Sebs Community Grows Through Annual Unity

The WALRUS The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. - Lewis Carroll Vol LXIX, No. 2 St. Sebastian’s School November 2015 Father John’s Terrific 25 Years at Sebs By Henry Kapples ‘18 the St. Sebastian’s community by ers laugh. The sometimes corny and leading Chapel for grades 8 – 12. As always funny stories always lighten Every Monday morning in in corporate Chapel, he begins chapel the day for the people who hear the Church at 7:45, we are greeted by by talking to the students and sharing them. His wisdom and knowledge the soothing and wise voice of Father his comments for the day, whether it of so many things allows him to give Arens. Each morning he instructs is about the importance of respecting advice and words of encouragements us and helps us by giving us advice the Chapel or explaining how small to everyone he meets. through his sermons and messages gestures can make a significant dif- When asked to reflect brief- to the community. He always seems ference in others’ lives. Every time, ly on his 25 years of service, Father to find something important to share whatever the subject, he inspires all Arens, as usual, credited many things with all the students and faculty and of us to realize the importance of besides himself for his longevity at he conveys his ideas eloquently. his words and to take them to heart. the school. “It’s all about grace,” he For 25 years, Father Arens He gives us so much wisdom and began. “We’re so lucky to be able to Juniors and seniors listen to one of the Unity speakers, Mat- has been with us and we are truly he wants us to learn from him and do what we do, thanks to God. And blessed to have such an extraordinary thew, talk about gender-based violence and sexual assault help us mold ourselves into are best it’s about gratitude as well, gratitude chaplain at our school. He devotes forms. for one another and for all of our so much of his time to St. Sebastian’s In addition to his vast shared blessings together. And since Sebs Community Grows and he genuinely cares about all the knowledge of the world and of the none of us can do it alone, the team- people at this school. When anyone human heart, one of the most impor- work – all of us working together is sad or upset, he or she can always tant things about him is his love for every day – that becomes crucial.” Through Annual Unity Day be uplifted by Father Arens’ many God and others. We are all inspired Father Arens then added one final helpful sayings. Wherever Father named Matt, who challenged common by his unwavering love to the Lord thing that has sustained him and Arens is, he always has a smile on his misconceptions about those in need. and we all should try to praise and buoyed him throughout his time at St. By Sam Cullen ‘17 and face and therefore makes others hap- And in an inspirational speech, Matt thank God as much as Father Arens Sebastian’s: “Prayer.” pier just by being near him. Count- Stevie Carol ‘17 discussed art as a method to overcome does. He possesses love as well for In that spirit, let us all pray less numbers of students and teachers At St. Sebastian’s, students life’s challenges such as his near- students and fellow teachers that for Father Arens as he begins his 26th have been graced by his presence and faculty have the privilege of a decade out on the streets. are seen through both his words and year of service. It’s very clear that for over two decades, longer than safe, welcoming community in which At the same time, the older actions. And again, the fact that he his love for students, teachers, and any student here has been alive. His to learn and develop as human beings. students in grades eleven and twelve has done this for 25 years is truly the community of St. Sebastian’s for impact on the people of this school This school environment would not be were given information on the issue of astonishing. a quarter century is unprecedented. is immeasurable, and all of us are for- possible, however, without apprecia- gender-based violence and sexual as- Father Arens contains so He really does care and love our ever thankful for Father Arens. tion for the diversity of the students sault on college campuses and beyond. many great qualities that define who school, and I for one cannot imag- Besides being a priest, he and the social awareness of the student Juniors and seniors were briefed on he is, including his humor, wisdom, ine what this school would look is also a religion teacher, a brilliant body. And for this reason, each year such topics as the components of and love. All of the Ole and Lars like without our friend and chaplain painter, and one of the coaches for the school comes together to celebrate a healthy relationship, affirmative jokes at Church are good-natured and Father John. the sailing team along with Ms. diversity, community and the collec- consent, leadership barriers, and most witty, making the students and teach- Rynne. Father Arens also impacts tive conscience of Saint Sebastian’s relevant, bystander intervention. With during the aptly-named Unity Day. co-ed universities and workplaces in Unique to the school, Unity Day is each student’s near-future, discussing held each autumn on a Friday, during these women’s issues better prepared which students and faculty listen to them for their lives beyond St. Sebas- a guest speaker and then engage in tian’s, with these topics being men’s group discussions on issues affecting issues as well. Just as our school’s the school and society at large. This mission statement calls us to “serve year, with a pleasant change to the our neighbor,” St. Sebastian’s men are day’s program, students were given expected to protect women’s rights the opportunity to explore not one, but and this Unity Day better-equipped two critical issues facing society to- our student body to fulfill that moral day: homelessness and gender issues. obligation. On the first topic, Ms. Mi- Following these respective chelle Smith, Executive Director of lectures, all students were divided into Health Care Without Walls and former intimate discussion groups in rooms school faculty member, presented the throughout the school, to reflect on the entire school body with a presentation topics, missions and values discussed Fr. John Arens (left) and Mr. Jim Sullivan (right) are celebrating 25 years of service to on her work in providing healthcare this Unity Day. Each group was led St. Sebastian’s. Make sure that you congratulate them next time you see them. to the homeless women of Greater by student facilitators, a pair of one Boston. Ms. Smith explained to the junior and one senior, who asked their community the urgent need for health- classmates relevant, hard-hitting ques- Honoring Mr. Jim Sullivan’s 25th Year Here care, education, and general advocacy tions about both homeless and gender for the marginally-housed women of issues. As evidenced by the depth of bastian’s by reading an advertisement He described the spiritual Massachusetts. She explained the the classroom discussions, students By Joe Maalouf ‘19 in the Sunday paper. He applied for life at St Sebastian’s as “Phenom- organization’s missions within home- delved further into the subjects and the job and was hired as the head of enal and beyond my description. An less shelters in Boston and Waltham. were exposed to another important Mr. James Sullivan, a the math department, which meant absolute blessing from God.” And then, Ms. Smith explained the facet of overall social awareness. twenty-five year member of the St. that he was supremely qualified and “Mr. Sullivan,” I inquired, founding of the organization by Dr. The day would not be Sebastian’s community, has much to had something serious to offer the “Do people ever ask you why you Roseanna Means, MD. As an internal complete, however, without an alumni say about his time as a teacher at our school. He “never looked back” at are still teaching although you can medicine physician at Mass General, school. He has been furthering his his previous years of teaching, dem- retire?” panel to discuss the preparation our teaching career for the past fifty-one onstrating how much Mr. Sullivan He responded, “I walk Dr. Means was moved by the lack of school provides for each student’s years and is proud to have been able likes the St. Sebastian’s community. into class each day, and open with a care for homeless Bostonians, quite future. Composed of our own Mr. to have spent the last 25 of these as The first words Mr. Sullivan prayer, or a student does. There is literally living right outside the steps Foley, a current religion teacher, and a member of our welcoming brother- said when I asked him how he liked a moment in time when anyone can of the nation’s foremost hospital. Dr. Mr. Terrell Diggs, the newest face to hood. St. Sebastian’s were, “fantastic” and, offer petitions. I teach class and stu- Means then began providing medical our school’s admission department, I did not know Mr. Sul- “It’s like I died and went to heaven.” dents do their homework.

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