Director of Education’s Start of Year Message

EMMAUS TO PENTECOST – ON FIRE WITH THE SPIRIT!

On behalf of the Board and the senior team, Happy New Year!  Welcome to the start of the 2024-2025 school year!  We have been working hard this summer to make sure our schools are ready to receive students on the first day of school and to embark on an exciting journey of faith and learning!   It is with great pride that I share the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan with our Catholic community. This plan is the roadmap for our district activities for the next three years – it will form the basis of our district finances, staffing, program decisions and leadership development.

Our journey that led to this plan began with a communal and spiritual discernment exercise that was rooted  in scripture, various forms of prayer, active listening, religious artwork and a strong spirit of goodwill.  Out of this experience emerged an extension of the disciples’ resurrection encounter in the form of Pentecost. Throughout the consultation process – it was evident that there was a yearning for an opening up to the movement of the Holy Spirit, to adopt the mindset of the early church and to orient ourselves to joy. In other words – as the hearts of the disciples on the road to Emmaus were on fire – we see a need to carry that spirit forward for the next three years. This plan comes with challenges for us, challenges that will require the adults (and in turn our students) in our community, to make and follow through on a commitment to our  personal life of prayer, our communal life of prayer and service, our faith–filled actions and our need to answer the call of leadership. We seek out a joyous school community that takes up the call of missionary disciples to make a difference and turn the tide towards a stronger community of faith. This plan calls us to awaken, illuminate and rejoice. I encourage everyone in our community to adopt the spirit of Pentecost; be like Peter (use fiery words), be like the disciples (speak in words that people will understand), undo division (create unity) and look for every opportunity to transform (like Saul).

This plan is ambitious with regards to student achievement. This plan provides a roadmap for the next three years that aims to simplify our approach, facilitate consistency and improve results in mathematics and literacy. One of the most exciting  aspects of this plan is the attention to improved student attendance. Every adult in our community needs to take an active role in this regard. Strong student attendance is a marker for high achievement, strong mental health outcomes and employability. It is evident that we developed some bad habits during the pandemic – we need to erase them in order to improve productivity and success. There will be some heavy lifting with this plan – I assure you that the Board is committed to deploying resources to make it come to life and to lead to high levels of achievement for our students. I ask for your continued prayers for our community and to embrace the challenge to be on fire with the Holy Spirit and to awaken, illuminate and rejoice!

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

@ChrisRoehrig

Director of Education’s Performance Appraisal Letter of Compliance

As per Regulation 83/24 of the Education Act, please find a copy of the letter of compliance to the Ministry of Education. 

Director of Education’s End of Year Message to the Community

As this academic year comes to a close and we move full bore into capital projects and school renewal in advance of the the 24-25 school year – I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to all of the staff of the Board!  Well done on another successful school year!!  

Indeed there is plenty to celebrate as June winds down.  We continue to do well in the area of student achievement compared to the Province, our budget is balanced, several important capital projects are underway or approved, staffing is ahead of schedule, advancement in the area of IT proceeds and we continue to show signs of improvement in our communal commitment to our faith.  

We will be launching the new strategic plan with our new spiritual theme in September!  Next year we continue on our journey in the wake of the Emmaus experience by embracing Pentecost.  Our spiritual theme for the next three years is On Fire with the Spirit  Awaken ~ Illuminate ~ Rejoice.

May you be able to spend some time, reflecting and praying over your personal commitment to bringing this theme alive in our schools and in our parishes.  In today’s gospel, we are reminded that we need to build our lives upon the rock of Jesus’ words and deeds (Matthew 7:21).  Our commitment to our personal faith journey ensures that our house is built on solid ground.  A personal commitment to our faith is necessary if we hope to be on fire with the Spirit. 

I hope that your summer months will bring you rest, peace, blessings and joy!  I cannot wait to see you in September as we seek to abide in the Spirit, on fire and awake to new possibilities on our journey of faith.  Have a great summer, everyone!!

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

@ChrisRoehrig

Director of Education’s Easter Message to the Community

It seems like the world is divided. In politics, economics, social issues, religious orthodoxy and science, there are forces driving us apart. Perhaps Holy Week can give us insight on how to reconcile these polarities.

Holy Week is a time when we experience dichotomy – contrasts of opposing things. During the Triduum, we visit a place where chaos and order; wonder and repulsion; terror and amazement; betrayal and loyalty; fear and love; isolation and accompaniment; desolation and consolation; light and dark; serenity and anxiety; coexist – they are tensions rooted in our reality. Every day, in the sky and in the weeds – we experience these things. How does our Triduum experience help to reconcile these opposing forces? How can we bring light to the darkness?

Spending time with scriptures during Holy Week can be a roller coaster experience! Palm Sunday’s readings set the stage for us … basically … make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened! During the Gospel passage from Palm Sunday, I noticed something that I hadn’t paid very much attention to in the past. In Mark’s Gospel passage for Palm Sunday, the passion narrative begins with an act of service and love:

‘A woman with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head.’ (Mark 14)

Perhaps the nervousness of knowing what is about to unfold in the passion narrative led to an overshadowing of the importance of this important starting point. Throughout the roller coaster of events during Holy Week there are subtle (and not so subtle) reminders for us about the need to serve one another with love and in a spirit of forgiveness and compassion. Whether we are in the midst of great upheaval or settling into a pattern of peace; a consistent theme is our call to serve and our call to love.

On Good Friday we might contemplate the notion that the ultimate act of service is sacrifice. By giving His life for us Christ heals the broken world.

‘But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises, we are healed.’ (Isaiah 52-53)

In Mark’s Gospel passage for the Easter Vigil, Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James return to the tomb to anoint Jesus; what they thought might be a final act of service. And in the midst of this service – they learn of the resurrection of Jesus – life overcomes death.

