News and Information

In pursuit of a Christian education
by Pam Jordan, Director of Communications, St. John’s Episcopal School

ew decisions cause family angst as much as choosing a school for your children. Public or private? Christian or secular? Large or small? My husband, Patrick, and I sold our house and moved to a great neighborhood so we could take advantage of the nearby public elementary school. Then came the fateful day when I saw St. John's sign in a Lakewood yard. The sign led to Sunday service, a school tour, an application, assessment, acceptance — and then a tuition check! How did that happen?

At the time, the whirlwind of activity made it seem like a difficult decision. But in retrospect, when we removed our worries and attitudes from the equation, the answer became clear. We chose St. John's for our children so they could experience a holistic education in a Christian environment.

Of course, we want our son and daughter to read, write, and think critically and independently. But we also want them to love God and themselves, treat others with respect, and consider the world as a place where they can have a positive impact. And while we recognize that, as their parents, we have the ultimate responsibility to instill these values, we want to be sure they permeate their every day so they become a part of who they are and the choices they make.

Fr. David Houk recently quoted Theodore Roosevelt, "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." When I first toured St. John's, the student life I observed embodied this quote. Mrs. Butler was teaching her students how to introduce their parents to others, look a person in the eye when speaking and shaking hands, and - for the young men — hold out a chair for their mothers. All of this was to prepare them for a student/parent/teacher meeting. Simple or unnecessary? I don't think so. By emphasizing the basic courtesies, Mrs. Butler was reinforcing respect for their parents, teacher, and — most important — themselves.

Now majoring in political science at Notre Dame, St. John's alumnus, Grant Schmidt, remembers how the child-focused homilies, hymns, and prayers greatly influenced him. "St. John's got me in the habit of starting the day with prayer. But that has expanded for me. I now pray as the day goes on. All the things that are going crazy in my life - student council, debate, girls — become totally irrelevant when I focus myself in prayer."

At the end of the day, I suspect most parents want their children to be as well grounded as Grant. Unfortunately, there's no magic formula with kids. Our school choice, preventative childhood shots, and selection of after-school activities don't guarantee a happy outcome. Some things remain, as always, in God's hands. But in my small family, we find infinite value in the education — both intellectual and
spiritual — our children receive at St. John's. In addition to the facts and skills they will learn, we take comfort in knowing they will carry with them always the memories of daily chapel talks, dress uniforms on Fridays, passionate teachers, and an earnest awareness of God's presence. For more information about St. John's, go to www.stjohnsschool.org.

La vida Hispana en la Catedral San Mateo Spanish life at St. Matthew’s Cathedral

by Deacon Phyllis Doty, St. Matthew’s

doración — Worship
During the low months of summer, you can hear 250 voices singing and praying in Spanish at the Cathedral every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Those numbers will swell to 350 – 400 folks this fall. On Monday nights, the women meet for prayer and Bible-study; every Wednesday, families join for an Evening Prayer and healing service; and twice a month, Rosary Prayer groups meet in members' homes.

Ministerio de hospitalidad — Hospitality ministry
Jorge Basilio and Aidé Ramirez organize eight teams of cooks to prepare and serve the best home-cooked Mexican, Peruvian, and Honduran food after Mass on Sunday. The money they raise contributes to relief funds for Peru, mission trips, and special events at the Cathedral.

Jovenes — Youth
Ruben Sanchez, Kenia Maldonado, and Karla Molina have organized a youth group of more than 40 young people, ages 13 to 18. On the first Sunday of each month, they do everything during the Mass except preach and celebrate. Afterwards, they have a question and answer time with the priest about
his sermon.

They fund their own activities with car washes, garage sales, and the sale of deserts and snacks after church. In the six months they have been active, they have attended a diocesan retreat at All Saints Camp, visited Six Flags, held a soccer tournament, participated in a church lock-in, and sponsored an all-church picnic.

Niños — Children
Juanita Lara leads the children's ministry. This year, she held training workshops for teachers and their helpers. Each Sunday, 30 – 40 kids attend Sunday school and prepare for the Mass. Both Juanita and the English Christian education director work together and share classrooms.

Instituto Teológico — The Theological Institute
Four years ago, St. Matthew's Spanish theological institute began preparing Spanish leadership for the diocese. The first class graduated in December 2006, and the second will complete its training this December. Graduates Betty Barrios and Noé Mendez are candidates for ordination to the diaconate. Betty is serving at Christ Church, Dallas, where she organizes and trains Spanish leadership, supports the supply priests, and serves as a liaison between the Spanish and English congregations. Noé assists the priest and trains teachers in his home church, Holy Nativity, Plano.

Current Instituto Teológico students are ministering in their home churches — Noemi Saquic at St. Barnabas in Garland and Aquilino and Juana Lara at St. Matthew's Cathedral. All three have begun the process toward ordination.

Otras actividades significantes — Other significant activities
Nine Spanish congregations from the Dioceses of Dallas and Ft. Worth met earlier this year to sing, record their best music, and produce an album of Spanish hymnody at the annual Spanish Choir Festival they held at
St. Matthew's. On September 23, they celebrated their annual Spanish Cultural Festival from noon to 5 p.m., followed by a Spanish Mass.

Viajes misioneros — Mission trips
Last year, the Spanish community sent three mission teams to help construct new churches — two went to Peru and one to Ensenada, Mexico. They plan more trips for the future.

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