Greetings Academy families and friends,
In Ecclesiastes (3:7) it is stated that there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. In this season of Lent we take the 40 days given to us to listen for God’s voice as we strive to align ourselves with Jesus. Last night at a meeting of the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals (SHCOG) Steering Committee, Janis Dougherty shared the following:
In today’s high-tech, high-speed, high-stress world, communication is more important than ever, yet we seem to devote less and less time to really listening to one another. Genuine listening has become a rare gift — the gift of time. It helps build relationships, solves problems, ensures understanding, resolves conflicts, and improves accuracy . . .At home and at school it helps develop resourceful, self-reliant children who can solve their own problems . . .
Empathy is the heart and soul of good listening. To experience empathy, you have to put yourself in the other person’s place and allow yourself to feel what it is like to be him/her at that moment. This is not an easy thing to do. It takes energy and concentration. But it is a generous and helpful thing to do, and it facilitates communication like nothing else does . . .
The entire school community has been actively engaged in the SHCOG process across this school year. It has been a privilege to listen to the ways Academy constituents have experienced and lived the Goals & Criteria of Sacred Heart Education. In mid-April there will be a wonderful opportunity for cross-constituent groups to meet and engage in both listening and sharing. I think you will find it fascinating to hear the thoughts of our young alums and teachers, as well as those of our parents, students and Board members. Each has offered their thoughts, and I hope you will join us on Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the White Center. All are welcome — please mark your calendar and participate in this conversation.
United in mission,
Dr. Susan Dempf
Head of School
