Viking Voice

A Message from Our Principal

Dear Families.

As you all know, traveling with kids can be high-maintenance, but also fun and kinda whimsical.

Question: How long before we get to the mall with the huge food court and four floors?

Answer: 6 hours 

Response: Pain and anguish.

Question: What about now? 

Answer: 5 hours. 

Response: Desperation and hopelessness.

Question: Can we turn the heat off? 

Answer: Try taking off your hoodie first.

Statement: I need to use the bathroom (the one on the bus that we said is for emergencies only).

Response: We were just at the rest stop!

Statement: There is too much to see!

Response: True!

Question: Why is it more tempting to buy something from a vending machine than that same exact thing from a store shelf?

Answer: Because it's like you a claw machine where you win every time.

Comment: I had a banana, so I figured I'd treat myself to some gushers.

Question: Can we eat dinner at Auntie Anne's?

Response: It's a free country. 

The annual 8th grade pilgrimage to DC is always an entertaining adventure. All bloopers aside, the students have been excellent travelers and model tourists. I have noted previously that not all visitors to DC show proper respect for the memorials and what they represent. It is always one of our highest priorities to ensure that no one looks at our tour group and reaches this conclusion. This year's entourage has been very equal to the necessary task of bringing their most disciplined selves to our most sacrosanct civic spaces. 

We celebrated Mass this morning at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and followed with a too-short visit to the magnificent JPII Shrine, which will definitively be a more prominent part of  future trips. It occurred to me inside the exhibit that the early life of this pope provides a valuable Catholic context for understanding the Holocaust. 

Right now, the students are on a scavenger hunt inside the American History museum. We'll follow with a visit to the Holocaust Museum, then finish out the night on a dinner cruise along the Potomac.

Before we entered the JPII Shrine, Mr. Feldman (St. Bernard teacher) reminded the students that Pope JPII placed great value on Catholic youth participation in their faith, urging them to reject the siren song of mediocrity and sing along instead to the hymn of the heart, where the lyrics of real truth and freedom are written. 

Thank you to Mrs. Minnick, Mrs. Roberto, and Mrs. Campbell for working hard to make this a rich experience for our students!

Christ in Self. Christ in Other. 

Sincerely,

Josh

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