Saying Goodbye Forever blessed by experiences at OCHS

By Fr. Jason McClure

“Enlighten our understanding that we may know You. Give us wisdom that Your will may be clear to us and that we may accept it. Grant us the gift of counsel that we may always perceive what is right. Fortify us that we may always be capable of fulfilling Your Divine Will.”

From the Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit

have behind us, never to confront again, the way OCHS met these challenges is a reminder to me of what an amazing school it is. Temperature checks, facemasks, social distancing, and desk dividers were a daily reminder that we were in unusual times. But they were also a reminder of the unmatched dedication and commitment of the faculty and staff, along with the support and cooperation of parents and students, to keep our school open and safe. None of us enjoyed the guidelines and restrictions. No one wanted to wear a facemask or sanitize hands and classrooms. But by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we did it and we have so much to be thankful for and a lot to be proud of. We kept our school open and we kept our students safe.

And so began the 2020-21 school year, a year unlike any we have ever experienced. None of us knew how to do this. Operating a school (or anything for that matter) during a global pandemic was something none of us had ever experienced, and hopefully never will again. There was so much we didn’t know. I think most of us had some fear and anxiety. Parents, students, teachers, and administrators all wanted to return to school, but we wanted to do so responsibly and safely.

Here is what we did know. We knew that if we were going to do this, we wouldn’t to do so by our efforts alone. We knew we would need God’s help. By God’s grace and divine assistance, we are capable of doing all He calls us to through Him who strengthens us. Owensboro Catholic Schools began the 20-21 school year with a novena to the Holy Spirit, by which we dedicated the academic year and our Owensboro Catholic Schools to the care of the third person of the Most Holy Trinity.

For nine days leading up to the opening day of the school year, the OCS family participated in a novena to the Holy Spirit. We concluded the novena with a Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated in the OCHS chapel on the evening before the doors would open for the first day of the school year. Our prayer was for the Holy Spirit to protect us, guide us, and strengthen us just as He did the apostles and the early Church upon and following the first Pentecost.

Although the challenges of this year are something we hope to

Just as the guidelines and restrictions we followed this year were a reminder of our commitment to keep our schools open and safe, our successful conclusion of the school year was a reminder that the Holy Spirit was with us to guide these disciples who knew not what were doing. Our school year concluded with the faculty gathering for Mass on the Wednesday before the Solemnity of Pentecost. We began our year with a novena and Mass of the Holy Spirit and we concluded our year with a Mass leading up to the solemnity when we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon His Church. It is almost as if our school year was wrapped in the arms of our God.

Over the past 5 years, I have had the privilege of being part of OCHS. Since I first taught here several years ago, I have known this school is a special place. It has been an honor to teach and serve as chaplain. My life will be forever blessed by the amazing people with whom I have worked, the students I have taught, and the experiences I have had during this time. Although I wish my last year at OCHS had been more “normal,” I can now look back and see so many blessings and be thankful I was at Catholic High, even if during the challenges of a global pandemic. As I go forth to a new ministry, I will miss OCHS so much. But as I leave, I will keep this school in my prayers as I pray that the Holy Spirit continue to enlighten your understanding, give you wisdom, grant you counsel, and fortify you that you may be always capable of following His divine will, all for the Glory of God.

Come Holy Spirit! ♠