Message sent to students and faculty this morning by Mr. Dupont!

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March 20, 2020

Good morning!
 
Trust you and your family are well and adjusting, the best you can, to this “new normal” at least for the foreseeable future.
 
A wise man once said, “it is not necessary to know your ultimate destination to take a step in the right direction.”
 
During these unsettling and uncharted times, there are understandably many questions, yet few answers. I know you and your parents have many questions regarding the future schedule at St. Paul’s … our destination, if you will. Questions like, when are we going back to school, when will the spring athletic season begin, has the spring musical been rescheduled, will the AP exams be held as planned, will graduation be effected, when is the last day of school?
 
Be assured as time goes by and the health situation becomes a bit clearer, we will keep everyone informed answering all these questions and more. I appreciate and truly understand the need to know … it helps bring comfort and stability to our lives. But during this time of uncertainty, there will be many questions and for me to speculate or guess the answer could be misleading. Therefore, be patient, focus on the things you control and don’t overly stress or worry about the future. As difficult as it is, take one day at a time and trust that it is not necessary for us to know today our ultimate destination.     
 
Yet, that shouldn’t stop us from taking a step in the right direction. This is exactly what we have tried to do this week by launching our distance learning plan … take a step in the right direction. I believe we have succeeded. Through our live online instructional platform, we have tried to bring some sense of normalcy back into your lives. We have tried to reconnect you with your teachers and classmates who hopefully serve as another layer of support during these challenging and stressful times. My thanks again to the tireless efforts of all the faculty/staff and your acceptance and engagement in the new learning process. In spite of the coronavirus cloud hovering this week, you have all been  AMAZING One step … one day at a time!
 
This morning’s prayer was sent to me earlier this week from the Pauloz family taken from last weekend’s bulletin at the Church of St. Matthew, Forestville. As you know, Tom Pauloz, senior class president, leads our school community every Friday in morning prayer. So appropriately, let us pray,
 
Prayer for Healing
 
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages "curing every disease and
illness." At your command, the sick were made well.
 
Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we
may experience Your healing love.
 
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health
through quality medical care.
 
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and
neighbors from helping one another.
 
Jesus Christ, Healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with You in Your
eternal peace.
 
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to
heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process.
May they know Your protection and peace.
 
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this
illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist
and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
 
Lord Jesus, heal us. Amen.
 
St. Paul, pray for us.
 
Okay, so let’s make it another great day. If we keep taking steps in the right direction … together, we will arrive at our destination. That is at the heart of believing and living out our core value of faith.
 
Well done this week. Relax and enjoy your weekend … you earned it!

Mr. Dupont


p.s. here are a few photos from Stella Pancake Friday! Thanks to everyone for sharing!

NOTE FROM STELLA: Hope everyone is doing well! We are all doing fine here! We can’t wait to get back to our normal pancake Friday’s! I am so glad to see the tradition continue!