Back to Contents
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.
Father – Son Campout. October 29-30 near Conyers, GA (flier below)
Join Regnum Christi for a weekend spent camping with some activities planned around mass, time of reflection, games, camp fire, etc.
We hope to see you there!
All-School Mass Information
Dear Holy Spirit Prep family,
Tuesday, November 1st, we will celebrate our first All-School Mass of the year at 8:45 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Here are some logistics to know about the morning:
Drop-Off Procedures
Drop-off for Lower, Middle and Upper School students will be at the Upper School Gymnasium.
Lower and Middle School students should be dropped off any time between 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM. It is advisable to drop off Lower, Middle, and Upper School students as early as possible and to allow more time due to traffic congestion.
Upper School students should be dropped off at their regular time of 8:30 AM.
Law enforcement officers will be helping direct traffic in and out of campus. Please enter campus on Northside Drive and exit on Mount Paran Road (right turn only onto Mount Paran Road). Other than cars going through the preschool carpool line, cars will not be permitted to exit campus onto Northside Drive.
Lower and Middle School students will meet their Homerooms in the Upper School Gymnasium at 8:00 am, and Upper School students will meet in their Homerooms at 8:30 am, where they will be dismissed for Mass.
Kindergarten - 8th grade students will be shuttled back to the Lower School after Mass.
Preschool
The Preschool will start at its regular time. Please display your Preschool sign on your dashboard.
Uniform
This day is a dress uniform day.
We thank you for your cooperation and welcome parents to join us for the Mass! Should you have any questions, please contact:
Preschool: gtate@holyspiritprep.org
Lower and Middle School: pradosta@holyspiritprep.org and jangelle@holyspiritprep.org
Upper School: mbertany@holyspiritprep.org
In Christ,
Michelle Bertany
We will be having a Eucharistic Procession at the Middle School starting at 10:30 AM and will moving into a House Banquet and other House activities afterwards!
All events will be to celebrate the beautiful feast of All Saints Day.
On Tuesday, November 1st, after the All School Mass, the preschoolers will be dressed in saint costumes and taking place in a parade on the Upper School Quad.
Please feel free to stick around after Mass and enjoy the event with us!
The Parade will begin at approximately 10:00 AM.
HSP will hold their High School Fall Concert and Art Show on Thursday evening 11/3.
The Art Show starts at 6:00 PM in the Gym, hallways and Rotunda in the Liberal Arts Building. The concert begins at 7:00 PM in the Gym. A reception will follow in the Library and Rotunda and all are encouraged to continue experiencing the visual arts exhibition.
Come on out and enjoy the wonderful art created by our talented HSP artists and vote for your favorite student artists. The concert will feature our Chamber Strings, Wind Symphony, and a special guest performance by the Atlanta Trombone Ensemble. This is one you won’t want to miss!
On November 3rd, Preschoolers will be able to attend "A Day in the Life of a Kindergartner" and experience the joys ahead!
More details will be coming soon.
On the evening of Friday 11/4, the Lower and Middle School will hold their fall concert and art show. In addition to the beautiful artwork, the concert will feature the 4th Grade Beginning Band, 5th Grade Concert Band and the Middle School Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, and Choir.
Sneak previews below!
Book Swap and Campout Reading
The Library is having its annual book swap the week of November 7th - 11th. Students are asked to bring in books to swap with other students. Guidelines for the type of books to bring in would be ones that are in good condition that your child has outgrown or become tired of. Students should have your permission prior to bringing the books into school.
During Book Swap Week the students that have brought in books to swap are allowed to select up to three books from the book swap table or can “swap” books with other students during their class library time.
Grades K-5 will celebrate Book Swap Week with a campout reading time in tents set up in the courtyard on November 10th. Grades 6-8 are welcome anytime during the week to swap books. This is an enjoyable time for all students as they are able to ‘buy’ new books by trading in their old books. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mrs. Fickett.
Mrs. FIckett
kfickett@holyspiritprep.org
Put it on your calendars - ROMA! Wednesday, 9 November 2022!
ROMA is a special HSP annual event that helps support sending our Seniors on a pilgrimage to Rome!
Please join us for an authentic Italian festival at Holy Spirit Upper school gym Wednesday, November 9 at 6-8:30 PM.
