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2022 - 2023 Key Dates Calendar
HSP's Online Calendar
Event dates are subject to change. Please always refer to HSP's online calendar for the most up-to-date calendar of school events.
The Homecoming dance is tomorrow Saturday, September 24th from 7:30-10:30 in the Lower Library of the Liberal Arts Building.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased using the following link: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/bEMWaaq4
For any questions, please contact Alex Sullivan at asullivan@holyspiritprep.org.
AIMSWEB Testing will be taking place at the Lower and Middle School this week.
Tuesday, Sept. 27 - 3rd/4th Grade Testing Wednesday, Sept. 28 - 5th/6th Grade Testing Thursday, Sept. 29 - 7th/8th Grade Testing
More details will be sent soon through HSP Communications.
Please reach out to John Angelle (jangelle@holyspiritprep.org) with any questions.
Come out and support our 6 senior VB players and their teammates as they take on Atlanta Girls School in their last home match of the season. It is going to be a full night of volleyball at our Upper School Gym.
4:00 - Middle School vs. AGS
5:00 - JV vs. AGS
Senior Night Presentation
6:15 - Varsity Game vs. AGS
Dear 9th Grade Families, The annual retreat for 9th graders is right around the corner! The class will head to the Hidden Lake Campgrounds for retreat, renewal, and fun on September 29th and 30th. Please sign the waiver linked below by Thursday, 9/22 which acknowledges your students' attendance and provides Lifeteen and us with the necessary permissions. LifeTeen and HSP Waiver Retreat details below:
The retreat is mandatory for all students and will be overnight at Hidden Lake 830 Hidden Lake Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533 from Thursday, September 29th, 2022 (8:30 AM) - Friday, September 30th, 2022 (2:30 PM).
Students should bring: toiletries, sheets, and blankets or sleeping bag, pillow, towel, comfortable clothing—including shoes that can get wet as well as a light jacket—(shorts of appropriate length and athletic pants are permitted; no leggings or sleeveless clothing), rosary, journal, Bible, water bottle, a few warm sweatshirts sunscreen/bug spray (optional).
HSP Faculty and Staff leading the retreat: Fr. Juan Pablo Duran, Fr. Andrew Gronotte, Marie Athaide, Alex Johnson, Katherine Tanko, Mike Chernick
Estimated Time of Departure: 9/29/22, 8:30 am
Estimated Time of Return: 9/30/22, 2:30 pm The Dress Code for this event is: Casual Clothing (refer to the student handbook for guidelines) Please reach out to Marie Athaide with any questions at mathaide@holyspiritprep.org. In Christ, The Retreat Team
Holy Spirit Preparatory School • 4449 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30327 • 678.904.2811
The 12th Grade Overnight Retreat will be held Thursday, October 13th - Friday, October 14th at Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton, TN.
We will be back before the end of the school day on Friday.
More details to come!
Dear Holy Spirit Preparatory Families,
You are cordially invited to our 3rd Annual Music Under the Stars. HSP's premier Fine Arts fundraiser!
Year three is destined to be better than ever and our theme is "Around the World" where each table is encouraged to choose a country and decorate your table, pair your food and dress to complement your country. Don't be shy, go all out if you so desire! Again, this year, we will be handing out prizes for the most impressive tables.
Music Under the Stars is a Chastain style outdoor concert where guests pack their own picnics, decorate their tables, and enjoy wonderful live music. Performing this year is R&B Inc., our HSP Jazz Band, composed of our High School and Middle School students, an Art Show from our visual art students, and a surprise interactive piece of art that will be raffled off at the end of the evening.
As always, Music Under the Stars promises a fun and memorable evening of fellowship while supporting our talented students.
We hope you are looking forward to it as much as we are.
If you have any questions, please contact Len Insalaca at linsalaca@holyspiritprep.org.
All 11th-grade parents are invited to an info session on the College Counseling process and expectations for the junior class over the next 2 years.
Please join us on October 26th from 6:00-7:30 PM. More details will be sent in the coming weeks.
See you there!
Wednesday, September 23rd
Middle School Cross-Country vs. Mill Springs Academy Time TBD • Location: Mill Springs Academy
Middle School Volleyball vs. Atlanta Girls School 4:00pm - 5:00pm • Location: Home
Junior Varsity Volleyball vs. Atlanta Girls School - SENIOR NIGHT 5:00pm - 6:00pm • Location: Home
Varsity Volleyball vs. Atlanta Girls School - SENIOR NIGHT 6:00pm - 7:00pm • Location: Home
Thursday, September 29rd
Junior Varsity Volleyball vs. Cherokee Christian Schools 5:30pm - 6:30pm • Location: Cherokee Christian Schools
Varsity Volleyball vs. Cherokee Christian Schools 6:30pm - 7:30pm • Location: Cherokee Christian Schools
Friday, September 30th
Varsity Football vs. Windsor Academy 7:30pm - 10:00pm • Location: Windsor Academy
What a wonderful week of Homecoming! Please enjoy some pictures from the week from each of our campuses.
