2023年11月:制作圣诞礼物清单

Remembering my elementary school days, the time between Thanksgiving 和 Christmas seemed so long. I could not wait to see Christmas decorations in our home 和 page through catalogs (yes, they were thick books in print in those days) from J.C. 佩妮和西尔斯 & Roebuck to complete my Christmas wish list from Santa Claus.

年后, the gift list search moved to online shopping 和 the gifts were not for myself, 但对家人和朋友来说. 突然, the time between Thanksgiving 和 Christmas did not seem all that long, as the days were filled with decorating the house, 制作圣诞饼干, attending Christmas gatherings for work 和 for family, 和, 当然, 按时完成日常工作. 然而, in spite of this busy 和 sometimes tiring schedule, there was always a spirit of joy 和 hope in the air. This same spirit today helps us to recount the many blessings we have been given, 尽管战争肆虐, 我们社区的暴力仍在继续, 和 ideologies 和 beliefs in our country 和 around the world seem to be more polarized than ever. 

We are fortunate as an Archmere community to be grateful for the benefactions of so many people who continue to support the important work we do to cultivate the “body, 心, 心, 是我们学生的灵魂. 许多校友, 学生和毕业生的家长, 爷爷奶奶, 教职员工, 和 friends include Archmere on their “Christmas gift lists” by making an end of year gift to the Archmere Fund. These gifts make all the difference in being able to provide the programs, 服务, 以及我们的学生需要和享受的支持. 

We are especially grateful to have announced this month our latest fundraising effort: “Let’s Renovate the House: A Campaign for the Performing 艺术.” We are raising funds to renovate the 40-year-old 演艺中心. With a major $3 million gift from Rocco 和 Mary Abessinio - $1 million for need-based scholarships 和 $2 million directed toward the renovated Rocco A. 和玛丽·阿贝西尼奥表演艺术中心, we have also raised an additional $3 million - $1 million to renovate the Ambrogi Fitness Center, install a new boiler for the heating system in the Patio, 和 begin the restoration of the Patio stained-glass ceiling - 和 $2 million directed toward the 演艺中心 project. 

The Abessinios have made $1 million of the $2 million a 1:1 challenge gift, hoping to encourage others to join in the fundraising effort.

While we are hopeful that we will reach our fundraising goal, 我们就能越快做到这一点, the more confident we can be about the renovation timetable, with renovation work scheduled after graduation in June, 2024. The project is expected to be completed in six or seven months. 

We are also grateful for the gift of our Norbertine history 和 traditions as an “abbey school.“我们从1932年成立到2001年, there was a Norbertine community living at Archmere in the Patio - Immaculate Conception Priory. 在早期, 天井是牧师们的隐修院, 寄宿生宿舍, 和 the classroom building for the student body. 学校课程的发展, 课外活动, 和 Catholic religious traditions were formed by Norbertine priests originally from Saint Norbert Abbey in DePere, 威斯康辛州, 在后来的几年里, 保利代尔斯福德修道院的牧师, 宾西法尼亚. You might say that “Norbertine” is in our school’s DNA, though we now don't have any Norbertine priests teaching. We are fortunate to have Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. 在阿克米尔当校长 名誉, Chaplain, 和 Director of 使命及遗产.

Over the years we have been finding ways to sustain the gift of our Norbertine legacy, including developing coursework in Norbertine history 和 spirituality taught in the 9th grade theology curriculum 和 as an elective course for 11th 和 12th grade students. We have sustained our connection with Daylesford Abbey through a formal Sponsorship Agreement. Three student “Kairos” retreats 和 the annual 教职员工 retreat are held at the Abbey each year. 整个学年, Norbertine priests from the Abbey celebrate Mass for the school community on holy days 和 special occasions. 

自2012年以来, Archmere administrators 和 faculty have made connections with Norbertine communities internationally. Many of the connections were made through the biennial 诺伯丁遗产朝圣之旅s. These excursions have been planned for early June each year 和 last approximately two weeks, 参观欧洲的诺伯丁修道院. 2024年6月, the 诺伯丁遗产朝圣之旅 will take place from June 7 to June 22, 代表团将访问柏林, 布达佩斯, 布拉格, 维也纳, 慕尼黑, 和诺伯丁修道院的其他地点. There are a limited number of seats still available, with a maximum group capacity of 20 travelers. If you are interested in learning more about the trip, please contact via email Fr. John Zagarella, O.Praem.他是这次旅行的精神导师: frjzagarella@sunweiliang.net.

As another calendar year comes to a close shortly, I am grateful for the many gifts the Archmere community has received, 反过来, the many blessings that have come from the work that we do. May this season of Advent be a time to take stock of our lives 和 consider the many gifts we have been given, so as to prepare to celebrate the greatest gift at Christmas - our Lord 和 Savior, 耶稣基督. 

愿你有一个幸福祥和的新年。

迈克尔一个. 马里内利Ed.D. ‘76

校长