A Day in the Mission

March 23, 2012

What makes us John Paul? Friday, 23 March 2012 might be one of those days to use as a way to better understand who is John Paul.

First thing in the morning, fifty students traveled to stand in solidarity with a Guardian family that had lost their father to cancer. Our choir sang at the funeral Mass, and Guardians stood together and joined together in the prayer of the liturgy.

At noon, those students, joined by more from campus, stood in solidarity with other Americans at the Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally, held at the Main Plaza in New Braunfels. Our Guardians actually stepped in and led the rally itself. Our choir stood in the gazebo, and began the program with “Amazing Grace.” Deacon Gorman spoke to the assembly about the importance of standing up to the injustices now placed on our country, and to continue to pray for those who persecute Catholics and other persons of faith, those who work for a culture of life. The choir closed the program with “God Bless America.”

Certainly not last, our drama students presented the first performance of their spring play “The Case of Humanity v. Pontius Pilate,” an excellent dramatic work, especially for this season of Lent. The performances were polished and professional, thanks to the hard work of our Guardians and their director Mrs. Sandy Schwartz. It is even more an achievement given the hours that these Guardians put into their schoolwork and other activities like softball, track, and tennis. You don’t want to miss the shows Saturday, 24 March and Saturday, 31 March.

Fifteen Ecology students spent the day on the Cibolo Creek, doing field work and running experiments on the water. The students spent six hours on the water, on the shore, hands in the science. This is their fourth field experience, at sites throughout the Hill Country.

Finally, our golf team was in action, our tennis team hosted a home match, and our baseball team won 13-3, in five innings, over a team that last year had handed them a ten-run loss. (And three baseball players weren’t available, as they were prepping for the drama performance.)

Friday, 23 March was a good way to understand who we are – we are John Paul.