Our first assembly of the year began with a warm welcome to our new students, faculty, and staff, followed by the Mercy Pledge, the Pledge of Allegiance, and our Mater Christi song led by Mrs. Safer.

Then we held up a yoke. Students quickly worked out what it is for: helping animals do hard work, and letting two of them share a load so it is lighter for each. To put the idea to the test, we fastened the yoke by rope to a stack of chairs with stubborn wheels. One person pulling alone could not move it. With Mr. Loescher pulling alongside, the chairs came easily.

That moment opened the way to Jesus’ comforting words in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This year will ask hard things of us. We are capable of hard things because we are never alone. We have the caring support of family, friends, teachers, coaches, the Sisters of Mercy, the Church, and the whole MCS community. Most of all, we have Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, who walks beside us every step of the way and invites us to lean on him, to learn from him, and to rest in him.

We closed by unveiling a new painting created in collaboration with Mrs. Baker a piece of art that reflects our Core Value focus this year, Principled Leadership. Along its outer edges is Matthew 20:26: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.” As we grow as leaders, we look to Jesus, our model and master teacher, and strive to follow his example of leading by serving those in need.