A Kennedy Catholic Lancer Publication
COMMUNI-K September 2017
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LEARNING, FAITH, LEADERSHIP
When I was in eighth grade, I encountered my first youth group experience led by Fr. Dick Gallagher. Fr. Gallagher was all of 28 (we thought that was super old) and newly ordained. He was St. Bernadette’s first ever youth minister. He was funny, athletic, enthusiastic, humble, and serious about his faith. He exemplified these attributes, not by what he said theologically, but by how he extended an invitation to grow in holiness. We hiked, delivered meals to the homeless and even had Mass outside. Mass outside was unheard of in the day. However, one particular field trip changed my life. We went together to decorate the halls at Fircrest School for the developmentally disabled. Fr. Gallagher led us up the stairs and into the first of two barracks. With joy, he jumped in and engaged with the young adults as a
Mike Prato - President
“
[Pier Giorgio] represents the modern Catholic. He is one of us!
”
model for us. I, however, took one look around at the sights and sounds and literally ran the other way. Father, seeing this, followed me outside and said to me, “Mike, this is one way for you to see the face of Jesus, even in the forgotten.” This changed me forever. It was because of this invitation that I found a career working in education teaching the most challenging students leading me to build a “heritage to defend” at Kennedy Catholic. The Lancer Family never just gets along – we help those around us in need – no matter what that need may be! Blessed Pier Giorgio has officially been named our Patron at Kennedy Catholic by Archbishop Sartain. A recent Vatican post regarding his canonization to sainthood was tweeted out by a young woman representing Young Catholics for Social Change. “He represents the modern Catholic. He is one of us!” Like Fr. Gallagher, Blessed Pier Giorgio was funny, energetic, athletic, humble, and serious about his faith. His invitation to pursue holiness was unconventional, ordinary, and impactful. He made it cool to be holy. Like Kennedy Catholic, we have a heritage to defend in our desire for the truth, especially in the way we live out our faith.
A prayerful hike to Maple Pass in the North Cascades with my wife Laura and Pier Giorgio!
Look for more opportunities to encounter Blessed Pier Giorgio in the months ahead. In the meantime, let his example of ordinary faith prompt us to never just get along.
Kennedy Catholic High School
140S 140th Street, Burien WA 98168
www.kennedyhs.org