From your midtown campus principal, Rhonda Jones.
Parents, while this was a short week on campus, we made the most of it! Tacky Christmas sweaters were in abundance…..not to mention some very tacky Christmas gifts!
JANE EYRE PRODUCTION UPDATE
Our 10th-12th graders have been preparing to perform Jane Eyre at the end of this semester. However, with a steady group of students experiencing quarantines, we have decided that pushing forward with a December performance is not a decision that will best honor the effort and investment of our performers. Our plan moving forward is to perform Jane Eyre during the school day or after school for our Rhetoric study body on January 28th or 29th. Students will also perform on Saturday Jan. 30th to record the performance. The production will be shared with The Academy community. I want to publicly thank Mrs. Stevens for her consistent ability to lead her students well as she navigates production obstacles. She is a treasure and a great addition to our Academy team. I am thankful for her leadership and professionalism. Look for information in these weekly news notes and in direct communiques about performance updates.
An Advent Devotion on the Peace of Christ, written by Antonio Cardinal Bacci
In this season of Advent, I want to share a reading that I recently found. I love this season! I especially love the opportunity to still my heart – in the midst of a busy cultural season – and reflect on what really matters. For me, what matters is dwelling with my God and living this season with a humble heart reflective of His peace in me. It is His peace is a great gift Christ so abundantly provides for us, as this sweet devotion beautifully depicts.
The spirit of peace pervades the Gospel. When Jesus is born, choirs of angels sing above the stable in Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest ad on earth, peace among men of good will” (Lk 2:14). When our Savior has risen gloriously from the dead, He appears to His disciples and greets them with the words: “Peace be to you.” Finally, when He is departing from this earth, He leaves his peace to His followers as their inheritance. “Peace I leave with you,” He says to them, “my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled or be afraid” (Jn 14:27).
Exactly what is the peace of Jesus Christ? It is much different from worldly peace, presuming that the world can give some kind of peace. St Paul says of the Savior that “he himself is our peace” (Eph 2:14).
How are we to understand what is meant by this? The Apostle himself explains when he writes: “Having been justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). Jesus Christ, therefore, is our peacemaker. He has shouldered our iniquities and has offered Himself to the Father as a victim of expiation and of reconciliation. It is at the price of Christ’s precious blood, that we have regained peace with God and freedom from our sins. This is the peace which our Lord has given us.
A Few Logistics
1. December 18th – This is the last day of the semester. We will dismiss at 11:55am. Carline will occur as usual, just earlier in the day.
2. December 17th – Midtown Christmas Feast – We are incorporating contingency plans that account for social distancing necessities. We will manage service in-house. While I treasure the opportunity to have parents join us for this event, we will forego that tradition for this year. Students may wear Christmas finery (business casual/festive wear – no jeans or athletic wear). Students will follow dress guidelines, such as length of skirt (longer than mid-thigh) and shirts/dresses with sleeves. Women may wear nice pants/rompers if they desire.
Upcoming Lyceum Guest Speakers: Lyceum speakers will be rescheduled
1) Academy Father, James Wickersham will lead a discussion on the Reformation from a Catholic perspective.
2) Academy Father, Reverend Ben Janssen will lead a discussion on the Reformation from a Protestant perspective
Upcoming Calendar Events
