Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success
● Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Aaker for hosting weekenders
● The Elmer daughters who baked four apple pies
● Mr. and Mrs. Matt Holke and Mrs. Tami Amend who sponsored a parent lunch
● Mr. Brian Tran who took photos at the football game
General announcements to Parents
● Tuesday, Oct. 5th guest speaker, Jesse Romero
● College representatives visiting St. Michael’s this week: University of Arizona, Concordia University
● Students who were not able to join us last week for the college visits to Cal State San Marcos and John Paul the Great University will have the
opportunity of visiting with more than 30 college representatives at an annual college fair hosted by Santa Margarita Catholic High School on Thursday evening, Oct. 7th
Admission Matters
● St. Michael’s participates in the following High School Information Nights:
10/13 Mayfield Junior School, Pasadena
10/18 St. Mark’s Lutheran, Hacienda Heights
10/19 Our Lady of the Assumption, Claremont
10/19 St. Pius X School, Santa Fe Springs
● St. Michael’s next Open House is Saturday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m.
If you know any families who would enjoy finding out more information about St. Michael’s, please let them know about these events.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)–Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA)
WASC-WCEA accreditation is an “industry standard” which internally encourages St. Michael’s Prep to continuously improve its school program and externally verifies the quality of the program for universities and philanthropists. St. Michael’s has merited continuously the WASC-WCEA “seal of approval” since it opened its doors for prep school students.
Representatives WASC-WCEA will be visiting St. Michael’s Prep this March. The visitation process guides St. Michael’s self-assessment of its current school program, based upon its educational philosophy of “Faith, Academics, and Character.” The school’s success is determined by its fidelity to its philosophy, by student-learning, and by a visit of outside educators knowledgeable in Catholic education, boys’ boarding schools, and religious sponsorship.
This week’s photos: College Visit to Cal State San Marcos, Cross Country Team
● Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Aaker for hosting weekenders
● The Elmer daughters who baked four apple pies
● Mr. and Mrs. Matt Holke and Mrs. Tami Amend who sponsored a parent lunch
● Mr. Brian Tran who took photos at the football game
General announcements to Parents
● Tuesday, Oct. 5th guest speaker, Jesse Romero
● College representatives visiting St. Michael’s this week: University of Arizona, Concordia University
● Students who were not able to join us last week for the college visits to Cal State San Marcos and John Paul the Great University will have the
opportunity of visiting with more than 30 college representatives at an annual college fair hosted by Santa Margarita Catholic High School on Thursday evening, Oct. 7thAdmission Matters
● St. Michael’s participates in the following High School Information Nights:
10/13 Mayfield Junior School, Pasadena
10/18 St. Mark’s Lutheran, Hacienda Heights
10/19 Our Lady of the Assumption, Claremont
10/19 St. Pius X School, Santa Fe Springs
● St. Michael’s next Open House is Saturday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m.
If you know any families who would enjoy finding out more information about St. Michael’s, please let them know about these events.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)–Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA)
WASC-WCEA accreditation is an “industry standard” which internally encourages St. Michael’s Prep to continuously improve its school program and externally verifies the quality of the program for universities and philanthropists. St. Michael’s has merited continuously the WASC-WCEA “seal of approval” since it opened its doors for prep school students.
Representatives WASC-WCEA will be visiting St. Michael’s Prep this March. The visitation process guides St. Michael’s self-assessment of its current school program, based upon its educational philosophy of “Faith, Academics, and Character.” The school’s success is determined by its fidelity to its philosophy, by student-learning, and by a visit of outside educators knowledgeable in Catholic education, boys’ boarding schools, and religious sponsorship.
This week’s photos: College Visit to Cal State San Marcos, Cross Country Team
Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Section 9 and 10
Section 9: Harassment
St. Michael’s maintains a strict policy prohibiting harassment and bullying, including verbal, physical, visual and sexual. No person shall knowingly or intentionally by speech, gesture, or writing address another in a way that is intimidating, demeaning, derogatory or hateful as based upon a person’s age, gender, race, color, religion, or ethnic origin.
