October 31, 2010

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success
● Mrs. Jennifer Bonello and her son Andrew for assisting with our high school night, held at St. John the Baptist
● Mrs. Kelly Choi and Mrs. Anna Dang for providing dinner for the football team
● The Dardaine and Saglietto families for hosting various Open Houses
● The Martin Family and the Minder Family for hosting students over the weekend

General announcements to Parents
● Special schedule Monday for All Saints Day (Mass at 11 am)
● Wednesday: students will participate in a liturgical visit to Ascension Cemetery
● For parents who need to make plane or train reservations for the Thanksgiving break, school will dismiss on Tuesday, November 23rd at 12:05 p.m. Please make travel arrangements early.
● The Center for Disease Control has issued information indicating that Whooping cough (pertussis) has been widespread in California during 2010. California law now requires students to be immunized against pertussis.
Californians ten years of age and over need a booster shot (also known as Tdap). Students entering the 7th through 12th grade during the 2011-2012 school year will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school. For more information about this new law and for general information about pertussis and immunization go to: California Department of Public Health Website.
● Students are also encouraged to get a flu shot as the winter season quickly approaches.

College representatives visiting this week: none

Admission Matters
St. Michael’s will participate in a High School Information opportunity on Wednesday at St. Anne’s School in Tustin.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)–Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA)
On Tuesday, November 2, Mr. Richard Spicer, the Chairperson of the WASC-WCEA Visiting Committee, will be making a “pre-visit” to the school.

This week’s photos: Speech and Debate; Youngkyoo Kim running a marathon
Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Section 15
Section 15: DISMISSAL
Dismissal constitutes permanent, recorded removal of a student from St. Michael’s Prep. Students may be dismissed for:
● Flagrant violation of the moral norms of the school.
● Persistent defiance of authority.
● Possession of pornographic materials; passing such to others.
● Actions gravely detrimental to the physical, moral and spiritual welfare of others.
● Harassment in any form, including verbal, physical, and visual.
● Stealing (theft in any form is always a serious offense).
● Vandalism of any kind, including graffiti and “practical jokes”.
● Crossing the designated boundary lines.
● Leaving the student residence without permission after lights out.
● Possession or consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances in any form.
● Possession of paraphernalia which is typically used for consuming alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances.
● Possession of firearms or other weapons.
● Being associated with persons who were involved in one of the above mentioned activities either at school or at any school sponsored /sanctioned activity.
● Any activity, real or virtual, on or off campus, injurious to the good name and reputation of St. Michael’s Prep.
● Any other offense deemed sufficiently serious by the administration.

It is school policy that students who are dismissed must not return to St. Michael’s for one year without the prior written approval of the headmaster.

After this time of separation is completed, the young man may return to school grounds but is limited to his participation as other St. Michael’s visitors. i.e. watch a sporting event, participate in Mass or other special religious or civic ceremonies.

Etiquette Point of the Week
A gentleman does not interrupt when someone else is speaking. A gentleman waits until the person speaking has completed what he has to say before beginning his own dialogue. Further, a gentleman does not eavesdrop or intrude in on other people’s conversations when they do not concern him.

How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press

Student Birthdays
Oct. 31 Christian Aguilar

Athletics
Saturday, November 6th: Football vs. Avalon @ STM; 1:00 p.m.

Homily preached by Fr. Benedict Solomon, O. Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Benedict teaches Religion and coaches cross country and soccer.

Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude

“You are members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets.”

We have inherited this faith, household and family, built upon the Apostles. Whatever we do affects the whole Church. If we perform acts of virtue we build up the Church by encouraging others to do the same. If we sin we become a hindrance to God who wants to strengthen the Church through us. Like the Apostles, we are called to help the family to grow, if not by shedding our blood, at least by our words and deeds. Whether we have a job, go to school, or have a family to support, we can be sure of one thing- we are called in some way to build up the Church by our teaching and example. How we act can determine the type of experience others have at school, work or in the religious community. How we act can determine how others think of the Church.

In a more dramatic way, how we act can be an influential factor in the sanctification or even salvation of fellow students, those in the work place and family members for whom we may be the only Catholic connection. We hurt the Church and its mission when we sin. Even if the sin is hidden, we are hindering the grace of God within us from shining out to those around us. St. Jude in his letter speaks of those who grumble and always follow their own passions. “These set up divisions, worldly people devoid of the Spirit.” We like the Apostles are called to build up the Church by building ourselves up on faith and praying in the Holy Spirit- By keeping ourselves in the love of God. And this we do by daily prayer. And then, in the words of St. Jude, we are called to convince some who doubt; save some, by snatching them out of the fire.” And we do this by our religious observance in the community, by showing patience and charity to our fellow workers or other students. Saints Simon and Jude shed their blood for the spread of the Gospel. By their prayers may we at least be able to show patience and charity to those around us and not be a hindrance to the grace of God. Amen.

