InsideND has always been a space where we share important ideas, and keep our community informed of what is happening in our school. In the spirit of this, the Editorial Staff at InsideND would like to share a Pastoral Letter that Chaplain Wayne sent to all our staff this week. His Pastoral Letter confirmed for our staff, who we are, who we've been and who we will continue to be... a loving, caring, nurturing, faith-filled and faithful Catholic School Community.
InsideND would like to say, "Whoever you are, and whatever you're feeling, you are welcome, valued and loved at Notre Dame. Unequivocally, Full Stop."
InsideND would like to say, "Whoever you are, and whatever you're feeling, you are welcome, valued and loved at Notre Dame. Unequivocally, Full Stop."
And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been
poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to
us. (Romans 5:5)
I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul. (Psalm 31:7)
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
You are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)
My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you.
(John 15:12)
Dear Staff,
As your chaplain, and after hearing from so many of you over the past few days about decisions made about the Pride Flag, I thought I would reach out to the whole staff this way. I want to affirm all your feelings. I want you to know I have heard you, and felt with you all your pain and sadness, hence this letter.
I opened with the five bible passages above because it is important to be rooted in the truth about how every person is incredibly loved by God, in good and bad times. We are each held by God. We are all precious in God’s eyes. There is nothing that would separate us from the love of God…nothing!
As people who work inside a Catholic school, we are all called by our faith to minister and care for all of our students regardless of sex, race, faith, or sexual orientation.
In Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis says, “We would like before all else to reaffirm that every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration, while ‘every sign of unjust discrimination’ is to be carefully avoided, particularly any form of aggression or violence.”
While recent events can make us angry, frustrated or disillusioned, there are many ways where WE can make sure that our students achieve, believe and belong here at ND! It is up to us to show them compassion, acceptance and God’s incredible love.
If you know of any students that might be struggling at this time, please let someone know! We have an amazing support system here at Notre Dame! We have a great admin team, Student Services (Alyson, Gina and Gabe), Claire (SW), Nicole (CYC), Liza Sneyd (Student Success) and you have your chaplain. I have witnessed it. We have a deeply caring staff who look out for one another and the students. No student or staff member, should have to go through anything alone! We never want anyone to feel, for even a moment, that they are an outcast or an outsider.
There are many ways we can all create a safe and inclusive environment where all are welcome! From our hallways to our offices, from the sports fields to the virtual classrooms, we can let our students know that they are not alone. Our ultimate prayer and hope is that our students know, regardless of who they are and what they are going through, that they are loved and cared for! All students are to know they are precious to us and to God. They are to know that they will always be supported by all of our Notre Dame community beyond their understanding!
I will close with a prayer from Fr. James Martin from his book “Building Bridges” written by Padraig O Tuama.
Jesus of the corners,
You saw all: those at the centre and those at the edge.
Guide us into all the corners of our wide world,
because when You went into rooms and far out corners,
You found life and love in the stories that others ignored.
Amen
Peace to all of us.
Chaplain Wayne
As your chaplain, and after hearing from so many of you over the past few days about decisions made about the Pride Flag, I thought I would reach out to the whole staff this way. I want to affirm all your feelings. I want you to know I have heard you, and felt with you all your pain and sadness, hence this letter.
I opened with the five bible passages above because it is important to be rooted in the truth about how every person is incredibly loved by God, in good and bad times. We are each held by God. We are all precious in God’s eyes. There is nothing that would separate us from the love of God…nothing!
As people who work inside a Catholic school, we are all called by our faith to minister and care for all of our students regardless of sex, race, faith, or sexual orientation.
In Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis says, “We would like before all else to reaffirm that every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration, while ‘every sign of unjust discrimination’ is to be carefully avoided, particularly any form of aggression or violence.”
While recent events can make us angry, frustrated or disillusioned, there are many ways where WE can make sure that our students achieve, believe and belong here at ND! It is up to us to show them compassion, acceptance and God’s incredible love.
If you know of any students that might be struggling at this time, please let someone know! We have an amazing support system here at Notre Dame! We have a great admin team, Student Services (Alyson, Gina and Gabe), Claire (SW), Nicole (CYC), Liza Sneyd (Student Success) and you have your chaplain. I have witnessed it. We have a deeply caring staff who look out for one another and the students. No student or staff member, should have to go through anything alone! We never want anyone to feel, for even a moment, that they are an outcast or an outsider.
There are many ways we can all create a safe and inclusive environment where all are welcome! From our hallways to our offices, from the sports fields to the virtual classrooms, we can let our students know that they are not alone. Our ultimate prayer and hope is that our students know, regardless of who they are and what they are going through, that they are loved and cared for! All students are to know they are precious to us and to God. They are to know that they will always be supported by all of our Notre Dame community beyond their understanding!
I will close with a prayer from Fr. James Martin from his book “Building Bridges” written by Padraig O Tuama.
Jesus of the corners,
You saw all: those at the centre and those at the edge.
Guide us into all the corners of our wide world,
because when You went into rooms and far out corners,
You found life and love in the stories that others ignored.
Amen
Peace to all of us.
Chaplain Wayne