The administration, faculty and staff of the school are mandated reporters of child abuse whether the alleged abuser is an adult or a minor.
The school treats allegations of harassment seriously and investigates such allegations in a prompt, confidential and thorough manner.
Section 10: Resolution, Restitution, Reconciliation. Disciplinary action involving Resolution, Restitution, and Reconciliation is one means of responding to a student’s poor behavior choices (such as unwelcome teasing, bullying, horseplay, wrestling and fighting). This three-fold response is well suited to bringing peace and reconciliation among the students involved because it works to overcome the causes of the misbehavior.
Resolution involves the offender admitting his wrong doing. Restitution involves the offender rendering some service to the offended party. Reconciliation takes place through the students working together (under the dean’s supervision) to accomplish some project for the common good and in this process they learn to work and live like friends again.
In restoring the justice that was disturbed by the poor behavior choice, students actively and intentionally restore right order within our school community.
Etiquette Point of the Week:
A gentleman never offends someone on purpose, but when an occasion arises in which he has offended someone, he is quick to offer a sincere apology. Why? Because a gentleman understands accidentally saying something offensive could happen to anyone, but hurting someone’s feelings on purpose is cruel.
How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press
Student Birthdays:
10/06 Charles Sandoval
Athletics
● St. Michael’s Prep cross country team took first place in the League Invitational at Mile Square Park. Among 66 runners, representing seven teams, five St. Michael’s students finished in the top 12. James Howard took first place in the race.
● St. Michael’s Prep football team won against Crossroads Christian.
Thursday, Oct. 7th: Cross Country league cluster @ Avalon. Friday, Oct. 8th: football vs. Capo Valley Christian @ SMP; 3:00 pm
Homily preached by Fr. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem.
Among other things, Fr. John Henry teaches Honors Western Literature and AP English
“Jesus … took a child and placed it by his side.” In this passage and in others like it our Lord teaches us that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of God. He sets before the Apostles and before us a child as a model to follow for our Christian lives. It is important to realize that that child is an image of Jesus Himself, the Son of God: “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me.” It is important for us to understand this so that we can correctly interpret and apply the truth to ourselves, that we are children of God--after the pattern of Christ.
It is not hard to picture the scene that this Gospel presents to us. The Apostles are arguing about what makes for greatness in Christ’s kingdom. They had heard about thrones that they would occupy as judges and were wondering how those thrones would be arranged. Would they be arranged according to who is taller, stronger, more intelligent, has more cultural refinement, or is simply more presentable?
The Lord does not respond verbally to their arguments. Instead, He takes a child and embraces him and says, Pay very close attention: In my kingdom, those who are great are like this. Then Jesus sends the child on his way. No explanation. No clarification. Instead there is the implicit command: think about it, contemplate it, and let the Spirit draw you to the right conclusion: I must become like that child.
Jesus leaves the Apostles, the Church of every age, and ourselves to ponder how to do the apparently impossible--the same paradox that He made Nicodemus grapple with when He said, “Unless a man is born anew, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” And the same question that he asked is the same that we ask, “How?” How can a man be born again when he is already old?
The scene is easy to imagine, but it is very hard to take the teaching to heart in a meaningful way. We have to accept and apply this truth: that Heaven is made for children; no grown-ups are allowed in.
An indication that it is hard for us to apply this to ourselves might be our nightly examination of conscience. There are many ways in which we can examine our conscience, many questions that one can ask oneself. But maybe the most important question is one that is too often left unasked: Have I acted today like a child of God? Or have I acted more like an employee to a boss, or a slave to a master? Have I simply acted like someone who I am not?
This is the vocation of every Christian, as St Paul so beautifully expresses it: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.”