I hope that you will take time to ride the roller coaster and experience the array of feelings that come to us during the Easter Triduum. May you have an opportunity to accept the call to love and service this weekend. I hope that you will find time for prayer and worship this week and I hope that you will be able to carve out opportunities for prayerful contemplation.

I wish you all a blessed Triduum and a most joyous Easter! May the joy that comes in the Risen Christ be with you through Eastertide!!

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

@ChrisRoehrig

For our Catholic schools, we might consider an expansive definition in relation to the notion of poverty. We might survey our school community and think about almsgiving in a different way – how we will give our time to serve the poor? We might think about service in our community (e.g. Society of St. Vincent de Paul) or we might think about a reflection about who among us is poor. We might ponder service to those among who are lonely or grieving or sick or struggling with addictions or are having trouble fitting in with their peers.

Wash yourselves;
make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of you doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1.16-17)* 

Director of Education’s Christmas Message to the Community

The Christmas season is often associated with the notion of surprises. I was driving through the district after sunset the other day and was keeping my eyes peeled for deer running (tis the season!) and I glanced up to a clear star-lit sky. Times like this remind me of God’s presence in our midst – the majesty of His creation and the surprise gifts He gives to us throughout the year.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shone. (Isaiah 9.2)1

In conjunction with the sense of presence was the sense of surprise that accompanied the way the stars were visible. For me, November and December seem like one long, gray stretch – sprinkled with cold rain and blowing snow. The surprise of seeing beauty at night and in nature at this time of year was a blessing – a source of joy. Why was I so surprised? Maybe I need to be more open to surprises.

And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” (Luke 2.1)2

Apart from surprises around the Christmas tree – my hope for you at Christmas is that you will have moments like this …. moments of genuine surprise and joy that bring you closer to God and your family. Maybe the source of surprise may be in nature or during your time with family and friends. Maybe it will be at a hockey rink, walking in your neighbourhood and at Mass. Whatever the case, may this time of surprises be a source of faith, hope and love for you and your family.

Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for our Saviour has been born in the world. Today true peace has come down to us from heaven. (Psalm 2.7)3

Merry Christmas! May comfort, peace and joy be with you during this Christmastide!

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

@ChrisRoehrig

1, 2 and 3. – Mass During the Night Christmas 2023

Incidentally and within a few days of drafting this message – I saw a bald eagle flying near Auburn. Surprise!

Director of Education’s Advent Message to the Community

Dear students, staff and caregivers in the Huron-Perth Catholic community:

I am sure there’s a Star Trek episode about ‘slowing down time’ but, at the moment, it is not coming to me. In the Star Trek series, The Next Generation – perhaps the character Q would do this to teach Captain Picard a lesson or two? In the yet-to-be-written Star Trek episode – Picard might not have the choice – he might have to learn the lesson that Q has in store – but what would the lesson be? If the crew of the Enterprise had to slow down – what would they learn from this? If we could choose to slow things down, would we? What would get in our way? If we could slow down time in order to improve our Christmas experience – would we dare try?

The busyness of our lives do not lend themselves very well to the calling of Advent – the call to make room for Christ’s coming.

As you run the race of this present life, may he make you firm in faith, joyful in hope and active in charity. Amen (Blessing from First Sunday of Advent)

As we seek to slow down and be present during Advent – we inevitably get caught up in every other demand in our lives. The Gospel for the first Sunday of Advent reminds us that the time to prepare for the coming of Christ is always now. Advent lays down a slower rhythm to move with and a path that leads to closeness with Him – but what gets in our way?

Sometimes we need a voice to give us permission to change and disrupt our patterns of busyness. In Star Trek TNG, the character Q often provided this disruption to the crew of the Enterprise. Inserting himself in the middle of whatever important work was being undertaken. Unavoidably, the crew is forced to choose – continue on something less important or change course to deal with what is in front of us.

Jesus said to his disciples; “Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13)

Where might we find an unavoidable disruption? Perhaps we can put our ears to the wind to hear the words of John the Baptist in the time leading up to Christ’s birth. Can we hear his urgent call for repentance and transformational change? Perhaps we can answer John the Baptist’s call with a choice? Perhaps we can disrupt the busyness of our lives?

He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)

During Advent we choose to light a candle as the days grow shorter and darkness increases. Advent allows us the opportunity to be light to our own families by choosing to slow down – by choosing transformation.  Perhaps we can bring peace to our lives by bringing peace to those around us.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, what we may be saved. (Psalm 80)

Whether you are hurtling through space on the Enterprise or finding your way through the mall at Christmas – I hope that you are able to embrace the quiet calling of peace during Advent. May we answer the call of John the Baptist and dedicate ourselves to transformation.  May our effort to engage in quiet contemplation amid the business of our lives bring us closer to God.  May our dedication and humble service to our families and friends lead to a joyful Christmas.  

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

@ChrisRoehrig

• Blessings and scripture from First Sunday of Advent
• Star Trek TNG Photo – The Guardian
• St. John the Baptist – Icon from Ukrainian Catholic Shrine of St. John the Baptist
• Advent Wreath – crosswalk.com

Director of Education’s New School Year Message to the Community

The 2023-24 school year has begun!  We push off together on our journey of faith and learning with great anticipation and enthusiasm.  As a district we enter the last year of our multi-year strategic plan that emphasizes our goals of reaching high levels of achievement while living in Christ in hope, faith and love.  There are many exciting initiatives in store to help us get there – thank you for your unwavering and relentless support!