Adoration on Wednesdays
Starting September 28, we will have adoration in St. Joseph’s chapel from 8:15 AM - 12:30 PM.
All students are welcome to drop by for a quick or longer time of prayer throughout the morning.
The PVA team is working hard for each of the schools. We cannot make these events happen without your help so please volunteer if you can. Please see the updates below.
Homecoming Help Needed!!
It’s HSP Homecoming weekend! Everyone is excited for the game, as well as Saturday’s dance! However, we are still in need of volunteers to help set up for the dance as well! Below are the sign ups to help make this year’s Homecoming great!
Homecoming Dance- Decorating:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4cacad23a20-homecoming
Homecoming Dance- Food:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4cacad23a20-homecoming1
Next PVA Meeting
The next PVA meeting will be on Friday morning, September 30, at 8:15 AM in the LS conference room. All are welcome to attend.
Bingo Night
Come play Bingo with your fellow Cougars at Family Bingo Night on Wednesday, October 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lower School Cafeteria. All ages are welcomed. $7/adults and $3/kids 4+. Each ticket includes pizza dinner, a bingo card and a raffle ticket. Registration has been sent home in the Friday folders. Proceeds from this event will support buying items for the library. If you would like to help out during this event or can donate prizes, please send a message to VyVy at vyvy.vuong@gmail.com.
Each ticket includes pizza dinner, a bingo card and a raffle ticket. Please register below:
https://payit.nelnet.net/form/zWKsVIQy
Proceeds from this event will support buying items for the library. If you would like to help out during this event or can donate prizes, please send a message to VyVy at vyvy.vuong@gmail.com.
Middle School
The Middle School PVA would like to thank the 8th grade parents for providing the first MIddle School Teacher Appreciation this week. A hot breakfast and items to stock their breakroom were provided for our appreciation for all that our teachers do for our students and school. Thank you also to Stephanie Cusimano and Sandi Cabrera for organizing the breakfast.
We are still looking for volunteers to help with a few of the fall events. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b44a9a92aa4ff2-hspmiddle
Lower School
Many thanks to Heather Behunin and the LS Teacher Appreciation team for stocking the Lower School Teacher's Lounge this week! We look forward to doing this for our wonderful teachers each month to show our appreciation. Be on the lookout for your grade's turn.
Lower School Fall Festival will be on Friday, October 28 and volunteers are still needed to help with planning booths and activities and volunteering for the event on the day. It will be held from noon to dismissal at the Lower School soccer field. Each grade is responsible for a booth at the event. Please help us make this a wonderful event for the children. Also start stocking up on candy! We will need candy or non-candy donations as prizes for the children. Collection will begin in October. Email Sarah Summers, the Fall Festival Lead, for any questions at summers.sarah13@gmail.com.
Sign up here to volunteer for LS PVA events:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A48AFA622ABF85-hsplower1
Calling all Cougar Fans:
Join us TONIGHT at the Varsity Football Homecoming game and Fall Sports Senior Night!
When: Friday, September 23rd Tailgate: 5:30pm Where: North Springs High School (7447 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta, 30328*) *Enter off of Dalrymple Road as the Roswell Road entrance will be closed. Senior Night Presentation: 6:45 pm at the field Kickoff: 7:30pm Theme: DISCO
Come out to North Springs High School for some Friday Night Lights featuring our HSP Cougars vs. Stewart County. It is going to be a big night as we honor our 18 seniors in football, cheer, clay targets, and cross country as well as all of the Homecoming Festivities.
KONA ICE will be there to give 1 FREE cup to each student. Get your ticket from the concessions trailer.
Admission is $9 for adults, and $5 for non-HSP students. All HSP faculty, staff, students and Silver Level and above Athletic Booster Club Members are free! Concessions, t-shirts, magnets, and bags will be available for purchase! We accept both Cash and Credit Cards. No AMEX!
Come show your c-pride for our Cougars! We look forward to seeing you there!
At the Homecoming Tailgate next Friday, the 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts will have a table of fun activities and crafts for Lower School and Preschool families.
Please support our girls and cheer on our Cougars! See you there at 5:30!
Questions? Contact Meghan Pietrantonio 404.694.9292
This Friday, September 16th, we had our first All-School Mass of the year. What a true blessing it was to come together as a community for this sacrament.
