A Note from the Headmaster |
Dear friends of Chesterton,
C. S. Lewis once wrote that "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts." Many of us have learned the art of cutting down jungles. By this, Lewis means that we learn to "see through" things so that we cannot be "taken in." Sometimes, we might think that a good educator is someone who helps his students also learn not to be taken in.
From Lewis's perspective, and from the perspective of classical education, this is not the right approach to forming a whole, wise person. A truly wise person is not someone who sees through things. Instead, the wise person is like Mary, who "ponders" things "in her heart." Mary habitually sought the deep meaning of things. This is what made her ready for the most fruitful act of obedience of all time, through which God brought forth Meaning incarnate, the "life" that is the "light of all people," "full of grace and truth" (cf. John 1). At Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope, we believe like Lewis that a person becomes wise by pondering the things that have been handed down to us as full of meaning: great paintings, architecture, and music; the great books; and the great faith of the Church. These great things "irrigate" the deserts of our hearts so that we too flourish and bear great fruit.
Please see below for important updates about the beautiful things happening at Chesterton, including a call for an intramural basketball coach! And we hope you will join us for daily Mass at 11:00 in St. Francis chapel or for holy hour and a fire on Friday, March 1, at 5:00. Gratefully yours in Christ, Robert Duffy, Ph.D. |
The First Chesterton Student Symposium
On Friday, February 9, Chesterton students spent a full day delighting in Shakespeare’s great play, The Tempest. In the morning, students arrived to a family-provided spread of coffee, pastries, and fruit. After morning prayer, they engaged in two seminars on the play, one of which was led by the keynote speaker for the day, Providence College Professor and Chesterton board member Dr. Matthew Cuddeback. Taking up an activity that the students themselves do after each major work we student, faculty also offered brief "panel" papers on the play, with time for student question and answer. In the afternoon, the students dramatized key scenes from the play, and then listened to Dr. Cuddeback’s keynote lecture addressing the relationship of authority, obedience, and freedom – and how, in Shakespeare’s Tempest, we find ourselves only in giving ourselves away. This beautiful day, celebrating our daily search for the truth in friendship, ended with fellowship and refreshment at our afternoon reception. Always a sign of lively inquiry, earnest conversation carried from the seminar room to lunch and the end-of-day social reception. And all of us, in the middle of pondering truth, goodness, and beauty, gathered together to contemplate and worship Truth in Person at midday Mass. Thank you to all our families for providing refreshments that helped make the day a festive celebration, and to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make it a successful celebration!
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Students arrived to a family-provided spread of coffee, pastries, and fruit. |
Students had two seminars, one of which was led by keynote speaker Dr. Matthew Cuddeback.
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Students from House Augustine acted out Stephano and Trinculo's hilarious discovery of the fish-man Caliban. |
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Dr. Cuddeback delivered a powerful keynote address. |
Students, faculty, and guests enjoyed a social reception at the end of the schoolday.
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Our first First Fridays Holy Hour and Fire Pit was a success! We had about 50 guests.
Please join us for our next one on March 1, 2024. Holy Hour is from 5-6, and the fire pit is from 6:00 on.
Please RSVP for the holy hour by emailing info@chesterton.org.
Chesterton Students Sang at St. Timothy’s
Chesterton students attended St. Timothy’s for Mass on Ash Wednesday morning and provided music at the service, singing as they normally would at daily Mass.
The Best (Arts) Week Ever!
This summer, Chesterton will offer a week-long Arts camp! While we are still in the planning stage and will share more details in the future, the camp will include drama and singing, and be open to non-Chesterton students.
Seeking Spring Intramural Basketball Coach
Have you considered becoming a part of Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope, or do you know someone who has? We are seeking part-time or volunteer coaches! Prior coaching experience is not necessary. If you are familiar with the game and open to growing as a coach, reach out to learn more. We are seeking coaches for:
Spring Intramural Basketball Sports at Chesterton help our students: - Achieve physical excellence
- Compete and grow in character
- Develop deep friendships
- Learn the importance of teamwork
For more information, contact us at info@chestertonri.org or at (401) 287-2280. Hiring We are hiring faculty for next year! If you or someone you know would like to work in an environment of pursuing wisdom and virtue and fostering these in young men and women, please contact us at info@chestertonri.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are seeking volunteers in all areas, including facilities, volunteer management, fundraising, and more. Volunteering builds up the Chesterton community and controls our costs so that we can make a life-changing Catholic, classical education available to as many as possible. Sign up here!
Learn More at Chesterton Evening Gatherings
On February 26, prospective and current Chesterton families, along with friends of Chesterton, gathered at the Parish Hall of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to build community and learn more about Chesterton. Please let us know if you would like to attend one of these near you, or if you have a space you would like to offer for hosting such an event! Family Gathering Interest Survey
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We Are Growing – Spread the Word, Come and See! Open House March 23
Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope set out on the adventure of its first year with 17 students, and that number has already grown to 19 thanks to midyear transfers who heard about the beautiful things happening here (that’s 12% growth!). Our students come from near and far – Warwick and Cranston, but also Connecticut and Massachusetts.
This past week alone, nearly a dozen students visited Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope for a shadow day. Students are shadowing regularly to experience first-hand the rigor and joy of a Chesterton education. Spread the word, and come and see. The second half of the school year always flies by - Schedule your shadow day today! Shadow Day Registration
Open House March 23
We know that where to send your child for high school is a momentous decision. Join us on March 23, 2024, at 9:00 AM for our Open House to learn more about the distinctiveness and transformative power of a Chesterton education. We will have morning prayer, a school tour, a presentation about classical education, and the chance to meet current and prospective families.
House Standings
A tight race continues. Though every house has at least 215 total points, the difference between last and first is a mere 14 points!
1st place: St. John Chrysostom & St. Augustine (It's a tie!)
3rd place: St. Athanasius
4th place: St. Ambrose
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Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton |
“The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.” |
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