Catherine of Siena was a 14th century mystic and activist. She was only six years old when she had her first vision of Jesus, along with Peter, John, and Paul.
What can she teach us, hundreds of years later, and in a time and culture where “visions” seem to be an occurrence of the past?
Catherine “spoke” to Jesus as a mystic, yet she responded with action. She was a mystic in action, basing her work on the message she received from Jesus: “Love of me and love of neighbor are one and the same thing.”
This message was to drive her entire adult life, and she used her gifts in service to others, and in questioning authority that needed to be questioned, without apology.
Can we be so bold? Are we saints yet?

April 12, 2010
What is your biggest challenge? For some it is the act of true, authentic, Christian forgiveness. We have all had something happen to us in our lives that has called us to be merciful and forgiving. Our Catholic faith calls us to this action, because Jesus modeled it for us. So what keeps us from this authentic, true, Christ-centered forgiveness for one another?
Rather than offer an opinion, let me offer another challenge that was given to me – If we don’t forgive, if we don’t truly try to be merciful to those who have done some wrong against us, then we are building walls that separate us from God’s love. Is that what we want to do?

April 5, 2010
The challenge I was presented at the Easter Vigil was, “Let the symbols speak for themselves!”
How often do we over-think, over-explain, and under-experience?
The Holy season of Easter calls us to reflect on the symbols of the cross, the empty tomb, water, fire, incense, and light.
What do these symbols say to you?
Peace – Neil

March 26, 2010

Who among us can we look at with honesty and truthfulness and say: “That person is a sacrament of mercy and compassion!” ?

Who would that be in your life?

The children at our school remind me daily that to be a person of mercy and compassion is the highest achievement one can reach at any given moment, on any given day. I’m not sure if I ever quite reach it, but the goal or the ideal is always before me. I was talking with some 7th graders this morning when a kinder student walked by. This kinder student is always smiling, a beautiful smile, a holy smile, a smile that says to me at least that she knows something about life and God that I don’t! She smiles and smiles. As she walked by, I called out her name, and as she turned around at the bottom of the steps, she looked up and smiled. I said to the 7th grade students, “See, you should do that! You should be smiling!” If you know 7th graders, they looked at me like I was from outer space, humored me for another minute, then went off. I was thinking as they left, maybe if I smile like that kinder student, then the folks around me will see God’s love, mercy, and compassion. Thank you students for keeping me on the path to holiness.

February 23, 2010

Children need the help of parents and teachers to see their own goodness, their own inherent worth, and their own God given dignity. Parents are the primary and most important source of this, and then teachers are second. When children grow up with the experience of perceiving themselves as unconditionally loved by their parents, then they know they are loved for who they are. They know they are not loved for how they look, or their grades, or their athletic skills, or their popularity – no.  Children know an unconditional love from their parents means that they are simply loved for who they are. They don’t have to earn it. They can count on it.

Similar to a parent’s love is God’s love. We have tried to introduce your children to a God who also loves them this way – the same way you do – unconditionally. If we have been successful, your kids know and experience a God that is a powerful force and a meaningful part of their lives. We have tried to teach them that no matter what, your parents and God love you. This is an authentically powerful Christian message. It is a message we hope you will continue to provide for your kids.

Imagine our world with children that are formed with this belief. Imagine the type of person your child will become with this belief taught at home and at school.

Peace – Neil

When Pablo Casals reached his 95th birthday, the story is told that a reporter went to his studio for an interview, and instead of finding the cellist at ease and relaxing, the reporter found him at practice, and said to him, “Mr. Casals, sir, you are considered the world over to be the greatest cellist that has ever played that beautiful instrument. It is said that the music that comes from your cello can only be compared to the voice of God. Why is it that you still practice 6 hours a day?”

Mr. Casals put down his bow, and simply said, “Because I think I am making progress.”

What is it that we are committed to, to make a little progress each and every day of our lives. Let us pray for each other that we have that drive and commitment, that passion and dedication, that love.

Peace and Blessings,

Dr. Neil Quinly

Dear Parents -

Yesterday we began the week-long celebration of CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK. The National Catholic Education Association chooses a theme each year in celebration of Catholic Schools. This year’s theme is: Dividends for Life: Faith, Knowledge, Morals, Discipline.

Here at SMCES I think we are doing quite well in making sure your investment in your child’s education is indeed returning these dividends to you… and more! Not only do you, your child, and your family benefit from this Catholic education, but also our Church, our society, and our nation all are the beneficiaries of a quality Catholic education.

What makes our education different and special? We are able to hold students to high academic standards, and also with great rigor, we hold them to high standards of spiritual, social, and emotional development. Take a moment to consider how SMCES has helped to form and inform your child, and think of how we have formed a true partnership with you, the parents who are the primary educators of your children.

Sr. Judy, who hired me as her 2nd grade teacher MANY years ago, had a mantra: “Everything for the children.” I am glad that I received that message, and have allowed it to form the work that I do in Catholic education. Thank you for all of your support and collaboration. You truly are the BEST!

