Dear Friends
Greetings from the high desert where we are bathed in beautiful spring sunshine and blue skies! We are rapidly approaching the end of another school year, and I notice that our graduating class is ripe with anticipation as they prepare to transition to the next level of their education and future careers.
As I have noted in previous years there are limited options available to our young people as far as local High schools are concerned. So there is a strong competion for placement. I am pleased to say that several of soon to be graduates have been accepted into prestigious schools some quite far from home, such as the famous Santa Fe Indian school. I feel this is a tribute to both our students and our school.
This is also a time of year, when alumni return home from schools and colleges, and I have the opportunity of a few words with many and stand in awe as they report their progress. I also see pride on the faces of our faculty as they get to chat with former students. These encounters testify that our faculty see their work as more than simply a profession and much more a vocation of service to their pupils.
The down side, for me, at this time is the thought of our students departing from our care and influence. I have known several of our graduating class since before they even entered kindergarten. While I am delighted to see them move forward with their young lives, I will truly miss seeing them every day on campus. But, for the moment, I can enjoy having them around.
The eighth grader ‘pilgrimage’ to Notre Dame University was a great success. Hats off to Mr. Bobelu, parents and chaperones as well as the University for their Outstanding Efforts to make it all happen. My personal involvement was to drive some of the students to Albuquerque for their flight. We departed at 3.30am and made their early morning flight with moments to spare. I noticed that the students were directed, considerate and determined as they gathered belongings and headed through airport security and on to their flights. They demonstrated both clear thought and courtesy as they made their way through the hustle of a busy airport.
On their return, they had their stories to tell and did so with gusto. The opportunity to try ‘ice skating’ was often the subject of conversation. However, there was also thoughtful reflection on future opportunities for career advancement. I hope and pray that thoughts will come to fruition.
While 8th grade dominate our thoughts at this time, the other students may never be forgotten. I love to listen to their tales and exploits during Easter break, yet almost all were actually happy to be back to school. As one young lady said to me, “too much free time gets boring!”
During April, we were joined by a group of students from ‘Mater Dei’ High school in California. Their school has been very helpful to us for several years. This was a delightful group of both students and chaperones. Nothing seemed to be too difficult for them to tackle. They worked on our rain-collecting project installing yet another giant tank next to the cafeteria roof; they poured a concrete foundation at our storage units; repaired pathways; painted the gym basement floor and set up the facilities for our youth group. They even took time each day to join us for Mass and have prayer time in the evening.
Their last night with us, they built a campfire, sat around it with their evening meal and sang songs. I found that quite a moving tableau. A group of young people, having worked hard to help others, simply enjoying the serenity of creation in wholesome fellowship with each other.
Mrs. Torres our new principal continues to settle in and find her place among our little family. She finally moved from her home in Albuquerque (a little bit each weekend). I noticed that she carefully studies various aspects both of our school and our local culture. It is good to have ‘fresh eyes’ look at our daily routines and make suggestions for other ways. My relief continues to have a professional at the helm of the school.
Our little world continued to turn and before we knew, May came around. Again, it is a moment to think of eighth graders as they led the school in our short service of “May Crowning”. This is their task from beginning to end. In their Zuni traditional dress, they lead the school in praying the rosary, one member speaking to the ‘congregation’ and all singing a few hymns. The culmination being crowing Our Lady’s statue with a wreath of flowers. I find it meaningful in that their Zuni Christian Identity was displayed and celebrated. Many parents joined the school for the short service and pride is was obvious in their faces.
Now, we are moving towards those last days of the school year. Our graduation ceremony will take place on 21st of May. (We moved it forward one day because parents have students in several other schools with graduating ceremonies on the same day, as ours was scheduled. The parents too should be able to enjoy the achievements of their children.)
This weekend, as I write we had a very beautiful Confirmation and First Communion celebration for 11 of our young children. Our ‘kids’ many of whom I play around with games of ‘High Five’ (they are relentless at playing) behaved as the angels they truly are. The paid attention, dressed immaculately, and moved with solemn dignity. I am humbled by the honor of conferring the wonder of the sacraments on these beautiful people.
Thank you for making it all so wonderfully possible.
Fr. Patrick McGuire
Download April May 2026 Newsletter
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