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
● Mrs. Betty Vaughan who suffers from declining health.
● Sr. Mary Vianney, Principal of St. John the Baptist School, who is suffering from declining health.
● Those who suffer in the current economic crisis.
● Those who are in the armed forces.
● St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them.
●Repose of the soul of Robert Lindenau,, killed in Afghanistan, leaving 4 small children.

October 24, 2010

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success
● The Mikolaycik and Tractenberg families for hosting students over the weekend.
● The Saglietto family for hosting a cake and coffee evening in their home for prospective new families.
● Mr. Brian Tran for his photos of the football game.

General announcements to Parents
● First Quarter report cards will be sent home electronically early this week.
● Student photos will also be send home electronically this week. This electronic format allows parents to determine the size and the quantity of photos they wish to have or share.

Admission Matters
● St. Michael’s participates in the following High School Information Opportunities:
Tuesday. St. Jeanne de Lestonnac School, Tustin
Wednesday. St. Catherine Military Academy, Anaheim
Thursday. St. Mary & All Angels, Laguna Niguel
Thursday. St. John the Baptist, Costa Mesa

First Quarter Honor Roll, 2010-2011

First Honors

Joshua Aaker
Christian Aguilar
Andrew Bonello
Jonathan Bonello
Nicholas DiNapoli
Nicholas Hanson
John Hebert
Jacob Holke
James Howard
Michael Howard
Alan Le
Edward Lim
Hieu Pham
Joseph Porretta
Brian Schardt
Scott Schardt
David Suh
Joseph Terlisner
James Tran
Mathew Vu
William Warnisher

Second Honors

Faris Alquaddoomi
Daniel Dang
Travis Elmer
Derek Giap
Justin Koh
Spencer Manson
Michael Martin
Jacob McDowell
Gregory Minder
Daniel Murphy-Dimen
Christopher Nguyen
Bryce Pickett
Marco Saglietto
Charles Sandoval
Vitalyi Tractenberg
Jonathan Tran

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)–Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA)
Mr. Rick Spicer is the chair of visiting team which will be on campus in March, 2011 to review and confirm St. Michael’s self-study. Since 2007 Mr. Spicer has been the principal of Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School in Los Angeles, an all-girls school of approximately 500 students which first opened its doors in 1923. Mr. Spicer has spent close to 30 years in high school education at Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto filling positions such as French and English teacher, ASB Advisor, Director of Activities, and Assistant Principal.

This week’s photo: The student body of St. Michael’s Preparatory School

Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Section 14

Section 14: WITHDRAWAL
Advice to withdraw comes when all the typical resources that the school uses to support a student have been pursued but there is little evidence of satisfactory progress. This could be represented academically by a consistent neglect of work and behaviorally by an on-going disregard for the well-being of the school community.
It is school policy that students who withdraw must not return to St. Michael’s for one year without the prior written approval of the headmaster.
After this time of separation is completed, the young man may return to school grounds but is limited to his participation as other St. Michael’s visitors. i.e. watch a sporting event, participate in Mass or other special religious or civic ceremonies.

Etiquette Point of the Week
A gentleman always opens the door for a lady, stands up if he is seated at a table when a lady approaches, and offers to carry her packages. Furthermore, when walking with a lady, a gentleman walks on the street side, always allowing the lady to walk on the inside, furthest away from the street.
How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press

Student Birthdays
● Oct. 25 Travis Elmer
● Oct. 31 Christian Aguilar

Athletics
Friday, Oct. 29th: Football vs Eastside Christian @ Lions Field; 7:00 p.m.

Homily preached by Fr. Charles Willingham, O. Praem.
Fr. Charles teaches scripture and hosts the weekenders.

You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky. Why do you not know how to interpret the present time? God really does give extraordinary vocations; calls men or women to become special vessels of God’s grace. A vocation is not a grab bag. It’s not our choice, believe it or not, but our response to God’s choice. Extra ordinary vocations are often signaled by extra ordinary graces which young men or young women recognize in their lives — extra ordinary goodness, love, charm, kindness, prayerfulness or other virtues.