Let’s hear your thoughts on Catholic Schools Week…

Peace and Blessings,
Dr. Neil Quinly
Principal

January 19, 2010

In their book, Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation, J. Lave and E. Wenger talk about how we humans learn, understand, and remember in direct relation to the tools and social situations that our culture provides. This is part of the social capital that we need to develop. However, Lave and Wenger argue that schools have not sufficiently responded to this social component, and that indeed some schools have failed to translate student learning into effective use of knowledge.

As a Catholic school, SMCES has achieved exactly what the authors claim many schools have missed. We understand fully and put into practice completely what the US Bishops said about Catholic education and Catholic social teaching: We believe in the triune God whose very nature is social. God reveals himself to us as one who is not alone, but rather as one who is relational. We are made in God’s image, thus we share this communal, social nature. We are called to reach out and to build relationships of love and justice.

Wouldn’t you agree that SMCES is doing just that? Wouldn’t you agree that SMCES is succeeding, where other schools fail and that our students are able to use and build their social capital, turning learning into knowledge?

I’d love to hear from you…

Peace and Blessings,
Dr. Neil Quinly
Principal

Here is a New Year’s blessing for our time, our calendars, our clocks, our watches, our smart-phones, and all the other ‘things’ that keep us busy and on schedule:

Lord God, you live outside of time and yet you live in the moment. Bless this New Year and your gift of time to us.
As we observe the passing of minutes and hours on our clocks and watches we pray you will make us aware of the miracle of each second of life we experience, and help us to not miss that which is important.
As we observe the days, weeks, and months on our calendars may they remind us and teach us the secret that all life is meant for celebration and contemplation.
Bless us Lord with happiness and a long, faithful life and the New Year’s gift of a year of love.
Amen.

Loosely taken from Edward Hays, Prayers for the Domestic Church.

Peace and Blessings,
Neil Quinly

With Julian’s permission, I am posting his ‘thank you’ speech to the donors and benefactors who share their time, gifts, talents, and resources with the Saint Monica Community.

Hello! My name is Julian Silerio. I am the Student Council President of St. Monica Elementary School, and I would like to thank all of you for attending the St. Monica Scholarship Mass and Breakfast. I would especially like to thank all the donors for your kind and generous deeds in helping many students attend this great school. In my opinion, St. Monica’s is one of the best schools out there, and without your charitable endeavors, it would not be what it is now.
There are many reasons as to why St. Monica’s is a great school. St. Monica’s has a nurturing environment. It has a large campus in which students of all grades can take part in a number of activities and academics safely. Many students feel St. Monica’s is their “home away from home,” and that they can express their thoughts and feelings without fear of humiliation and embarrassment.
Another reason St. Monica’s stands out is because the academics go beyond the standard expectations of normal learning. The curriculum challenges its students to push themselves and always strive to do their best. The teachers are very supportive of students and do more than most to help them achieve excellence. This has helped me and many others to build successful study habits that I know will help us get into good high schools.
Also, St. Monica has a wide array of extracurricular activities in which students can take part of. For example, many students play sports at St. Monica’s. Personally, I have played flag football and basketball at St. Monica’s. We also have volleyball and track and field teams that also compete at high levels against other schools. Teamwork is a word we hear a lot, and I know that St. Monica athletes, or Seahawks as we are called, exemplify this spirit especially when we compete against other schools that have larger student bodies than St. Monica’s
St. Monica’s also has a number of Enrichment programs that take place here in the Trepp Center. These programs help give students opportunities to study other subjects beyond our academic curriculum such as yoga, martial arts, and keyboard. A couple of activities that I have been a part of are the Chess Club and the Santa Monica Playhouse Drama Program. These activities help kids learn outside of the classroom and really grow into more complete students. And we have fun doing it too!
Finally, St. Monica’s is a truly great school because of its community. At St. Monica’s, the students form a close bond with their principal, their teachers, their classmates, students from other grade levels, and even members of the school’s support staff. I do not exaggerate when I say we really feel like a great big family here. And when I graduate this year, this is what I will miss most. But the community goes beyond the school’s gates. At St. Monica’s we are not just part of the school, we are part of the parish. And it is this sense of belonging that gives us opportunities to meet other members of the parish, such as you, and be blessed by your kindness.
I hope this has given you better insight and appreciation of life at St. Monica’s. But, more importantly, I hope I have convinced you how important you are to all of the students at St. Monica’s. For us who are here, the scholars who are directly touched by your generosity, we are truly grateful for all that you do.
Again, on behalf of my fellow students, I thank you for all your kind and giving acts that have enriched the many students who attend St. Monica’s. Your acts of generosity do not merely help us during our stay in this school, but extend far beyond the walls of St. Monica’s. You are true examples of God’s love and it is your love for this parish and school that ensure us a better future as well.