To kick off hope week, the Hope Squad hosted the weekly prayer service with a message of hope, love, and self-care. Members of the Hope Squad gave meaningful and personal stories about how they encountered God and hope in their lives.
Sophomore Grant Gomez “thought that it was very moving. Some of the Hope Squad’s speeches really spoke to me, reminding me that I don’t have to stress to the point of my hair falling out.”
JV soccer coach, Mr. Williams, shared his thoughts on the prayer service, saying “I think it is a really good thing that we have a group of guys willing to talk about something that’s often uncomfortable. And I think this gives us permission to not to have to fall into that culture of judgement.” He continued, “It changes the dynamic or what’s acceptable. I like that we’re having that conversation.”
Additionally, Ms. Wainwright, theology teacher and tennis coach, liked the service. “The amount of self-care that we give ourselves can often be lacking just because of day-to-day activities that we have. It’s important to be able… to have other people out there to support you… It was a very important message for everyone to hear, but to also be able to relate that back to the scriptures and the gospel was very [interesting and] I appreciated it.”
Hope Squad
One member detailed his experiences while on the football field. The story involved a high stakes play that would determine the fate of the game. He asked God for support and discovered the strength of God’s aid. This message communicated the need for support systems in all aspects of our life. Whether you’re the starting long snapper for Jesuit or the captain of the coding team, it is important to have people to rely on.
Another member, Andrew McMahon, shared his revelation of God’s love through the gospel of Mark. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Through this passage, Andrew was able to understand that true rest, the fulfilling kind, comes in and through Jesus. He also noted Ignatius “famous Suscipe, ‘Everything is yours, do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me.'” Andrew used this quote to convey that “when we work… it [is] not an obstacle to grace, but rather a channel for God to work in our lives.”
Blue Ribbon
After the prayer service concluded, students remained in their seats awaiting a speech. Jesuit Dallas president, Mike Earsing, ascended the stage to discuss recent events in the Jesuit community.
He congratulated Jesuit students, faculty, administrators and everyone else in the Jesuit community on recently winning Blue Ribbon award. From the U.S. Department of Education:
“The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.”
This award is a symbol of the excellence that Jesuit has displayed in every aspect of developing young students into Men For Others.