Enjoy a delicious Italian dinner, Italian market, coffee & dessert bar, Senior skit & service, and festivities for the whole family (face painting, balloon animals, games & more)!
Ticket Information
$25 regular price ($30 at the door)
$15 Under-13 price ($20 at the door)
Family Maximum: $100 ($120 at the door).
You can make a donation to the cause here: https://factsmgtadmin.com/give/appeal/xgKPqLMNT
Purchase tickets here: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/jpY3POnT
Childer under 5 will be admitted to the event free of charge!
Save the Date for the Men’s Dinner at Eric Gunderson’s home November 11, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
We hope to see you at "Paella with Padres"!
http://evite.me/VPU58eDBgG
High School Parents,
If your student is enrolled in an AP Course for the 2022-2023 Academic Year, please complete the below payment form. Each exam costs $105. Exams are required for all students in the courses.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Andrea Vargas at avargas@holyspiritprep.org.
Keep an eye out for an email from HSP Communications with further details!
FACTS AP Payment Form: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/NvFLOaPT
Saturday, October 29th
Co-Ed Varsity Clay Targets - Match - Big Red Oak
Varsity Cross-Country - GISA State Championship
Friday, November 1st
Varsity Football - GISA State 1st Round
Thank you all for attending our Fall Festival! Our deepest gratitude to all of the teachers and volunteers that gave their time to preparing the event and to Sarah Summers for overseeing coordination!
Below are some highlights of the day. Please enjoy!
Congratulations to Reagan Neff and our Boys Cross Country team on qualifying for the GIAA State Championships in Macon, GA tomorrow morning.
Reagan Neff placed 7th overall at the Region Cross Country meet securing her spot in the State Championship! She has worked extremely hard this season and her efforts earned her a spot in the championship race!
Our Region Champion Boys cross country team will also be competing. Even though we are a team of 10 runners, only 7 will get to race in the championships. It was a team effort to get to this point and we look forward to seeing how you all do tomorrow!
Good luck runners!!! Run fast!!
Congratulations to our Boys Varsity Football team securing their spot in the First Round of the State Playoffs. The beat Dominion Christian last evening in their last regular game of the season.
As of today, we are not exactly sure when or where will be playing. GIAA will be making an official announcement over the weekend as to the final rankings and games.
We know we could play Thursday/Friday or Saturday either at HSP or away! Stay tuned for more information as we get it.
Our 3rd Annual Music Under the Stars was a great success! Guests were entertained by the middle school jazz band and several soloists, including vocals by 10th grader Alondra Olguin, alumna Elliana Henriquez-Quallo and a tenor saxophone solo performed by 10th grader Adam Young, all before dancing the night away to our featured performers, R&B Inc.; Atlanta's hottest rhythm & blues band. The Visual Arts Department put on a fantastic art exhibit and competition showcasing our talented HSP students. We have so much talent at HSP!
The event was only 3 hours but took months of planning to come together. Special thanks to the committee members that made it happen: Serena Young (lead), Stephanie Cusimano, Renee Grubbs, Maria Insalaca, Tyra Nuar, Clara Olguin, Michelle Sipos, and Kathryn Sturgeon.
Congratulations to the winners of the table decor contest:
Honorable Mention - Heidi Harrington and Kathryn Sturgeon table
Runner-up - Tyra Nuar table
WINNER! - Maria Insalaca and Melanie Pflug table (and tent)
It was a wonderful evening and we look forward to doing it again next year! If you haven’t already joined our Arts Alliance, please consider doing so at a level that is comfortable for you.
Join the Arts Alliance
Thank you to all the friends, family, students and faculty who came out to celebrate the” Music Under the Stars” Pre-K -12 “Art from Around the World” visual arts show. The Pre-School, Lower School and Middle school artists under the inspiration of Mrs. Stephanie Nguyen displayed amazing artwork from across the globe. The Preschool students created artwork to celebrate the Virgin Mary Birthday Cake, Kandinsky inspired Apples, and Warm and Cool Cat Tempera Sticks.
