Earlier in December, our principal let me know that our AP English Literature class would be using the new stage instead of their normal classroom because they planned to read aloud and act out scenes from Hamlet. So, a few minutes into seventh period, I wandered over to the gym and was floored! The gym space was dark with only … Read More
November President’s Pen
Sometimes small occurrences combine in such a way that saying it is just a coincidence is an entirely insufficient explanation. In certain moments, Providence plays a hand and for a brief second you sense that God really is actively working in our world through those around us. At Cristo Rey St. Martin, it seems we are offered more of these … Read More
October 2021 President’s Pen
“We had no idea what we were doing!” is what my friend and colleague, Fr. John P. Foley, SJ likes to proclaim when asked about the founding of the Cristo Rey movement. What started as one school in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood has blossomed into thirty-eight schools nationwide. Being part of the founding leadership of that first school, I used to … Read More
September 2021 President’s Pen
“The value of life does not depend upon the place we occupy. It depends upon the way we occupy that place.” – Saint Therese of Lisieux Lately, people have been asking what it is like to be back in full-time classes at CRSM. My response is a single word, “Joyful.” It’s true. It is something more profound than happiness and … Read More
President’s Pen: On the Triumph of Student’s and Teacher’s Spirits Through Challenging Times
We are back at it! Our students returned to full-time classes at CRSM this month. At last, the building is full again instead only a subsection of students per day. For our first day we scheduled a late start to the Corporate Work Study Program so that we could hold our traditional all-school assembly. There are only two days in … Read More
July President’s Pen: An Interview with Preston Kendall
We Are CR: Preston Kendall In celebration of Cristo Rey’s 25th anniversary, “We Are CR” profiles will feature interviews with some of the many people who helped shape Cristo Rey Jesuit High School since its doors opened in 1996. Preston Kendall was part of the founding leadership team for Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in 1996. As Executive Vice … Read More
June President’s Pen: Marking significant endings and beginnings
June at CRSM marks significant endings and beginnings. No sooner did we say goodbye to the class of 2021 at an in-person graduation – the first in our new gym – than we greeted our incoming 9th graders to their first week of training and assessments for the Corporate Work Study Program. In some ways, it felt like we were … Read More
May President’s Pen: “At the end of the graduation ceremony we ‘mission’ our students with a final blessing.”
We held an in-person graduation this past Saturday – the first in our new gym! Thank goodness we now have a gym because, with new CDC guidelines and appropriate distancing, the space was large enough to accommodate four guests for each senior. We also live-streamed the event so other family members not in attendance could view the ceremony from home. … Read More
April President’s Pen: “You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.”
On May 1 we will hold our annual Founders’ Dinner. The event will be virtual and last just over 20 minutes – but those minutes are jampacked – we have alumni, students, and others sharing uplifting stories. Fr. John P. Foley, SJ will also be joining us since 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the Cristo Rey movement; the silver … Read More
March President’s Pen: A Time for Hope
This week we modified our school schedule to allow students two full days per week of in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year. Freshmen and Sophomores responded very favorably to the expansion with about 60% and 62% respectively opting to come in; the response from Juniors (34%) and Seniors (16%) was a bit more disappointing. Someone asked, “Can’t … Read More