St. Gabriel School - Concord Township, Ohio

Mrs. Saladino

"A Message from the School Principal"

(updated Mar. 19, 2010)

One of the greatest strengths of St. Gabriel School is the awesome and steady way our children are formed in the Faith. In this important season of Lent in the Church Liturgical year for example, students and staff have been growing more deeply in their relationship with the Lord, and in traditional Lenten Catholic practices. Our teachers, staff, and parish priests, Fr. Fred, Fr. John, and Fr. Bob, have been guiding students in this special Faith journey, permeating our daily activities, starting in the morning with prayer and reflections on our all-school GBN (Grizzly Broadcast Network), learning through daily Religion classes, integrating into all other subjects, and beautifully bringing to culmination in our weekly Wednesday Liturgy all-school celebrations of the Eucharist.

Starting with the symbolic "burying of the Alleluia," we started our Lenten season by celebrating the Ash Wednesday Liturgy with our St. Gabriel Parish Community. With the blessing of our foreheads with ashes, and the call to be "faithful to the gospel," Fr. Bob's words in his homily led everyone to reflect on how we can be more prayerful, be more giving, and sacrifice and fast more from our excesses for the sake of others. And for a more meaningful sacrifice, students were encouraged by our resident seminarian John Mullee to consider a deeper participation by donating what they could to "Operation Rice Bowl." .

A couple weeks ago Fr. John's homily after the Gospel of Matthew 21:20-28, seemed to impact the children in a way that was extra meaningful. In his "pop quiz", Father led the students to realize what it is that makes someone truly "great." Academy awards, and gold medals are certainly recognitions of great skills and accomplishments, but students agreed that the best accomplishments that we remember easily and appreciate the most are the ways that those close to us love and serve us, and are the real models and heroes we remember ... parents, grandparents, family, teachers, saints ... They inspire us to go forth ourselves and respond in love to others, not to be in "first place", or to win recognition in society, but to make a real and deeper difference in the quality and betterment of our world.

And at a recent Lenten Wednesday Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Fred asked the children to think about whether it would be awesome-or awful-to do away with rules and do anything they wanted. As Father led the children to see the value of having rules and laws-how dangerous it would be if there were no rules against hitting!-he pointed out to them that Jesus said, "I have come to fulfill the law, not abolish it, not even one letter of it." Jesus did say though, that we need to realize that all the laws really come down to two main laws that we must go forth and follow-love God, and love each other. We can make the "leap" then, and see how rules are good when their ultimate result shows love for God, and for others and ourselves.

Soon we will be in the Easter season, re-embracing the Alleluia, and rejoicing in the pinnacle of our Faith, the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus. As the school year rounds the bend near to its close, the peace of spring and new life will warm and comfort us as we progress in our learning, and continue in fresh and vibrant growth in our faith, centered each week in celebration of our Wednesday liturgies. You are invited as always, to "come and see," we would love to have you join our family.

God Bless,

Mrs. Saladino

Principal

Take a closer look ...

For families interested in taking a closer look at St. Gabriel School for possible future enrollment, we invite you to attend one of this year's Open Houses. Each Open House is held on a Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. Attendees will enjoy a brief presentation, school tour, and classroom observation. Reservations required one week prior to each Open House by calling the school office at 440-352-6169.

2009-2010 Open House Schedule:

May 18, 2010