Fun with Minnie and Mickey

Dear Parishioners,

As I write trying to make the publication deadline for this bulletin, I am spending some “quality time” with the senior class of Sacred Heart High School while they travel to Orlando, Florida for their class trip.  We usually spend five days at Disney World being tourists and just having fun.  In addition to the normal chaperones such school trips need an administrator accompanying the students, and I am functioning once again in that capacity.

No, it’s really not a vacation for me.  Maybe it’s that way for the students—but not for me and the other chaperones.  What “sane” human being would willingly and deliberately travel with dozens of high school students?  You never really sleep sound.  You worry like any responsible parent would.  You attempt to stay one step ahead of the students who inevitably try to see what they can get away with.  They are only high school seniors once in their lives (I hope) and they will only have this one class trip together. 

Hold on for a second.  It’s time to buckle-up.  The ride is about to begin. . . .   Help!!!!!

Truth be told, I am usually very proud of the students in the end.  I have heard compliments from flight attendants, bus drivers, hotel staff, and various people vacationing with their families about how nice and polite our students are.  They rarely let me down.

The young people today have so much to contend with in their lives.  Certainly, much more than I ever had to deal with—even though I grew up where things were pretty “unsheltered” at the Jersey shore.  I wouldn’t want to have to face the many difficult things that they have in their future at this point in my life.  I’m content approaching 50.  Let’s leave it at that.

Time for some ice cream. . . or maybe funnel cake.

Well, I still have great hope for the future.  The young today have their hopes and dreams as we did.  They are the future—our future—and they bring their fresh set of ideas to the table.

As we celebrate Mass together as a class, I remind them to keep Christ in their lives each and every day as they prepare to leave us.  Christ will keep their lives on the right path.  He will guide them as he has so many, especially me. 

I hope and pray that they follow my advice in this area.

Unfortunately, some didn’t listen concerning the sun block.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor