Last weekend, Nathalie and I had the pleasure of attending Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope’s First Gala at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island. The school has only been open approximately six weeks with a total enrollment of 18 kids, but the ballroom was packed with over 400 guests and filled to the rafters with joy and excitement.
The program began with honoring Bishop Emeritus Thomas Tobin with Our Lady of Hope’s first Anchor Award. Bishop Tobin supported the mission of opening a Chesterton Academy and assisted with giving the Our Lady of Hope the designation of a Catholic school in the Diocese of Providence. This one act opened so many doors and laid the foundation for Chesterton Academy of Rhode Island to take hold.
Next, we heard from Headmaster Dr. Robert Duffy, who gave a peek inside student life at Chesterton Academy. At Chesterton, the students learn straight from primary sources. For example, students read and digest the works of the great Philosophers and Church Fathers. They read the Bible and the Catechism, and even study directly from Euclid’s Elements of Geometry. Dr. Duffy explained that the Chesterton Academy model is not only a rich curriculum of books and materials, but also incorporates Art, Music, Theater, the Socratic method, and spiritual life. The students learn to expand their interests outside of the subjects or activities that they excel in to embrace the true heritage of the classical Catholic tradition of education. He said that there are no "choir kids," "sports kids," or "drama kids" at Chesterton Academy. Instead, each student learns to be all of these things. The Chesterton model also includes daily Mass. As Headmaster Duffy said, “We pursue Truth and Beauty through the intellectual life. . . and then fall on our knees before Truth and Beauty as we receive His self-gift at the Mass.”
The next speaker at the Chesterton gala was Chair of the Board of Trustees, Michael Casey. He told of several miracles surrounding the founding of Our Lady of Hope. This has been a common theme we've heard from other founders of Chesterton Academies across the country - petitions to Our Lady and her response.
One of the stories shared by Mr. Casey begins with four friends who were parishioners at St. Francis in Warwick. One of the men in the group was there when the parish opened, and at the age of 96 he was there when the last Mass was said as his beloved parish closed. The friends decided to pray the First Saturday devotion rosary in the parking lot at St. Francis, that God might find some way to keep their church open. They did this for two years.
Meanwhile, as Chesterton Academy was preparing to move into a plumbing supply store across the street from the parish, the founders noticed the vacant church. After discovering that it was for sale - and that offers were due in a matter of days - there was whirlwind of an expedited purchase process. The offer was accepted, and Chesterton Academy prepared to move into their new home.
When the work crew arrived to install the Chesterton sign, they discovered the "trespassers" praying in the parking lot. After hearing their incredible story, the crew had the joy of telling them that their prayers were answered - their beloved church would be reopened as part of the Chesterton Academy, and they would be able to attend Mass there once again. Our Lady had found a way!
Our Lady truly loves Chesterton Academy. Even in these early stages of planning a Chesterton Academy in Massachusetts, we can see her handiwork. Please continue to pray for her intercession with this amazing endeavor!
Commenti