortal, but this advent season is time to begin anew with that timeless Christian hope in a better world. It’s true, we will die and we can’t escape that pain that comes with this life. But if Christ has shown us anything it’s not to run away from pain. By accepting the pain, by entering into it to we come closer to the Jesus who accepted the vulnerability of what it means to be human and the Jesus who accepted the fragility of being born in a manger. All of which brings us joyously closer to the resurrected Christ who has conquered death and reconciled us with our God: our God whom through Jesus tells us “I am with you always” (Mt. 28:20).

By Pete Range, Theology Teacher

Isaiah 61:1-3

2008-12-16T08:33:00.002-05:00

Advent Devotional for Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Week 3: JOY

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

As I was reading Isaiah I was thinking how much we need these words today. When I look at the daily paper or turn on the World News I see a world that seems broken. Constant fighting, acts of terror, starvation, ethnic cleansing, the list goes on. Many families will not be able to share the holidays with loved ones, and many will spend it in a home they may lose soon. The news is not good.

Isaiah brings us words of hope and comfort. He tells us the Good News that there will eventually be a time of rebuilding the things which have been destroyed. A voice that still echoes through the ages, “The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings.” In Isaiah’s messianic prophecy he is awaiting this day with great joy, the joy that we need so much in our world today.

Are you poor? He will make you rich. Are you brokenhearted? He will heal you. Are you a captive? He will set you free. He will take away the ashes and make you beautiful. These are the words we cling to as we search our hearts in these times of trials and cling to the promise that God will not abandon us.

As we await this promise and look both back on the birth of Christ and forward to the Christ to come let the words of Isaiah envelope us with the profound hope of the unchanging loving nature of God.

Merry Christmas!

By Terri Rawlings, Admissions department

Leadership Cleveland Visit

2008-12-15T11:27:00.004-05:00

On Thursday, December 11, Saint Martin had the honor of welcoming Leadership Cleveland, a civic program designed to give present and future leaders a broader understanding of how our city works. These civic leaders also visited several other schools Thursday. This reflects our strong belief that the business community can and should partner with innovative schools to provide opportunity for the young men and women of Cleveland.

Duane Bishop, Forest City Enterprises
Kim Bixenstine, University Hospitals Health System
Mitch Blair, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
Perry Braun, Medical Mutual
Matthew Embrescia, Second Generation Ltd.
Johnathan Holifield, Cleveland Urban League
Rob Huxtable, Socius Executive Search
Tom Kedrowski, PolyOne
Bobbie Laurie, Visiting Nurse Association
Joseph Mattioli, Ritz-Carlton Cleveland
Bob Niehoff, SJ, John Carroll University
Lisa Oliver, Key Bank
John Osberg, US Bank
Mike Petrone, Plan C Publishing
Radhika Reddy, Ariel Ventures LLC
Debra Adams Simmons, The Plain Dealer
Keith Sutton, Sutton Builders
Paul Voinovich, Vocon, Inc.

Urban Education Revolution

2008-12-15T10:11:00.007-05:00

Rich Clark, founding president of Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland, has created a blog to help him think through the challenge of urban education and to participate in a larger discussion on this vitally important topic. Click the "Urban Education Revolution" link to become a part of this discussion!

Oberlin College Acceptance!

2008-12-15T09:52:00.003-05:00

Our school community just got word that Elena Sanchez was accepted to Oberlin College. Congratulations, Elena!

Galatians 5:22-23 Advent Devotional

2008-12-15T09:49:00.001-05:00

Advent Devotional for Monday, December 15, 2008

Week 3: JOY

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5: 22-23

It can be so difficult to find joy in this season of joy. Everyone is telling you to be merry, to be happy, and sometimes that’s just too hard. I was 13 the first year I realized I had no Christmas spirit. Sometimes watching a particular Christmas special on TV would do it, but even that didn’t work this time. I was in such a funk. I didn’t know what to do. The more I thought about it, the worse it got.

Since then, I have found the perfect remedy for this pathetic winter disease! The cure was handed to me by a dear neighbor. Mrs. Gregg organized a caroling party. She gathered us all at her house and we went up and down the street stopping to sing at each house. (We were even careful to sing “Jingle Bells” at the home of our only Jewish neighbors.) Then we went back to the Greggs’ house for red velvet cake and cookies and cocoa. I felt so much better! My problem was paying too much attention to me, to my feelings. I needed to think about what I could do to bring Christmas to someone else.

And then there was the hard part: taking that home. But somehow it was easier to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, generous, faithful, gentle and in control of myself after spending the evening with my neighbors, reaching out to them with joy.

Lord, help me to remember that this is your party and I am an invited guest. Help me to remember to reach out in joy to these others you also love. Remind me that joy is a beautiful virus that needs to be spread far and wide!

By Ann Klonowski, Theology Teacher

Colleges and Universities

2008-12-12T14:57:00.004-05:00

Follow the above "Colleges and Universities" link to see a list of the schools which have accepted Saint Martin students over the last two years.

College Acceptances!!!

2008-12-12T14:48:00.005-05:00

Thirty-six members of the Class of 2009 have already been accepted into at least one college or university:

Alejandra Arteaga
Teaire Baker-Harrison
Stephanie Barnes
Brianna Buckhalter
Leaha Clemence
Brittany Cuevas
Isabel DeRoberts
Sabrina Jackson
April Frazier
Ricky Henry
Tyler Hughley
Una Ilisinovic
Sh'Nae Johnson
Kylie Kelly
Bianca King
Paula Kurtz
Jasmyne Lewis
Charlene Marshall
Nicole Mazzola
Santino Montanez
Chelsea Murray
Lucretia Payne
Deja Pearson
Aaron Reynolds
Kevhonna Roberts
Stephanie Rodriguez
Jalicia Ruffin
Adele Schumann
Jamil Shelton
Jjay Sims
Christina Smith
Devonte Smith
Valentine Volk
Lyla Wakut
Sunni Wenson
Tim Young

Forty-three more names will be added to this list by June 2009! Congratulations!

Matthew 17:10-13 Advent Devotional

2008-12-12T08:49:00.001-05:00

Advent Devotional for Friday, December 12, 2008

Week 2: HOPE

After the transfiguration, as Jesus and the disciples were coming down the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He replied “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah already came, and did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that Jesus was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Mt. 17:10-13

One summer I rode up Mt. Washington hoping for a glimpse of the state of New Hampshire. When I reached the top I was in a bank of clouds and could not see anything. I saw New Hampshire as I drove along the highways and met people, not on top of a mountain. Hope is like that. We hope for peace in our hearts, families, nation and world but all we see are clouds of division. We are “muddled.”

Advent is a time of hope; a time of waiting. The strange thing about hope is that what we long for is already here but not recognizable except through faith; just like the valley below Mt. Washington. God sent Jesus to save us; to give us hope. He is our brother who guides us on the right path.

What is this path on which we must walk? John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ lives give us some insight: love God and love your neighbor. If we want to know, love and serve God, we must get to know, love and serve our neighbor, even those whom we dislike. Both Jesus and John the Baptist were murdered because they preached and lived love of God and neighbor.

During this time of Advent:

· Choose someone whom you dislike and do something nice and/or pray for that person.
· Reflect on how he or she reacted and how doing the good deed made you feel. Did your act of kindness, prayer bring that person and/or you hope?

By Madeline Muller, HM, Information/Data Coordinator

Hebrews 11: 1-13 Advent Devotional

2008-12-11T10:06:00.003-05:00

Advent Devotional for Thursday, December 11, 2008

Week 2: HOPE

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain's. Through this he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through this, though dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and "he was found no more because God had taken him." Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household. Through this he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age--and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth.

Hebrews 11: 1-13

One of my most inquisitive and persistent students, Brittney, was bemoaning again the fact that she “had no faith.” She said she wished she had faith. She wanted faith just like everyone else. Why was she the one person in this school without faith? (It seemed to me, however, that if she truly lacked faith, she wouldn’t have cared so much; nor would it have been such a source of distress. So somewhere inside, she actually DID have faith.)

