Chaplain's Message

Dear Parents, Families and Friends,

I share this story from a book I value by Christopher Gleesong SJ, a Principal of renown in the Catholic system. 

His book Canopy of Stars includes this anecdote and thoughts taken from Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, where he reflects on "lighthouse values and principles".

Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on manoeuvres in heavy weather for several days. I served on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities. Shortly after dark, the lookout on the bridge wing reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow." 

"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.

The lookout replied, "Steady, captain," a signal that meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: We are on a collision course. Advise you change course 20 degrees." 

Back came a signal, "Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees." 

The captain said, "Send: I'm a captain. Change course 20 degrees."  

"I'm a seaman second class," came the reply. "You had better change course 20 degrees."

By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send: I'm a battleship. Change course 20 degrees." 

Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse" - we changed course.

There are times in life when we need to stay firm and follow our chosen path. But there are times, too, when we need to stop and reevaluate - indeed, to change course! We need to ask ourselves who it is we choose to follow. I was reminded of Joshua's verse: "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."

It is a powerful question – and an important one as the answer guides our direction in life, our values and, of course, our behaviour. 

May this year bring you great joy and revelation as you choose wisely whom you will follow. 

God bless! 

~ Pastor Sarah Pollitt

College Chaplain