Keep an eye out for more pictures to come soon!
For now, please enjoy a few snapshots of our wonderful students below.
Friday was filled with joyous ceremony, competition, and confraternity among the Middle School students.
The morning began with the first All School Mass of the year at Holy Spirit Catholic Church followed by the highly anticipated Tying Ceremony hosted on the Upper School Campus.
Students returned to the Lower School Campus to cheer on their House Masters as faculty flexed their theological-muscles in a faith-edition of Family Feud. At noon, Father Andrew kicked-off the Inaugural House Banquet and teachers began serving the students a hearty three-course meal prepared by the kitchen staff. As students were enjoying the food and fraternity, Mr. Verlander stood up and recited Psalm 23, Mr. Hoyer followed suit with an address to the student body on proper banquet etiquette. The afternoon continued with students raising their 'glasses' to toasts offered to the Holy Father, Holy Spirit Preparatory School, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. During dessert, House Masters stood up, one-by-one, to recognize a student from their house who they found especially worthy of public praise.
As the banquet was coming to a close, Mr. Radosta, expressed eloquent words of gratitude to the student body, the faculty and staff, and the kitchen staff, led by Head Chef Ben Halley. The Salve Regina was intoned and students were dismissed to prepare for House Challenges with the sound of our merciful, loving, and sweet Virgin Mary ringing in their ears.
Photos from the Middle School Tying Ceremony
Photos from the Middle School House Banquet
If you are a parent or student interested in volunteering or being paid to help with the school, we have a need at our Extended School Program (ESP)!
The Extended School Program is hosted at our Lower and Middle School every day from 3:00-6:00 PM. At ESP, volunteers oversee and spend time with the students that need to be picked up later in the day. Hours are flexible and may be catered to your schedule.
The role is open to anyone over the age of 16 and can be counted for service hours or for pay at $12/hr.
Please note that high schoolers must be able to transport themselves over to the Lower School at the end of the school day, and may only volunteer/work for hours after High School dismissal.
If you are interested and able to help, please contact Pete Radosta at pradosta@holyspiritprep.org.
The Used Uniform Store is accepting donated uniform items now.
The Used Uniform Store is based at the Lower School and is open from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.
Information regarding our uniform vendors and Used Uniform Store may be found below or at https://holyspiritprep.org/Other/BackToSchoolForms
Flynn O'Hara 6311 Roswell Road NE Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 260-7584 website
Sue Mills 5932 Roswell Rd., Suite B Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 255-2133 website
HSP Used Uniform Store (K-12th Grade) 4820 Long Island Drive Atlanta, GA 30342 (404) 255-0900 Store hours are 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
Please see Maria Insalaca at the front desk for access and exact cash or check are the only forms of payment. The store is run by volunteers and we ask that clothes are hung or folded back up to keep the store presentable.
We are always accepting donations – please have them laundered or dry cleaned prior to donating them. If they are not in good condition, we will also take them and donate them to the uniform project or have them recycled. We will take anything with the HSP logo or name on it and find appropriate locations for the items.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the PVA website and sign up to volunteer there or contact Heidi Harrington at heidiharrington@bellsouth.net.
Make your 2023 GOAL Pledge today in support of Holy Spirit Preparatory School!
Applications are still open, and credits are being consumed at a higher rate this year! Secure your credits before they are gone! Apply HERE.
Contact Brittney Bailey at bbailey@holyspiritprep.org or call 678.904.2811 should you have any questions.
Please see the following letter from Michelle Bertany that was sent to the HSP Community today, regarding the 2022-2023 Annual Fund Kick-off!