Today’s reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians reminds us to ‘encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing’.  When I am visiting our schools – I see this come to life.  We are a Catholic community committed to excellence – committed to helping one another reach our potential and committed to the marginalized.  I am so proud to be one of your colleagues.

Please keep our whole Catholic community in your prayers – may our prayers lead to peace and may our prayers continue to bring us closer to Him.

God Bless and Happy New Year!

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

Apart from an exemplary command of Xs and Os (strategy and tactics), Coach K reminded us that relentless attention to improvement was a key to his success (which, by the early 1990’s was already legendary).  It highlighted for me that both my team and I needed to be better every minute, every hour and every day.  It may have been here that I began to think really hard about how time on the court and in my classroom was being used.  I began to think about how I was going to squeeze improvement out of every moment.  Every second and every minute not attending to being a better shooter, a better passer, a better defender but more importantly a better person and a better Christian – was time lost.   It is a lesson from our Lenten journey. We pay careful attention to improving our relationship with God and one another through Lent – we aspire to build upon it through the 40 days. We endeavour for a relentless attention to things that bring us closer to God for personal and communal betterment – this assures us of the promise of eternal life.  

If the National Championship is the apex of achievement for the NCAA tournament, the Easter Triduum is the apex for our spiritual journey.  While we attend to the prayer and worship in the majesty of these days – and we greet the end of the Lenten journey with a great ‘Alleluia’!  … we are reminded by great coaches and the Greatest Coach that we need to cherish and enjoy the moment.  Take it all in … all the days of the Triduum.  Be present … take a deep breath and be with the rhythm of these days.  Enjoy our time with family – be inspired by the emotional highs and lows and highs of Holy Week.  

O Mary, come and say
What you saw at break of day.

The empty tomb of my living Lord!
I saw Christ Jesus risen and adored!

Share the Good News, sing joyfully:
His death is victory!

Lord Jesus, Victor King, show us mercy.

 When we pass through Easter Sunday we might be reminded that after we cut the nets down from the rim and climb down the ladder and finish celebrating – we use the next 50 days of Eastertide to prepare for the next National Championship.  Like the disciples returning to Jerusalem from Emmaus,  the joy of Easter inspired and started the path to Pentecost, enlightening the way for all of us as missionary disciples.  

I wish all of you a blessed and joyous Easter!  Unlike watching a basketball tournament unfold from a distance – we have the opportunity to be on the court during this Triduum.  I hope and pray that our community will be active and present in our parishes this weekend (jacking up spiritual three-pointers all weekend long).  I wish you and your family continued peace and blessings.   May the 50 days of Eastertide continue to bring you joy and inspire you to blaze a new trail of discipleship!  

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

* Caitlin Clark photo – New York Times
** Coach K photo – Denver Post
*** Empty Tomb – CNR – Carthage 2022
**** Easter Sequence – Victimae Paschali Laudes 

Director of Education’s Lent Message to the Community

The season of Lent is upon us and we commit ourselves to a closer relationship with God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The idea of a 40-day journey roots us in the need for transformation. We continue on our journey together, aware that a renewed commitment or even a new commitment may be necessary to achieve our goal of transformation and consolation with God. This season of Lent presents us with the challenge of assisting our parishes in their efforts to bounce back from the pandemic. I hope and pray that our community of the faithful will be able to participate and lead in the ongoing support of parish life. Our leadership is important for our personal faith journeys as well as the journey of the institutional church.

This past summer I spent some time in Carthage to tour some Roman ruins.1 As part of the tour I was able to encounter a Roman aqueduct and walk among the ruins that were one of the destinations of the water. To put an exclamation point on the impact, it was extremely hot that day (even by the standards of the tour guides) and the deep desire and appreciation for relief from our environment was overwhelming. I was struck by incredible awe by the sheer magnitude of the accomplishment. This aqueduct moved life-giving water across 132 kilometers near the largest hot desert on the planet (the Sahara). The water emptied into enormous pools providing a place to gather and a place for refuge. For our 40 days in the desert – where will our life-giving water come from? How does the experience of fasting, prayer and almsgiving give us relief from our world? How can our return to parish life help to quench our thirst for a relationship with Christ?

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

Director of Education’s Christmas Message to the Community

The Baroque period brought about a clearer sense of realism and tension in paintings. In Caravaggio’s Nativity, these characteristics brought with it a certain duality. It presents a paradox of the moment in the form of a question: Can the coming of Christ into the world be a source of uncertainty and joy? The human side of the equation lends itself to the notion of uncertainty; feelings of doubt, fear and confusion, can be met with the spiritual side with sentiments of consolation, courage and grace. The Gospel accounts support this contrast – the presence of the angels to the shepherds, in all its glory, set against the utter humility of the stable and the manger.

“Then an Angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid: for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David and Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord.” (Luke 2.1-16)

Caravaggio’s paintings are often noted for the choice of characters being represented. In this instance, St. Francis and St. Lawrence are depicted in the scene. But why these two saints that walked among us many hundreds of years apart?

Caravaggio’s work might suggest the selection of the characters is a clue to resolve the paradox, a clue laid out in the path in the lives of St. Lawrence and St. Francis. These two saints may signal for us the way through uncertain times. Both Lawrence and Francis lived out lives of service to God and to those in their community. In the Nativity of our Lord – we see the Word made flesh. St. Francis is said to have preached: “Your God is of your flesh, He lives in your nearest neighbour, in every man.”1 Perhaps the true joy of Christmas is manifest when we acknowledge Christ in each of us and live out a life of service to God and each other.

