he Guardian · Mrs. Trahan for your infectious joy and your servant heart! To sign up for our...
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The Guardian Omnia in Excellentia John Paul the Great Academy is a small, independent Catholic, school that provides a rigorous classical education in liberal arts and sciences and promotes the sacred traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. September 2019 Dear Guardians, In the midst of the confusion of modern times, our patron, Pope St. John Paul the Great modeled what it meant to be a complete man. A poet, an outdoorsman, an athlete, an intellectual, a lover of the arts, a patriot, and a saint, John Paul’s full humanity reminds us all of the call to the fullness of life. His rough humor with the Swiss Guard, his tenderness with the young, and his playful nature endeared him to all those around him. His writings on the family, human sexuality, life, truth, society, etc. set him in staunch opposition to the status quo and the trends of the day. His love for Poland led him to select it as the battleground where he fought and defeated Soviet Communism. He reminds us that who we are and who we become matters. The world and the way it is going is a result of people making choices and acting on them, becoming greater or lesser versions of themselves and therefore shaping society. Our society is broken, a result of the breakdown of the family and the rejection of God. We know from Catholic tradition that the best solutions arise from the place closest to the heart of the problem. The closest place to the problems of the human heart is the home. We cannot sit around and wait for distant powers (the Vatican or the government) to fix things. This is not to say that these entities do not have a role. Indeed, they have an irreplaceable role, but no less irreplaceable is your role. Neither the Vatican nor the government can replace the role of an individual man or woman in his or her spiritual call to fatherhood or motherhood. In my office, I have a quote from St. Theresa of Calcutta that reminds me that, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” For all of our efforts, the most eternal impact we will have is on the immortal souls of those around us by seeking to become saints ourselves. This journey toward sainthood is difficult. Nothing can stand in the place of personal conversion, spiritual discipline, and the community that sustains us in the challenges on our pilgrimage to Heaven. In a way, this aptly describes the overarching mission of the JPG community. We are a school, but part of our calling as a school is to live and grow in community, so as to help one another on the way to Heaven. To that end, I invite the men and women in the community to join the Men of JPG or the Women of JPG (See pg.2). Coming together from across Acadiana and the USA, we desire our children to be raised understanding the value of faith, family, and flag, and that they become saints. We are better able to pursue these ends in community, by surrounding ourselves with those who embody or seek the virtues we hope to obtain. Our community needs you and I strongly encourage you to get involved. On behalf of all the school, thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to supporting you along your journey. Nathanael Rea Headmaster Calendar Sept 2 NO SCHOOL, Labor Day Sept 7 Men of JPG, 3:00 p.m. Sept 11 Lower School Picture Day Sept 13 Upper School Picture Day Sept 14 Women of JPG, 9:00 a.m., JPG Refectory Sept 18 October Lunch Orders DUE Sept 20 Homecoming Football Game, 7:00 p.m. & Senior Night Sept 21 Fall Social, 7:00 p.m. Sept 29 - Oct 5 Pilgrimage Week (7th-12th grade) Oct 4 First Academic Quarter Ends Oct 7-11 NO SCHOOL, Fall Break Oct 14 NO SCHOOL, Faculty Development Oct 16 Mandatory Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m. LS Picture Retakes PSAT Oct 18 US Picture Retakes From the Headmaster First graders in Mrs. Littell’s art class paint their project titled “Investigation of Line & Color as Elements of Art.”
Transcript of he Guardian · Mrs. Trahan for your infectious joy and your servant heart! To sign up for our...
The GuardianOmnia in Excellentia
John Paul the Great Academy is a small, independent Catholic, school that provides a rigorous classical
education in liberal arts and sciences and promotes the sacred traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.
September 2019
Dear Guardians, In the midst of the confusion of modern times, our patron, Pope St. John Paul the Great modeled what it meant to be a complete man. A poet, an outdoorsman, an athlete, an intellectual, a lover of the arts, a patriot, and a saint, John Paul’s full humanity reminds us all of the call to the fullness of life. His rough humor with the Swiss Guard, his tenderness with the young, and his playful nature endeared him to all those around him. His writings on the family, human sexuality, life, truth, society, etc. set him in staunch opposition to the status quo and the trends of the day. His love for Poland led him to select it as the battleground where he fought and defeated Soviet Communism. He reminds us that who we are and who we become matters. The world and the way it is going is a result of people making choices and acting on them, becoming greater or lesser versions of themselves and therefore shaping society. Our society is broken, a result of the breakdown of the family and the rejection of God. We know from Catholic tradition that the best solutions arise from the place closest to the heart of the problem. The closest place to the problems of the human heart is the home. We cannot sit around and wait for distant powers (the Vatican or the government) to fix things. This is not to say that these entities do not have a role. Indeed, they have an irreplaceable role, but no less irreplaceable is your role. Neither the Vatican nor the government can replace the role of an individual man or woman in his or her spiritual call to fatherhood or motherhood. In my office, I have a quote from St. Theresa of Calcutta that reminds me that, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” For all of our efforts, the most eternal impact we will have is on the immortal souls of those around us by seeking to become saints ourselves. This journey toward sainthood is difficult. Nothing can stand in the place of personal conversion, spiritual discipline, and the community that sustains us in the challenges on our pilgrimage to Heaven. In a way, this aptly describes the overarching mission of the JPG community. We are a school, but part of our calling as a school is to live and grow in community, so as to help one another on the way to Heaven. To that end, I invite the men and women in the community to join the Men of JPG or the Women of JPG (See pg.2). Coming together from across Acadiana and the USA, we desire our children to be raised understanding the value of faith, family, and flag, and that they become saints. We are better able to pursue these ends in community, by surrounding ourselves with those who embody or seek the virtues we hope to obtain. Our community needs you and I strongly encourage you to get involved. On behalf of all the school, thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to supporting you along your journey.
