May 2013 Dear Parents, By this blessing accept This bell into your service. May its voice Direct our hearts toward you And prompt us…to experience the presence of Christ, Listen to your word, Offer you our prayers, And both in joy and in sorrow Be friends to one another. Service of the Blessing of the Bell On April 25th the entire community of the school gathered with parents of the Class of 2013 to celebrate the blessing of the new bell. Father Kevin O’Leary, Rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, presided over the Blessing of the Bell liturgy supported by the singing of our Schola Cantorum and the Faculty Ensemble as well as a brass quartet. Following the ceremony all present enjoyed a goûter of vanilla and chocolate cupcakes each decorated with a candy bell. It was a festive and joyful afternoon that provided a much needed antidote to the sadness and anxiety all of us experienced in the wake of the awful events of Marathon Monday. In the prayers over the bell, Father O’Leary reminded us of our responsibility to be generous friends to one another in joy and in sorrow. Like you, I have been inspired by the outpouring of love in action that marked the work of first responders, compassionate bystanders and the citizens of greater Boston who disregarding their own safety rushed to help their suffering neighbors. The marvelous growth of One Fund Boston continues to bear witness to the triumph of goodness over evil. Here at school we have worked to quell the anxiety of the girls by gathering in prayer, in advisory conversations and maintaining a focus in moving forward by encouraging them to work to create a better world. As we delight in the glories of May, let us pray that the sound of our new bell will lift our hearts and help us hear Christ’s reassuring greeting: “Peace be with you.” Sincerely, Sister Barbara Rogers |