The Kindergarten students created inspired by Ancient Egypt Scarab Beetles, first grade exhibited mixed medial Egyptian landscapes, second grade showcased Ancient Roman Mosaics, third grade presented their Prehistoric Southwest Native American Personal Navajo Rugs, fourth grade created personal Bas Relief Plaques, the fifth grade created Mesopotamia stamps, Medieval Saint cards
The 6th and 7th middle school students showcase their Navajo Sand paintings, and the 7th and 8th grade artists created African Bead Art!
The High School Artists in Intro to Studio Art and Studio Art II under the guidance of Mr. James Morse exhibited their observational graphite still-life drawings inspired by master artists from around the globe.
Mrs. Stone’s Honors Studio Art III and AP Art and Design Students exhibited their personal Cyanotype masterpieces. Cyanotype is a cameraless photographic process that produces a Prussian blue image discovered in 1842 by Sir John Herschel in England. It involves the process of mixing potassium ferricyanide with ferric ammonium citrate to form a photosensitive solution. This is applied to the surface of (paper or fabric). Prints are then made by exposing the coated surface with a suitable negative (object or transparency) to sunlight. The prints are then developed in cold water with a dilute solution of hydrogen.
Guests were invited to experience these works of art and then vote on their favorite student Masterpiece in six categories.
The High School students' artwork is now exhibited in the Upper School Commons Rotunda Library Gallery. Students, Faculty, and Staff were invited to experience the artwork and vote on their favorite masterpieces in the same six categories. Please all congratulate all the students whose artwork is exhibited in this new show. Also, congratulate the following students who were winners in the various categories. All are invited to experience these “New Epiphanies of Beauty” in the Rotunda Library Gallery .
Best of Show
People’s Choice (Music of the Night): 1st Mackenzie Manning, 2nd Beau Donner
Faculty Choice : Mary Anna Cumbie
Student Choice: Ana Alessandrini, Beau Donner
Floral Inspired Cyanotype
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Ava Sipos, 2nd Mims Hammond
Faculty Choice Award: Mims Hammond
Faith Inspired Artwork
People’s Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Beau Donner, 2nd Mary Anna Cumbie
Faculty Choice Award: Mary Anna Cumbie
Student Choice Award: Beau Donner
Personal Expression Inspired Cyanotype
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Ana Alessandrini, 2nd Reagan Neff
Faculty Choice: Ana Alessandrini
Student Choice award: Ana Alessandrini
Personal Still-life Drawing
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Michelle Sande, 2nd Robyn Omolon
Faculty Choice Award: Michelle Sande
Student Choice Award: Brooke Nguyen
Photography Cyanotype
People's Choice Award (Music of the Night): 1st Dominic Plachy, 2nd Betsy Trenado-Bautista
Faculty Choice Award: Ansley Patrick
Student Choice Award: Betsy Trenado-Bautista
Middle School Update
Thank you to the 6th grade class for hosting a delicious hot breakfast for the MS teachers!
Fall Festival Update
Thank you to Sarah Summers and all the parent volunteers who helped organize this year’s Fall Festival. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful success!
Lower School Update
Thank you to the 4th grade class for stocking the LS Teacher’s Lounge this month. We love our teachers!
Next PVA Meeting
The next PVA meeting will be held on Friday, November 4th at 8:15 AM in the LS conference room. All are welcome!
Please see below for information on School Store Fall Shopping!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044CA4AA2D6-fall1
Please contact Heidi Harrington at heidiharrington@bellsouth.net with any questions.
We are excited to continue the family mission trip for a second year. This year, we plan to visit Cusco, Peru for our mission. A visit to Machu Picchu would be at the end of the mission. We will hold informational meetings to discuss what this trip will entail.
Friday, October 21st, 7:40 AM in the LS conference room
If you are interested and would like to attend an information session (in person or zoom), please fill out this form.
https://forms.gle/NYQDsXtkgtQwjNSs7
Congratulations to the 2nd Grade for reaching their 100% Annual Fund participation goal! They join the 1st Grade in reaching that level. Overall we are now at 76% and climbing. Please see below for the full list of current class rankings.
It is not too late. Please donate today. The Annual Fund is vitally important to our school.
Support by making a gift: Give
Support by making a pledge: Pledge
Ed Festa and Catie Johnson Advancement Office
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
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 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.
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.
The Middle School had its first House Patron Saint Feast Day celebration on Friday. The House of Lyon celebrated St. Jude. There were some spiritually uplifting and fun activities planned. The House of Lyons also had their House lunch and served for the Middle School Mass this week.
