Loyola Academy Jesuit College Preparatory School
Loyola e h
A.M.D.G.
T Prep www.goramblers.org
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Volume I Issue VI
Chicago’s Ignatian Schools Serve Together Melody Ogoke Editor-in-Chief As we all know the motto of our great school is, “Women and Men for Others,” but this term does not carry much meaning unless we actually heed its implications and carry our faith out into the world. On the President’s Day Holiday, February 15, 200 students from the four Jesuit high schools in the Chicago-land area joined together to follow in the footsteps of what St. Ignatius called for us to do: to serve. The day began with all the schools arriving at Cristo Rey, the host venue. Since it was only a few minutes after eight o’clock, everybody gathered in the gym to get loose, wake up, and become familiar with the other kids After some light-hearted icebreakers, all four schools filled Cristo Rey’s Chapel of the Sacred Heart. Mass was led by Fr. Lukas S.J. of Cristo Rey, and in his homily he expressed how important it was for us to understand that God selected us to stand with our communities in solidarity, repeating Jesus’ message in
the Gospels, “I choose you, my faithful servant and true friend.” Our mission for the day was simply to serve, but also more importantly realize that we are brothers and sisters apart of the extended Jesuit tradition; plus the idea that whatever we did to each other, we did to God also. Fr. Lukas’ homily definitely went hand in hand with Fr. McGrath’s from Ash Wednesday when he challenged us to break through the culture of superficiality and metaphorically go beyond the shallowness that too often characterizes the nature of both our interactions and discourse. After mass, students and adult chaperones split into several groups, each composed of students from Loyola, St. Ignatius, Christ the King, and Cristo Rey. Student leaders introduced their group to their particular site, including background information and which section of the community they provided services too. Plus, leaders helped get everybody comfortable in their groups and become better acquainted. I was fortunate enough to able to help lead with another senior from St. Ignatius. Our
Junior Kara Thomas works with students at Casa Juan Diego with other Chicagoland area Jesuit school students. Photo Courtesy Campus Ministry
What’s Inside?
Diversity Week page 3
Before breaking out to their individual work sites, students gathered to ground themselves in their faith at the Cristo Rey chapel. Photo Courtesy Campus Ministry
group visited Casa Juan Diego, a site established a little over twenty years ago as a resource for parents to entrust their children to while they were at work. When we first entered, we encountered a woman named Bridget who had been at CJD for thirteen years, first volunteering when she was only a junior in high school. It was inspiring to see someone who found her passion during high school and continued to be dedicated to the community she grew up in. Bridget then led us to the basement and introduced us to Elizabeth. On an internship from Cornell College in Iowa, Elizabeth’s task was to organize donated books into the categories of English, Spanish, Fiction, and Non-Fiction and place those books into the appropriate grade level. This may seem like a simple job, but since Elizabeth was on her own it was quite daunting, and our team was eager to give her a hand. After introductions, our group split – one organizing books, the other upstairs with the kids – and we were put to work. This was a great chance for us make new friends with our group members and learn a little more about each other. When it became time
The Election Heats Up page 4
for a lunch break, we decided definitely saw God in both Elizato set a goal for our time with beth and Bridget who dedicate the kids: we would separate and their time by making a real differinteract with them without the ence in improving the lives of the backup of another member of children and all those they interour group, allowing us to actu- act with at Casa Juan Diego. I was ally get the chance to interact especially grateful to Bridget and and know the children of CJD. the incredible tight knit communiWhen we finished our lunch ty she unselfishly built for all the the other group took over our kids. We felt officially welcomed work with the books and we got a chance to play with the kids. into that community before Among the group were ages lunch when Bridget mentioned ranging from seven to fourteen. us in her prayer and the children The entire time we played games chimed in saying, “Thank you such as president bingo, Pac volunteers.” In that moment, we Man, musical chairs, and freeze believed we were truly apprecitag. At the end of games that in- ated and actually giving them volved winners, priceless Loyola an exciting day off from school. Academy merchandise was disMoving beyond small group, tributed, including t-shirts, cups, we listened to others’ testimofolders, and pencils. Before nies and learned what they were we knew it, it was already two able to accomplish. Each service o’clock and time to leave. site was unique, including visitWhen all the small groups re- ing the elderly, preparing lunch convened at Cristo Rey, we began in a soup kitchen, making beds reflecting on our day within our for ones struggling with homesmall circle, eventually sharing it lessness, cleaning, and more. with the large group of 200. One thing we discussed in particular Through everyone’s stories, was the challenge of our Ignatian we all learned something that education and how it calls us to can never be said enough, berecognize the people we spent ing more appreciative of what time with, who are often poor and we have and that even doing the marginalized, possess an inher- simplest things can constitute ent dignity. At Casa Juan Diego, I serving our brothers and sisters.
Don’t Hail Caesar page 6
LAG Skates to Finals page 8