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Our Prayer to Begin the 2024-2025 School Year
From the Academy of the Sacred Heart, New Orleans (The Rosary)
Loving God, we come to you at this new beginning of the school year.
We have been many places during the summer
and our journey has brought us back to this place and to this time together.
We know that this is not by accident, but by your intimate design for each of us.
As we turn towards you at the beginning of this year as a school community,
we begin by saying thank you—
thank you for this call to service in this (Sacred Heart) community.
Thank you for where we are on our journey
and for the journey ahead.
Thank you for where we are on the path of our life.
Be with us as we begin the year.
Steady our hearts and our minds to be open
to what is being constantly revealed through your loving presence.
Give us joy-filled hearts--
a warm and friendly attitude that is open to the movement of your spirit and to others.
Help us to be open and ready to respond to what is needed
by our students, our parents, our alums, our adult community,
and the wider communities of the city and Sacred Heart family.
In you, we place our trust.
Amen.
On behalf of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees, I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to each of you as we gather here today to officially begin Forest Ridge’s 117th academic year with our convocation ceremony.
As we stand on the threshold of a new academic year, we are filled with anticipation and excitement for the journey ahead. This is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. A time to try new things, to make new friends, and to forge ahead with open minds and open hearts.
At Forest Ridge, we are not just a collection of individuals; we are a tight-knit community connected by shared values, aspirations, and a collective commitment to creating an environment that fosters joyful and active faith, intellectual curiosity, a heart for justice, meaningful relationships, and personal growth.
Here, at Forest Ridge, we believe that education is more than what happens within the confines of a classroom. It is about the connections we build, the relationships we nurture, and the impact we make on each other's lives. Forest Ridge has always thrived as a community that extends beyond the walls of our school, touching the lives of our students, faculty, staff, parents.
So it is no wonder that Convocation, meaning to call together, officially marks the beginning of our new academic year by bringing our entire community together to acknowledge the gifts and contributions that each individual brings to Forest Ridge.
Together, we support one another in times of triumph and challenge, stand by each other's side as we strive for excellence in all that we do, we recognize the value of diverse perspectives and learn from the unique stories that each of us brings to this community.
As we immerse ourselves in another year of learning, let us remember that we are not just nurturing individual growth, but also building bridges that lead to shared success. Through our collaborative efforts, we can create an environment where every individual is seen, heard, and valued.
As we open the doors to another year of learning, exploration, and growth, let us do so with open hearts and a genuine commitment to fostering a community that embodies the values of Forest Ridge. Let us honor the traditions that have shaped us and embrace the new possibilities that lie ahead.
To the new members of our community- faculty, staff, parents, and most importantly, students, it is my sincere hope that you find a home in Forest Ridge. We are grateful that you have decided to join our community and I look forward to getting to know each of you better.
To our graduating seniors, you are now officially our student leaders. Embrace your senior year with enthusiasm and curious hearts. This is your time to shine, to lead by example, to keep learning, and to leave a lasting mark on Forest Ridge. As you step into this leadership, may you do so with confidence, knowing that the future holds endless possibilities for you to explore. I wish you an incredible senior year filled with joy, growth, and unforgettable moments.