Chapel

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. –Philippians 1:9-11

Boston Trinity Academy celebrated the Class of 2021 in the school's sixteenth Commencement on June 3, 2021. Processing in to the traditional Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, the class took their seats at the front of the church, where they would go from seniors to graduates.

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.^d]"> Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. – Romans 12:3-11

There was an excitement and sound of chatter that had not been heard in 15 months, when the Boston Trinity Academy students and staff gathered together in the same space for the first time since in-person learning was shut down in March of 2020. Headmaster Frank Guerra welcomed everyone, saying that our mission and dedication had remained the same all through the pandemic, even though we all had to rise above obstacles never before encountered. It was a beautiful outdoor assembly to commemorate and honor the BTA scholars who have excelled this year, and showed how our community has risen above the challenges.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. –1 Timothy 6:6-12

"We live in an age of great expectations." BTA Dean of Students, Davis Franklin, began last week's Chapel message with those words; he was speaking especially to the senior class while addressing the community at large. Mr. Franklin said that every year graduates across our nation are challenged to achieve wealth, fame, and to change the world. "However, we know the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil," Mr. Franklin reminded. "One who yearns for fame and recognition can never be sated."

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. –Proverbs 3:5-6

Short does not necessarily mean lacking substance, as proven by Boston Trinity's Office Manager, Katia Andrade, when she delivered a brief yet poignant Chapel message last week.

Ms. Andrade said her mother was the first person to show her what it meant to have "blind faith." When Ms. Andrade was six, her mother moved to the United States from Cape Verde; a move of thousands of miles to a country where she did not know the language, culture, or many people. It was a difficult time, but Ms. Andrade's mother continued to pray and meet challenges head on. When her mother began to work and could not attend church, Ms. Andrade attended with an aunt. However, they only went on "special" occasions. One of those times, a disheveled and unkempt man came into the service. No one welcomed him or treated him with kindness, and the man walked right back out.

Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground."

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground."

–Genesis 1:26-28

Maestro Charles Peltz (Ellie '23), Director of the Glens Falls (New York) Symphony, Director of the Wind Ensemble at New England Conservatory, and husband of BTA Chamber Ensemble Director Kirstin Peltz, spoke in last week's Chapel with a quickness that required his audience to listen closely.