Dear Holy Spirit Prep Family, It is hard to believe we are already one month into the new academic year. During the challenging circumstances of the pandemic that we continue to face, our Holy Spirit Prep community has continued to thrive, remaining faithful to the original mission of Holy Spirit Preparatory School - developing a communion of joyful souls dedicated to Catholic discipleship in holistic, classically-inspired education. As of today, Holy Spirit Prep’s 2022-2023 Annual Fund campaign is officially underway! The Annual Fund is our primary annual fundraising effort. If you have not already done so, please watch this beautiful message from Amanda and Rick Kuhlman, our 2022 - 2023 Annual Fund Chairs. Help us continue to improve, grow, and thrive. The Catholic Church has historically emphasized the critical role of parents, and the family in the process of educating the faithful. HSP strives to provide financial aid opportunities to qualified Catholic students who do not have the means to attend. This need-based approach is an effort to provide the highest quality Catholic education to entire families and to recognize the Church’s twin missions of teaching and evangelization. The economic realities relating to the cost of providing this type of education mandate a robust fundraising program and a commitment to proper stewardship of all the resources of the school. Without a community commitment to fundraising, it would be difficult for Holy Spirit Prep to survive as an institution supporting the family. Contributions to the Annual Fund demonstrate the community’s commitment to the proper formation of our children—and allow Holy Spirit Prep to maintain the highest quality Catholic education. We respectfully request every HSP family to participate in the 2022-23 Annual Fund to the best of their ability. Jesus taught us how. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” Proverbs 11:2 Over the next few weeks, you will receive regular updates and reminders about the Annual Fund. We encourage you to read these messages and reach out to our Director of Advancement, Edward Festa efesta@holyspiritprep.org with any questions. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs for charitable contributions made by their employees. Check if your company has a matching gift policy. The impact of your gift to Holy Spirit Prep could be doubled. Please support the 2022-23 Annual Fund at any one of the following Giving Levels by October 7, 2022. We are all called to make our best gift.
You may notice we added a new giving level, St. Joseph Calasanz. St. Joseph Calasanz dedicated his life to the education of poor and neglected children, including numerous schools where poor children could attend for free. I offer you my sincerest thanks for your support. God bless you and your wonderful families!
In Christ, Michelle Bertany
The Poor Widow’s Contribution. He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 12: 41-44
As of this week, 100% of the Holy Spirit Prep faculty and staff have pledged or donated to the 22-23 Annual Fund! We are so happy to kick off this campaign with all of our faculty and staff on board.
For more information on how to donate, please see our website:
https://holyspiritprep.org/Giving/AnnualFund/
Please note that the doors of the Preschool are locked between 7:30 am-4:00 pm.
Please ring the doorbell for entry and be sure to sign your child in and/or out if coming into the school.
The Preschool is meeting with a Sandy Springs police officer at the end of September to assess our security and ensure best practices.
We enjoyed seeing many of you at Parent Night!
Please enjoy the below newsletter.
22-09-02 Preschool Newsletter.pdf
Preschool hours are 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. If you wish to sign up for our early morning and/or after school programs, please sign up on the following registration form.
If you have any questions, please contact Georgia Tate at gtate@holyspiritprep.org.
Lower and Middle School boys are invited to join the Boys Club every Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, starting on August 16.
The Boys Club is a program run by Father Andrew with the help of missionary volunteers who are taking a gap year before college to help minister to our youth.
Students in the Boys Club will play sports, learn about a saint and a virtue as well as have a snack. The Middle School students help the Lower School students prepare a presentation about what they learned. This provides a great opportunity for students to learn about healthy leadership and virtues while having fun.
Students who register to join the Boys Club will be picked up from their classrooms at dismissal time. Unless there is inclement weather, students may be picked up from the soccer field at 4:30pm.
Registration is required on the form below (even if you have emailed Father Andrew about participation)
Please use the following link if you would like to contribute a snack for the boys to enjoy.
BOYS CLUB SNACK SIGN-UP
Below is a link with the Cougar Hour activities available to Lower and Middle School students for the first semester for this school year. Registration will close on August 26th.
Should you wish to register your child for any Cougar Hour activity today, please click on the link below and scroll down to the Cougar Hour Registration Information for the ones that are presently available, where you will find the registration links. Registration is required to attend these clubs. Please note that registration for most of these offerings is with the vendor and not through HSP.
Our Extended School Program (ESP) is still available, as per usual, during this time as well. Our ESP program runs from 3:00pm - 6:00pm. Please note that ESP is not included in tuition.
Should you have any questions about ESP, please contact Mrs. Maria Insalaca at minsalaca@holyspiritprep.org.
Should you have any questions about any Cougar Hour activities, please contact Mr.Angelle at jangelle@holyspiritprep.org.
The Lower and Middle School's Early Morning Care (EMC) Program is available daily to students from 7:20am to 7:40am for a fee.
During this time, students will be supervised by faculty in the gym. Students registered for Early Morning Care may be dropped off at the staircase between the gym and Middle School Building beginning at 7:20am. All students will be dismissed to their Homeroom at 7:40am.
All students participating in Early Morning Care must be registered with the program using the registration form below.
Congratulations to our 2022 Homecoming Court!
Ladies
Kaelyn Bannon Merelyn Gonzalez Alexa Padilla Ava Sipos
Gentlemen
Alek Grigorian Carlton Martin Issac Olguin Jacob Wilhelm
Please feel free to contact meet@uga.edu if you have any questions regarding these events or logistics on how the virtual events work. See dates and sign up here: http://www.peachstatetour.org/students.html
They depend entirely on donations from the community to fill the Begin Box. These boxes are a concrete example to the families we work with that they are supported and cared for. The impact of the Begin Box extends far beyond burp clothes and bottles; many of our caregivers tell us that receiving the Begin Box made them feel more confident and less alone, they felt connected to a community that really cared about them. The Begin Box amazon wish list is provided below, along with some pictures of the boxes.
