John Paul the Great -- is now open!

There was MUCH celebrating today as Bishop Paul S. Loverde officially blessed the new high school -- Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School. We've only been here since June and yet it seems like forever since we were given a "hard hat" tour of the not-quite-complete building.

Today it was marvelous! The new paint, custom millwork and spotless carpet attested to the newness -- a newness that carries a promise of the New Evangelization as preached by the school's patron, Pope John Paul 2 on the eve of the new millenium. The empty shelves in the library* will soon be filled as will the science labs and the other classrooms -- after all, school offficially starts one week from tomorrow.

But today, for the first time, all the staff, faculty, students, families and friends were together to celebrate and pray for the next school year. The Dominicans of Nashville to whom the administration of the school has been trusted, are well-loved by my family and obviously by many others too. The "love fest" today was amazing proof of the power of the Holy Spirit to move people toward the good, the true and the beautiful.

We are so blessed to be part of this new school ... part of this community ... part of this family who came together today. We are so blessed with the chance to help form the leaders of tomorrow in all aspects of their secondary education -- particularly in their learning about bioethics and the tough questions of today and tomorrow.

Dear Lord,

We know that every good and perfect gift comes from you. Thank you for the gift of Catholic Education, in particular the gift of this new high school, Pope John Paul the Great.

In your kindness Lord, grant us, the faculty, staff, students, families, and friends faith enough to know that you are at work in us and through us.

Bless all of those who are working to build this school and give us sufficient grace to complete the many tasks set before us.

Mary, Mother of God, intercede for us so that we may enthusiastically give our daily fiat to the work that is to come.

Let the zeal of St. Dominic live on in our mission for the new evangelization that has begun.

Pope John Paul the Great, Pray for us!

Amen!

*If you're interested in helping to stock the library shelves, Cynthia Trax, the librarian, would greatly appreciate donations of books or Amazon gift cards (send to c.trax at jpthegreat.org)