The legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet is alive in our Parish.  When they left in 1989, they left behind a wonderful school imbued with their charism of loving the "dear neighbor".  Having built the school--from the ground up--in 1948 and having guided it through its tremendous growth in the 60's and the 70's, I can imagine that it was not an easy decision for them to leave, necessitated by their dwindling numbers, as many religious communities faced in the 1980's.

But their legacy is strong.

This week I was thinking of this legacy as the school goes through our accreditation process with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).  Stapled on the bulletin board outside the Principal's office are pictures of a sampling of graduates from OLV.  The images of the Sisters in some of these pictures made me think of their pioneering work at OLV not the least of which is the establishment of Our Lady of the Valley School.

This year's WASC visitation (the last visit was in 2002), makes me appreciate the quality instruction that happens here.  But there is more that happens besides the high quality of instruction at OLV.  

All throughout the week I've been trying to find a description of that "something" that makes OLV unique from other parochial schools. There is "warmth" here that makes for a caring place.  There is a sense here that every child matters because the teacher truly cares.  It is not a pretension of caring but a genuine interest for what is best for the child so that "happy learning" can flourish. There is an openness, as in a conversation between two people where they can learn about each other and wish the best for each other.  This happens not only among teacher and student.  It is also true among the parents and the parents with the teachers, and the parents with their children.  It is a community, a close neighborhood, where everyone looks out for each other.

Ah, there it is.  That legacy from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet.  A sense of caring for the "dear neighbor" as they are fond to say.  But it even goes beyond the charism of the Sisters.  It goes to the very command of Jesus:  Love God and love your neighbor.  That's the spirit of OLV.