CONFIDENCE IN HOPE

A CARDINAL NEWMAN PRIORITY

The ideas of faith and spirituality are very personal and thus tricky to precisely define. However, one idea that resonates well with our Catholic Identity is the notion that faith is having confidence in hope.

Assuring believers that our daily needs will be met is a common theme at the heart of what scripture teaches and the sacrifices made by Jesus and his disciples.

Though a simplification, the good news tells us, “relax, there are no reasons to fear being alive, for God will provide. Have hope and confidence that your life will be filled with goodness and joy.” The Shepherd leads us to green grasses and still waters. We just need to believe and accept the mysteries of faith.

As society has stepped away from Christianity, it has lost a life spring for hope. Folks struggle to find or feel a true purpose, a reason for being. Existential crisis sets in and can cause people to feel alone in a world preoccupied with self-interest. At Cardinal Newman High School, our Theology classes counter the idea of being alone in the world and provide access to the Christian faith as the tool for salvation.

We’re not heavy-handed about it. Our goal is to reinforce and expand faith among our Catholic community members. At the same time, we are open and inviting to others who may have yet to discover the grace of God and the peace it provides. We defer to God’s timing in awakening his presence to individuals. Our job is to share, inform, inspire, and love so that it is recognized and embraced when the awakening occurs.

The last few years have challenged everyone’s confidence in hope. The impact of the pandemic has hurt our interpersonal skills and caused society to be more easily frazzled and frustrated. As a result, we experience curtness at every turn – while driving, shopping, dining, learning, and even at church.

A CLASS THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN HOPE

mechanisms, and they look first to their parents and other adults in their lives as examples. Teachers influence by example as much as by instruction. We take our special responsibility seriously and build genuine relationships with students.

The Cardinal Newman learning experience is purpose-built to prepare students to successfully reach college and thrive. Contrary to public school student populations, 100% of our students are college-minded. That allows our process to be focused on meeting the needs specific to that shared outcome. From tutoring to special projects, it’s all about elevating the student. Our courses are college preparatory. Though that generally connotes “harder,” that’s not true for our students. Appropriately challenging to keep them engaged is more accurate. Few efforts build greater confidence in hope than when a student rises to meet a challenge they initially doubted they could do. They learn to trust themselves. Hope grows, and anxiety or worry dissipates.

Students also know they can count on our faculty and other students for help. Cardinal Newman creates a safe learning environment that encourages risk and provides a safety net that becomes increasingly invisible as students matriculate. Attending college is a hope. Being surrounded by a community dedicated to helping one achieve that hope ensures its probability. Our college counselors work with students to identify their interests, explore colleges, apply for scholarships, and apply for the schools of their choice. We serve as warm demanders, holding students accountable to themselves.

When those college acceptance letters arrive, we are just as proud as the students. We celebrate with them. It completes the loop and confirms that they were right to have confidence in hope. They were rewarded for living in the light of faith, within the wisdom of scripture, and guided by the Good Shepherd. That kind of hope lasts a lifetime.