Category: General

The Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II Classical School is well into its second year of operations this school year and is celebrating the addition of a renovated, updated science lab.

Patrick McKeown, headmaster of Green Bay’s newest Catholic high school, explains the process that was undertaken to prepare the new facility for this year’s sophomores in their biology year of the science curriculum: “We began gathering science equipment from Holy Family College [in Manitowoc] in the spring of 2021.” The institution was closing its doors and liquidating materials were perfect for the future lab at the new Chesterton Academy. They purchased many items through the generosity of the Cherney family, the main investors for the lab. “After the liquidation was over, [the college] called us and asked if we would be interested in 10 lab tables and even more equipment.”

With the needed equipment procured, the construction phase of the science lab project got underway. McKeown says, “This summer, we went through an extensive renovation in order to convert a 1950s classroom into a high-functioning science laboratory. This included: A new ceiling, new LED lights, new electrical, two new wash stations, new flooring, new cabinetry, a new teacher workstation, five new windows, commercial refrigeration and more.”

The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are a group of Franciscan nuns that have been part of Wisconsin and Green Bay education for centuries. St. John Paul II and Chesterton Academy are located in Green Bay at 320 Victoria St., the former site of a Franciscan grade school and the current home of the St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

McKeown proudly concludes, “It is only right that some of that tradition and material returns back to the once thriving powerhouse of the East side.”

Learn more about Chesterton Academy by visiting their website.

We had a great time surprising our first #FacesOfGRACE nominee, Mrs. Kim Matzke!

We headed over to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School for the wonderful Mrs. Matzke, their third grade teacher. Her passion, joy, and love for learning are ever-present in the classroom:

“My favorite part of teaching is my students and how every day is new and exciting. I love interacting and learning from them. My happiest teaching moment is watching my students grow into caring, creative, and confident learners and people. I am excited to build new relationships and memories with my students.”

As her students say, “BEST TEACHER EVER!” Thank you, Mrs. Matzke!

Learn more about Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School by visiting their website.

The fourth graders from Notre Dame of De Pere School had a fun day learning about Wisconsin history at Heritage Hill State Historical Park. From fur trading to school days to the printing press, they learned how life was centuries ago. We are so lucky to have this living museum so close to home here in Green Bay, Wisconsin!

Learn more about Heritage Hill on their website and see more photographs of the trip posted on Facebook below.

It feels great to get involved! Last week, the GRACE Riverside team volunteered for the Feed My Starving Children organization. The afternoon involved setting up the mobile packing station locally in our community. Feed My Starving Children is a Christian nonprofit dedicated to fighting world hunger by breaking the cycle of poverty across the globe. More information about the organization can be found on their website.

GRACE thanks you for making 2022’s third annual Run/Walk a huge success. It took place at the start of October with a total of 224 participants and was hosted at Father Allouez Catholic School’s Resurrection Campus. There were post-race activities, snacks, inflatables and more!

Stay tuned for more details about next year’s event.

You can scroll through a photo gallery of images from the event over on our Facebook page (shown below).

September 16 kicked off GRACE’s Outstanding Volunteer series! We will be featuring an “outstanding volunteer,” recognized for their servitude, from each of our nine school sites.

The very first Outstanding Volunteer Award went to Mr. Marv Wall from Notre Dame of De Pere! Mr. Wall served as a parish representative on both the Notre Dame of De Pere Site Advisory Council and the GRACE Board of Trustees for many years. While other committee members rotate through every few years, Mr. Wall is a constant.

“His consistency and willingness to pitch in wherever is needed to get the job done are just some of his many admirable qualities. During Notre Dame of De Pere’s building project, Marv was integral in the entire building process. Not only did he help the project come to fruition on schedule, he also became an honorary and volunteer member of our staff. Marv stepped in to serve lunches, oversaw and personally carried many of the boxes in the moving process, set up a live stream so we could all watch the process, spoke to classes, and offered to come build a basketball hoop I had promised to my own boys at home. We ended up building that hoop ourselves and the whole time I wished Marv was there. Marv has a big heart and an easy going sense of humor. He is an outstanding role model for our students and all who have the privilege to know him. Marv continues to be one text away when we are stuck and is an important part of the Notre Dame of De Pere Family.”

Thank you, Marv!

At GRACE, our mission is to nurture the whole student – mind, body, and soul.

Each week, our students attend and participate in Mass during school; a sacred and time-honored tradition that brings our school communities together in spiritual reflection and prayer. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School was just one of all GRACE schools that celebrated its first school Mass of the year on September 1!

Learn more about our schools here and see their upcoming mass schedules on their individual websites.

St. Bernard School principal, Crystal Blahnik, recently embarked on a three day trip to Vatican City. She reflects on the trip in her own words below:

In 2013 the First International Congress on Catechesis met in Vatican City. The intention of the first congress was to set a course for an intensive, international focus catechesis by way of the Catechism. The Catechism is broken into four distinguishable parts, each of which becomes the foundational point of discussion at each of the four International Congress meetings. The order of meetings has been laid out like this:

• 2013 – First International Congress on Catechesis: Knowing and Loving God
• 2018 – Second International Congress on Catechesis: Witness to the Mystery; Sacramental Life
• 2022 – Third International Congress on Catechesis: Life in Christ; Living the Word
• 2028 – Fourth International Congress on Catechesis: Prayer

A small group of us had the opportunity of a lifetime this September when we were invited to represent the Diocese of Green Bay at the Third International Congress in Rome. This three day gathering was held at Paul VI Hall in Vatican City. Roughly 1,000 people attended the three day experience and participants traveled, in true pilgrim fashion, from all corners of the globe. 