“So they went with taste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2.14)

In our Catholic schools, we can live out our Christmas mission each day as we work alongside our students, families and peers with a sacramental vision of Christ alive in everyone around us. We are blessed to have this opportunity to work in this environment and I am blessed to have you as a colleague. In a spirit of gratitude that comes at this time of year – I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the Christmas season bring you closer to God in hope, faith, joy and peace – may the New Year bring opportunity for spiritual consolation with God and personal consolation with your friends and family. Thank you for your service to God and one another – may God bless you.

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

1. Eimerl, Sarel (1967). The World of Giotto: c. 1267-1337 (courtesy of Wikipedia)
Student art by Gracy O – St. Mary’s, Goderich (Winner of our Christmas Card Contest) 

Director of Education’s Advent Message to the Community

Last week and in true Huron-Perth fashion, winter announced its imminent arrival. On the heels of a rather temperate November (if there is such a thing), a series of snow squalls over the course of four days ensued.  

On the evening of the first of snowsquall I had a rather rude encounter with the elements. After nightfall in the face of a howling northwest wind – I opened the patio door to let out the dog. I took three steps down a small set of stairs onto the back patio and the cold wind took my breath away. Nothing like a big gulp of arctic air to get you focused! I noticed two things. The first is more obvious than the second ….get inside! In military fashion, I immediately made an about face towards the house and hustled my way back up the stairs with the dog in tow. 

Open the gates, so that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace – in peace because they trust in you.  Isaiah 26:1 – First Week of Advent

After turning back to the patio door and looking out, the second thing I noticed immediately arriving into the house was that the sun hadn’t yet fully set and in the far south a narrow line of a sunset between a line of dark clouds and the horizon. The snow was starting to come down and all the evergreens, grass and housetops gathered the snowy icing and began to take on the inside of a snow globe. Breaking through the dark and wind and cold, beauty and hope!  

With an uncertain look from my dog – I put on his collar and we went for a walk. Well prepared and dressed for the elements – it was a beautiful cold night. 

The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light. – St. John of the Cross 

God’s very imprint of creation is in nature. Can something in the discomfort of these days – something in the hidden beauty of these days, instruct us about how to lead us to a closer relationship with Him? Can we hear the Lord in whistling winds? Can we be revitalized by gusts of fresh cold air? Can we see light breaking in the darkness? Is there something we can learn from making an effort to find beauty and hope in the darkness that can help us make a better Advent? Can our encounter with nature bridge an encounter with Him?  

‘We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and humanity.”

– St. Paul VI

What does the world around us say to us about the return of Christ? What does the world around us say about preparing for Christ? Can an understanding of what is around us lead us to a better understand what is happening within us? More importantly, can understanding the physical world help us to bridge the chasm to the heavenly world?  Is being present to what is around us, instructive to the path we need to take that leads us to Him. Can we take care of business in the here and now, in our families and in our communities, embracing a service that will lead to the light of Christ.

Open wide your door to the one who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all people. – St. Ambrose

In preparation for this message, I read many of the liturgical readings for this Advent. I recommend it! Stitching together the readings in a few sittings provided a good feel for the ebb and flow of the season. I hope that your prayer life during the season will be one that brings you closer to Him. Bishop Dabrowski (Auxiliary Bishop of London) produced some excellent Advent videos. I encourage you to spend some time with them. In the run up Christmas through Advent – I hope that this time of hope, faith, joy and peace lead to a blessed Christmas. May God bless you and your family. Thank you for your continued prayers for our community.

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education

*Thank you to the folks at Living with Christ for inserting the quotes from St. John of the Cross, St. Paul VI and St. Ambrose in the seasonal missals for this year!

Director of Education’s Triduum Message to the Community

I came across a painting by Hans Memling that illustrates the events of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum.1 It is a stunning piece and a great deal to digest in one sitting. The first thing I noticed was the attire of the people in the painting. Donning their very best 15th-century attire, the figures in the various Gospel narratives come to life. While it may be impossible to set aside the time warp of haberdashery playing itself out; contemporaneously, the 15th-century audience may have been encouraged to see themselves in the painting. How do we, a 21st-century audience, see ourselves in the painting; how do we see ourselves in the Gospels of Holy Week?

The scriptures of Holy Week can be challenging for many reasons and at the same time, provide us with a path to redemption. We are confronted with concepts of darkness and light; sin and salvation; love and betrayal; violence and healing; and death and resurrection. When confronted with discomfort we might be inclined to take the easy path. We are an Easter people, it stands to reason that we may be drawn to the light side of the polarity rather than the shadow side. Can a better understanding of the shadow side enhance the transformational elements of Holy Week? Can I see myself in the soldiers AND Joseph of Arimathea; Judas Iscariot; AND Mary Magdalene; the angry mob AND the women beating their breasts? Can I see myself as both sinner and saved?  

A journey like this, through the Triduum, might also help us to confront the polarities of our time. Can we be mindful of avoiding our habit of judging people, by reducing them to their opinions (especially when they are very different from our own)? How can a spirit of encounter and accompaniment, made evident on the Road to Emmaus, help us to bridge the torrents of division in our world? Maybe Hans Memling had this in mind; the whole picture is the picture of salvation – it needs to be contemplated in part and whole. Perhaps everything we need to know about replacing hate with love is captured by deeply immersing ourselves in the spiritual experiences of Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum.

Notwithstanding our careful contemplation in the days to come – the journey through the next four days and the Easter Triduum culminates with joy! Jesus is Risen! For good reason, the Easter season is 50 days! May the joy of the risen Christ come to you this weekend and remain with you throughout the year. My sincere hope is that our Catholic community can reunite in our church community this weekend – that we will fill the pews and move ahead to rebuild. I also hope that joyful time with family and friends will help to round out a blessed Easter weekend. May you all have a blessed Triduum and a Happy Easter!

