A few weeks ago, as the cardinals gathered in Rome in preparation for the upcoming conclave, a friend of mine asked me if an American cardinal would ever be chosen. I responded emphatically, “absolutely not!” I explained the conventional wisdom which said that America is already a super power, and a wealthy nation, so the cardinals would be hesitant to have an American as well at the head of the Catholic Church. Within minutes of the announcement and introduction of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Prevost, born not only in the USA, but in Chicago of all places, my friend texted me to tease that we should have placed a bet so that he could have won some money. Thankfully, I am not a “betting man,” as I would have lost.

This time, losing was a good thing. Like everyone else, I experienced the joy of hearing an American had been chosen. And I felt a healthy dose of pride in knowing that the new Bishop of Rome was from Chicago, walked the same streets we do, and was raised and formed in his early years in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Many commentators have wondered if this historical papacy would have a positive effect on the Church in the United States. I sure hope it will.

Aside from all that, I discovered that the election touched something in me much more profound. I learned to never believe in impossibilities, like believing it was impossible for an American to be elected Pope. In the world of God, there are no impossibilities! Often times though, we convince ourselves that certain things are not feasible. We may think that the world will never find peace, or that poverty, racism, injustice, and xenophobia can ever be overcome. We may even give up on our government, the Church, people, or even ourselves, that they or we will never be able to change. And yet, the election of Pope Leo tells us that with God, the seemingly impossible is attainable!

Hopefully the events of the last few weeks can help to bolster our faith and give us courage to persevere in those areas of our lives where we find it hard to have hope. Patience is an integral element in this spiritual exercise. Pope Leo is the 267th Pope in the history of the Church, so it took some time for history to be made. Thankfully though, God will not make us wait that long. Just as God did in this conclave, God will act in our lives and bring about change when the moment is right. God knows when we are ready for whatever we long for to finally become ours. When those moments come, we will feel a joy that will overshadow the joy we felt a little over a week ago. And, there will be no losses, only wins!

School Advisory Board Voting

The Saint Andrew School Board acts as an advisory group to the Principal and Pastor in several areas that enhance life at Saint Andrew School. Members serve for 3 year terms with the option for a second 3 year term. This year, 4 seats are open. Please click the link to read about our candidates, along with the ballot. All parishioners are eligible to vote. Voting is open now and ends Friday, May 23. School Board Voting 

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School! 

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially. At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. Experience our vibrant campus, where every student is known, loved, and challenged to grow. Choose Saint Andrew School today and invest in a brighter future for your child. Enroll now and join our family! We have an upcoming tour on May 13 at 9am. Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 25-26 can be found here: New Student Application