From the Principal's Desk 4.15

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Dear Friends,

As expected I have been thinking about the big game; perhaps you know of what I speak? Two sides diametrically opposed to the other line themselves up face to face quivering with excitement and anticipation and at the proper moment, charge the line with all their might and skill.  Clearly no player will be holding back, resting for the next play and at the end of the contest, no matter how close a finish, one side will leave elated and one side dejected.

Clearly this is an unreasonable view of life but some lessons can be learned.  The game is played only once.  After it ends nothing can be done to change it.  While the game goes on there are a lot of options but as time draws to a close the options become more limited and finally no single individual can win the game, but a single individual could lose it.

Life occurs but once, we must use the time well for when it is over, it is over.  As we get older we find that our choices, good and bad, will affect what we can and cannot do later in life.  Choosing wisely, with God's assistance puts us in a good position later in life when our options begin to dwindle.   If we choose poorly when we are young, do badly in school, destroy our family relationships, ignore our faith, we will find later in life we must spend our time trying to repair this breach leaving little time for other important items.   If we choose well, study diligently, work on keeping our relationships healthy and keep in touch with God we will find out later in life we have energy and ability to live a good life.   Finally there is a corporate nature to life, each of us succeeds because many help, but the damage one person can do, either through inaction or deliberate action can be devastating.  Let us make certain we are forces for good for that is our destiny, let us strive each day to enrich our lives and others.  When we falter, let us pick ourselves up, seek pardon and forgiveness and move on.   God's mercy is amazing so let us take advantage of it.  (Father graciously offers mass daily and confession weekly)

God bless,

Timothy Gallic

Principal, Holy Family High School

From the Principals Desk 4.13

 

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Dear Friends,

By now you should have seen the new tuition rates and I would like to take a moment to explain how we arrived at that amount.  Tuition is determined by setting our operating budget. This is the money we spend each year keeping the school in good repair, paying our teachers, heating and cooling the building, paying our insurance and other items like this.  We subtract from the budget what money we can raise through fund raising and gifts, (this generally averages about $2,000 per student) and then we take the number left and divide it by our expected student population.  This sets our tuition.   Tuition does not pay for sports, that is separately fund raised; it does not pay for material improvements such as scoreboards or theater renovation or ball fields.  All of these are separately fundraised which is why they are sometimes built and sometimes we have to wait.

We are fortunate in that we have also been able to offer financial aid and I urge you to look into it if you feel you need it.  While quite large, the fund is not limitless, so don't delay!

Catholic education may be a cost; it is also a great investment.  This school teaches much more than just the subjects; we help you develop the character of your child. By seeing each child as God does we teach mutual respect and demand from them the responsibility that will make them successful.   High School years are exciting times. I thank you for sharing your child's years with us.

God bless,

Timothy Gallic

Principal, Holy Family High School

From the Principal's Desk 4.14

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Dear Friends,

When I was a young boy I received for Christmas a rock tumbler.  Eagerly gazing at the glossy pictures of wondrous jewels that could be formed from ordinary rock I rushed into my backyard and scooped up some likely looking small stones.  Placing them in the tumbler I added the polishing compound and started the process. (In truth, I first forgot the water, then failed to seal the container, then had to clean the mess up, then did it correctly.) The machine started with a very disturbing sound. Grinding and crushing emanated from it filling the kitchen with an undesirable noise.   After a very long time, in reality probably 30 minutes, I took the machine apart and saw nothing had changed.  Moving it to the garage I turned it back on and left it for the recommended time.   I noticed as I went through the various level grinding powders the sound got less distressing and finally after quite a long time the stones were done and they looked quite good. 

High school, indeed all of life, resembles a rock tumbler.  Placed in close proximity with others we jostle and bump into each other, our interactions not always being the smoothest.  Often we find irritation with others, our assignments, the weather etc., and while some of that can be avoided most cannot.  These events are not for naught, they can, if we let them, help smooth our rough edges turning us from crass stone to desirable jewels.  The tendency when we find such a challenge is to flee from it and while that is sometimes prudent policy, what to do if you cannot run from it?  If it is a test or project, or the student you see in math class, or the teacher who is making you work then you must address the situation.  This is where training and God's grace comes in.  When we err, in a comment to a colleague, or on an assignment, fixing that failing might be difficult but will help us in the long run.

Training is like the polishing compound, initially it can be a bit rough, but given time it becomes softer, if we learn our lessons well future challenges are very doable.  If we seek to never put ourselves or our children in difficult and challenging circumstances how will they ever be polished?  I know of several individuals who while in high school were very rough characters, not necessarily tough but definitely rough.  A few bruising years of life later I have met them and found to my amazement how they have changed.  Sirach 2  

states "For in fire Gold is tested and the worthy one in the crucible of humiliation."  When God sends us trials embrace them, they will make you a better person.

Quo Vadis?

