Some Lenten thoughts: Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return the words used for the imposition of the ashes at the Ash Wednesday liturgy are rather somber. And last week the world outside my window was too. The fog made even the hoar-frosted trees and landscape look ashen. Both invited introspection. Curiously, contemplating ones own fragility and the inevitability of dying, does not necessarily end in despair, but rather can lead to a clarity of purpose for ones life and a re-commitment to what is true and lasting. The alternative set of words for imposition of ashes, Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel, points in the direction of hope in this life despite its vicissitudes and elicits an anticipation of what is beyond imagination the fullness of life promised by Jesus for those who struggle to adhere to the path of love.
The semester continues, but last week without students. I hope they enjoyed the week respite from classes. I hope too they caught up on some of their work (like getting a head start on the rest of the reading for my English 110 course). But while students and faculty had some down time, meetings and activities of administration continued on with no let up both at Campion and at the University. My heart went out to everyone at the First Nations University these past weeks especially. I pray that First Nations peoples, the Governments, and the University of Regina will be able to forge an agreement to assure that the mission of First Nations University will be upheld and that the institution will be an even stronger partner on the Regina Campus. I remember that in First Nationss early days on the campus the fifth floor of Campion College was one of its sites for offices. Father Hannin, S.J., the then superior of the Saskatchewan Jesuits, even made sure that the Jesuit Fathers provided some First Nations student bursaries.
In the Deans office? Besides the regular daily duties, I am excited to work with the Catholic School Board , the University of Regina, and Campion faculty and staff to explore putting into place Accelerated Courses in the Catholic High Schools in Regina. The program is envisioned as enabling high school students to take a university credit course while completing their high school requirements. The benefit for the students is to make transition to university easier and to give them a head start in their university academic program.