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education

1. Thank you, CARFLEO for posting this to your social media feed! I encourage the faithful to spend some time with this painting!

Director of Education’s Lent Message to the Community

I am half Ukrainian. I have spent several hours trying to come up with a Lenten message for our community that attempts to make sense of the war and how this might inform a spiritual journey to Easter. I wrote a great deal but it does not suffice. In short, consider offering your prayer, fasting and almsgiving for peace in Ukraine. This is no small thing if it is done with a fullness of heart. I hope that your Lenten journey is one that brings you closer to Him and leads you to a joyful Easter.

Psalm 91
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, 
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.” 1

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education

1. Responsorial Psalm from Mass for First Sunday of Lent.

 Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,

where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry,

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  Luke 1:39

It’s hard to comprehend the physical, psychological and spiritual strength needed to complete these journeys. Surveying these passages I always took for granted that this was part of the great story and overlooked the practical difficulty of this path leading up to the birth of Jesus. 2 These stories are both historical and metaphorical. These journeys mimic our own journeys and in particular the journey to closeness with God. This journey is not easy, it requires audacity, perseverance, patience, courage, faith, hope and love … this journey requires us to let go of comfort to give the highs and lows to God. Ultimately, our journey brings us to God and during this season we bring ourselves to Jesus Christ.

Break out together in song,

O ruins of Jerusalem!

For the Lord comforts his people,

he redeems Jerusalem.  Isaiah  52:7

I share this reflection given the sudden change in circumstances we find ourselves with the global pandemic.            The emergence and spread of the Omicron variant is yet another obstacle on the road to normalcy. It is another turn in the road we must travel. A source of comfort may be the journey of the Holy Family leading up to the birth of Christ. It can help us to understand that the horizon for what we are capable of, is wider and brighter than we know.3  It reminds us that the burden of our present can be lightened by our faith in God.

For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:2

In full appreciation of the uncertainty of these days, I wish that your Christmas is one that is marked by the fullness of joy that comes with time with family and friends. Like the Holy Family, may your family be a source of strength and comfort for you these days. I encourage you to pray with the Holy Family in mind as we journey to the Feast of the Nativity.  

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the joy that accompanies the birth of Christ, be with you now and always!

Christmas Blessing

Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

left his heavenly home

in order to be born in a human family.

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

and watched over by Joseph of Nazareth.

We ask God to bless our family and friends,

and make us more like Christ our Saviour.  Amen 4

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education

For context, the journey to Judah from Nazareth is about the same distance between Goderich and Cambridge.

Let that sink in!

1. Map courtesy of vox.com
2. Image from Manitoba Coptic Festival manitobacopticfestival.ca
3. Adapted from Blessings and Prayers – For Home and Family; CCCB Publications (2004)

Director of Education’s Advent Message to the Community

Ski Trips, Sacramentality and Advent

My journey to Banff was in the March Break of 2002. It started off as many days in Huron-Perth start – in a snowstorm. It was very early in the morning and my first time visiting the London Airport. Already behind schedule because of the snow, I missed a turn amid the blowing snow and early morning darkness en route to the airport parking lot. Attempting a three-point turn, to turn around, I got stuck when my rear tires dropped into the ditch. I was so close to the airport, that when I got out of the car, I could see my plane on the tarmac … engines running … de-icing in progress. Mindful that the clock was ticking I frantically attempted to dig my car out without a shovel. At one point I was on my stomach under my car trying to sweep snow out – I almost passed out trying to free the vehicle. I was stranded on a poorly travelled side road and apart from the sound of aircraft engines humming far across the field and in the distance, it was deadly quiet. As desperation slowly set in, lights appeared in the distance heading towards my position. Alone in the dark, snow blowing and completely exhausted, a pickup truck emerged from the icy abyss, pulled up and offered to pull me out of the ditch.

We have seen incredible things today.  Luke 5:26

Truly a ‘Good Samaritan’ moment! The odds of a pickup truck with a tow-rope driving by at 5 a.m. in a snowstorm are astronomically minuscule. I remember the wisps of snow blowing across the beams from the headlights when the driver got out – all smiles. I spent some time covering the context and gravitas of the situation, which left my saviour even more amused. In stark contrast to my panic and worry, this whole operation was matter-of-fact for the driver of the pickup truck. It was no big deal … it literally took a few minutes and he was off to the business of the day. I was out of the ditch and on my way. (Several years later, on a ski trip in Western New York, my daughter and I would pay this forward and dig a poor couple’s car out of a snowbank – that story is for another day.)

This story ends with another journey, this time up the mountain at Sunshine Village. Prior to arriving at Banff, I had skied all over Ontario and Quebec but was completely unprepared for the scale of the rocky mountains. I hesitate to attempt a description except to say that when you are at the foot of these mountains you are seeing sheer rock from your feet to the sky … there is no horizon – just rock and sky. It is shocking in its magnitude; it is sharp and strong and spans your entire view. Except for small trees and sparse vegetation, it is desolate – barren – cold. At the same time, it is ominously beautiful. 2 To ski Sunshine requires a long lift ride. I don’t remember exactly how long the gondola and lift ride to the top of Sunshine Village was but it’s very long. I was with my brother-in-law and we didn’t talk much on the way up … it was a lot to absorb and being quiet seemed to make a lot of sense. The day we ascended, it was clear … no clouds … blue sky, sun, rock and snow.

There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars.  Luke 21:25

The top of the mountain at Sunshine Village was the most stunning and visually overwhelming experience of my life. I will never forget what I saw that day. It felt like I was on top of the world – there was no peak in sight that was higher. The distance to the foot was so extreme that I felt like I could fall off the peak. Below my feet, only the mountain I was standing upon and beside me and below me, the peaks of every surrounding mountain. It’s times like these that adopting a sacramental sensibility of being in the world and feeling an encounter with God comes easy. That is what I was feeling.

