The Crusader

Principal’s Message:

Sept 12, 2024

Dear Families of Holy Name,

This week marked another 9/11 anniversary.  I had a brother who lived in New York City at the time and witnessed the destruction first hand.  There are many of you who are likely too young to remember that day.  There was a lot of fear and uncertainty surrounding that horrific event 23 years ago.

Fear is a tremendous motivator, but it can be unhealthy.  In 1 John 4:18, he addresses fear: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.”

Love entails wanting what is best for another.  Why do I bring this up?  Parenting today presents so many challenges.  It is difficult to navigate and to trust that God ‘has your back’.  A trap parents may fall into is the fear that their children will not love them if they discipline them.  Children need boundaries and most children do not have the self awareness of where the boundaries lie.  It is up to the parents to teach their children what the boundaries are: Don’t play in the street, Don’t talk to strangers, Don’t drink the Drano, Don’t invade another’s personal space, etc.

A trap that comes to mind is that “My child won’t be happy if…”  There is a real fear in that.  However, your child was made for greatness.  That does not happen overnight.  It takes years of perseverance and hard work to discern God’s plan.

Here is a practical suggestion:  Given the choice between an apple and fruit snacks, a child will often choose fruit snacks.  One is natural and has real health benefits, while the other tastes good, but offers little in terms of nutrition.  Presenting the healthy choice without the other implicitly tells the child that what we eat matters.  Out of love for your child—because you want what is best for them—presenting healthy choices gives them good fuel to help them grow.  That does not mean a treat cannot be given.  Mature adults giving healthy choices keeps the big picture in perspective.  Likely the child may not like it at first, but letting a child off the hook through fear is not what is best for them.  They do not have the wisdom to discern that.  A mature person owns and makes that decision out of love.  So, fear not.  Your child will still love you.

Peace and joy,

Nathan Vande Hey

Principal

Other Important Notes:

Picture day for school (PK-12) and Fall sports will be Friday, September 20th.   Students are welcome to wear school uniforms or Sunday best (following dress code guidelines) for school pictures.   Fall sports pictures will be taken after school.  Order envelopes will be sent home early next week. Online ordering will be available.  Parents can order online before or after the picture day.

September 17th is Constitution Day.  Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens.

Watch our website for more school updates and information.

As always, thank you for all you do in prayer, love, and acts of service for our school.

September 6, 2024

Dear Families of Holy Name,

We had our all school Holy Mass yesterday in honor of the
Holy Spirit.  It was a joy to have the Chesterton students join us.
The Chestertonians started their year on retreat last week and were able to
encounter Jesus outside of the rat race of life and grow together as a school.
Strong relationships help to ground us on our mission to love Jesus. I spoke
with several students that noted that it was a blessing for them.  I was
grateful to see all of them this week.

In Fr. Tim’s homily, he shared that we will all have
struggles, but that we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.  This is a
consoling thought.  Our hearts oriented to receive the gifts of the Holy
Spirit will set the world on fire.  That does not mean that we will get
along with everyone perfectly.  In fact, Jesus says that in this world we
will have struggles.  What does that mean?

For our students, we hope that the struggles lie in
wondering about the material.  This may sound counterintuitive, but our
teachers are pushing students to be a little frustrated.  Not in an
overwhelming way and there is an art to it, but in a healthy way.  If a
child does not get frustrated in their learning, they are likely not learning
as much as they can.  Finding the right pace is not an exact science, but
putting challenges in front of students for them to overcome builds character
and virtue.  We do not wish to make things too easy.  You know your
child.  If your child is saying things like it is too easy, please have a
conversation with their teacher.

We want to keep that healthy sense of wonder in our
children.  Wonder leads to worship as we see God in the beauty around us.

As for our struggles as adults.  I believe the world is
full of them so we can learn to trust God.  I encourage you to pray to the
Holy Spirit for guidance.  Open your hearts and He will lead you to a path
of both peace and joy.

In Christ,

Nathan Vande Hey

Principal