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
February President’s Pen: Once in a While, Blessed with Grace
Every once in a while I have been blessed with an experience of Grace – a momentary sense of God being present in the here and now. Something like that happened at CRSM a couple weeks ago when we cohosted with Jewel-Osco our second COVID vaccine drive on our campus. After helping nearly 1,200 at our initial event, this day … Read More
January President’s Pen: Cristo Rey’s Baptismal Vows
In January 1996, my first day of work at a new job was the press conference that announced the Jesuits would be opening a new and unique college prep high school in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Fr. John Foley, SJ; Sr. Judy Murphy, OSB; and I sat at the table while the Jesuit Provincial announced the planned opening of … Read More
December President’s Pen: Goodbye, 2020.
Goodbye, 2020, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out! With the first vaccines now starting to be distributed and more approvals on the way, 2021 is certainly shaping up to be a much better year – full of hope and promise. But let’s face it, 2020 set the bar pretty darn low for 2021. Just thinking … Read More
November President’s Pen: We have a great team, problem-solving while responding to what our students and community need.
If you could point to one month out of the year that epitomizes Cristo Rey St. Martin, it must be November. No month better defines who we are as a school community. November begins with the Feast of St. Martin de Porres and ends with the Feast of Cristo Rey. Both celebrations focus on creating a different and better world. … Read More
September President’s Pen: Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive.
Even though it is astronomically already autumn, up until just a few days ago it still felt a whole lot like summer and, with COVID driving people outdoors, it’s been a very lively September. That certainly holds true for Cristo Rey St. Martin. For the last seven weeks, students are coming back to class once a week under our hybrid … Read More
August President’s Pen: What is Bringing You Hope?
“What is bringing you hope in these challenging times?” Fr. John Foley, SJ was talking by Zoom with a newly hired employee of the Cristo Rey Network office – to introduce himself and talk about the Cristo Rey Mission and its history – when she unexpectedly posed this question to him. What a way to take the conversation to a … Read More
July President’s Pen: Today is the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola
Today is the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola. Among his many inspired writings, including The Spiritual Exercises, he is purported to have said, “Pray as if God will take care of all; act as if all is up to you.” Another saying attributed to him is, “Love is shown more in deeds than in words.” We love our students and we … Read More
June President’s Pen: If not us, who? If not now, when?
IF NOT US, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Variations of these words are attributed to numerous people over time going back all the way to Hillel the Elder. Hillel is a significant figure in Judaism and one of the most famous sages of the Talmud. Rabbinical scholars believe that Jesus of Nazareth was likely familiar with some of his teachings. … Read More
May President’s Pen: How are things going with Cristo Rey St. Martin?
“How are things going with Cristo Rey St. Martin?” In these pandemic times that seemingly simple question is really quite complex. A whole lot is going on right now, some of it heartbreaking, but much of it inspiring and hopeful. Let’s start with our families. About 1/3 of our parents lost their jobs in the first couple weeks of lockdown. … Read More