Head's Weekly Message — Dec. 7, 2018
Dear Mayfield Senior School Parents,
First I want to thank all the many parents who helped make our Open House last Sunday so successful. With lovely weather, enormous enthusiasm, and lots of hard work—it was a perfect day. We welcomed more than 600 visitors to our beautiful campus, and it was clear from the feedback that our guests not only learned a great deal about our outstanding programs, but hey were also able to feel Mayfield’s irresistible spirit of love and joy.
Open House always marks the start of Mayfield’s Christmas celebrations and the beginning of a great deal of excitement and fun in the coming weeks. I enjoyed spending time with our seniors and their moms and so many others at Wednesday’s beautiful Christmas luncheon. Heartfelt thanks in particular to Patti Bannan Pascale ’86, whose creativity and dedication made this cherished tradition so wonderful!
Christmas at Mayfield is also a time when our performing arts programs take center stage. I look forward to seeing many of you at our “Imagine” dance performances this weekend, Carol Night next Thursday, Dec. 13, and “All Hearts Come Home for Christmas,” a concert featuring our vocal and instrumental conservatories on Sunday, Dec. 16.
With all the decorations, music, and fun it is not surprising that when I ask our students about their favorite time of year at Mayfield, almost everyone answers Christmas. That would be my answer too, and it is perfectly appropriate. Even in all the busyness of the season, as a Holy Child community we are asked to give special thought and reflection on the coming of Our Lord in the form of a tiny, fragile baby. Born into poverty and uncertainty in a humble stable far from home after a long, dangerous, and exhausting journey—how are we to understand the meaning of the nativity story? What is being asked of us?
I think that during this holy Advent season, that is the question. And our challenge is to find the time and space to look for the answer. Here is a beautiful little poem by Ann Weems that is helping me in my own prayer and meditation:
In Search of Our Kneeling PlacesBy Ann WeemsIn each heart lies a Bethlehem,
an inn where we must ultimately answer
whether there is room or not.
When we are Bethlehem-bound
we experience our own advent in his.
When we are Bethlehem bound
we can no longer look the other way
conveniently not seeing stars
not hearing voices.
We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily
tending our sheep or our kingdoms.
This Advent let’s go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.
In the midst of shopping sprees
let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.
Through the tinsel
let’s look for the gold of the Christmas Star.
In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos,
let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings.
This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem
and find our kneeling places.
With Love and Gratitude,
Kate Morin
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
