“Heaven and earth are full of your glory.”
Psalm 148
Dear brothers and sisters,
I hope you are well.
It was a bit toasty out yesterday afternoon. Maybe it was because of the black vest, black shirt, black pants, black socks and black shoes that I had on… but I was definitely tempted to stay indoors all afternoon. And can you believe that we’re already into the second part of May and that our school year is coming to a close next week on May 29
th
?! Time sure flies when you’re having fun, and it’s pretty amazing what has all transpired… and I don’t mean just these last two months.
I want to share with you one of the many blessings I’ve received since arriving here at Presentation. In the midst of a search for a new principal at the end of this last summer, we were blessed to receive both Mary Kane and Gary Faust, who stepped in as interim Co-Principals at the start of the new school year. What a gift they were as they brought with them many years of experience working as teachers and as school administrators. Amidst their combined wisdom and experience, each also brought with them their own unique gifts to our community.
Those of you who have had a chance to observe or work with Mary and Gary have probably witnessed just how invested they were to our community at the very onset. I want to share a story from each that show this, which some may have been aware of, but the majority probably not.
At the Panther Auction this past fall, Gary brought with him his beautiful bride and a couple of their older children. I had a chance to meet them and see firsthand their willingness to support our school. Mary’s husband also came to the school to help rearrange some things while school was out, doing a bit of manual labor which I took part in too; moving furniture from one part of the school building to another. I don’t know many other people who would’ve invested in a community, coming in as “interims”, that they would commit their own families to be a part of it as well. What great love they’ve shown.
Thus, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to both Mary and Gary for coming into our community in a moment of need, divulging on us their gifts, their very lives. I am sure when they said yes to coming to Presentation they didn’t realize how much of an impact they would make on us. Not only that though, I’m sure they would never have suspected that the school year would end with a pandemic in our midst and having to support our families and teachers with distance learning. Thank you both for the gift you are to Presentation. May our Lord reward you both for your faithfulness in building up His Kingdom.
With that, I want to inform you that there will be a change in leadership for the new school year, as Mary and Gary finish off this year that they have given to us. Gary will be stepping away at the beginning of June, and Mary will stay on through that month to help finish things up and assist with the transition for our new principal. Expect another email in the next days that will share with you who that new principal will be that will come and continue to lead our school and families to excellence. Please stay tuned for that email as it will also contain a personal video message by way of introduction.
Lastly, amidst the transition taking place at the school another one is also taking place in the parish as a whole. A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from Archbishop Hebda appointing me as the Pastor of the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Canonical Administrator of our school, effective July 1. There was excitement on my end when asked if I would like to stay on. I hope that you share in that with me. I look forward to spending a
few
more years here, or as long as our Lord calls me to. An installation date for me as Pastor here will be determined, with thoughts on late August or September when things will hopefully be a little more stable.
Again, I want to make sure that Mary and Gary know how much they’ve been appreciated this last year as they came into our midst to lead our school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to them to express your own gratitude to them. Please pray for them as well, as these last two months have definitely stretched them, as well as our staff, students and families.
Mary, Mother of the Church, watch over and pray for us your children, that as we approach the end of this school year, we may persevere to finish it strong and well. In a special way, bless Mary and Gary for all that they have done for us this past year. Amen.
God bless,
Fr Toulee Peter Ly
Parochial Administrator
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