Thank you so much for helping and filling a Begin Box with lots of love!
Mariana Munoz
Begin Box
All Upper School students are welcome to join our Encounter Groups starting the week of 9/19 during lunch.
Previously marketed as Bible Studies, these are a chance for students to Encounter Christ in Scripture, grow in fellowship with other men and women in your grade, and continually come back to your identity and worldview in and with Christ as you move forward this school year.
We will have separate studies for young men and women and varied grades. If students are interested, please fill out this form:
Encounter Interest Form 22-23
Elle Overholt hosted a very interactive and dynamic Resume Building Workshop for our 11th and 12th Grade students.
Our students learned the key points of a resume and started building their own.
If you would like to keep in touch with her and learn more tips, please check out her website!
Reminder that all high school students are required to serve and log 25 hours by April 21, 2023. The Service Hours Form can be found on the website and is linked here.
Please turn in complete forms in the folder to the left of the Campus Ministry white board outside of Fr. JP’s office.
Ideas of service opportunities will be posted to the website and Green and Gold over the coming weeks, but students are welcome to talk to Ms. Athaide about any other service work they do or would like to do.
On Wednesday 9/14, the High School Wind Symphony hosted Dr. Rich Sparks, Director of Bands from the University of Maryland (retired). He served as our first guest conductor of the year bringing a fresh musical approach to our rehearsals. Dr. Sparks’ many years of experience were invaluable as we prepare for our performance at Walt Disney World in March.
This Week’s Recommended Listening
Star Wars - by John Williams
John Williams
Born February 8, 1932 Floral Park, New York
John Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career that has spanned seven decades, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable, and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history. Williams has won 25 Grammy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With 52 Academy Award nominations, he is the second most-nominated individual, after Walt Disney. His compositions are considered the epitome of film music and he is considered among the greatest composers in the history of cinema.
Williams has composed for many critically acclaimed and popular movies, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones films, the first two Jurassic Park films, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, and the first three Harry Potter films. Williams has also composed numerous classical concertos and other works for orchestral ensembles and solo instruments. He served as the Boston Pops' principal conductor from 1980 to 1993 and is its laureate conductor. He has been associated with director Steven Spielberg since 1974, composing music for all but five of his feature films, and George Lucas, with whom he has worked on both of his main franchises.
Other works by Williams include theme music for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, NBC Sunday Night Football, and "The Mission" theme used by NBC News. Williams announced his intention to retire from film score composing after the release of the fifth Indiana Jones film in 2023, to focus more on composing independent orchestral and symphonic pieces.
In 2005, the American Film Institute selected Williams's score for 1977's Star Wars as the greatest film score of all time. The Library of Congress also entered the Star Wars soundtrack into the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Beginning with his score for Star Wars, Williams assigned his characters and the scenarios they inhabit, identifying melodies that recur whenever needed to aid the viewer. He also allowed those melodies to grow and expand, gaining in complexity as the story progresses, often linking one character to another by means of repeated motifs. It is a technique that Richard Wagner used in his music dramas, calling such melodies leitmotifs. The Luke Skywalker theme, quietly optimistic when he first appears, becomes dark and shadowed when he stands gazing upon the smoking ruins of his boyhood home, then turns bold and heroic as he triumphs in battle.
At a time when many scores were largely compilations of popular music from the film period, Williams crafted a grand orchestral score in the tradition of Erich Korngold’s scores of the 1930s and ’40s. In fact, it was George Lucas’ original intention to use popular classical music as the musical score for Star Wars. "Mars - The Bringer of War" from Holst’s The Planets (last week’s listening) was intended to serve as the main title. John Williams took this influence and incorporated it into his score (*See below). It was Steven Spielberg who convinced Lucas that a film of this magnitude needed an original score and connected him with John Williams for the project. The rest is cinematic history.
Fun Fact
When Star Wars originally hit theaters in 1977, it was simply called Star Wars. It wasn’t until its re-release in 1981 that it received the Episode IV marking and the subtitle A New Hope.
*Check out this similarity between Mars from 6:45 - 7:10 and the Star Wars Main Title from 1:30 - 1:55. It will blow your mind!
Mars on Apple Music Mars on Spotify
Recommended Recording: Star Wars: A New Hope (Original Motion Picture Score) - London Symphony Orchestra, John Williams (LucasFilm Ltd.)
Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify
Further Listening: Celebrating John Williams - Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel (Deutsche Grammophon)
HSP is happy to continue their association with the Ascension Music Academy to offer music lessons on both our campuses.
Performing music every day has a direct correlation to higher test scores, aptitude, and critical thinking skills. Numerous studies show that students who perform in their school performing ensembles daily score from 200-500 points higher on the SAT, depending on their level of musical advancement. Students at the All-State Level score closer to 500 mark. Almost every All-State student takes private lessons. There is no better way to master your instrument than to receive one on one instruction.
If you are interested in registering for the fall semester, please fill out this form and return it, with payment, to either school’s front desk. Please contact our Fine Arts Director, Len Insalaca (Linsalaca@holyspiritprep.org), if you have any questions or would like more information.
Dear Families,
We are continuing our virtue series at the Lower School this September. Groups of Middle Schoolers have been very helpful in preparing presentations for the lower school students on the virtue of the month. I wanted to share a few reflections about this month’s virtue – Faith.
The common notion of faith in our world today is that if something doesn’t make sense, and we are told it is true, we need to just blindly accept it. This is a false notion of Faith. Faith should go hand in hand with reason. God doesn’t ask us to reject our reason and intellect to reflect on Him. That would be, in a sense, improper to our nature, and God wouldn’t ask us to do something that we were not made to do.
It is proper to reason to trust people’s testimony. We do this all the time. Someone tells me that Antarctica exists, I have never been there, but I believe. Someone tells me that there are other galaxies out there, but there is no way for me to confirm them. I trust them. Someone tells me that the speed of light = mc2. I can’t measure it, but I trust that this is true. We also trust human testimony for historical events that happened. It is very natural for us to trust other people’s testimony, but for some reason, we find it much harder to believe or trust God’s testimony that He would stay with us in the Eucharist or that the morality He asks of us is the best way of life.
Not only is the act of faith rational, but also our Faith as a whole is rational. What we believe makes sense. The Trinity, Christ’s two natures, and the Eucharist are all mysteries that we trust the author of (God), and the internal principles that make them up are coherent and understandable. Our Theology uses philosophical principles to help us understand our faith. And philosophy finds its fulfillment in Theology and faith.
God gives us our intellect to help us believe, and He gives us Faith to help us understand. We use our intellect to discover the Truth, and Faith explains the Truth to us. The greatest Truth leads us to a discovery of the meaning of our lives. Why do we exist? What are we here for? The answers to these questions can never be found just with a scientific, biological, and temporal meaning. If the answer stayed in the temporal and material world, every answer we find would leave us hanging and asking isn’t there something more?
The answers to these fundamental questions can truly only be understood with faith. We find the meaning of our life when we accept the mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Our life can find meaning when we look back over our life hand in hand with Christ from His Tomb, who has conquered sin and opened again the doors of eternal life. His Paschal mystery is the true interpreter of our lives.
Faith helps us complete the whole story. The meaning we try to give will always be incomplete, like a movie that leaves you hanging with many unanswered questions.
The Prophet Isaiah told King Ahaz that, “if your faith is not firm, you will not be firm” (Is 7:9). The Author of the book of Hebrews can help us interpret this line, “Faith is the realization of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen” (Heb 11:1). If we look at these two celebrated lines from Scripture together, we find that Faith is a rock. Isaiah tells King Ahaz he will be strong if his faith is strong and the author of the letter to the Hebrews, compares faith to realization and evidence. Both reference solidity. Our faith isn’t about vague abstract concepts that have nothing to do with our lives, rather we believe in a person, someone with whom we can build a relationship, and this gives solidity to our lives. He is our Savior, Redeemer, Merciful Father, and Just Judge. Knowing that there is such a loving Father and good friend we are invited to accept this mercy now and live a life worthy of the name, Christian. “Christian, recognize your dignity and, know that you share in God's own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God.” (St Leo the Great)
In short, our Faith is the foundation of our life, the rock we build it on. Build on solid ground and we will be strong.
God Bless!
Fr Andrew, LC
Video of the virtue of the month made by the students on Faith
https://youtu.be/ncP0f_broWo
This Week at Holy Spirit
Weekly Bulletin
Volleyball:
Our JV & Varsity Volleyball Teams had some tough losses this week vs. AIS and FSA. Come out to SENIOR NIGHT on Wednesday, Sept. 28!
Our Middle School teams played some tough competition this week but are continuing to improve! You can see them take the court again next week Wednesday, Sept 28 at the Upper School Gym!