Like St. Therese of Lisieux, sometimes the extra ordinary vocation is signaled by an extra ordinary grace of conversion. It was this way in the case of St. Mary Magdalene, St. Mary of Egypt, and Bl. Charles de Foucauld, all of whom left the world and went out into the desert dedicating themselves to prayer and reparation.

Sometimes it is simply a matter of an extra ordinary need existing at the time and you happen to be an able young man who can help. It becomes a matter of stepping up to the plate. During the two world wars, the posters which read “Uncle Sam Needs YOU” became a call to respond. Lines of guys wrapped around buildings to enlist, many not much older than some of you. By the very fact that the need existed, the able bodied young men felt called, compelled to go off and fight. It is Celine who tells us that her sister Therese decided to shut herself up in Carmel because of the need to save souls, to fight for souls.

When God gives special graces (and particularly special vocations) it’s because He has a special love for that person and through him or her plans to show His love for the world. But He always leaves us free. He respects our freedom and invites us to respond. The Fatima children were especially loved by Our Blessed Mother but she invited them to a special relationship with God and to an extra ordinary mission because there was an extra ordinary need – “so many souls falling into hell” our Lady showed them in a vision. Our Lady asked “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God, to bear all the suffering He may please to send you in reparation for the sins by which He is offended and for the conversion of sinners?” To which these three small “kids” answered with a very eager “Yes”. That “yes” meant that they would relinquish a naturally happy life. Jacinta and Francisco suffered and died as children. Lucia consecrated her life to God as a cloistered Carmelite religious in Portugal, persevering to the age of 93.

Even Our Blessed Mother who was most loved by God was still invited. Everything depended on her response which the Angel Gabriel eagerly awaited; she said “Be it done unto me.” In order to do that, she fully realized that she would be radically associated with the One who would be the Suffering Servant of Isaiah’s prophesies – suffering with Him, her own Son, on His way to save the world.

In all these cases: Our Lady, the Fatima children, St. Therese, their responses to their extra ordinary vocations brought extra ordinary graces to the world. In other works, so much depended on their “Yes.” There is something very wrong then in saying “Well, I can still serve God in some other way. I don’t need to respond. What’s important is that I’m happy.”

Many young people, due to their attachment to the world and the flesh, to their vanity, to fun times, keep hanging on to the idea that “I can do God’s work anywhere.” God’s work?!? The work of God for us is accomplished in His plan for us, not necessarily in what makes us feel good, what puts us in the lime light, or what brings us notoriety.

John Paul II followed God’s calling to diocesan life and God used him to bring many blessings to the Church; among these the diversion of a nuclear holocaust which he himself tells us in his last will and testament written in his own hand in his own polish language. St. Maximillian Kolbe followed God’s call into the active religious priestly life and through his Marian spirituality has renewed the world. St. Therese of Lisieux followed God’s call into the obscurity of a cloistered Carmel and her doctrine has transformed the face of western spirituality.

In all these examples, these people kept their eyes on Jesus, not on what others were doing or what others were accomplishing. Neither did they worry about what they would accomplish in the future. They left that up to Jesus on whom they kept their eyes fixed; He was the sign, the portent that they learned to read.

When Jesus told Peter how Peter’s life would end, Peter immediately started focusing on John, wondering what he was going to do. Jesus said to Peter “That’s not your problem! Your concern is to follow me.” In all these examples these saints knew that there would definitely be a cross in their future because they knew they followed the Lamb wherever He would go, and that He was a Lamb of God. In a letter to his confreres, St. Maximillian Kolbe wrote “With the Immaculata’s help, let us repeat constantly that we are prepared for everything; for all kinds of work, suffering, humiliations and even death by starvation.”

My little brothers in Christ, don’t tell yourself and don’t go running around telling other people that God wants you to be happy if you have no idea what happiness is. True, God wants us to be happy, but the happiness that God wants for us is reached by doing His will, carrying your cross, denying self, laying down your life. Hear what St. Paul says: “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking (fun times) but of justice, peace, and the joy that is given by the Holy spirit. Jesus says “My peace I give you, not as the world gives peace do I give it to you.”

My young brothers, life is short, so very short! Time is of the essence. Things have become very urgent. Learn to read the signs. Do not be afraid to suffer. Do not be afraid to respond to Jesus.

