Father Thomas Dunton, CSJ, asked school leaders to reflect on Pope Francis’s definition of hope as “the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross.” (The Catholic Post/Paul Thomas Moore)

MAGNOLIA – Diocesan school principals and administrators met at their fall retreat Oct. 23-24 at Sacré-Coeur Retreat Center to refresh their understanding of the virtue of hope, and how to inspire it in their school communities.

Father Thomas Dunton, CSJ, of the Congregation of St. John in Princeville served as retreat master, and described for attendees Pope Francis’s definition of hope as “based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross.”

In reference to Sacred Heart of Jesus as the source of hope, Dr. Jerry Sanderson, superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Peoria, remarked on the timeliness of Pope Francis’s encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Delexit nos” (“He loved us”), released on the second day of the retreat, Oct. 24.

MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE

“It seems more than a coincidence that we had all of our Catholic school leaders gathered at a retreat center that is named for the Sacred Heart as the Pope’s releasing his encyclical,” he said.

Sanderson added that even prior to the encyclical’s release, the Office of Catholic Schools had encouraged schools to consider an official “enthronement” of their schools to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He anticipated the encyclical would provide an additional impetus to do so.

On the second day of the retreat, Bishop Louis Tylka presided at morning Mass. Afterwards, the day’s agenda touched on various subjects of interest to Catholic school leaders:

Christie Barnes of the American Heart Association gave a presentation regarding a new state law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025 requiring that all schools public and private have a written cardiac emergency response plan.

Also, Vince Barnes of the Northwest Education Association (no relation to Christie) provided an update on academic achievement results for diocesan elementary schools.

HOPE IS A FIRST RESPONDER

As well, principal and author Dr. Cindy Ryals (“Crisis Planning for Catholic School Leaders”) spoke on crisis preparation – anything from a medical emergency, to a death involving a student or teacher, a fire or weather incident, bomb threats, or an active shooter in the building.

Kelly McLaughlin, principal of Jordan Catholic School in Rock Island, says the Catholic school response of hope is most evident in tough times. (The Catholic Post/Paul Thomas Moore)

A key message was that in a Catholic school setting – over and above the necessary training and resources to deal with such incidents – one of the “first responders” is hope.

Kelly McLaughlin, principal of Jordan Catholic School in Rock Island, said the Catholic school difference is most evident in tough times.

“Whether there be a tragedy or a crisis going on, that is really when it comes to light with our families: ‘Ok, I knew why we sent our kids here, but this is why.’”

Editor’s note: Stay tuned for more in future with Kelly McLaughlin and other Peoria diocesan principals discussing how their school environments foster hope in an often challenging societal context – and how they personally are inspired by the Catholic school mission.