As they were coming down from the mountain … Matthew 17:9A

These two journeys remind me of the path for Advent. We prepare to encounter the coming of Christ and yet we encounter Him along the journey and at the end of the journey. I think about the dark and cold of these days – the need to seek out light and to embrace the quiet. Perhaps this Advent we will be able to help someone out of a ditch or be lucky enough to have someone pull us out. Perhaps this Advent will lead to a mountaintop experience with the coming of Christ. One thing is for sure the journey is as important as the destination – the journey is the destination. May the spirit of encounter, together on our Advent journey, be with you all. Have a blessed Advent … and … stay out of the ditch.

Advent Prayer

Loving Creator, grant me the wisdom to grow in gratitude for the journey you’ve given me.

Help me to see how you have been revealed to me, and how you reveal yourself through me with each step I walk. Amen 3

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education

1. Reddit.com
2. Image from scoutski.com – Sunshine Village Ski Resort
3. Awaken to New Light by S. James Meyer (Living with Christ)

Thanksgiving Message from the Director of Education

To the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board Community:

I recently concluded my first round of school visits. It was amazing. I saw countless wonders on the journey itself; sunrises, sunsets, winding rivers, trees turning colour, crops coming off of fields, foxes, deer and an eagle!  After being holed up for so long, I was reminded about the beauty that surrounds us every day. Notwithstanding the awe of nature, I saw something even more inspiring. Everywhere in our schools. I was met with smiles, enthusiasm, joy and gratitude. In our students, staff and community – I witnessed misgivings giving way to thanksgivings. This abundance of accompaniment stood in stark contrast to the isolation of the days behind us.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading from Mark turns to one of Jesus’ most famous teachings:

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. (Mark 10.17-27)

This passage becomes an important nexus of reflection about wealth, possessions and community. 

Truthfully, throughout much of my life, I contemplated this passage with the image of a camel and sewing needle in mind.  Of course, Jesus may have been referencing the ‘needle gate’ in Jerusalem. The ancient city of Jerusalem was a walled city that had many gates to enter. Through each gate would pass humans and animals alike. The ‘needle gate’ is a small gate (fitting for a VERY small camel).  The gate is so small that even for a person to pass – one would need to pack lightly and perhaps shed their earthly possessions.  Perhaps this Thanksgiving we can think about two questions: What can we shed to get closer to God?  What is getting in our way to become closer to God?  

My school visits call to mind that shedding isolation and embracing a community of accompaniment brings us joy, closely resembles the Christian experience and ultimately brings us closer to God.  Being back in our schools, forced me to reflect upon what makes us rich and how we define wealth itself. Visiting our schools reminded me that we are wealthy when we are together and in-person – we are wealthy when we are elbow-to-elbow and knee-to-knee – we are wealthy when we walk a path side-by-each. I only hope that you have had the chance to share in this experience since our return.

In closing, my prayer for all of you is that the spirit of accompaniment may come over you and your friends and family. May the spirit of a grateful heart weave its way through the days of this weekend. I am deeply thankful for all of you – the resilient, joyful, focused and prayerful community of Huron-Perth. I ask you to continue to pray for our community. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace and blessings,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education

RETURN TO SCHOOL 2021!

The new school year is upon us! This is a time to celebrate the return of our students and staff to our schools. This year we will emphasize the spiritual theme of accompaniment, together on our journey.

ACCOMPANIMENT – TOGETHER ON THE JOURNEY

Our multi-year spiritual theme is rooted in Luke’s Gospel narrative of the Emmaus story. The Emmaus story reminds us that the journey to Emmaus (and inevitably back to Jerusalem) is instructive for our faith journey – our journey to become closer to God. This journey, that rides upon a current of accompaniment is both an interpersonal journey and a spiritual one – it gives us new eyes to see, discernment to judge and spirit to act.  

NEW EYES TO SEE AND THE PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR

When the disciples journey to Emmaus after the devastation of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross they are despondent and confused. The stranger whom they encounter on the road, not only embodies Christ when he opens the scriptures and breaks bread – but is the risen Christ himself. This narrative of accompaniment and encounter gives the disciples new eyes to see. Can this experience tell us anything about how we might come to see things differently? What might we see with our new eyes? Can we see the poor in our midst and can we widen our view of what poor actually means or looks like?

INTERPERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT

Given our district’s image for our spiritual theme – one would be hard-pressed to misconstrue the idea that accompaniment is an interpersonal exercise. Indeed, we seek out each other … to listen and to be present – we seek ways to understand and reconcile. We walk a path alongside one another. More challenging in these times might be the objective of spiritual accompaniment – how do we walk with our God? How do we find ways to become closer to God? Can we improve our life of prayer and worship?  

WALKING WITH THE CHURCH

These are difficult times to be a Catholic in Canada. It is hard to reconcile the love of our faith and all that the institutional church has given to us with its history. The Road to Emmaus story sprung from crisis for the disciples – can we return to Jerusalem in our midst? The work of the Church is our work and so we need to find ways to walk alongside our parishes and to lift them up while we embrace truth and reconciliation. How do we see our relationship with our parishes through new eyes? How can our participation in parish life help to bring about hope and joy for the future?

MISSIONARY DISCIPLES ACCOMPANY MISSIONARY DISCIPLES

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis coined the expression ‘missionary disciples accompany missionary disciples’.  This phrase reminds us that our role as leaders and disciples requires us to be present to one another – to lift each other up when necessary and to walk alongside one another on our faith journey. We are not out of the woods yet – we need each other more than ever.