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
● Mark Mickelsen, a firefighter and former summer camper, who was critically injured in an auto accident
● Those who suffer in the current economic crisis.
● Those who are in the armed forces.
● St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them.
● For the repose of the soul of Mike Hills.

October 17, 2010

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success
● All fourteen of the NHS-eligible students have graciously volunteered to provide tutoring.
● For hosting students, Mrs. Kelly Choi and Mr. and Mrs. Dale Rincon

General announcements to Parents
● First Quarter report cards will be sent home electronically this week.

College representatives visiting this week:
Monday: University of Dallas
Tuesday: St. Mary’s
Wednesday: Hillsdale College

Admission Matters
● St. Michael’s participates in the following High School Information Opportunities:
10/18 St. Mark’s Lutheran, Hacienda Heights
10/18 St. Cecilia, Tustin
10/19 Our Lady of the Assumption, Claremont
10/19 St. Pius X School, Santa Fe Springs
10/21 Our lady of Perpetual Help, Downey

● St. Michael’s next Open House is Sunday, 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)

The accreditation process of WASC-WCEA offers St. Michael’s an opportunity for self-reflection and evaluation with regards to all of the school’s aspects: faith, academics and character (also known as the school’s ESLRs—Expected Schoolwide Learning Results). One of the many things we can be grateful for is the school’s commitment to preparing young men for college.

Despite the different levels of academic skills among St. Michael’s students, by graduation day all are sufficiently prepared academically to face the challenges of university life. For the past three years (2008-2011), our students have scored above the national average on the following standardized tests: Sophomore PSAT, Junior PSAT, SAT and ACT.

This week’s photos: Cross Country Home Meet

Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Sections 12 and 13
Section 12: SUSPENSION
The headmaster and/or his delegate has the authority to suspend a student for misbehavior and/or disregard for school regulations. Suspension for misconduct applies to behavior in the classroom, on the world wide web, in or about the school buildings and student residence, on the school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, as well as traveling to and from school. The headmaster and/or his delegate will decide on an individual basis whether a suspended student stays at school while being restricted when not in class or if the suspended student is sent home for a specified length of time. Students suspended from class and/or school do not receive credit on any work due during the time of suspension. Suspension is not a required step for student dismissal.

Section 13: WITHDRAWAL
Advice to withdraw comes when all the typical resources that the school uses to support a student have been pursued but there is little evidence of satisfactory progress. This could be represented academically by a consistent neglect of work and behaviorally by an on-going disregard for the well-being of the school community.
It is school policy that students who withdraws must not return to St. Michael’s for one year without the prior written approval of the headmaster.
After this time of separation is completed, the young man may return to school grounds but is limited to his participation as other St. Michael’s visitors. i.e. watch a sporting event, participate in Mass or other special religious or civic ceremonies.

Etiquette Point of the Week
A gentleman does not say “yeah” or “uh huh” when speaking to adults or others in authority. A gentleman says “yes” or even better, “yes sir” or “yes ma’am”. Why? Because a gentleman wants to show respect for the person he is speaking to and also knows that it reflects poorly on him to use poor grammar or street slang.
How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press

Student Birthdays
10/18 John Hebert

Athletics
Tuesday, 10/19: XC League Invitational @ Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Friday, 10/22: Cross Country Mt. SAC Invitational @ Mt. SAC; 3:20 p.m.Saturday, 10/23: Football vs Southlands Christian @ Southlands; 1:00 p.m.

Homily preached by Fr. Victor Szczurek, O. Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Victor teaches Latin.

When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him…

That’s no surprise! Our Lord just gave them the tongue-lashing of their life, even charging them with “the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world.” It’s no wonder they began to attack our Lord; and yet, our Lord did not back down. We don’t hear our Lord saying, “I’m sorry I offended you. I was a bit extreme in my views.” We don’t hear Him turning around and offering a second, compromised version of the truth.

In our present day “compromise” is considered by many as the greatest of virtues. “Don’t be against abortion in all circumstances, just some—compromise. Don’t be against gay marriage and gay civil unions—compromise; it’s enough to protect marriage, anything more than that is a bit too extreme. Don’t accept all that the Church teaches; allow your conscience to be your guide—compromise; that’s a more mature approach.” We’ve heard all this nonsense before; and all this compromise has gotten us nowhere. In fact, it was a compromised truth which got us in the mess were in: If you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Truth is the conformity of our mind with reality. If, instead of saying that a square is a four-sided figure, we compromised a bit and said it is a two-sided figure, that would not be in conformity with reality. A compromised version of the truth is no truth at all; it’s an error.