The newly elected Middle School House Leadership held their first meeting. Some of the items covered were: what does it mean to be in leadership and how these leaders might be called upon to serve this school this year. They will also be choosing House Apostolates and planning for All Saints Day activities.
Lower and Middle School 1st Quarter Report Cards:
All 1st Quarter Report Cards were emailed on October 14th. If you did not receive your child's report card, please contact Emily Labbe at elabbe@holyspiritprep.org. For attendance questions and/or corrections, please email attendance@holyspiritprep.org.
Greeting HSP Parents, We pray that this communication finds you all well. In the spirit of safety and cooperation, we are emailing you in regards to procedures for Lower and Middle school students that remain in our care after the end of the school day at 3:00 pm. As you know, carpool begins at 3:00 pm and usually runs for about 15 minutes. Students remaining after carpool should belong to one of three groups: ESP (Registered or temporary needs), Athletes (for a game or practice), or Cougar Hour/Tutorial. Any student not in one of those three categories should be picked up at carpool by a parent or guardian and have left school grounds. For those remaining, the procedures for supervision of the students in these three groups are as follows:
Holy Spirit Preparatory School • 4449 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30327 • 678.904.2811
We would like to extend our deep gratitude to Jason Evert, for coming to speak to our High School students this past Monday.
Jason even took the time after his talk to pay a visit to one of the theology classes to answer questions!
Please enjoy some highlights below.
High School 1st Quarter Grades
As a reminder, high school students will receive their 1st Semester Report Card in December. Please be sure to check your student's academic progress in FACTS Family Portal. For attendance questions and/or corrections, please email attendance@holyspiritprep.org.
In support of the Annual Fund, we are having a house competition at the high school!
The house that has the highest family participation in the Annual Fund will earn 75 points, second place will earn 50 points, and third place will earn 25 points. Any donation will be considered full participation for the purposes of this competition and no donation is too small!
Points will be awarded based on the percentage of families that participate for each house, so please help us to support our school, as well as your houses, as we push ever closer to our goal.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Amanda Foutch or Michelle Bertany.
For those who were not able to make it and/or would like to review the materials, linked below is the deck that was discussed. We are looking forward to walking with you and your student in holiness this year.
Parent Info Confirmation Night 2022.pdf
Below are also some important due dates and reminders.
Friday February 24th, 2023 | 8:30am - 12:30pm — Confirmation Retreat at Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Tuesday March 21st, 2023 | 3:30 - 4:00pm Confirmation Rehearsal at HSCC
Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 at 10am — Confirmation Mass and Ceremony at HSCC
Confession Times/Day before March 22nd – Fr. JP and I are still working on this and will publicize as soon as possible
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Marie Athaide (mathaide@holyspiritprep.org) with questions.
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
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
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.
Several existing service opportunities may be seen in the attached spreadsheet, but students are welcome to talk to Ms. Athaide about any other service work they do or would like to do. Please open the link below with a valid "HSP" email address.
HSP Service Opportunities - 22-23
Empty Bowls: The National Art Honor Society students and the High School Visual Art classes are creating Empty Bowls to raise awareness of those who are hungry and to help alleviate hunger one bowl at a time. All students, parents, faculty, and staff are invited to come to Room C103 and make their own Empty Bowls on Mondays, Wednesday or Fridays from 8:45 AM-3:15 PM in room 103 whenever they have a “free moment.” Just send Mrs. Stone an email at astone@holyspiritprep.org and let her know when you are coming.
It takes about 25-35 minutes to make a bowl depending on the mold and the design you select. You can come back the next week to glaze your bowl or ask a NAHS student to glaze it for you. No artistic experience is needed. We have all the tools to make your bowl a success! You will thoroughly enjoy this experience and you will be glad you took the time to into your God-given artistic potential. The contribution for a bowl ranges from $15 - $40 depending on the size of the bowl. You can donate to keep your own bowl or donate it to the cause so someone else can select your bowl.
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to alleviate hunger. The basic premise is simple: Potters and other craftspeople, educators, students and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to make a ceramic bowl and invited to either donate the bowls to the cause or reserve the bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
The money raised will be donated to St. Francis Table at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a Thanksgiving and Christmas meal for those who are hungry in Downtown Atlanta.