On this particular day another teacher working in the faculty office overheard us having the “faith conversation” for the millionth time; and on this occasion, Ms. T. turned to Brittney and said, “You’re confusing faith and belief, dear. Faith is a stance.” And then she turned back around and continued her work.

I’m not quite sure the statement had the desired effect on my student (as a matter of fact, I know it did not, because the “faith conversation” goes on and on ‘til this day) but the words went straight to my heart.

Faith is not so much about what you think or what you believe in your head, faith is the whole way you approach your life. It’s the place where what you think and believe become realized in how you live and eventually in who you are. It prescribes the way you get up in the morning, how you greet everyone you meet during the day, the way you spend your time and resources, and how you end your day – and everything in between.

The ancients described in the Hebrews reading for today exemplify just such an understanding of faith. They are not remembered and honored for the orthodoxy of their beliefs or the loftiness of their thoughts. They are held up as models of faith because their living testified to the faithfulness of God. They lived “as if” every promise made and every Word spoken were as real and unshakeable as a mountain.

One of my favorite quotes is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times; and, if necessary, use words.”

This preaching Good News with our lives is the essence of faith to me. The Word becomes flesh in everything we do, and in the people we are. Could there possibly be any other Advent practice so meaningful or any Christmas gift so complete?

By Virginia Malloy, Campus Minister

Romans 8:22-25 Advent Devotional

2008-12-10T18:20:00.002-05:00

Advent Devotional for Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Week 2: HOPE

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

Romans 8:22-25

July 2, 1996 came and went. The phone rang incessantly. “Is the baby here yet?” “No, not yet.” It was hot, I was swollen, and my ankles were stuffed sausages ready to burst open. Didn’t this baby know that I lived by a calendar? Didn’t he know that I intentionally set the birth date to be such that I would maximize my summer off of work? Didn’t this baby know that I had to be ready to go back to work when school started in the fall? I was tired of being huge. I was tired of being swollen. And I was tired of being pregnant.

If normal wombs are the Holiday Inn for babies, mine was the Ritz Carlton. This child did NOT want to come out. My obstetrician said (on the day AFTER my due date, mind you), “there is nothing going on.” AAAAHHHH!!!! On top of it all, my doctor was from an older generation that didn’t believe in inducing me too soon. Therefore, I had to wait until I was two weeks over due before I would be induced. Joy. As Romans 8:22 states, “we know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Believe you me, I was groaning alright.

Be patient. Yeah, right! I am not a patient person by nature. I am a planner. I am a doer. I am not good at sitting around waiting for things to happen to me. I like to make things happen! This baby was teaching me a huge lesson. I had to be patient. I had to let God decide when this baby was coming. And boy was I getting a huge lesson in patience. We were blessed that we did not have to wait long to get pregnant. We hoped to get pregnant, and boom! there we were. The hope that we had for this baby was immense. We waited. Patiently. Camden Michael was born two weeks past his due date. He was beautiful. “But if we hope for what we do not have yet, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25. I can imagine Mary looking at her own beautiful son with the hope of the world on his shoulders. What do you hope for? Are you willing to wait for it? For in this hope we are saved.

By Nicki Stacey, Director of Counseling

Charles R. Drew Saturday Academy at The Cleveland Clinic

2008-12-10T18:04:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Saint Martin students Shirley Jordan, Heiry Perez, Charlene Williams, and Tiana Wilson on their acceptance into the Charles R. Drew Saturday Academy at The Cleveland Clinic. This selective program is intended to help talented African American and Latino high school students prepare for the future practice of medicine.

