I love going to work

Written by Paul Donovan

It’s an amazing thing to be able to say “I love going to work”!  Even though I have held different positions in the school over the last fourteen years, I have always been able to say that – “I love going to work.” 

 What is it about Loyola that inspires such sentiments?  Certainly, the gifted members of our faculty and staff and the wonderful families who make up the Loyola community are a major part.  I’m amazed at the dedication and commitment of our staff, who give so much of themselves to their young charges.  People outside the school, who interact with our students, remind us daily of what fine young men they are.

As good as Loyola is, there is an atmosphere in the school that always seems to be looking for ways to make it better.  This atmosphere adds an excitement to the school and inspires a true dedication to its mission.  There is a term in Jesuit education called the magis – roughly translated, it means “the more” or “the better”.  In essence, I think it is this sense of magis that makes Loyola such a wonderful place.  It recognizes that we are servants of the Master and that our “way of being” always has room for growth.  That we are created in the image of God means that we are awesome creatures with tremendous potential to impact the world, and our yardstick is not a comparison to other schools or to other people, but to the call that God has for us.  I am so grateful for the many gifts God has given us through this school, and my prayer for this year is that we remain open to His Grace that allows us to seek and know the magis.