Symphony No. 5 - by Antonin Dvorák
Antonin Dvorák
Born September 8, 1841 Nelahozeves, Austrian Empire (now Czech Republic)
Died May 1, 1904 Prague, Czechia (now Czech Republic)
Antonin Dvorák was the first Bohemian composer to achieve worldwide recognition, noted for turning folk material into 19th-century Romantic music. He was born, the first of nine children, in a small village on the Vltava River north of Prague. He came to know music early, in and about his father’s inn, and became an accomplished violinist as a youngster, contributing to the amateur music-making that accompanied the dances of the local couples. Though it was assumed that he would become a butcher and innkeeper like his father, the boy had an unmistakable talent for music that was recognized and encouraged.
In 1875 Dvorák was awarded a state grant by the Austrian government, and this award brought him into contact with Johannes Brahms, with whom he formed a close and fruitful friendship. Brahms not only gave him valuable technical advice but also found him an influential publisher in Fritz Simrock, and it was with his firm’s publication of the Slavonic Dances (1878) that Dvorák first attracted worldwide attention to himself and to his country’s music. The admiration of the leading critics, instrumentalists, and conductors of the day continued to spread his fame abroad, which led naturally to even greater triumphs in his own country.
Dvorák accepted the post of director of the newly established National Conservatory of Music in New York in 1892. Dvorák's main goal in America was to discover "American Music" and engage in it, much as he had used Czech folk idioms within his music. Shortly after his arrival in America in 1892, Dvorák wrote a series of newspaper articles reflecting on the state of American music. He supported the concept that African-American and Native American music should be used as a foundation for the growth of American music. He felt that through the music of Native Americans and African-Americans, Americans would find their own national style of music. In the winter and spring of 1893, Dvorák was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic to write Symphony No. 9, From the New World, which is based on both Native American musical sensibilities and traditional European style.
Though he found much to interest and stimulate him in the New World environment, he soon came to miss his own country, and he returned to Bohemia in 1895. He died after a five week illness in 1904.
Dvorák has written many works in different genres. Although he considered himself a dramatic composer, having written 10 operas, history has not shared in his opinion. He is instead considered one of the greatest symphony composers, with his symphonies frequently being performed throughout the world. In contrast, his operas are seldomly programmed.. Dvorák also wrote sacred music including a Te Deum, Mass in D, and a Requiem Mass, several Tone Poems, and a Cello Concerto, which is considered one of the greatest ever written, and of course his nine symphonies.
Although Dvorák is best known for his 9th Symphony, his 5th is an incredible masterpiece in its own right. His fifth symphony, written within a mere six weeks, represents a milestone in the development of the composer’s individual style. It is the culmination of his early symphonies to date, indicating the gradual evolution of his musical idiom, and also the beginning of the series which would ultimately be recognised as Dvorák’s symphonic masterpieces. In his Symphony in F major Dvorak became one of the first composers to succeed in re-establishing the structure of the classical symphony, now seemingly assigned to the past, and giving it a new, modern slant.
Symphony No. 5 in F Major, Op. 76
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Andante con moto
III. Scherzo. Allegro Scherzando
IV. Finale. Allegro molto
(program notes excerpted from classical.net, Britannica, and wikipedia)
Recommended Recording: Dvorák: Symphony No. 5; The Water Goblin - Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Järvi (Chandos)
Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify
Further Listening: Dvorák: Slavonic Dances - Cleveland Orchestra, Christoph von Dohnányi (Decca)
This past Wednesday evening the Wind Symphony hosted our second guest conductor of the year, Ms. Audrey Murphy. Ms. Murphy is the Director of Bands at Hopewell Middle School. Her ensembles have earned consecutive Superior ratings in performance evaluation appearances. Under her direction, the Hopewell Middle School Advanced Band appeared as a guest performing ensemble at the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival and the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. The Hopewell Symphonic Band performed at the Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, one of the most prestigious music festivals in the country.
Ms. Murphy has served as a guest clinician and adjudicator throughout North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. She has received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence on multiple occasions for her contributions to the field of concert band, and was named Teacher of the Year for Hopewell Middle School.
