May is the month of graduations. Fortunately, our seniors this year get to have a bit more normal event. I feel sorry for last year’s seniors. They have got to feel cheated, having to celebrate in a very subdued and reserved fashion. However, they will always have a very vivid memory of their unique, final high school year. From my own experiences of being a student, following the process of our children’s education now followed by our grandchildren, I have a growing concern. Education in general has continued to slide away from the necessities of functional knowledge to a growing school of values indoctrination. Values are important. In my day, (many years ago) we were evaluated on our social behavior, our citizenship. It was very simple and to the point. Did I play well and get along well with others? When we didn’t there could be corporal punishment. I have listened to many a Catholic lament the “mean nuns”. But let me tell you, I was public, and I can match any “mean nun” story. I was picked up by my shirt, with my feet dangling, face to face with my teachers for as small of an infraction as stepping on the corner of the gymnasium floor with street shoes. The principle’s paddle was hung conspicuously visible in his office for all to see as they passed by every day on their way to lunch. If I dare to paraphrase scripture, “Fear of the principle was the beginning of wisdom!” Today we are seeing widespread bullying and intimidation from all directions to conform our thoughts, words, and actions to a very narrow range of politically acceptable morality, not a biblical morality but an academic, Hollywood, popular media morality. This is not new. It started in our colleges and universities. My 8th grade history teacher warned us about it nearly 60 years ago. In 1986, as I was being enrolled in Protestant seminary at Emory University, after all my paperwork was completed and I was in residence, I was presented with one last document to sign. It required that in my time at the university I would speak and write in a certain manner using gender inclusive language. If I did not, I would be expelled. Or using todays terminology, CANCELED! It did not set well with me then. It wasn’t that using inclusive language bothered me so much as the underhanded method of enforcement. None of this was put before me at any time while making considerations of the school or enrolling. Not until I was enrolled and moved. Then boom! Ambushed! “You must think and write the way we believe and say, or we will punish you.” Sound familiar? Here we are 35 years later. Traditional, biblical Christianity is considered socially unacceptable. It is already happening and will soon be widespread and common to be asked as a screening question for admittance to school, employment or continued employment, “Do you believe the teachings of the Church and/or the Bible concerning morality?” If you answer yes, consider yourself, CANCELED! Pray for our schools. Pray for our nation. Pray for our Church. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid.