The Thanksgiving message below is from Saint John’s Prep Head of School, Jon McGee.

“Only one response can maintain us: gratefulness for witnessing the wonder, for the gift of our unearned right to serve, to adore, and to fulfill. It is gratefulness which makes the soul great.”
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “I Asked for Wonder”

Dear Saint John’s Prep Families,

Time accelerates between Thanksgiving and Christmas as the semester rapidly winds to its end, as we race to holiday concerts and gatherings, as we search for “just the right gift,” and as we prepare for the joys of Christmas day. A year of activity in just one month.

More than any other time of year, Thanksgiving and the Advent season that will begin on Sunday ask us to reflect on both gift and gratitude. When we think of gifts, we most often think of presents wrapped and given. Objects. But the root of the word gift is give. A verb. Gift and giving derive their power as actions, given and received, most often expressed in the form of friendship, solidarity, solace, empathy, and, most importantly, love.

Giving is not a time, date, or event-bounded activity confined to one time of year, but rather a disposition toward life and community that involves the whole self. Even so, powerful as they are, gift and giving remain incomplete without gratitude. Gratitude and thankfulness complete gift and giving. We are grateful for the opportunity to give love and grateful for the opportunity to receive it. We are grateful for what we are able to give, grateful for what we have been given, and mindful of those for whom love and gift are all too scarce.

We have much to be thankful for at Saint John’s Prep. I am grateful for the gift of our students and the curiosity, joy, and energy they bring to school every day. I am grateful for the gift of our talented faculty and staff who teach and nurture our students in so many ways. And I am grateful for the gift of the parents, family and friends who support our students and our school throughout the year. Family, community, gratitude, and love are the gifts that bind us.

As we begin this season of gift and giving, thanks and thanksgiving, I offer this prayer to our community:

Creator God,
Thank you for the gifts of creation and community, friendship and fellowship
As we prepare for Thanksgiving and begin the Advent season, we pray
For faith in a world where too many walk in fear; may all find hope
For food in world where too many walk in hunger; may all be fed
For family in a world where too many walk alone; may all be loved
For light in world that knows too much darkness; may all find peace
Amen

Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving and Advent!
Jon McGee
Head of School

The post The Gifts That Bind Us: Family, Community, and Love appeared first on Saint John's Prep.

Saint John’s Prep students, faculty and staff are sharing the spirit of Thanksgiving by donating food and money to the . The Thanksgiving food drive benefitting the Food Shelf was a huge success thanks to the efforts and generosity of our families. Together students from grades 6 through 12 collected $ 3,780.58 in cash/check donations and 951 food items!

Saint John’s Prep has hosted this food drive for the Food Shelf for more than 20 years.

The food bank is now distributing the food to families in the St. Joseph area. Prep students brought in non-perishable food items including canned vegetables, boxes of stuffing, cans of broth and cream of mushroom soup, bottles of fruit juice, and other holiday staples. The money will be used to purchase turkeys, pies, buns and other perishable items. More than 30 families with a hearty and healthy Thanksgiving meal thanks to our efforts!

We are especially grateful for the work of the National Honor Society, Ms. Frame and NHS President, Isaac Miller ’26 for coordinating this successful food drive. 

Miller Advising Wins Crumbl Cookie Party

Mr. Miller and his advising group will enjoy a Crumbl Cookie party to celebrate their success. Together they collected $1,002 for the food shelf. Way to go! 

The post Food Drive Raises more than $3,700 appeared first on Saint John's Prep.

So, be slow if you must, but let
the heart still play its true part.
Love still as once you loved, deeply
and without patience. Let God and the world
now you are grateful. That the gift has been given.

Mary Oliver, “The Gift”

Dear Saint John’s Prep Community,

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the rush to Christmas that will commence immediately after, we have a brief moment of quiet to reflect on the deeper meaning of the day and the Advent season that will follow.

More than any other time of year, this season draws us to consider both gift and gratitude – each inextricably intertwined with the other. When we think of gifts, we often think of objects wrapped and given. Things. But the root of the word gift is give. A verb. Gift and giving derive their power as actions, most often expressed in the form of friendship, solidarity, solace, empathy, and, most importantly, love. Giving is not a time or date or event-bounded activity, but rather a disposition toward life and community that involves the whole self. Still, powerful as they are, gift and giving remain incomplete without gratitude. Gratitude and thankfulness complete gift and giving. We are grateful for the opportunity to give love and grateful for the opportunity to receive it. Mary Oliver’s poem beautifully expresses that relationship and captures the essential truth not only of this glorious season but of all seasons.

On this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the gift of our students and the curiosity, joy, and energy they bring to school each day. I am grateful for the gift of our marvelous faculty and staff who create remarkable educational experiences for our students. And I am grateful for the gift of the parents, family and friends who support our students and the school every day throughout the year. Family, community, gratitude, and love are the gifts that bind us. And for that, we give thanks.

Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving and Advent!

With gratitude,

Jon McGee
Head of School

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ben ’19, Nick ’18, Kate ’23, Andrew ’15, Ann, and Jon McGee

The post Thanksgiving 2023: Gratitude and Gratefulness appeared first on Saint John's Prep.