Football:
Good luck to our team as they play Stewart County at North Springs High School! Tailgating begins at 5:30! Senior Night Presentation at 6:45 with KO at 7:30! See you tonight!
Middle School Football:
Our MS Football team took on Lanier Christian in their 4th game of the season. They played hard but did not come away with a victory. Keep up the hard work boys!
Clay Targets:
Please see article with additional information.
Please register HERE for MS Boys and Girls Basketball. If you're not on the list, it's OK. Just let me know and register! :)
6th - 8th grade Middle School Girls: MJ Twomey Catherine Slinkard Maia Slinkard Payton Palmer Logan Baker Myriam DeSantolo Avery Lanier Gianna Mulcare Ariana Lajara Rachel Meder Catherine Meder
7th & 8th Grade Middle School Boys: Aaron Summers Luke Sacco Isaac Twomey Evan Craig Ryan Prieto Lewie Chapman Feranmi Browne Rafael Pelaez Evan Sipos
Please let me know if you have any questions! All of our games will be on Tuesdays this Winter! More information coming soon.
Please review the rosters below and register here. Thank you to those of you that have already registered.
3rd Grade girls: NONE 3rd grade boys: 7 total (Coaches - Sacco/Carico) Siler Wolf Nico Munoz Nicholas Sacco Porter Milsap Jubal Gatwood Mason Carico Teddy Alverson Porter Millsap
4th grade girls: 8 total (Coaches - Summers/Richmond) Hannah Summers Cora Pietrantonio Quinn Richmond Catherine Meder Isabella Firmin Paular Millsap Rebecca Pelaez Avery Garza
4th grade boys: 3 total as of now (Need coach) Xavier Twomey Oba Browne Karim Santillian PLEASE TALK WITH OTHER BOYS IN YOUR GRADE
5th grade girls: 7 total (Cusimano/Behunin) Gabby Cusimano Ansley Behunin Livi Wilhelm Lucy Mulcare Rose Taylor Violetta Garzon Ivana Catellanos
5th grade boys: 5 total (Need coach) Jack Wolf David Tate Arthur Labbe Dominic Alverson Kolbe Nuar
6th grade boys: 8 total (Need coach) Rafa Firmin Lucas Kichler JJ Kichler Matias Castellanos Mario Munoz Enzo Kuhlman Luciano Kuhlman Michael Martinez
If you are not planning on playing, please let me know.
We are still working out the practice schedule. All of our MS basketball games are on Tuesday so we will not have any practice on Tuesday.
Please reach out to the students that you don't see on this list and encourage them to join the team!
Here's to a great season!
Middle School Volleyball: Theresa Meder "Theresa has shown amazing growth at practice and in games this last week. She has grown in confidence and in skill and is a wonderful team player! Coach Hudgens and I are so proud of her!!" - Coach Braski
Middle School Cheer - Audrey Nguyen "Audrey has been a ROCKSTAR this week! She has been named Co-Captain of the Middle School Cheer team and is an excellent leader. She takes on any challenge given to her, and is constantly improving her skills." - Coach Bailey
Varsity Clay Targets - Bradley Magnusson "This week’s Athlete of the Week is Bradley Magnusson. Bradley was the top scoring shooter in last week’s competition at Tom Lowe Shooting Grounds. Bradley has been very reliable and conscientious with attendance and participation, and recently helped out the staff at Tom Lowe to set things up beforehand. Bradley’s enthusiasm is contagious and he always sets a good example for the other shooters both on the Holy Spirit Team as well as on the teams against which we compete." Coach Harrington
Varsity Cheerleading - Sophia Napier Sophia is a great leader and captain for our team. She has great flying and jumping technique, and she always sets an amazing example for her teammates. She's been such a solid member of the team these past four years, and we are going to miss her so much next year!" - Coach Gallagher
Past Cougar Athletes of the Week:
Middle School Cross Country Luke Sacco Evan Craig Catherine Slinkard
Varsity Cross Country - Davis Braun Adam Young Jacob Wilhelm Reagan Neff Keira Jessop Jackson Sacco
Varsity Clay Targets - Dillon Harrington Carlton Martin Keaton Neff Aram Santillian Kaitlyn Hatchew Brady Van Oss
Middle School Cheer Evelyn Labbe Camila Castellanos
Varsity Cheer Layelin Zamora Michelle Sande Kira Taylor
Middle School Volleyball Ariana Lajara Isla Page Camilla Haller
JV Volleyball Camila Florentino Lauren Wilhelm Mackenzie Manning
Varsity Volleyball Reagan Twomey Ava Sipos Blair Ecker Mary Anna Cumbie
Varsity Football: Jacob Meder
At the Homecoming Tailgate next Friday, the 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts will have a table of fun activities and crafts for Lower School and Preschool families. Please support our girls and cheer on our Cougars! See you there at 5:30! Questions? Contact Meghan Pietrantonio 404.694.9292
On Saturday, September 17, the Holy Spirit Clays Team competed against 67 competitors from 7 other schools, shooting two rounds of skeet, four rounds of trap, and one 50 target round of sporting clays.
