Move On

Have you noticed by now that we're a musical theater family?!? Just this week, we saw Sunday in the Park with George at Pasadena Playhouse and, of course, last night's preview dinner of the Saint Monica Preparatory production of Into the Woods (Go NOW!).

Forgive the superlative, but the most profound lyric to me, in the canon thus far, is by Sondheim: George Seurat—who died at 31—sings, my choice may have been mistaken, the choosing is not.

Again: my choice may have been mistaken; the choosing is not.

Today, that was reinforced by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, providing a retreat to our entire campus faculty, staff, and administration to discuss our wounds. We all have them. We all tend to them. We all think we're the only ones. Don't miss out on the Parish Mission Retreat: stmonica.net/cross. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the blessing and privilege it is to be part of this parish and school community.

My words last week were both prescient and premature: our community has yet to keep up—the talent is there, but our performance space does not attract the student body or programming we once cherished.

We are entering the closing phase of our Called to Renew campaign, which has already successfully achieved a mandatory retrofit for the rectory. We will break ground on a new hospitality suite (former bookstore) and restroom renovation in the Duval Center next year. With your advocacy and support, we hope the crown jewel of this project will be the new civic arts space in the auditorium: a place where not only can our Performing Arts thrive, but the parish community can welcome voices of justice and peace, faith and innovation, prayer and wisdom. Join in our campaign prayer for the next few weekends, and when the time comes, ensure you help St. Monica Catholic Community move on for the next generations.