Timothy Gallic

Principal, Holy Family High School

303-410-1411

Sirach 2 entire https://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Sir&ch=2&bv1=1&ev1=11

From the Principal's Desk 4.12

November 26, 2013

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK   Dear Parents, My youngest child will have her first Thanksgiving on Thursday and while she will not be aware of all of her relatives doting on her, or sense the importance of Turkey and stuffing and cranberries and pumpkin pie, she will take part in a continuation of what is our country's most religious secular holiday and the one most true to its original intent.   As she smiles and  cries, like all babies,  around her many hands will labor the feast.  (And many mouths will eat it!)   Football will be watched, the kids will get grass stains on their pant legs, drinks will be spilled and when all is done,  turkey sandwiches will be devoured.  Cinnamon and pumpkin, marshmallows and nuts; an abundance of wonder will appear on the tables where we will all take our seats, bow our heads in prayer and give thanks. What makes this day so special revolves not around family, friends or food, but around gratitude to the one who makes it all possible.   To God, from whom all blessings flow, be all the glory and honor and thanks.  This year I am thankful for much, for my family, my faith, the country I live in, the gift of life; just to name a few.  I am especially grateful for all of you who make this school possible for yourselves and for others, some of whom are yet unborn. Timothy Gallic Principal, Holy Family High School 303-410-1411 p.s.  Bing Crosby sings about this gratitude in 'Holiday Inn' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noiI7s0nXDQ pps.  Any questions, cares, comments, criticisms or concerns-please let us know HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

From the Principal's Desk 4.11

November 19, 2013

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK   Dear Friends, This morning, over on the eastern horizon, the sun rose just like it has every day for billions of years.  Each day the same and yet different, for while the substance of the sunrise changes not, the effect changes constantly and if you and I could compare pictures of all the sunrises since the dawn of time we would find not one, not a single one, identical to another.  Life has but one constant, change.  Some changes are evolutionary, slowly over a long period of time; others are revolutionary, immediate, abrupt, and dramatic.  The one impossibility is to stand still.   As we age, we realize this fact, both the good and the bad of it.  How fondly we remember the days when our children would jump into our arms when we came home from work, now they may great us with a smile and a hug or a text.    We rejoice in the persons our children grow into. The theme this year is 'Quo Vadis', where are you going.  To successfully journey one must know the destination and while the common end for all Christians ought to be heaven, the intermediate goals of life do not possess the same uniformity.  Discerning God's will for us, seeking the source of wisdom and letting Him guide you, remains a defining characteristic of a successful person, school, institution and church.  God's will can be found by prayer and study, for the will of God, while occasionally hard to fathom, never ceases to be rational.   High school years can be filled with concern about the future. For some this brings fear, others excitement, and for most, both.  Encourage your students to talk to our guidance department, to study hard and to go to mass.  God will not refuse our children's cry for help. Finally, Kairos recently was completed and by all accounts the retreat came off well.  Thanks needs to be given to Father Gabriel and Mark Evevard and all who helped make this a success.  Parents, if your child went on Kairos, ask them about it and encourage them.  The good news needs to be shared. Pax et Bonum, Timothy Gallic Principal, Holy Family High School

From the Principal's Desk 4.10

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Dear Friends,

In life we find that there are three conditions that must be met for success to occur:  Ability, Desire and Opportunity.   Of these, only one is God given, ability.  Either one has the ability to do something or one doesn't, and nothing can be done to change it.  This should not cause dismay, rather it should free us to concentrate our efforts where we have ability. Sporting ability generally most clearly demonstrates this principle.  There are a great number of people who play high school sports who simply cannot compete at the college level.  Each of us has ability in some area or another, we must simply find it.  It may be we are capable of being a great singer, spouse, parent, engineer, doctor etc.  What we need next is desire.

The old saying comes to mind, "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink".   One can have all the ability in the world but unless it is channeled by the desire to succeed it will prove useless.  Every great story about overcoming odds contains a part where the hero realizes they must succeed, they find in themselves the desire to sacrifice whatever is needed to win.   Simply put, many a youth fails to succeed in their subjects because they don't want to, they lack the desire.

Finally one must have the opportunity.   A person must be in the right place at the right time. Einstein would have been just as smart if he was born to a poor family in Siberia but one doubts he would have had the chance to win a Nobel Prize.

Our school strives to help students with the two parts that we can help them with, desire and opportunity.  There is no shame in lacking ability, there is shame in lacking desire and we must provide opportunity.   For this reason we have clubs, we have excellent and challenging classes, we have a Fine and Performing Arts division that is growing and we have sporting opportunity.  

Most important of all, we also have mass offered every day.   In the end the only thing we must succeed at is becoming Saints.  And the best way to grow the desire (we have the ability) is to spend time with Christ.  

Pax et Bonum,

Timothy Gallic

Principal, Holy Family High School

From the Principal's Desk 4.9

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Dear Friends,

As we get older we become very much aware that we do travel through time, but only in one direction. There exists no going back, no do overs, no repeats; each day is a special blessing, each moment never to be seen again.  This means we can be ready for what God has planned for us, it means when we fall we can rise again, it also means we must deal with mistakes of the past, of times when we were unprepared, for tests we did not study for, for the unkind word said in a careless moment. 

While I cannot go back and relive a moment, or take back a word spoken unwisely, I can ask for forgiveness and reconciliation.  I can make amends, and I can be free to plot a new course, not free from the consequences of my actions, but free to change the direction of my life.   This lesson should be taught to all of our students.  Sometimes in life we find ourselves in a hole, God always will reach down to pull us out; we must simply grasp his hand.

So when a student comes home with a poor grade, or finds themselves dealing with the result of poor choices, encourage them to deal with the consequences, to make amends, and most of all to move ahead.  God's forgiveness, through the Sacrament of Confession, frees us from our sin, studying frees us from ignorance, seeking pardon from a wronged party heals breaches and each dawn is a new day, a chance to be our best, to improve upon our previous efforts.  To be truly who God made us to be, Saints.

May God bring you peace,

Timothy Gallic

Principal, Holy Family High School

303-410-1411