I have come to fall in love with teaching in Catholic schools. What are YOU in love with?...

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe

Friday, September 29, 2017

The Joy of Sharing the Catholic Faith

I can honestly think of nothing better than engaging in meaningful opportunities to share about the Catholic faith with others.

Maybe I have found my calling as a religion teacher...

Just this week I found out from my principal that the relics of St. Padre Pio would be up at St. Ita's church, so I headed up there after volleyball practice. On the way, I tried to let some friends know about it too (some of whom already did). The Mass itself, while extremely crowded and incredibly hot (no air conditioning), was such a beautiful experience. I only wish I had known and been able to invite others sooner! When I got home, I found my roommates working on some things and enjoying some wine. I joined them, sharing about where I had been. I (unintentionally) threw out some Catholic vocab (e.g. relics), and in doing so I had a natural way to go into more detail about the richness of our faith surrounding the Saints. I loved it!



Then, at aftercare today, one of my seventh graders started asking me about the Saints, as we've been reading about them in the Ablaze book recently --> "Why are so many named Teresa?" This led to how many religious nuns and sisters would take names of the Saints that they wanted to emulate; in a sense, they died to their old selves and began a new way of life. (There are other explanations and reasons too...) This, in turn, led us (somehow!) to religious persecution and other (various) faith topics. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it made the hour we spent outside before gathering our belongings and returning to the classroom until pick-up go much more quickly than usual.

One more Catholic thing that made me extremely happy today was that we started 7 Riddles to Nowhere in 6th grade. Excited to see FXW (one of their sports team rivals) on the cover of the book (as it takes place in Chicago), they finally settled down to listen to the first chapter about Kameron Boyd, his selective mutism, and the possibility of his Catholic grade school closing in the near future. In a few weeks we'll get to take a field trip to the cathedral, and the students will be able to see firsthand some of the clues and descriptions from the book.



This weekend should be pretty amazing - I'm heading to the ND game with my sister tomorrow, and then on Sunday my goddaughter's sister is getting baptized, so I will attend that Mass to be with the family (and hopefully get in some visiting time). In terms of grad school, I just submitted my executive summary (due Sunday) as well as my action plan for another class (also due Sunday), so I think I'm in a good place. So, it seems the best thing I can do to prepare for the weekend is to hit the hay and get some rest...

Let's go Irish!

Sunday, September 24, 2017

How do you like them apples?

If you fancied a look at your thermometer in the Midwest on Saturday, it would have read as 90+ degrees for most of the day. Yet, as a Midwesterner, you realized that there are only so many weekends left for one of the best fall traditions - a trip to the apple orchard - before the cream of the crop literally get picked over.

We did what anyone in their right mind would do - we hopped in the car, took a drive to the orchard, and picked ourselves some apples. (It's a good thing I remembered not to buy any at the store this week!)




So, was it hot? H*** yes.
Did it feel like fall? H*** no...even with the apple cinnamon donuts and the festive fall decor.
Did we have a good time? Absolutely.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

A Grateful Heart

Only on a ND-sponsored trip do you stay in an Irish inn and pub...




I want to hang a sign like this up in my classroom...




The past few days in Milwaukee were truly wonderful. We spent time visiting a handful of high-performing schools that have truly created cultures of joy.



what I tell my students - minus the Aaron Rodgers part

Lots of focus on college...couldn't find USF though...

This reminded me I'm so torn for the upcoming football game...







The trip was a life-giving in terms of all of the amazing things and people we saw, and it was life-giving for another reason too - I spent quality time with some of my Remick classmates, and I also ran into some other familiar faces (from the ol' ACE days) who I wasn't expecting. It was a lovely surprise!

Lakefront Brewery tour - Remick leaders & instructors


the first ones to the inn!

selfie with Fr. Nate

PLC 1 excitement - can't stop this

ACE 15 :)


When I count my blessings, I count ACE twice...no, make that more like two hundred times. It's the program that keeps on giving, and I get to keep learning. I don't know exactly what the future will hold for Catholic education (or my life in general, let's be real), but I am excited to play my part here in Chicago.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

We're back...

When you're sitting in class for grad school and thinking about all of the amazing ACE grads (and supporters of Catholic education) in Chicago, you can't help but realize you need to do something.

At least, that's what I thought.

And now we are officially kicking off our ACE Advocates Chicago group (after a hiatus). We've only met as a leadership team so far, but with the energy and ideas, I have faith we'll accomplish a lot this year in terms of building (intentional) community and helping out the local ACErs.

There's something to be said for energy and faith behind a group or cause - what I've experienced so far just from our first meeting is tangible...and it's infectious. (I think we can attribute some of this to the Holy Spirit.) We're a great group, if I do say so myself, ranging in representation from ACE 15 to ACE 20, and we also have Remick 14 & 15s. Woo hoo!


Some people think we're crazy, adding another "thing to do" onto an ever-growing "to do" list, but this is truly something different. Yes, it's going to take time and effort, but I believe our efforts will bear much fruit. I honestly cannot wait to see where this year leads.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Irish eyes are smiling...even though we lost

Beautiful weather, dear friends and classmates, and a close game made for a picture-perfect game day in South Bend on Saturday. It was truly the luck of the Irish that my friend had an extra ticket so that I could take a break from the daily Chicago grind and enjoy some football...






There were some changes to the stadium (and to the ticket itself) - it was fun to see the updates!






And some views never change - we could see "Touchdown Jesus" from our seats one row from the top of the North end zone!




Hungry? Ben's Pretzels is the ONLY way to go. At least, that's our humble opinion...





And what would the game be without the band?? They sounded and looked as good as ever...



In fact, during halftime, they played "Wagonwheel," where they formed into a horse and carriage. They moved across the field, wheels spinning and everything!




It was a late night to make the drive back after the game, but it was good to sleep in my own bed. I didn't get a chance to do much this morning before getting ready for my sister's school's opening Mass and celebration, which is always a good time.


Needless to say, right now I am operating on nearly empty so I think I'll be hitting the hay momentarily. Lots going on this week, especially on the volleyball court for my 8th grade girls team. Busy as always...but that's the way I operate...

Monday, September 4, 2017

And all that jazz

Come on, babe, why don't we paint the town,
and all that jazz?...

Can't you just hear the chorus of "Chicago" in your head?

Well, it wasn't quite that jazz scene this weekend at Millennium Park, but we did hear some good tunes on Sunday at the Chicago Jazz Festival, and we took delight in watching the small corner of the room with people swing dancing and having a good old time... It was a nice break and a good excuse to get out of my apartment for awhile.

What do you mean, you don't like jazz? (La La Land)

I see what you did there...

This Labor Day weekend hasn't been anything extraordinary; in fact, it's actually been filled with both school work AND grad school work for me. But it'll be nice to go into this school week prepared (and maybe just a little ahead of the game) with only four days of school till Friday at 3:30pm. (Plus, there is plenty to look forward to for next weekend - a fun race AND the ND - GA game in South Bend - woo hoo!)

Hello September! It's full speed ahead...