The importance of our status as children of God and of holding ourselves up to that standard, cannot be exaggerated, especially when we consider the example of Job. What will save us when we are afflicted like Job? We may never suffer exactly as he did, but the fact is: everyone eventually reaches a point where suffering becomes too much--too overwhelming, painful, too unexpected and incomprehensible. Every Christian, Jew, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist at some time must suffer to the point of breaking. And each will interpret his suffering in his own way. But who has the power to receive the suffering as sons? St John says of Christ: “To all who received him, he gave the power to become children of God.”
Only the Christian soul can receive his pain as a child. But even among us, among those of the household of the faith, how hard it is. And what will save us from abandoning hope at the most crucial moment? At the moment when we are being conformed to Christ crucified most closely, what will enable us to hold on? It can only be the strong, serene conviction that God is my Father.
There are times when we look at our lives and, humanly speaking, we have no good reason to hope. But then we realize what should be obvious: that our hope has never been only a human thing--nor our love, our faith, or our strength to endure. It is a gift of the Father--the same Father who permits the trials that conform us to His son.
St Paul says, ‘The Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline… then you are … not sons.” When these truths have become true to us then we have become great indeed, because we have become more like the Son of God Himself.
In publishing this homily, we hope to share a portion of the spiritual treasure by which the students are enriched every day. However, this homily may not be reproduced by the parents or friends of St. Michael’s without written permission of the author.
Prayer Requests
● Carol Bancroff, who is recovering from significant heart surgery.
● Pete Hebert, father of junior John Hebert, who has just been assigned to a one year tour of duty to Afghanistan.
● Ava Torres who has health problems.
● St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them.
● Those who suffer in the current economic crisis.
● Those who are in the armed forces.
● For the repose of the soul of Joseph Augustine, benefactor of St. Michael’s Prep.
● For the repose of the soul of Arlene Hagan, late wife of Michael Hagan, Foundation Board Member.
Section 9: Harassment
St. Michael’s maintains a strict policy prohibiting harassment and bullying, including verbal, physical, visual and sexual. No person shall knowingly or intentionally by speech, gesture, or writing address another in a way that is intimidating, demeaning, derogatory or hateful as based upon a person’s age, gender, race, color, religion, or ethnic origin.
The administration, faculty and staff of the school are mandated reporters of child abuse whether the alleged abuser is an adult or a minor.
The school treats allegations of harassment seriously and investigates such allegations in a prompt, confidential and thorough manner.
Section 10: Resolution, Restitution, Reconciliation. Disciplinary action involving Resolution, Restitution, and Reconciliation is one means of responding to a student’s poor behavior choices (such as unwelcome teasing, bullying, horseplay, wrestling and fighting). This three-fold response is well suited to bringing peace and reconciliation among the students involved because it works to overcome the causes of the misbehavior.
Resolution involves the offender admitting his wrong doing. Restitution involves the offender rendering some service to the offended party. Reconciliation takes place through the students working together (under the dean’s supervision) to accomplish some project for the common good and in this process they learn to work and live like friends again.
In restoring the justice that was disturbed by the poor behavior choice, students actively and intentionally restore right order within our school community.
Etiquette Point of the Week:
A gentleman never offends someone on purpose, but when an occasion arises in which he has offended someone, he is quick to offer a sincere apology. Why? Because a gentleman understands accidentally saying something offensive could happen to anyone, but hurting someone’s feelings on purpose is cruel.
How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press
Student Birthdays:
10/06 Charles Sandoval
Athletics
● St. Michael’s Prep cross country team took first place in the League Invitational at Mile Square Park. Among 66 runners, representing seven teams, five St. Michael’s students finished in the top 12. James Howard took first place in the race.
● St. Michael’s Prep football team won against Crossroads Christian.
Thursday, Oct. 7th: Cross Country league cluster @ Avalon. Friday, Oct. 8th: football vs. Capo Valley Christian @ SMP; 3:00 pm
Homily preached by Fr. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem.