The weather was sunny and breezy. When the wind gusted, the targets flew in unpredictable ways, and because our athletes focused on the targets, the targets’ irregular flight patterns didn’t effect the outcome. When fired correctly, the shooter focuses on the target while maintaining proper contact with the shotgun, and the result is that the gun barrel automatically points to where the target will be by the time the shot travels and breaks it.
Clay shooting teaches many life lessons, one of which is to inculcate the basics to the point where applying them is done unconsciously, freeing the mind to focus on the next important thing. An obvious parallel is character development and success in life.
Holy Spirit’s focus on character and faith development is demonstrated in our athletes’ exemplary sportsmanship. Their solid character prepares them to be better athletes, students, and citizens, and we see the positive outcome at every practice and match.
We are very proud of our team and school, and are proud of our American heritage. God Bless America.
Thank you to our current Booster Club Members! Click here for more information on how to join.
Gold Members ($1,000+) David & Stephanie Cusimano The De Santolo Family Chris & Megan Durham The Grubbs Family Nicholas & Tricia Mulcare Ashok & Kim Reddy The Slinkard Family Harold & Lisa Wyatt
Silver Members ($500+) Chris & Alexandra Burris Kelly & Collen Craig Mike & Carolyn Ecker Albert & Sallie Forrester Kendall Kerew Scott Kerew Peter & Jennifer Manning Erik & Holly Richmond Kevin & Ellen Twomey Ryan & Kristina Wilhelm
Green Members ($250+) Anonymous (1) Mark & Rebecca Bernier The Cabrara Family Brooks & Kate Castellaw The Hutchins Family Joe & Maria Kichler Rick & Amanda Kuhlman Kathleen, Kelly and Bradley Magnusson Chris & Margaret Martin Mike & Kathy Prieto Chris & Christian Riley Whitney & Ashley Wolf
Members ($100+) Anonymous (1) Javier & Alanna Oliver The Santillian Family Stacey Weiss The Zelaya Family
Calling all Cougar Fans! It's time to the 2022-23 Athletic Booster Club!
Support our student athletes through joining the Holy Spirit Prep Athletic Booster Club!
The Holy Spirit Prep Athletic Booster Club has one goal - to enhance the experience of our student athletes on all three campuses. The HSP Athletic Booster Club funds will enhance our budget, allowing us to provide supplemental equipment, coaching, and programs to improve the athletics experience for all our students. These funds will be obtained through HSP Athletic Booster Club membership, restricted athletics donations, spirit gear sales, and event ticket and concession sales.
The HSP Athletic Booster Club recognizes that participation in school athletics benefits everyone. In addition to financial support, the HSPABC promotes opportunities to build and strengthen relationships among all constituencies through enthusiastic participation of volunteers, students, coaches, parents, school faculty and staff, sponsors, community members, alumni and grandparents.
Depending on the level of membership, personalized admission passes will be issued to you for a select number or all regular season home games!
For additional information on levels, please click here. On behalf of all students, coaches and fans here at HSP, thank you for your support!
Please contact Kristina Wilhelm, Director of Athletics, for additional information, at kwilhelm@holyspiritprep.org.
The Athletic Booster Club is seeking Corporate Sponsorships!
As we prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, we are seeking corporate sponsorships to support the Athletics budget. Please click here for additional information.
Sponsorship Visual Benefits:
Limited 4x6ft vinyl outdoor banner on the baseball fence on the High School campus, the soccer/football field on the High School campus, and the soccer field fence on the Lower School campus.
Additional Benefits for all Corporate Sponsors
All the benefits included for the highest level of Athletic Booster Club Membership
To learn more about the opportunity to become a Corporate Sponsor, please contact Director of Athletics Kristina Wilhelm at kwilhelm@holyspiritprep.org.
Prudence: - "unselfishly giving to others what they need"
Prudence is a cardinal virtue: one of the four pivotal virtues.
Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern (discovering God’s will) our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; ‘the prudent man looks where he is going.’ Prudence is ‘right reason in action,’ writes Saint Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called the charioteer of the virtues; it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid” (CCC 1806).
"Prudence is concerned with the quest of truth, and fills us with the desire of fuller knowledge.” - St. Ambrose ”