We had a great time hosting and learning from Ms. Murphy as we prepare for our fall performance and Disney Trip in March.
This past weekend we had three students participate in the Double Reed Day over at Georgia State University!
Mariella Haller, Agnes Lindholm and Rafael Pelaez were able to attend Master Classes, the Guest Artist recitals along with participating in the HUGE Double Reed Ensemble.
The list of influential teachers/performers that they got to hear and learn from are amazing. Dr. Alyssa Morris (Oboe) and Dr. Susan Maxwell (Bassoon) from Kansas State, as well as Dr. Lara Dahl (Oboe) and John Grove (Bassoon) from Georgia State.
All had a wonderful time and we hope to have even more students attend in the future!
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,
The month of November is quickly approaching, and with it comes the holiday season. 2022 is also coming to a close. We are at the final sprint, and it seems to be a very steep uphill. So much going on and so much to prepare for. Each year it seems like we have more to do. We also have new challenges that we have had to face this past year, which create a little bit of baggage as we have family coming into town or we have to go visit. Maybe we have a lot of mixed feelings towards these coming days, from feeling happy to a sense of feeling overwhelmed with all we have to do. At the Lower School, we will be working on gratitude this next month. This virtue can help us live these coming days in the correct disposition.
John Paul II said we should look at the past with gratitude, the present with enthusiasm, and the future with confidence. As anxiety could creep in looking forward in these months, only when we take a moment to look back on this year and take a moment to say thank you for all we have accomplished, can this give us peace to look forward with confidence?
Maybe we hear the word thank you often, but to live this virtue is more than a habit of saying thank you. To be grateful is to have a disposition of heart that when we look back on any object, situation, event, or even person, we can recognize the love that was offered to us in the form of a gift.
Gratitude is considered the most exotic flower in the garden of virtues by Henry Ward Beecher. Seeing our soul as a garden full of flowers helps us envision the beauty of our life. Gratitude as the most exotic, or rare, can help us understand how special it is. When we meet a grateful person, we feel good and recognize something special in that person.
Gratitude requires us to stop and reflect. The flower can only bud when the roots have been grounded in a time of reflection. Rather than just a quick thank you, a person who lives the virtue of gratitude ponders the gift received. The gift given fills them with wonder and awe. Taking time to write a thank you note or saying what we like about the gift can be helpful ways to take more time in our thank you’s.
The flower buds colorfully when the right nutrients are there. Humility is the most important of those nutrients. When our gratitude is nourished with humility, we can acknowledge the good someone else offers to us. When I was a little boy I would go pick clover flowers and bring them to my mom. She was so grateful for those weeds, although I had thought I was offering flowers. She saw in the weed an attempt to show affection. A humble heart recognizes that everything is a gift.
One of the reasons gifts are special is because they reveal the relationship of love that exists between two people. The gift is important because it unites two people in love and when received in wonder and admiration, the beautiful fruit produced is one of gratitude. When we are not grateful we are blind to the love offered.
May the end of this year be a time to remember the love that has been present and may these memories carry us through to 2023.
God bless!
Fr Andrew, LC
Video on Virtue of the Month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFviY6_C9_M&ab_channel=AndrewGronotte
Video on Gratitude
Please save the date for our Women's Advent Candlelight retreat on December 4th!
The event will take place in Malta Hall from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.
Speaker – Kelly Henkel
Theme – Spiritual Gifts
This Week at Holy Spirit
Weekly Bulletin
The High School will be having adoration in St. Joseph’s chapel from 8:15 AM - 12:30 PM every Wednesday.
All students are welcome to drop by for a quick or longer time of prayer throughout the morning.
Basketball - JV/V Boys: practice:
Basketball - Varsity Girls: practice
Swim: - MS/Varsity
If you would like to contact the coach directly, please contact the following coaches:
Please register here for MS Basketball, MS Swim, MS Cheer, V/JV Basketball, V Swim, and V Cheer.
For our little cougar basketball players in 2nd - 5th grade boys and girls and 6th grade boys, please register here.
Please review the rosters and practice times below. If you haven't registered yet, please register here.