Psalm 46 Advent Devotional

2008-12-10T17:54:00.002-05:00

Advent Devotional for Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Week 1: PREPARE

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging.
The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

Streams of the river gladden the city of God, the dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken; God will help it at break of day.
Though nations rage and kingdoms totter, God’s voice thunders and the earth trembles.
The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

Come and see the works of the Lord, who had done fearsome deeds on earth;
Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire,
Who says: “Be still and confess that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

Psalm 46

Every day, the media announces even more distressing economic news: “The stock market is plummeting.” “The bailout of the banking sector is costing hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars.” “Thousands of people are being laid off or losing their jobs.” “Senior citizens are seeing their retirement accounts disappear overnight.” “The number of people frequenting local food pantries is on the rise.” Doesn’t this seem to reflect what the psalmist describes as the “earth being shaken, the mountains quaking to the depths of the sea, the sea raging and foaming and the mountains totters at the surging of the sea?” Indeed, the solid foundations on which so many placed their economic hopes and their very lives are crumbling. The earth is being shaken; the mountains are quaking to the depths of the sea.

Many can rightfully claim, where is our loving God? Has God utterly abandoned us? If one feels abandoned, the temptation is to be paralyzed by unhealthy worry and frightful anxiety. If one is not paralyzed by worry, one can fall into hectic, even frenetic activity thinking, “I have to do something, do anything for doing something is better than nothing.” Yet, the psalmist advises, “Do not fear; God is our refuge and our strength!” Is the psalmist calling us to passivism, to naïveté? Is the psalmist calling us to ignore the crisis all around us? Is the psalmist trying to lull us into a drug like stupor?

In this present situation or in other turbulent times, it takes courage to “Be still and confess that I am God.” The simple act of prayer and trust in God requires a great act of faith. It takes great courage to even maintain one’s faith in God in the face of others’ criticism. This courage comes from the promise that “The Lord of hosts is with us…” This expression is very similar to the one that Isaiah uses in predicting the birth of Jesus. He says that Jesus is Emmanuel, that is, God is with us. And it is this constant presence of God with us that gives us courage. God is at our side in the midst of whatever difficulty we have: financial, medical, familial… God does not wave a magic wand that takes away the struggles, the worry and the anxiety. But, God will be there with us in the midst of our struggles each and every minute of every day, loving us, supporting us, inspiring us to navigate the obstacles in our path.

As we prepare for Christmas, let us courageously “Be still” in order to recognize the presence of “Emmanuel, God with us” in our midst. It is when we can “Be still” with God that we can break out of our paralysis. It is when we can “Be still” with God that we can set aside frenetic unfocused activity. It is when we can “Be still” with God that we can recognize opportunities to solve problems.

By Steve Suding, Vice President of Mission

Isaiah 43 Reflection

2008-12-10T17:36:00.001-05:00

Advent Devotional for Friday, December 5, 2008

Week 1: PREPARE

Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.
Isaiah 43

As I begin to reflect on the above scripture passage I am reminded of the passage from the Second Book of Paul when he is struck blind by God and Paul asked God what he should do. God responds by saying “"Then the Lord said to him (Paul), Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

It really does not matter what you have done in the past, it matters what God wants you to do now. You can not change the past, but you can listen for God’s word and see what it is doing. For me, and I am sure many of you as well, it is to be here at Saint Martin de Porres High School and to listen for God’s word. What we must do is not always clear to us. We must take the time to reflect and to listen and to see the overwhelming presence of Jesus Christ in our family that we call Saint Martin’s. When we do this, it becomes easier for me to see what I must do.

God is preparing something big for us. We just need to get out of the way and make room for the Holy Spirit. Do you not see that God is doing something new? He is transforming each and everyone associated with our community into what he wants the world to be. Anyone who comes to our building that takes a moment to let God in sees it.

Always remember to take the time to realize that we learn far more from our students that we can ever teach them. I am amazed and overcome with emotion every day by the commitment our students make to the community of our school.

So as we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ during this Advent season, take the time to see the great things God is doing right now. You answered his call to go into the city and you are being told what you must do. Take the time to see God creating a way in the desert and turning wasteland into rivers. Take the time to reflect on the overpowering presence of Jesus Christ each and every day at Saint Martin’s. When we take the time to do this, it makes the Advent season that much more meaningful to me.

In closing, PREPARE for the birth of Jesus with a new perspective on what we must do and to see the new things God is doing. I thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.

GOD BLESS,

By Tom Bennett, Vice President of Corporate Work Study Program