With the main emphasis of the conference being Life in Christ, and Living the Word, which comes directly from the third section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the conference was entirely relatable and accessible to everyone in attendance, regardless of their specific title or vocation. The other foundational document that this congress series is based on is the Apostolic Letter Issued “Motu Proprio” by the Supreme Pontiff, Francis, Antiquum Ministerium instituting the Ministry of Catechist. 

Speakers on all three days were from around the world and presented in their native language while participants listened in on headsets with home-language translations. While all presentations were noteworthy, one that stands out is the talk given by H.E. Most Rev. Mark O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia (Wales). Three important points that the Archbishop made were focused on Vision, Discernment and Formation. 

Vision

The Archbishop referred to Corinthians 12:1 when speaking of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  “Vocation is initiated in the heart of God. And it is for the person to respond.” He stated that it is through living and a personal encounter with the Lord that we are propelled as Missionary Disciples. 

Discernment

Archbishop O’Toole noted that as we discern who is called to be a catechist we need to remember that “catechist” can mean something different in different circumstances, and that when it comes to catechising, this can come in as many forms as the gifts that we each possess. Either way, it is important to “set the bar high” in our expectations for quality catechetical teachers and experiences. 

Formation

It is imperative for each regional conference of bishops to determine the formation expectations for their catechists. Archbishop O’Toole asks us to reflect on our personal encounter with the Lord, and to remember that the work of Catechesis is hard work because we are going against the mainstream current. However, Christ desires us personally and it is time for us to put our faith in action. 

In addition to the words of Archbishop O’Toole, there was a steady echo from almost all of the speakers on the Kerygma. The Kerygma is considered the initial proclamation of the Gospel. We must first know and believe the kerygmatic message before we are able to share that message, teach or catechize others. Beyond this, there are many ways to share the kerygma. 

Three pastoral presentations were shared from across the globe to demonstrate the variety of ways that the kerygma is being shared through catechesis. 

Sr. Carolina Blazquez Casado, OSA came from Palencia, Spain to share her order’s involvement in The Way of St. James and the Conversion Journey. People from around the world know of this pilgrimage and our own Fr. Bill Hoffman completed The Way in 2021. Martin Sheen made a movie of the pilgrimage in 2010, which is also worth watching. 

H.E. Most Rev. Jean-Bertin Nadonye Ndongo, OFMCap, Bishop of Lolo (Democratic Republic of Congo) came with several priests and sisters to share the innovative way that the Mobokoli Center has structured the formation of catechists couples for the proclamation of the faith and promotion of human development in light of the vast distances between villages, poor road conditions and the need for laity to support their community’s catechetical needs and activities. The commitment to this project and the fruits that have come from it demonstrate the way catechesis can be tailored for the local needs of the people. 

Finally, Juliane Stanz, represented a new social media project entitled Real + True along with her colleagues on the project, Emily Mentock and Edmundo Reyes. Real+True seeks to bring the kerygma, via the Catechism, to people worldwide through this social media effort. On this site you will be connected with timely articles and issues facing modern day Christians. The structure of the site follows the four parts of the Catholic Catechism, thus supporting the structure of the International Congress on Catechesis.

Throughout the three day experience, as a participant in this international congregation, I felt right at home hearing terms that have been frequently used throughout the last decade right here in our Diocese. Our Bishop Ricken has been a passionate shepherd, leading us in the way of the kerygma, the new evangelization, and personal encounter with Christ our Lord. The bottom line is that here in Green Bay we are on the front edge of bringing the message of the International Congress on Catechesis to the people of our Diocese. With increased enrollment in our Catholic schools, a commitment to programs that innovatively catechize people of all ages, and a Bishop who communicates and supports his vision, we have more people paddling in the same direction, which ultimately means more of us know the kerygma and are willing to share its good news.

References

Molina, H. (2020, September 15). Alpha & Kerygma. Catholic Answers. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/alpha-kerygma 

1 corinthians, Chapter 12. USCCB. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/12 

Made with FlippingBook. (n.d.). Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/ 

The Catechist, Witness of the New Life in Christ Third International Congress on Catechesis Sept. 8-10, 2022. (n.d.). Vatican City. 

GRACE asks that you prayerfully consider giving to the 2022 Annual Appeal. Your tax-deductible gift will immediately support students with tuition assistance, rigorous academic programming, and new technology resources.

No gift is too small or too great, as every gift makes a difference. Find more information as well as how to donate on the Donate Now tab on our site:

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Thank you for your support of Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE)

GRACE is excited to announce the recipients of the 2022 Teacher Excellence Awards. Take a look at the video below and join in on celebrating our outstanding educators.