Today I was approached by two girls in the commons who were running late for class after break. They asked me if I'd be willing to give them a hall pass to get into their next class without being penalized for being late. Sometimes kids that I know try to get me to give them passes like this without good reason, so I questioned why they were late. They told me that they had been in the Chapel praying for the dead. I asked them why it took so long, and they told me that they had been working on a list. They were pretty excited and shared with me that once they got started, they kept thinking of additional people that had passed away and so they continued to pray for each of them and their families.
It was just one of those moments of great blessing for me as a Deacon serving here at Catholic. Our kids can get in real trouble sometimes, but they can also provide us with much grace. Mr. Sompayrac shared with us all a letter from a parent of one of the four girls that was killed in the car accident in Scott County recently. I copied it below for you all to see, and be reminded that Christ Jesus is at the center of not just what we do here at KCHS, but WHO WE ARE as baptized Christians.
"Dear KCHS friends:
As a parent of a cheerleader at Scott High, I was reluctant to attend Scott's football game at Knoxville Catholic. My son and wife were emotionally drained by a week that included more than a dozen hours in funeral homes and four emotional funerals. We went only to support players and coaches, knowing there would be little cheer about on this night.
I had heard that a special ceremony was planned, and that some Knox Catholic students would be wearing red. I didn't think any of that would have much affect on me.
The sight of all those Knox Catholic people wearing red, however, was surprisingly comforting. It removed that invisible wall that is usually so apparent on the campus of an opponent.
The pre-game ceremony was a moving experience. The man who offered a well-crafted pre-game prayer did a marvelous job. More importantly, his concern seemed to come from the heart. His prayer, amid the other gestures, gave us a strong reminder that we (most of us, like myself, longtime Baptists) were among caring Christian brethren.
Being in a stadium where the name Jesus Christ was being proclaimed over the PA system was quite a comfort. I happened to sit behind a group of our cheerleaders, and I know they were very surprised by the kindness shown them. A group of girls who were part of a dance routine at halftime came over to offer a hug (and cookies), and I could tell by the looks on our kids' faces that they considered the gesture very meaningful.
I was stunned by the announcement that more than $7,000 was raised. For your families to donate so much surely required sacrifices. Tears welled up yet again, in part because I knew that those families badly needed the financial help and the emotional lift that comes with it.
The entire experience made me glad that I was on the campus of school were the name Jesus Christ could be exhaulted and where his spirit could shine without legal concerns. By the time we left the stadium, I was indeed glad we made the trip.
I had one large regret. As we observed the expressions of unusual hospitality, we were appreciative but subdued. Many in our section made positive comments about your efforts, but I feel that few of those comments reached your fans.
Please tell the KCHS family that we were humbled by their many acts of kindness last Friday. We were just too heartbroken to express it at the time.
-Abe Hardesty, Huntsville, Tenn."
May God bless all of our beloved dead this month, and may Jesus help each of us honor their memories by living for others before ourselves... -dpat
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