Adults and children alike have been mesmerized by the adventures of Harry Potter, the boy wizard. How long has it been since we’ve seen children counting the days until a new book would be released, waiting in line for a copy, discussing the book at the lunch table? What makes these books so popular that non-readers are asking for the books from the school librarian? It is the magic that surrounds Harry. Despite all the evil that he encounters, good always prevails. THE MAGIC OF FANTASY!

When children talk to me about Harry and ask if he is real, if there is such a thing as magic, I always answer "yes, but it is a different kind of magic, the kind of magic that all of us have in our lives." I remind them that we too, are marked by our Christian faith to live with love and bring joy to others.

It is the beginning of a new school year, where we, principals and teachers, conjure up a sense of wonder, a sense of something new and magical in the air. It is that time of the year again when we prepare ourselves to greet a new group of eager, excited children filled with hopes, dreams, new friends, new teachers and new challenges. How exciting this time of year is for enthusiastic learners and recharged teachers. For me it has always been a time of pure magic, not the hocus-pocus magic of Harry Potter but the real magic that exists in our everyday lives.

There is magic in commitment. If teachers and administrators are committed to excellence, to the challenge to do our best in learning, the best in developing character and values, the best in teaching the Catholic faith; and prove it by dedication, enthusiasm, concern, love for each student, we bring magic to learning.

There is magic in parish communities that believe in the mission of the school and support it through prayers, Sunday envelopes, and fund-raisers. The effort to provide a Catholic education to its children while keeping tuition affordable and salaries just is heart-warming and awesome.

There is magic in Parent Power. A partnership developed between parents and school staff is a fundamental reason for the success of Catholic school programs. Parents and the family have an enormous influence on a child’s character and intellectual abilities. Their capacity to love is developed by being loved and seeing people who love each other. Parents are essential for furthering continuous growth and academic excellence; they are the most important people in their child’s life. When they are involved in the school lives of their children miracles happen. That is magic.

There is magic in hope, joy, and peace. School should be a happy place that recognizes the dignity of each person. A place of peace, a place where everyone respects each others individual talents and gifts, where there are no put-downs, where people listen, where administrators, teachers, and students allow themselves to love and be loved. There is magic when each child feels warmly about students for whom the task of learning does not come easily. There is magic in the fact that each child feels special and knows that someone cares.

St. Paul wrote, "I pray that...[the Father] may grant that you may be strengthened...with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith as you are being rooted and grounded in love." [Ephesians 3:16-17] That is the magic to believe in.

May this new year be full of magic. May it be a year of learning, prayer and good memories. May God begin it with us, protect us and give peace to our schools and to our country.

Patricia Kennedy, Principal
St. Margaret Mary School
Cincinnati, Ohio