March 2020: Resilience

The last two weeks, in particular, have generated challenges, innovations and anxieties, with the closure of all non-essential businesses and schools in the tri-state area, and the states' governors' orders to remain at home and to practice "social distancing". All of us probably have felt "stopped in our tracks," unable to make plans, let alone follow through on anticipated work commitments or social gatherings. As a school community, we remain unsettled about how and when important events of the upcoming season can be celebrated. Mr. Jordan addressed the seniors in a video on Thursday, making the promise on our behalf that we will celebrate their important rituals of their Senior Prom, Baccalaureate, Senior Retreat, and Commencement. I join with him in making this commitment for these and other Spring events, including the Junior Prom and Ring Mass. I am also aware of the hours of volunteer time that have gone into postponed parent club events that are a significant financial help to the Academy. I continue to be grateful for the flexibility and patience of the chairs and committee members of these events.

Our family has felt the effects of these necessary measures to stop the spread of the virus with the postponement of our son and future daughter-in-law's wedding that was supposed to take place in April. Fourteen months in the planning with a couple of hundred guests invited, and just about a month before the wedding date, we had to postpone the event. While the absolute right thing to do, it has been an emotional challenge for the couple and our families. However, with each passing day, we learn of people who are dealing with financial concerns, the worry of maintaining the good health of at-risk family members and friends, and the loss of loved ones who have died from the virus. It puts into context what we have been asked to manage.

In thinking about this, I assembled a reflection video that you may like to watch when you have a few minutes to meditate and relax: Reflections on the Norbertine Legacy. Since we have been making connections between Archmere and Norbertine communities, particularly in Europe and India over the last few years, with each visit and conversation, I have been struck by stories of faith, hope, fortitude, courage, and commitment to ministry of Norbertine men and women who sustained abbeys founded hundreds of years ago. This video uses images from Norbertine Abbeys and places relevant to the history of the Norbertine community in Belgium and France - a region that experienced the hardships of political oppression, wars, plagues, and epidemics. Abbey properties have been taken by governments or destroyed by wars. Norbertine priests, sisters, and brothers living in communities were disbanded, lived in secrecy for fear of persecution, and returned in small numbers to rebuild communities with little resources. Each time, with God's grace, the communities flourished and are still ministering to people in these regions today. May the stories of the Norbertines in Europe help us to reflect on how we might be as resilient as these men and women who were committed to God, to one another, and to the communities they served.