MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
157th EDITION: May 22, 2020
From the Desk of Rev. Jared Twenty
“While meeting with them, Jesus enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait…”
At first glance these words from the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles may seem to simply record a mundane detail. But in fact they are filled with meaning. The disciples had just witnessed the greatest and most central event in history, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. After years of following Him, learning from Him, and sharing in His mission, they had now come to see all of God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus through His rising from the dead. One can only imagine the zeal burning within them at this point, urging them to go out to all the world and tell the Good News! But Jesus, right before His Ascension, orders them to wait! What? Now? Why?
This “wait” had to be difficult, but it was so important. This “wait” was the very first Novena, from the Ascension to Pentecost. Nine days. Nine consecutive days of doing nothing – nothing, that is, from the eyes of activism, workaholicism, and busybody-ism. Of course, from the eyes of faith, we know that the Church during those nine days actually did what she does best… she prayed. She prayed and waited. She waited and prayed. And in so doing, she was preparing herself for something that was at this point still unknown. Or rather than something, she was preparing for someone – the Holy Spirit. The result of this preparation, this “wait,” is what the rest of the next 27 chapters of the Acts of the Apostles details, namely, the proclamation of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Most of us don’t like to wait, we like to do! We want to know the plan, and get it done. That’s why these past two months, and the uncertain months that lie ahead, are so difficult.
While in no way did God make this crisis happen, nor does He want it to happen, He does undoubtedly want us to learn from it. And one of the lessons we so badly need to relearn is that ancient Christian virtue of waiting. We don’t know how long this will last. We don’t know how things will change. But we do know that no matter what, God will be right there with us. And not just with us, but within us, through the power of His Spirit, if only we allow Him to be. And so for now, knowing that not a single minute is wasted when spent in prayerful patience of God’s providence, we wait.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth your Spirit, Lord, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant to us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
God bless,
Fr. 20
Class of 2020 Leaves their Mark!
Class of 2020 Baccalaureate Mass
Members of the Class of 2020 along with their families, Marian staff and members of the community joined Fr Twenty for their Baccalaureate Mass on Thurday, May 21st. This special Mass was celebrated in honor of our graduates to congratulate them and give blessings as they move on to the next chapter.
Art Show 2020
Featuring our 2020 Virtual Art Show! Enjoy the virtual display of our talented Art students, ranging in levels from Art 1 through Art 4.
Please join us for the 2020 Art Show by clicking here.
Senior Email Accounts
Please note that effective June 1, 2020 your Marian Central Catholic High School Gmail account (firstlast@marian.com) will be deactivated.
Any and all email communication between you and your higher education institutions should have already been set up using your personal home email account. If that is not the case, please contact those institutions to change your email prior to the June 1 deactivation date.
Thank you, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors!
Required Freshman Dental Forms
We have received updated guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education regarding the Proof of School Dental Examination Form that is required for all Freshman students. The deadline has been extended; therefore, forms are now due in our office by June 26, 2020. This applies to members of the Class of 2024. Please check your emails to see if we are missing a form for your current Freshman.