Opening Our Hearts
Holy Scripture boldly proclaims, “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are” (1 Jn 3:1). This love “comes from God and unites us to God; through this unifying process it makes us a ‘we’ which transcends our divisions and makes us one, until in the end God is ‘all in all’ (1 Cor 15:28).” By the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church is called to share with all the world this gift of love.
These are the first sentences of “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” a pastoral letter against racism issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November of 2018. For a full version of this pastoral letter, please click here. Its message is important.
We all watched last night as thousands of our fellow citizens, led by five high school students who connected on social media, came to downtown Nashville to march in peaceful protest in memory of George Floyd and many others. What a powerful example of Christ’s message: “let the little children come to me.” (Matthew 19:14)
As we witnessed the impact of these 15- and 16- and 17-year-olds, we naturally thought about our own students, most of them these same ages, many of them with the same concerns. We saw their courage, their curiosity, and their willingness to stand up for what they believe. Last night is a strong reminder to all of us of the real responsibility we have to teach our young men and women more than the core subjects and to be rooted in our Catholic social teachings. They have questions that we need to address.
We have spoken this week of recommitment, and that is what our campus community is doing. We are asking questions. We are reaching out for guidance and insights so that we can look at ourselves and learn. Very simply, we are listening. The concern of our students and alumni and their suggestions for action and improvement will make us a truly inclusive school for our black students and all people of color. If we are to honor and truly extend our legacy of Catholic social justice into the future, we must act, and that begins by listening.
“God of peace, justice and love, fill us with courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in our communities, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Peace,
Jim McIntyre
President
| |
Graduation 2020 Set for June 19
Father Ryan is pleased to announce that we will hold our 94th Annual Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 19, 2020, in Giacosa Stadium in the Jim Carell Alumni Athletic Complex on the campus of Father Ryan. The event to celebrate the Class of 2020 will begin at 6:30pm. (In the event of rain, Commencement will take place at 6:30pm on Saturday, June 20.)
Because of the current guidelines for the city of Nashville and to provide a safe experience for our graduates, their guests and the faculty and staff of Father Ryan, this Graduation and Liturgical Celebration, combining elements of Baccalaureate with the Commencement Exercises, attendance will be limited to the graduate and two guests. However, since attendance is restricted, we will provide a livestream of the ceremony so that other family members may enjoy the event, wherever they are living.
We have created a Graduation Event webpage on the Father Ryan site where all details related to the event will be posted.
We are appreciative of Bishop Mark Spalding, Superintendent of Schools Rebecca Hammel and all the leadership of the Diocese of Nashville for their consideration and approval of our plans. Now, following this most unusual end of year, we look forward to a memorable evening for our graduates and their families as we celebrate the legacy of Father Ryan and the outstanding Class of 2020.
| |
Tuition Insurance and Payment Plans
The combination of the area’s tornadoes and the COVID-19 has had an impact on many people’s financial health as well as their physical health. A number of families in Ryan Nation have certainly been affected, and some have reached out to see if there are tuition options they could explore.
The answer is yes. Father Ryan’s Business Office already has in place distinctive programs to meet these family needs.
The school partners with Protect My Tuition to provide tuition insurance that helps protect the investment you are making in your child's education. For a covered cause of loss, Tuition Insurance will pay the remaining portion of tuition and fees up to the coinsurance percentage listed on the policy. Visit the Tuition and Financial Aid page of the website to learn more about this program.
In addition, if your family needs to discuss your tuition payment plan or explore financial assistance for the 2020-2021 school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact Cathy Turnmyre '84 at turnmyrec@fatherryan.org so we can help.
We are looking forward to our return to campus, whenever that happens, and are here to help all our families as we deal with the impact of this spring’s events.
| |
Even Apart, Ryan Nation Celebrates
This weekend our campus was to welcome alumni in the classes ending in 0s and 5s to celebrate their Father Ryan experience.
Unfortunately, Reunion Weekend 2020 had to be canceled in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. That meant no Lou Graham Alumni Golf Tournament, no Reunion Reception on campus, no Class Reunion parties, and no Golden Grad Mass, Induction Ceremony and Brunch.
