August 30, 2024

Dear Families of Holy Name,

We are having a strong start to the school year.  The
students have been welcoming to me and my family.  It has been a pleasure
getting to know everyone.

Holy Name exists to help you form your child into a disciple
of Jesus.  This week celebrated St. Monica and St. Augustine.  If you
do not know their story, St. Monica was the mother of St. Augustine.  St.
Augustine did not lead a virtuous life.  The Chesterton students read
about his conversion in his book entitled Confessions.  His
mother prayed for him for 27 years before he came to a place
where he reformed his life and surrendered it to Jesus.  Because we live
in a fallen world, we tend to fill our hearts with things of this world and not
the eternal grace through Jesus.  You can name the counterfeit things of
this world that get in the way of loving Jesus: gambling, drugs, alcohol,
pornography, compulsive shopping, too many cookies… EVERYONE has something.

My encouragement is to fill your heart with the things that
last.  Begin each day with prayer and ask God to fill your heart.
Attending Mass on Sunday is a beautiful way to receive Jesus in the
Eucharist and in the Word.  Filling your heart with Jesus is the only way
to true peace and joy.  St. Augustine’s conversion came through a mother
that cared enough to pray and sacrifice for him.  She wanted what was best
for him and saw he was on a destructive path.  How beautiful that they are
both saints in the church.

As you fill your own heart, I encourage you to pray for your
child and bring them with you to Mass.  If you have been away for a while
or are feeling uncertain, please reach out to Fr. Tim or one of our priests.
God is not far away.  In fact, He is right here waiting for you.
Our Father is all merciful and wants to spend time with the children he
created, loves, and delights in.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

Peace and joy,

Nathan Vande Hey