The saint we honor today, St. Callistus, knew how important it is not to compromise when it comes to the truth. As pope, he was ruthlessly attacked by Tertullian (faithful Christian turned heretic) and Hippolytus (anti-pope later turned martyr and saint)—he was attacked by both for upholding the Church’s teaching on several issues, including papal primacy. To get back at St. Callistus they even made up lies about him, saying that he had once tried to commit suicide, and that he had bribed his way to the Chair of St. Peter. But like our Lord, St. Callistus never backed down, never compromised the truth. He also defended the deposit of the Faith from two heresies: adoptianism, which claims that Jesus is not God and Man, but just man (one compromise); and modalism, another compromise which claims that God does not exist in all Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity, but just one at a time. Faith + compromise = heresy.

One of the things our Lord corrected the scribes and Pharisees for in today’s Gospel was taking away the key of knowledge and not allowing others to enter. Faith, St. Gregory reminds us, is that key of knowledge. The scribes and Pharisees substituted true faith with their own version of it, and hence were guilty of keeping others ultimately from Him Who is the Truth Itself. And so it was by that Truth that they were judged, as it will be for all of us.

At the final exam of life there will only be A students and F students: those who accepted the truth in its entirety, and those who preferred compromised version. May St. Callistus intercede for us, that like him, we might never compromise the truth, and so one day behold forever Him Who is Truth, to Whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory. Amen.

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
· Mrs. Betty Evans, who is undergoing radiation for malignant melanoma.
· Sr. Mary Vianney, principal of St. John the Baptist School who is

recovering from back surgery.
· Those who suffer in the current economic crisis.
· Those who are in the armed forces.
· St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them.
· For the repose of the soul of Mike Hills.

October 10, 2010

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success
● Fr. Joseph who took photos of guest speaker, Jesse Romero
● The Sandoval family who provided a parent lunch on Wednesday
● Mr. Brian Tran who sent photos of last week’s football game

General announcements to Parents
● A College Application Parent Workshop will be held Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the mobile classroom led by Mrs. Gloria Ryan.
● Orders for letterman jackets will be taken Tuesday evening by a company representative from School Zone by Sunbird. Sunbird cannot place any orders without payment made at the time the jacket is ordered. The average jacket price runs between $235 - $265. Students wishing to order a letterman jacket should either bring a credit card or a check to school made out to School Zone by Sunbird in the amount of $235. Sunbird will bill parents for any additional charges. Completed jackets will be delivered to school in approximately 8 weeks from the time the order is placed.
● First quarter oral exams take place this week. Friday, October 15th, marks the end of the first quarter of school.
● Cooler weather brings requests for warm sweaters. A dark gray or navy cardigan sweater (front buttoned, without collar and free from logos) may be used in place of the blazer during classes and most other school activities. A button-less sweater vest may be worn either with the blazer on any occasion or in place of the blazer during classes. The sweater vests are dark gray or navy blue.

Admission Matters
● St. Michael’s participates in the following High School Information Opportunities:
10/10 San Secondo d’Asti Parish Oktoberfest, Gusasti
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 Sunday, 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)

The accreditation process of WASC-WCEA is really a multi-phased process of self-study by St. Michael’s Prep which establishes the foundation for future improvement. It begins with a review and refinement of school purpose and, hence, establishment of schoolwide goals for students which promote high achievement for all. Through surveys, expert reviews, Grade Point Averages, results from tests of national importance (such as the SAT and the ACT), and other important data, the School employs multiple means of analysis in order to conduct a thorough program assessment. All this information confirms strengths in the educational program as well as suggests possible ways for further improvement. All the key players of the school program are asked to collaborate in the process and to confirm its conclusions. Next, St. Michael’s leadership drafts a plan for school improvement which includes a timeline and accountability. Once formally approved, this plan becomes the strategic plan for St. Michael’s Prep.

This week’s photos: Mr. Jesse Romero who spoke to the students about the challenges of being a Catholic teen in today’s society; Fr. John Henry who spoke to the abbey community about Bl. John Henry Newman; archive photo of sweater vest appropriate for St. Michael’s uniform requirements.

Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Sections 11 and 12
Section 11: Supervision, Search and Seizure
St. Michael’s Preparatory reserves the right to supervise student behavior in a variety of means which could include searching the rooms and belongings of any student. This supervision can take place electronically using available technology. The purpose is to assure the safety of those at school and/or the compliance of the students with the norms of discipline.