We are disappointed for the many alumni of these classes for the missed opportunity, especially the members of the Class of 1970, who would have been inducted on Sunday as the newest members of the Golden Grad Society. But they will be inducted! As soon as we can hold an on-campus celebration for them and all the members of the Golden Grad Society, we will spread the word and assemble this landmark class - the last all-male graduating class of Father Ryan – for this special event.
In the meantime, our reunion classes can expect videos this weekend to celebrate their milestone celebrations. We encourage them to continue to gather, whenever that becomes possible, and to salute their continued impact on Ryan Nation. We will salute them too.
| |
Special Thanks to Our Leadership Sponsors
We had hoped to tee it up today at Gaylord Springs Golf Links and kick off Reunion Weekend 2020 with the 14th Annual Lou Graham Alumni Golf Tournament to support tuition assistance at Father Ryan. With restrictions still in place for Nashville, we had to cancel this year’s tourney, which raises money for tuition assistance.
We miss seeing everyone on the course, especially Lou Graham '56, the 1975 U.S. Open Champion, and all the golfers for this enjoyable event. Lou wanted to share a message and to say thank you to the Leadership Sponsors for their generous support of this year's tournament and the students at Father Ryan. Even though we aren't playing, the Leadership Sponsors continued their support of the tournament, and for that we are most grateful.
From everyone at Father Ryan, thank you, and we'll see you next year. Go Irish!
| |
Update to On-Campus Athletic Activities - Fall Sports Only Begin June 8
There has been a change in the schedule for our summer athletic activities since you received notification earlier this week.
The Father Ryan Athletics Department is pleased to welcome our student-athletes back to campus for summertime strength and conditioning activities, beginning Monday, June 8. However, due to the decision by Mayor Cooper to extend the Phase 2 status for Nashville, this program is for fall sports only at this time. Winter and spring sports activities will begin July 6. We will provide information on the schedule for winter and spring sports later this month.
The Strength and Conditioning Program for fall sports will take place through June 18. Coach Kyle Feldman and Assistant Coach DuJuan Sharp, in consultation with our team coaches, have put together workouts for each sport to help our athletes continue their physical and skills development this summer.
If you are a returning athlete, your coach will send you news about the schedule and your team's workout times. If you are new to a sport or a member of the Class of 2024, please reach out to your sport’s coach to let him or her know of your interest. The coach will then send you information. The list of coaches is available on the Sports Tryout Schedule at the Accepted Students webpage.
In hosting these workouts on the Father Ryan campus, we are following the recommended health directives from Metro Nashville Government and the CDC. We also have a number of specific requirements for Father Ryan students. Click here to view these guidelines. We will follow them for all summer workouts. All of these guidelines are in place to provide the safest environment for all who will be on the campus during these months.
We are excited to provide this opportunity, and we appreciate your working with the coaches in this unusual environment. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Director of Athletics Ann Mullins '03 at mullinsa@fatherryan.org.
| |
|
Missing the Campus? Take a Virtual Tour
We all are missing being on campus, particularly now when it looks so beautiful. But we have a way to bring the campus to you.
Our Admissions Team of Marisol Preston, Director of Admissions, and Erin Riggs '00, Associate Director
of Admissions, partnered with the Communications team to create a virtual campus tour.
| |
Saluting More Irish Heroes
There are countless heroes throughout our community, providing support, care and services to help those battling COVID-19 and everyone in our community who is dealing with this pandemic.
Our Irish Heroes this week include four members of the Curran family. Bill Curran '82 and his son Billy '03 are both members of the Nashville Fire Department. John Paul '04 is a member of the LifeStream Air Evac team, and Sarah '07 is a pediatric oncology nurse with TriStar. What an amazing Irish family!
Thank you to all the Irish Heroes in our community. If you would like to nominate a deserving Irish Hero, you can do so here.
| |
Stay Connected
We know that our Ryan connections keep us together in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
Resources for Ryan Nation
Keeping Ryan Nation connected remains important as social distancing guidelines remain. That’s why we added a Resources page on the website to help with those connections. It includes information on upcoming events, ways to stay connected through social media and even custom Father Ryan backgrounds to use on your next Zoom call call. Check it out here.
| |
|