3rd grade boys: 8 total (Coaches - Sacco/Carico) Practice Fridays 4:15-5:15 LS gym Siler Wolf Nico Munoz Nicholas Sacco Porter Milsap Jubal Gatwood Mason Carico Teddy Alverson Evan Pietrantonio
4th grade girls: 14 total (Coaches - Summers/Richmond) Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 Hannah Summers Cora Pietrantonio Quinn Richmond Catherine Meder Paular Milsap Rebecca Pelaez Avery Garza Veronica Wingate Emma Wulz Isabel Firmin Ximena Cervantes Ava Noble 2 more coming
5th grade girls: 6 total (Coaches - Cusimano/Behunin) Thursdays 4:00-5:00 Gabby Cusimano Ansley Behunin Livi Wilhelm Lucy Mulcare Rose Taylor Violetta Garzon
5th grade boys: 7 total (Coaches Ashley & Whitney Wolf) Friday 3:15-4:15 Jack Wolf David Tate Arthur Labbe Dominic Alverson Kolbe Nuar Abel Mathieu Xavier Twomey Jackson Neff Karim Santillian Oba Browne
Here's to a great season!
Practice is as follows for this week. Please make sure that your son or daughter is regstered as we will be handing out t-shrits and uniforms before the first game. Please see the
MS Boys A and B teams:
Monday 4:30-6:00 Tuesday 3:15-4:30 (until the first game on November 7) Thursday 5:00-6:00
MS Girls Practice Times:
Monday 3:15-4:30 (starting Oct. 31) Wednesday 3:15-4:30 (Starting Oct. 26)
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 today! :)
MS Girls Game Schedule (as of today):
6th - 8th grade Middle School Girls: Payton Palmer Logan Baker Myriam De Santolo MJ Twomey Catherine Slinkard Maia Slinkard Avery Lanier Bella Cusimano Elle Cobb Rachel Meder Thersa Meder Gianna Mulcare
MS B team Boys Schedule (as of today):-
MS A team Boys Schedule (as of today):-
Middle School Boys:
Aaron Summers Luke Sacco Isaac Twomey Evan Craig Ryan Prieto Lewie Chapman Feranmi Browne Rafael Pelaez Nolan Mathieu Logan Lanier Felipe Duran Rafa Firmin Lucas Kichler JJ Kichler Matias Castellanos Mario Munoz Michael Martinez
Please let me know if you have any questions!
"This past weekend the Clays Team did not have a formal practice.
One of the nice things about the shotgun sports is that you can practice in a group or alone. Practicing alone means you can spend as much time as you like working on a specific thing or trying new techniques without having teammates wait. Or you could invite a friend and introduce them to your sport. The opportunities are there for the taking.
There are a lot of places to shoot shotgun in the Atlanta Metro Region. Tom Lowe, Garland, the Governor’s club, South River Gun Club, Etowah Valley Sporting Clays all come to mind. It just takes a little planning and a little initiative.
Over the weekend, three of the clays team members attended a scout campout which featured two days of rifle shooting. Rifles and shotguns look very similar, and the safety rules are the same. How you shoot them is very different, as a shotgun is pointed at a moving target and a rifle aimed, typically, at a stationary target. Where to focus your eye and how to actuate the trigger are the two biggest differences.
Becoming familiar with other types of shooting is useful to the shotgun shooter as a broader understanding can help to put things into context, and to understand what tools are optimized for what jobs. Many shooters try the many different shooting sports before specializing in one or the other. Holy Spirit provides an ideal opportunity to try shotgun shooting, and anyone interested in joining the team should speak with the Clays Team members and get their perspective on what clay shooting is all about."
Clay Targets: Evan Sipos
"Evan is a joyful, young man who shares his smile with everyone he meets. Along with this ‘fruit of the Spirit’ he is determined & preserving in correcting himself to do his best in this sport. He is a good example to the older shooters, because of his ability to stay positive & never say ‘die’. I am honored to nominate Evan for The Athlete of the Week." Coach Magnusson
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 Bradley Magnusson Nathalie Anaya-Ruiz Maddie Van Oss
Ava Sipos
Middle School Cheer Evelyn Labbe Camila Castellanos Audrey Nguyen
Varsity Cheer Layelin Zamora Michelle Sande Kira Taylor Sophia Napier
Middle School Volleyball Ariana Lajara Isla Page Camilla Haller Theresa Meder
JV Volleyball Camila Florentino Lauren Wilhelm Mackenzie Manning Marlyn Pineda
Varsity Volleyball Reagan Twomey Ava Sipos Blair Ecker X2 Mary Anna Cumbie Mel Menay
Varsity Football: Jacob Meder
Volume 22, Issue 9 | October 25, 2022
Practicing Mindfulness
Sports can be stressful. As student-athletes grow up, balancing athletics with academics, family life and social activities can become a challenge for even the most organized and healthy individuals. Sometimes, you just need a moment to collect your thoughts and be present . The practice of mindfulness has become a popular way for athletes of all ages and abilities to improve focus, enhance mental health and develop the resilience needed both on and off the field of play.