Nathanael ReaHeadmaster
CalendarSept 2 NO SCHOOL, Labor DaySept 7 Men of JPG, 3:00 p.m.Sept 11 Lower School Picture DaySept 13 Upper School Picture DaySept 14 Women of JPG, 9:00 a.m.,
JPG RefectorySept 18 October Lunch Orders DUESept 20 Homecoming Football Game,
7:00 p.m. & Senior NightSept 21 Fall Social, 7:00 p.m.Sept 29 - Oct 5
Pilgrimage Week (7th-12th grade)
Oct 4 First Academic Quarter EndsOct 7-11 NO SCHOOL, Fall Break
Oct 14 NO SCHOOL, Faculty Development
Oct 16 Mandatory Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m.LS Picture RetakesPSAT
Oct 18 US Picture Retakes
From the Headmaster
First graders in Mrs. Littell’s art class paint their project titled “Investigation of Line &
Color as Elements of Art.”
2 September 2019 Guardian
John Paul the Great Academy
Women of JPGWho are the women of JPG? Every woman associated with the school, including faculty, friends, etc. The desire is for all women to come together and grow as women.The first gathering for the Women of JPG will be Saturday, September 14 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in the JPG Refectory. Mrs. Robin Hebert, Director of Marriage Ministry at Our Lady of Wisdom, will be the speaker. See the Weekly Reminders email for the link to sign up to help or bring a dish.
Women of JPG
meet once a month for a spiritual talk,
share a meal and support each other in
our journey to God as women.
The
THIS YEARS THEME:
Imitating Mary's 10 Amazing Virtues
Our 1st gathering will be
Saturday, September 14th
9am-11am in the refectory.
Guest Speaker: Robin Hebert
All women of JPG are invited
and encouraged to bring a
friend. Please email
for more info.
*Save the Date for our next
meeting: October 19th
Chapel DonationsMr. Frank X Connolly was a prominent member of our JPG community from its inception. Through his Memorial Fund Donations, his memory will extend on our campus permanently. The Connolly family was invited over to attend Mass in honor of Mr. Frank. After Mass Mr. Rea and Ms. McCracken were able to present his wife, children, and grandchildren with the newly blessed items that were purchased for the Holy Family Chapel in memory of him.
Men of JPGWho are the Men of JPG? Every man associated with the school, including faculty, friends, etc. The desire is for all men to come together and grow as men. Join us at the Men of JPG Kick-Off Event on Saturday, September 7 at 3:00 p.m. We are very fortunate and excited to have as our special guest, Doug Barry. See the weekly reminders for the link to sign up! The Men of JPG logo integrates elements of Pope St. John Paul the Great’s crest and proudly depicts his motto “Totus Tuus,” as a consecration to Our Lady and devotion to the Rosary, as the weapon capable of changing the world, which he strongly promoted.
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Veritas Fides Virtus
@jpgacademy
We now have 11 vacant hours (V) in ourAdoration Chapel. To become a committed adorer or to fill an hour temporarily contact Maureen Herrera at
JPG CrossIf your family would like to take home the JPG Cross to pray for our school community after a Wednesday or Friday Mass for a week, contact Sarah McManus, [email protected], or see the weekly reminders email for the link to sign up.
September Servant Leader
This month we highlight Mrs. Martha Trahan as the September Servant Leader. Mrs. Trahan has been part of the JPG community as a mom since 2018, but has recently joined the staff on campus for the 2019-2020 school year. Mrs. Trahan serves our community in so many important ways. Each morning and afternoon she delivers the much needed coffee to the faculty lounge. During the day, she serves our students in the Refectory with her radiating smile and joyous spirit! She carries the light of Christ with her and walks campus bringing it to others! Mrs. Trahan is also known for offering her help to others. If her duties are done, she can be found helping another! Thank you Mrs. Trahan for your infectious joy and your servant heart!
To sign up for our Remind school text messaging service,
text @jpgcc to 81010
Picture DayLower School Picture Day will be Wednesday, September 11. Upper School Picture Day will be Friday, September 13.
September 2019 Guardian 4
John Paul the Great Academy
@jpgacademy
Athletics
Support JPG Athletics!See the volleyball and football schedules (p.3)
for dates, times, and locations.
JPG House System
The goals of the JPG house system include: increasing
unity; building healthy camaraderie; boosting school spirit; cultivating mentorship between classes; reinforcing
student ownership and accountability; and, increasing
service opportunities.
