Head's Weekly Message — Jan. 11, 2019

Dear Mayfield Senior School Parents,

I hope you had the most wonderful Christmas and the happiest of New Years! Our house was filled with people and love with our oldest son, Aubrey, and his new wife, Haley, our middle son, Nick, and his wife, Chantée, and most importantly our baby Madeline visiting. One of the most beautiful moments was introducing my almost 90-year-old mother to her first great-grandchild—such a special Christmas blessing!

After everyone left, Skip and I enjoyed a lovely and quiet week of staycation. I hope in all the busyness of the season you too had a little down time to begin the New Year. I know it did me a whole lot of good to reflect on all the joys and challenges of 2018 and to make some important goals for 2019. One of those goals is take at least a little time each day to meditate on gratitude—I certainly have a great deal to be thankful for.

I’m particularly grateful to be part of a community that focuses on nurturing and empowering young women leaders at this time in our nation’s history. I was struck by this last week as members of the 116th Congress took their seats. This is the most diverse group in our history—25% of senators and close to 30% of representatives are women. For our girls, seeing themselves in the faces of our country's legislators sends a powerful message. It is a privilege to play a part in helping our incredible students develop their leadership skills so that one day in the not-too-distant future our nation will benefit from their wise and faith-filled service.

Last Sunday’s Epiphany celebration also contributed to my sense of gratitude for Cornelia Connelly and the members of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. At a lovely liturgy in Mayfield’s Connelly Chapel, our three local Holy Child sisters renewed their sacred vows. Nearly 200 years ago Cornelia chose the Epiphany as “our great feast” for this renewal ceremony, which has great meaning in its connection to the fundamental mission of all Holy Child ministries—especially in our schools. This mission calls us to nurture the belief that God lives in and acts through all of us. Our shared spark of divinity unites us—our diversity strengthens and enriches us.

On Wednesday we experienced this celebration of diversity through music as we welcomed the a cappella group Shades of Yale to Mayfield—including beloved alum, Camille Arboles ‘16. Our community was absolutely enthralled and inspired by the beauty and spirit of their performance. Such a fabulous way to begin 2019—I know this is going to be an awesome year!

With Love and Gratitude,

Kate Morin
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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.