Message from AMHS President Steve Schmutz
One of my favorite reflections from our namesake, Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy, was a moving tribute to his aunt Kathleen—who was also his godmother—at her celebration of life. He recalled Sunday evening walks and family meals, Irish soda bread and endless pots of tea—never made with tea bags but with tea leaves in a pot that was scoured first with boiling water. His aunt remembered every birthday, and she attended his landmark ordination ceremonies, proudly stating she was his godmother and favorite aunt.
Archbishop Murphy reflected on the legacy she left behind, which included six children, sixteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. With her family and anyone she met, she shared courage, dreams, hope, love, and faith. The ripple effect of her impact on her family spread to countless lives. His greatest memories were the precious time he spent with her.
Nothing can replace quality time with family, and over the past two months this has been a silver lining in our lives. We may connect through Zoom, visit family members across the front yard and driveway, or we may have our older children home with us while they are in limbo from work or from attending college on campus. During the most challenging times in our lives, family sticks together. At AMHS, we are committed to our families and students as so many of them have been impacted in various ways by this crisis; we need your help to keep our AMHS family together.
Now, more than ever, supporting tuition assistance is crucial to making an AMHS education accessible to our families. My wife and I were blessed to attend Catholic schools in Spokane. Our parents made many sacrifices to provide all of their children with the gift of a Catholic education—I know this is true for our families who send their children to AMHS.
Our pledge is to value that sacrifice by partnering with our families in the formation of our students to become Christlike leaders devoted to serving others. Nearly 40% of all AMHS students receive some level of financial assistance. 100% of the money raised at the STAR event will help students attend AMHS. Your support and contributions can make the dream of attending AMHS a reality for families who realize how incredibly important the high school years are for their children.
You may support tuition assistance at this event by bidding on a wide variety of auction items as well as leaving your legacy by submitting a gift on our Donate to Tuition Assistance link. 100% of the money raised for the STAR event will go directly to our tuition assistance program. We are blessed to honor Fr. Justin Ryan (AMHS 2006) as our alum of the year and he was gracious enough to record a message to share with you. Fr. Ryan is one of countless Holy Cross and AMHS alumni who are transforming the world as a Christlike leader. We thank Fr. Ryan and all of the members of our community who serve in a variety of roles ministering and caring for our society during this time. For all of the first responders and health care professionals and for all those who are on the front lines of this crisis we thank you and pray for you.
I’d like to share these words from our namesake, Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy who delivered this message at the 1993 Fulcrum Foundation fundraising event:
To different groupings of people in the course of our lives, there is a moment in time when we realize that we can shape a future, we can make a difference. My friends, that time is NOW. We represent thousands of people throughout this area who make it possible for young people to attend Catholic grade schools, high schools and colleges. Parents alone are unable to carry the financial cost of providing opportunities for Catholic education. They need the help of all of us. And we respond by our generosity which touches the lives of young people and makes a difference.
What is the difference we offer to young people which prompts me to ask for your help? It is the daring to let young people know there are values and religious convictions which can make a difference in their lives and in our world; it is the courage to say that each and every young person is created in the image of God and has worth and meaning as human beings; it is the experience of community where ideals come alive in the care and concern which gifted and generous teachers share with our young. My friends, the time is NOW to offer this difference to the next generation, to make sure that we maintain the present opportunities for Catholic schools and look for ways in which we can share this gift with even more young people.
A Catholic education is a rare and precious gift because we know it can result in the development of a human being who will make a difference and shape our world to reflect the values that really count. And we are able to do this best when we dare to be faithful to our heritage of being Catholic.
When I was in the seminary my father was dying of cancer. About two months before he died, I got to go home for a day to spend some quality time with him and my family. My father was a man of few words when he was living, and even more so when he was dying. I think he found it hard to believe, along with some of the faculty, that one of his sons, and especially me, would become a priest. It was a moment when we both knew we would not see each other again, and his last words to me were, "If you're going to become a priest, be a good one." I have to admit his words come back to haunt me when I have not been what I could have been at times. But his words are also a reminder to me of a basic principle which affects everything we do that we believe is important. If we are going to have Catholic schools, make sure they're good ones.
Peace,
Steve Schmutz
President, AMHS