Words of Welcome to the SKOS Staff - by Dr. M. Halley, President of the Board
Opening Mass Celebrations (Aug. 19, 2025) – Words of Welcome by Dr. Marlon Halley, President of the Board
Good morning, Reverend Father Yohanes, Members of the School Board and a very special good morning to the teachers and non-teaching staff of our Catholic schools.
It’s so good to see all of you gathered here this morning— refreshed, maybe still holding onto a little of that vacation feeling, but ready to start another school year.
Our theme this year, “We are called to embrace God’s amazing grace,” isn’t just something to put on a banner or in an email signature. It’s something we can actually live and breathe, especially in our work as Catholic school educators.
Grace is God’s gift to us — that extra measure of patience when we’re dealing with a difficult class, that spark of creativity when a lesson needs something new, that quiet reminder that we’re doing work that matters.
GRACE— it’s that deep-down CALM that comes from knowing we’re not doing all this work alone. God is right there!
Come Wednesday (first day of school), we know the reality: your students will walk into your classrooms carrying more than backpacks. Some will also be carrying excitement, some anxiety, uncertainty, or others the weight of things going on at home. YES, they’ll need you to teach them math and reading, but they’ll also need you to notice them, listen to them, and sometimes just remind them that they are loved.
That’s the core of what YOU do. You are not just building knowledge — you are building people. You not only sharpen minds but you also tend to their hearts. And that means some days you will be cheerleaders, some days you’ll be counselors, and some days you’ll just be the steady, safe place a student can count on. And while technology can be a helpful tool for learning, it can never replace the human connection — the caring word, the patient smile, the steady presence — that only a teacher can give.
The truth is, your work isn’t easy. It can get exhausting, I know. You’ll have days when the lesson doesn’t register or the class energy is off. That’s when you need to lean into God’s grace for yourselves — to remember that YOU also need encouragement, patience, and peace. Caring for yourselves isn’t optional – it’s what gives you the strength to truly care for your students.
So, as we start this new school year, let’s keep in our minds and hearts the following:
- Teach with excellence and joy— solid lessons, clear expectations, consistent care.
- Be kind to yourself and your fellow colleague — we’re all in this together. Let’s help one another in achieving our goals…and
- Let God’s grace set the tone — for your classroom, your day, and your interactions.
Because in the end, long after your students forget the exact dates in the history books or the steps of long division and multiplication tables, they’ll remember how they felt and were treated in your classrooms. And if they felt seen, safe, and loved, then you have done something eternal.
I believe in this team and the work you do, the work we do in our Catholic Schools. So, may this school year be one where God’s grace flows easily and our work together brings out the very best in us and in our students.
Let us this morning during Mass and every day, pray that in our classrooms, in our staff rooms, and in our hearts, the grace of God will always reign — shaping not only the school year ahead, but the lives of students and colleagues we touch along the way.
We are called to embrace God’s amazing grace— today, tomorrow, and all through this entire school year.
Thank you,
Dr. Marlon Halley,
President of the Board