In closing, I ask for your continued prayers for our Catholic community. I wish you peace and blessings in your work and for your families. I hope that your school year is filled with hope, faith, and love. I look forward to seeing you on my visits throughout the school year – it has been too long. 

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education

End of School Year Message – June 2021

As the sun sets on another school year, I wish to express tremendous gratitude to our whole community.  We are almost there – I am so proud of you.

The past year has been described in many colourful and mostly pejorative ways. I have some personal favourites – in an effort to keep this piece as high-brow as possible – I will say that the image involves a fire and waste disposal container. Yet, most people I speak with have thought about the things they will miss after the pandemic or things they are grateful for about these times.  They recall with fondness acts of generosity, support, compassion, empathy and ingenuity.  It speaks to the opportunity that every challenge presents and the need to simplify and focus on the people in our midst.

I have been thinking about St. Therese of Lisieux lately.  Arguably the most important saint in modernity, I wonder what she would think of the headache of our pandemic.  She adopted ‘the little way’ which is to say that she would do all things, no matter how big or small with great love.  She adopted a simple way of being in life and in prayer on her journey to be closer to God.

Easier said than done – it seems to me that it exemplified the path of so many of our staff and families in our community.  There are so many examples of seemingly small things that were done to help one another during the pandemic.

“But to think of Therese of Lisieux as simply a delicate hothouse flower is to overlook the considerable resolve that lay beneath the fragile petals.”₁

Amidst her life of prayer, love and attention to the sacramentality of everyday life – was considerable challenge and suffering.  I mention this because to accept that our journey has been easy or has been fully confronted by our own little way, begets the fact that considerable hurt has been inflicted upon our community over the last 18 months.

With great joy, it will be important for us to remember that the ‘little way’ can be a powerful antidote to division and desolation.  Much healing awaits us.  Paradoxically, the optimism and anticipation of pre-pandemic times seems palpable.  As we embrace the joy of the future, we will need to bring healing to our community.

May we adopt a path for our journey, rooted in love and everyday interactions to restore our community.  May we all adopt the ‘little way’ as we journey alongside one another in a spirit of accompaniment.

May our summer months be filled with joyful time with family, friends and God.  May the sacramentality of everyday life – a slow return to pre-pandemic life be evident to all of us.  With this in mind,  I cannot express how much I anticipate the ability to see you all in person soon.  I wish everyone in our community a safe and joyful summer.

St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

1. My Life with the Saints, J. Martin (2006)

Director’s Easter Message 2021

On Holy Thursday, we enter into the Easter Triduum and complete our Lenten journey. The movement of the weekend as expressed in liturgy takes us on a rollercoaster of emotion, ultimately culminating with great joy.

Today, we reflect upon an intersection between the call to service and a call to be transformed through our encounter with the Eucharist (a sacrament of thanksgiving). This call to service has special meaning for us as we lead in our schools. We put others before ourselves. Indeed, it would be easy to say that the call to service is effortless and our reminder to give thanks is simple. Our journey through the Triduum reminds us that the blessings we receive often come with sacrifice.

With this in mind, I offer gratitude to our staff for their service. The manner in which they have put children and families ahead of their own needs is testimony to our Christian calling. Their service is not marked by sackcloth and ashes but by joy and love. We truly are an Easter people. Our staff have provided a safe place with light and hope for families – I am so proud of our team.

I wish everyone a blessed Triduum. May your Easter be a time that bursts with joy, brought about by Christ’s victory over death through His resurrection!

Continue to keep our community in prayer this weekend. May God bless you and keep you – Happy Easter!

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

Director’s Christmas Message 2020

When I sign off on all my emails I use the greeting with ‘peace’. I picked this habit up from a
friend. As a person with an average vocabulary, I always thought that I had a fulsome
understanding of the meaning ‘peace’. Peace is certainly a place of calm, rest, comfort and free
of conflict. In the biblical sense – peace is synonymous with shalom. Shalom is the Hebrew
word for peace. Its meaning goes beyond just a salutation or greeting it is meant in a prayerful
sense and a blessing. In its fullest sense – “shalom” captures peace as bringing wholeness to
something broken or in disarray. Perhaps it is in this sense of restoration and rebuilding that we
can consider peace this Christmas during COVID 19.

In chapter 2 of Luke’s gospel we hear the angel announce the birth and arrival of the Prince
of Peace:

“ Do not be afraid; I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord … Glory to God in
the highest heaven, and on earth peace among people!”

Our Christmas during this pandemic may seem to lack true peace or wholeness as we try to
piece together as many vestiges of our traditions to resemble our past holidays. Let us
remember Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, Christ’s birth, and the angel’s
announcement of the Messiah was also the start of a journey to wholeness and restoration.
Christ came as a light in the darkness to save us from the brokenness between God and His
children.

As we move from Advent to Christmas, I wish you and your families peace – peace to find hope,
gratitude, and joy — peace that is more whole than broken– a place of wholeness — a spiritual
shalom. I hope that you will be able to set aside some time with your family for prayer and
worship and that your Christmas time will bring you and your family closer to God .

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!*

Peace,

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

* I don’t usually make much of New Years’ but I’ll be making an exception this year!

CHRISTMAS READING

Isaiah 62.11-12**
The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth:
“Say to daughter Zion,
See, your salvation comes:
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
“They shall be called ‘The Holy People’,
‘The Redeemed of the Lord’;
and you shall be called ‘Sought Out,’
‘A City Not Forsaken.’”

