Faculty and Staff,
As we move toward midterm exams, I want to share a reflection that connects who we are as a Cristo Rey Jesuit community with what we are experiencing.
Many of you may have followed the conversations surrounding Baltimore Ravens right guard Daniel Faalele. He has faced criticism from fans, former players, and the media because of his challenges with pass blocking. What often gets overlooked is the simple truth that he is a person learning and growing in real time, with every mistake on full display. His story is a reminder that improvement is never as easy as it looks from the outside.
This connects to one of our important values. Being a good teammate. Here at Cristo Rey Jesuit, this means we support one another. We communicate with kindness. We take responsibility for our part in the work. We offer encouragement, and we help create a place where people feel they belong. When someone struggles, whether a student or a colleague, our call is not to stand back and judge. Our call is to draw closer and help them regain confidence. The Ignatian term is cura personalis, which means caring for the whole person. We see beyond the moment respecting the dignity and effort behind every action, even when the outcome is not perfect.
This same spirit is present in Matthew 18:12-14. Jesus describes the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one who has wandered off. The shepherd does not scold the lost sheep. He searches for it, lifts it up, and brings it back with joy. The message is clear. No one is forgotten. No one is left to handle their struggles by themselves. We carry one another.
As we begin midterm exams, I encourage us to embrace this mindset. Offer encouragement. Extend grace. Listen with care. Be the teammate someone else needs. And let us model the same compassion and patience that we want our students to offer one another.
I want to close with the words of Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, a distinguished president who led Prairie View A&M University. She reminds us of what it means to thrive together.
“We must lift as we climb for our success is bound up with the success of those around us.”
Thank you for your service our students and for the mission you live out each day. I am grateful to walk this journey with you.
With appreciation,
Walter D. Reap, Sr., President
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School – Baltimore