Section 12: Substance Abuse
The use and abuse of tobacco products, alcohol and other drugs are a significant problem among adolescents. In order to help those of good will resist the temptation to participate in such activities, the school conducts random searches on school grounds which includes dormitories and students’ belongings. An outside canine service may conduct some of these searches. Additionally, the school conducts random drug testing. Parents are notified as promptly as possible of any concern that involves their son.

Etiquette Point of the Week
A gentleman always makes introductions when one or more people in a group are not already acquainted. The proper way to make an introduction is by making the presentation to the person who commands the most respect. In other words, it is proper to say “Father Gabriel, I would like you to meet my friend, Sam” . It is not proper to say “Sam, this is my school’s headmaster, Father Gabriel”. An easy way to remember the correct order of making introductions is to begin your sentence with the person’s name who has the most seniority or who commands the most respect.
How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press

Student Birthdays
10/16/10 James Tran

Athletics
Congratulations to the Pioneer Cross Country team and its coach, Fr. Benedict, which earned second place in this week’s meet in Avalon. James Howard came in 4th out of 44 runners. Among the top 20 runners included: Spencer Manson, Joseph Terlisner, and Michael Howard.

Thursday, Oct. 14th: XC League Cluster hosted by STM; 2:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 15th: Football vs. Liberty Christian @ STM; 3:00 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 16th: XC Invitational @ Irvine Regional Park; 11:45 a.m.

Homily preached by Fr. Gabriel Stack, O.Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Gabriel is the headmaster of St. Michael’s Prep

Jesus makes some very bold statements in today’s Gospel passage. He teaches us how to pray, how to believe, and how to live.

St. Luke's version of the Lord's Prayer is shorter than the more familiar version found in St. Matthew's gospel. However, all the essential elements are there.

The Lord's Prayer is so central to our Christian life that St. Teresa of Avila once replied when asked how to be a true contemplative, You must simply say the Lord's Prayer…but you must say it very, very slowly! The implication is that we will never exhaust the wisdom found in this wonderful prayer.

It is, therefore, most appropriate on the day we ask the heavenly intercession of the founder of the Carthusian Order and patron of our own fr. Bruno, we turn to consider the power of prayer.

When we begin to understand what Christian prayer is, and when we give it its proper place in our lives, we become much more thoughtful, joyful, and generous people.

One of the problems with today's society is that it is out of balance. Before electricity and internal combustion engines, people were forced to follow a more natural rhythm of life. Night and day mattered. It took time to communicate and to travel. That meant there was more time to reflect on life's mysteries and enjoy life's simple pleasures. Our scientific and technological advances have changed things a lot.

Now it is possible to live at a neck breaking pace in which we become enslaved to our own to-do lists. Many people don't know how to defend themselves against this slavery, which is why today's psychologists are dealing with a plague of stress and depression - literally.

Prayer — confident, persistent, personal — is one of the tools God gives us to keep us human in this high tech culture. Whenever we turn to God in prayer, we put our minds and hearts in contact with the very source of life, beauty, and truth. This contact renews and refreshes the human soul, just as rebooting your computer restarts and refreshes all the hardware and software that makes your computer run.

Pope Pius XI who spent a large part of his pontificate reflecting and writing on the social order of modern society once said, "The man who prays looks above to the goods of heaven whereon he meditates and which he desires; his whole being is plunged in the contemplation of the marvelous order established by God, which knows not the frenzy of earthly successes nor the futile competitions of ever increasing speed; and thus automatically, as it were, will be re-established that equilibrium between work and rest, whose entire absence from society today is responsible for grave dangers to life physical, economic and moral."

When stress, discouragement, and frustration start to overload our circuits, we don't need to jack up the voltage by distracting ourselves with even more entertainment or working more hours - no, we need to reboot. We need to turn in prayer to our Father in heaven.

Through the intercession of St. Bruno, let's renew our commitment to taking advantage of what we have built into our schedule every day to be with God – namely, morning Mass, noontime Angelus, and evening Holy Hour. This is the best way to become the people God made us to be. The best way to become a man of God for others.

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.
· Mrs. Betty Evans, who begins radiation for malignant melanoma.
· Pete Hebert, father of junior John Hebert, who has just been assigned to a one year tour of duty to Afghanistan.
· Sr. Mary Vianney, principal of St. John the Baptist School who suffers with severe back pain.
· 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.

October 3, 2010

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

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.