Dear School Families, Many people know Pope John XXIII as the pope who convened the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, popularly called Vatican II(Vatican Two). If we have to remember one thing about him, this is the thing to remember. Vatican II provided an important updating for the church, ushering in an era of openness and dialogue between the church and the modern world. Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Roncalli, was a man who was comfortable with himself and knew how to be himself and follow his Lord. Becoming pope at age seventy-seven, he was expected by many to be a caretaker or transitional pope who would serve a few years and do little. However this was not his expectation. He was there to serve. On October 11, 1962, speaking of a need to open the windows ot the church to let in fresh air, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. The church, he explained, was in need of what he called aggiornamento, an updating. Bishops from all over the world (that's why it's called ecumenical) gathered at the Vatican with the pope to consider the future of the church. Pope John XXIII was a humble man with a sense of humor. When once asked how he bore the weight of the papacy, he is said to have replied: Every night I say my prayers and put myself to sleep saying, "Dear God, I have done my best today and I am going to sleep now. It's your church." He did not live to see the conclusion of the Council, dying of cancer on June 3, 1963. His final months on earth were painful, but he kept his sense of humor to the end, saying "My bags are packed and I am ready to go." Pope John XXIII provides a good example for all of us: to work hard, do our best, say our prayers, keep our sense of humor and not take ourselves too seriously, while we take God very seriously, remembering that we are God's servants. I cannot have a greater goal that this for all of us - students, parents and guardians, families - at Blessed Pope John XXIII Academy, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Blessed Pope John XXIII, pray for us. Peace to you, Rev. Richard G. Francesco Pastoral Administrator