God Bless you on your retirement.

ADMINISTRATORS

Mr. John Babic:

From the Desk of Vice Principal Babic: Retirement Reflection

June 30, 2019

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” - Dr. Seuss

As announced by Ms. Faraone, earlier this month, I have informed the Board of my decision to retire effective June 30^th. Given a number circumstances and responsibilities associated with being the only child of aging and ailing parents, I have had to consider retirement for more than two years. As I shared with staff in June, I first drafted my retirement letter in the spring of 2017, while I was at St. Robert. While drafting my address to the Graduating Class, I realized that the snippets of wisdom regarding what is truly important in life were perhaps as applicable to my circumstances as to theirs.

However, before submitting my retirement letter to the Board, I received a surprising and inspiring phone call offering me the opportunity to return to this outstanding Catholic school community, and to serve, once again, with the remarkably dedicated, dynamic, and genuinely caring members of this admin team, teaching & support staff, and the amazing students and parents that continue to make STL the most desired Catholic high school in York Region. I can say, without reservation, that I am glad I accepted the offer and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to return to STL.

However, after considerable deliberation and consultation with family, friends, and esteemed colleagues, including STL staff - past and present - I have come to the realization that it is indeed the right time for me to retire. Through the protracted process of considering retirement, I realized that throughout my 32 years in education, I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve 11 of our school communities in a variety of roles. I can say without hesitation, that I consider my 6 years at STL most dear to my heart.

I wish to formally thank Ms. Faraone, Ms. Mastromartino, and Mr. Marosszeky, not only for their collegiality and friendship, leadership and commitment to Catholic education and to STL, but also for serving as my sisters and brother through the myriad of circumstances we have faced - celebratory, challenging, amusing, but always interesting. Words cannot express my profound respect, admiration, appreciation, and love. Grazie mille per tutto. I also wish to thank the office staff and STL teaching faculty for their collegiality and friendship, and the remarkable synergy they create with and for our students through their outstanding academic, co-curricular, and pastoral programs. Thank you for serving as a living testament to my profound belief that as educators we have no greater privilege and no greater responsibility than to prepare future generations. Kudos!

I realize and finally accept that it is indeed a special moment in life to be able to leave the present circumstances, here at STL, to embark on new challenges & growth opportunities. Recently, I had the opportunity to watch MC Universe’s Avengers: End Game. Near the end of the movie, Thor uttered his personal sentiments about his own future and priorities…words that so resonated with me that I became a sobbing mess. To quote Thor, “It's time for me to be who I am, rather than who I'm supposed to be.” I am, first and foremost, a father, a husband and a son, and … as I shared advice from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits with my 2017 Graduating Class, it’s time to put first things first and to sharpen the saw.

It has been a genuine privilege and a pleasure to serve with all of you. Thank you, happy thoughts, and God Bless you and your families.

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” - Dr. Seuss

Mr. Matthew Marosszeky:

Finding the Balance:

One of the great challenges and questions in life, is how does one find balance. Technology is a marvellous asset. Technology can be a monumental distraction. The challenge for me is to discover how to ensure technology is working for me and not me for it!

The best example of this today is the ‘cell phone,’ which is no longer a phone – it’s a mini computer that can find information, tell me how to get there! Solve a complex problem, allow me to see and talk to a family member 10’000 km’s away and oh, by the way, help me order a pizza, an uber and get help by calling 911. What an incredible asset; in class or out of class, BUT can I turn it off? Can I move from one room in my house to another without it in my hand? Can I turn it off when I lay my weary head down to sleep? Can I turn it off when I’m listening to my teacher? Can I turn it off to linger over a delicious meal? Do I even taste the meal? Can I turn it off when I’m engaged in a real and meaningful conversation, face to face, with my friend, my mother, my father, my brother, my sister?

This extraordinary instrument which harnesses and wields so much power – do I have power over it OR does it have POWER over me? Who is in charge? The games, the quizzes, the apps, the texts, the maps! Do I dare defy the expectation that I be constantly in demand, on tap? Constantly, be tuned in, turned on and dinged!

Where do I find ‘MY’ time, ‘MY’ space, ‘MY’ Self? More than ever before, the ‘ME’ is a reflection through face book, twitter, selfies, Instagram and the list goes on – constant, instant, ongoing response to (supposedly) WHO I AM.

In amongst this constant communication it is important to find ‘MY’ time; space to be with me, for me, to nurture me. To unwind, to relax, to rest, to simply ‘BE’ one with me. To still the mind, still the spirit, and still the heart.

So while this technology is really brilliant, extraordinary and positive, I have to constantly be on guard to ensure that I am in control of it, not ‘it’ in control of me. And remember - TTFS (take time for self).

Thank you for an extraordinarily, wonderful four years. The spirit, the life, the love and the “little way” at STL will long live in my heart. I wish you all well on your continuing journey.

Matthew Marosszeky

Teacher, VP & Coach.

TEACHERS

Best wishes to Ms. Erminia DiLuciano from the Business Department who also retired this year.