** Mass at Dawn (Christmas 2020)

Director’s Advent Message 2020 – A Great Light in the Darkness

This year has been difficult for me in my faith life.  I find that the inability to be together in person and in close contact has left my faith experience more hollow than before.  In reading My Life With the Saints by James Martin S.J. – I learned that St. Teresa of Calcutta experienced times in her faith life that were like this.₁  I wondered if it was the intensity of her challenging experiences that contributed to her times of ‘dark’ faith?  What happens to our faith life in times of adversity?

Advent is my favourite time of the liturgical calendar and given the times, I wonder if you share in my need to hit the ‘re-set button’ on my faith life by embracing the new liturgical year and the hope, love, joy and peace that comes with weeks leading up to the Feast of the Nativity – the birth of Jesus Christ?

In contemplating St. Teresa of Calcutta’s mission – I wonder if turning to the spirit of encounter and accompaniment through service may help to form a bridge that will provide me with an opportunity to a prayer life that will provide consolation and a closer relationship with God?  What can I do to serve someone in need?  Can an opportunity for encounter and accompaniment be in my school, my home or my neighbourhood?  Perhaps these opportunities for encounter and accompaniment can be the great light in the darkness.  Like the star over Bethlehem, it can lead us to the presence of Christ in our lives.   Perhaps pressing the ‘reset button’ is hidden in plain sight.

In closing, I truly wish you all a blessed Advent – Come, Lord Jesus.  May you and your family be safe and healthy.  I hope that your Season of Advent will lead to a joyous Christmas experience!

Please continue to pray for the community of the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board.

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

¹ My Life With the Saints; J. Martin S. J. (an excellent read and a fantastic idea for a Christmas
   present) P. 171

ADVENT READING

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness –
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9.2b-3, 6.)

Director’s Lenten Message 2020 – Reflecting Forward with the Emmaus Story

The Board recently approved our multi-year spiritual theme: Together on the Journey: Encounter ~ Accompany ~ Transform. This theme was arrived upon after a significant communal discernment and much prayer. The theme is animated by the Emmaus story from Luke’s Gospel. While the Emmaus story is firmly rooted in the season of Easter, it is a useful reflection for Lent as well. One of the most interesting aspects of the Emmaus story is the contrast of introspective and somewhat despondent disciples set against the great joy of the resurrection of Christ. It reminds us that the need for us to journey together in the light of presence, accompaniment and hope is our pathway for consolation with God. This is also the journey of Lent. We walk a path to get closer to God that ultimately results in the joy of the resurrection.

Embracing a pathway of sacrifice and struggle is not easy and yet our current times in education force this upon us. In spite of these challenges, as Eucharistic people we are called to deal with conflict within our community. How can we find moments of clarity that bring us to an understanding and action of reconciliation and togetherness? In Lent, we rely heavily upon prayer, fasting and almsgiving as roads to clarity and renewal of our Baptismal call. As we journey together through Lent – may we commit ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving recognizing that a hopeful future is one that involves togetherness, reconciliation and gratitude.

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary

Director’s 2019 Christmas Message

Director’s Message – Road to Emmaus

These days it seems prudent to root ourselves in stories of our faith.  While our times seem steeped in confusion and uncertainty, we can find comfort in an approach to seeing life as journey buoyed by a commitment to accompaniment and encounter.  Our lives of prayer and contemplation are important tools to help us be a people of hope.

The Road to Emmaus

In the pastoral letter on Catholic education “Renewing the Promise” – we are encouraged to use the Emmaus story as inspiration for a way forward in this age.  Firstly, the Emmaus story (often ascribed as ‘The Road to Emmaus’) inspires us to think about the narrative of journey and destination simultaneously.  Perhaps more importantly the journey on the road is filled with images of consolation and desolation; it is beset with fear and comfort and uncertainty and clarity.  It is the perfect metaphor for our times.  In its destination – we are transformed by a personal experience with Christ through the opening of scripture and through sacrament (Eucharist).  Consider the image of the Road to Emmaus from the St. John’s Bible (saintjohnsbible.org).  It reflects these sentiments and more.  This image is useful for careful contemplation in conjunction with a prayer of visio divina.  The piece concerns itself with images of journey; an interplay of light and dark; pictures that are simultaneously blurred and precise.

Encounter and Transformation

The comfort that comes from transformation is easier said than done.  What does the story say to us about how we come to this moment of clarity and comfort? The transformational experience cannot happen without the journey – it is a journey that requires encounter and accompaniment.   The story is about relationship.  We yearn for a closer relationship with God and He reaches out to us for the same.  For the disciples, fear, isolation, despair and perhaps flight get in the way of seeing things as they ought to be.  This is true today!  When we surround ourselves with narratives of tumult, and park all that we see inside that narrative, it is nearly impossible to see that He is with us.  This painting from Fra Bartolommeo emphasizes the relational focus in the Road to Emmaus.  The disciple appears to seek the comfort of Christ – he reaches out and grabs the wrist of Christ.  Christ appears to be carrying his pack on his back – this will not be His first or last encounter with us for comfort.  In the story and subsequent stories after the resurrection (this time in the Gospel of Luke but also throughout the Acts of the Apostles) humans struggle to see that Christ is among us.  Inevitably, we need this difficult journey and the accompaniment of each other with God to see it through.

In closing, the road ahead is always the Road to Emmaus.  We journey beside one another sometimes aware and sometimes unaware that God is with us.  For the upcoming months, let us all be mindful that journey, encounter and transformation are all necessary steps for our salvation.  If the road ahead seems uncertain – let us all reflect upon the experience of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus so we can fully commit ourselves to being a mission-oriented school system that forms disciples of Jesus.

Chris N. Roehrig,
Director of Education & Secretary