For a great overview of mindfulness, it's benefits for athletes and additional resources, check out this 2021 Weekly Note on the topic. Today, we want to provide a practical approach in the form of two different examples of mindfulness exercises. Joanna Cote is a high school cross country coach and has herself completed 5 Ironman Triathlons. Orlandus Thomas, known by many as Coach OT, is a long-time athlete, coach and high school athletic director. Both know firsthand the benefits of mindfulness in the journey of a young athlete. Follow along as each of them take you through short, simple mindfulness exercises in the videos above. Joanna offers a more active "mindful moment" in just 2 minutes, while Coach OT offers a different session that includes a short meditation on the joy of playing sports .
Take a few moments this week to practice mindfulness with both Coach Joanna and OT. Then set aside regular time each day and commit to the exercise of mindfulness as a way to grow mentally, just as you set aside time to practice your physical skills. You can begin small, with just a few minutes each day. Have you developed a habit of daily prayer to help you grow spiritually? Perhaps you can add a few moments to that time to practice mindfulness, asking God to help you grow in your mental fitness as well. Taking the time to develop a habit of practicing mindfulness will help you grow mentally strong, providing countless benefits as you navigate sports and life.
Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~ Romans 12:2
Join Us for the Champion Book Club
When Madison Holleran took her own life midway through her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, it sent shockwaves through the college and athletics community, sparking questions about mental health and prompting coaches and administrators to reassess how they care for student-athletes. In her New York Times Bestseller What Made Maddy Run , Kate Fagan details Madison's life, including her struggles with depression and the pressures facing young athletes. Join Play Like a Champion for our inaugural Champion Book Club on Wednesday, November 2nd as we explore this book and discuss the broader issue of athlete mental health detailed within its pages. Don't have time to read the book? Take a shortcut by reading the ESPN article or watching the video feature that inspired the book. Then click below to register and join us on November 2nd. We look forward to seeing you there!
A Prayer for Athletes
Thanks God, for giving me life; and talents for my participation in sports. Help me to play well, to use my powers to the full, to see them as gifts from you. Be with me when I have to deal with the pain of injury, disappointment, loss. Keep me aware of the brotherhood/sisterhood I have with all athletes, even when they are opponents; free me from the temptation to fake, to foul, to cheat. I need to see that dedication to the cause will require sacrifice, but let me know that it is the kind of sacrifice that leads to new life and greater maturity. Help me play with heart, and never lose heart. Most of all, help me never to quit in my efforts to be open to you. For I believe your full coming into my life is the way to real life, in all I do; I believe it is the way of my becoming the truly unique person you destined me to be. Amen.?
Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series
PO Box 72, Notre Dame, IN 46556 | information@playlikeachampion.org
www.playlikeachampion.org
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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 The Hossain-Aguilar Family 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 Juan & Mary Martinez Mike & Kathy Prieto Chris & Christian Riley Whitney & Ashley Wolf
Members ($100+) Anonymous (1) Cesar & Clara Olguin 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.
Humility: “giving the credit to God”
A moral virtue: a virtue gained through human effort which builds on the theological and cardinal virtues (Mt 11:29)
Humility is a moral virtue that keeps a person from reaching beyond himself. It is the virtue that restrains the unruly desire for personal greatness and leads people to an orderly love of themselves based on a true appreciation of their position with respect to God and their neighbors. Religious humility recognizes one's total dependence on God; moral humility recognizes one's creaturely equality with others. Yet humility is not only opposed to pride; it is also opposed to immoderate self-abjection, which would fail to recognize God's gifts and use them according to his will.
"If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." - Mother Teresa