Among other things, Fr. John Henry teaches Honors Western Literature and AP English
“Jesus … took a child and placed it by his side.” In this passage and in others like it our Lord teaches us that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of God. He sets before the Apostles and before us a child as a model to follow for our Christian lives. It is important to realize that that child is an image of Jesus Himself, the Son of God: “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me.” It is important for us to understand this so that we can correctly interpret and apply the truth to ourselves, that we are children of God--after the pattern of Christ.
It is not hard to picture the scene that this Gospel presents to us. The Apostles are arguing about what makes for greatness in Christ’s kingdom. They had heard about thrones that they would occupy as judges and were wondering how those thrones would be arranged. Would they be arranged according to who is taller, stronger, more intelligent, has more cultural refinement, or is simply more presentable?
The Lord does not respond verbally to their arguments. Instead, He takes a child and embraces him and says, Pay very close attention: In my kingdom, those who are great are like this. Then Jesus sends the child on his way. No explanation. No clarification. Instead there is the implicit command: think about it, contemplate it, and let the Spirit draw you to the right conclusion: I must become like that child.
Jesus leaves the Apostles, the Church of every age, and ourselves to ponder how to do the apparently impossible--the same paradox that He made Nicodemus grapple with when He said, “Unless a man is born anew, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” And the same question that he asked is the same that we ask, “How?” How can a man be born again when he is already old?
The scene is easy to imagine, but it is very hard to take the teaching to heart in a meaningful way. We have to accept and apply this truth: that Heaven is made for children; no grown-ups are allowed in.
An indication that it is hard for us to apply this to ourselves might be our nightly examination of conscience. There are many ways in which we can examine our conscience, many questions that one can ask oneself. But maybe the most important question is one that is too often left unasked: Have I acted today like a child of God? Or have I acted more like an employee to a boss, or a slave to a master? Have I simply acted like someone who I am not?
This is the vocation of every Christian, as St Paul so beautifully expresses it: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.”
The importance of our status as children of God and of holding ourselves up to that standard, cannot be exaggerated, especially when we consider the example of Job. What will save us when we are afflicted like Job? We may never suffer exactly as he did, but the fact is: everyone eventually reaches a point where suffering becomes too much--too overwhelming, painful, too unexpected and incomprehensible. Every Christian, Jew, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist at some time must suffer to the point of breaking. And each will interpret his suffering in his own way. But who has the power to receive the suffering as sons? St John says of Christ: “To all who received him, he gave the power to become children of God.”
Only the Christian soul can receive his pain as a child. But even among us, among those of the household of the faith, how hard it is. And what will save us from abandoning hope at the most crucial moment? At the moment when we are being conformed to Christ crucified most closely, what will enable us to hold on? It can only be the strong, serene conviction that God is my Father.
There are times when we look at our lives and, humanly speaking, we have no good reason to hope. But then we realize what should be obvious: that our hope has never been only a human thing--nor our love, our faith, or our strength to endure. It is a gift of the Father--the same Father who permits the trials that conform us to His son.
St Paul says, ‘The Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline… then you are … not sons.” When these truths have become true to us then we have become great indeed, because we have become more like the Son of God Himself.
In publishing this homily, we hope to share a portion of the spiritual treasure by which the students are enriched every day. However, this homily may not be reproduced by the parents or friends of St. Michael’s without written permission of the author.
Prayer Requests
● Carol Bancroff, who is recovering from significant heart surgery.
● Pete Hebert, father of junior John Hebert, who has just been assigned to a one year tour of duty to Afghanistan.
● Ava Torres who has health problems.
● St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them.
● Those who suffer in the current economic crisis.
● Those who are in the armed forces.
● For the repose of the soul of Joseph Augustine, benefactor of St. Michael’s Prep.
● For the repose of the soul of Arlene Hagan, late wife of Michael Hagan, Foundation Board Member.
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