9 minute read
SPRING SPORTS
BASEBALL
Spring sports was an exciting time for the Cardinals! Our Varsity Baseball team received regional and state recognition as one of the top teams in California. They ended up securing the first Section Championship in school history, North Coast Section (NCS) Division 3 Champions. They were CoChampions of the North Bay League (NBL) Oak Divisions.
INAUGURAL BOYS VOLLEYBALL
BOYS GOLF
In Cardinal Newman’s first Boys Volleyball season, we finished as California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Scholastic Champions and qualified for the North Coast Section Playoffs.
In Our young Boy’s Golf team were in the hunt for a bid to the NBL Championships.
Dellan Longton
2021-22 NORTH COAST SECTION CHAMPIONS 2021-22 NORTH BAY LEAGUE OAK CO-CHAMPIONS
Cody Guy
Blake Bryson
GIRLS LACROSSE
Girls Lacrosse had an amazing season and were crowned the Vine Valley Athletic League Co-Champions!
SOFTBALL
The Cardinal Newman Softball team were exciting to watch -- extending their season all the way to the NCS Semi-finals! They were lead by Freshman pitcher Callie Howard and Paytin Salfi. Payting broke bother the single season and career home run records!
SWIMMING
Boys and Girls Swimming had a great season! The Girls were the NBL Redwood Divisions Champions. Natalie Farquhar (show at right) broke school records in 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke; 200 freestyle record was previously held by an Olympic Swimmer. She qualified for and competed in the CIF State Championships.
Natalie Farquhar
Paytin Salfi
TRACK AND FIELD
Track and Field had the largest turnout in several years, resulting in several key wins and performances. The Boys won the NBL Redwood Division Championship. Albert Beerbower was a standout in the Shot Put competition. He took first place in the NCS Track and FIeld Championship and went to the State Championships. Sprinter Gavin Doig was another with an outstanding year.
BOYS LACROSSE
A young team who played well together and improved throughout the season.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL CLUB
100% Paid By Donations and Insurance
The Cardinal Newman Classroom building and Student Life Center and Library were funded without debt or an impact on tuition. About $9 million was donated by individuals and $16 million by foundations. Combined with $8 million in insurance settlements, we raised $33 million for two new buildings. Our community Biblically responded to our needs. These buildings – the physical plant of Cardinal Newman – are legacy examples of what a community does out of love for its children. CAMPUS NEWS AT CARDINAL NEWMAN
CARDINALS
Student Life Center – Coming Spring 2023!
GMH Builders continue to make progress with the Student Life Center and Library. This multi-level facility will be the hub of student life and will include cutting edge technology labs/ maker spaces.
We’ll be seeking community input as part of our Strategic Planning Process on the types of foundational technology to include -- coding labs, robotics, gaming, digital media -- if you’re in the technology sector we want your ideas!
Following the completion of the Student Life Center, we have two other buildings to replace from the fire. The counseling center and the administration building. Currently, administration is in clergy housing converted to office space and counseling is embedded in the new classroom building. Our hope is to combine these building needs with a theater for the performing arts and new athletic space.
100% PAID FOR BY DONORS & INSURANCE!
STUDENT LIFE CENTER & LIBRARY
A New Promenade
As progress is made on the Student Life Center and Library, the new promenade connecting Jake’s Place, the Administration Building, and student parking will be in place for the start of the 2022-23 school year. Planters won’t be planted, but students, faculty, and visitors will have a wide walkway connecting our campus facilities.
THE BEATITUDES
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil falsely against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
BEATITUDES: THE KEY TO HAPPINESS
The Beatitudes from Matthew 5:3-12 help guide Cardinal Newman students in the principles of Christian conduct. Often as adults we know and understand the Beatitudes from past study, but it can be refreshing to reflect upon them anew and consider how the world continues to strain and challenge our ideas on basic human dignity.
LEADERSHIP & REFLECTION
In The Bible and Morality: Biblical Roots of Christian Conduct, the Pontifical Biblical Commission (PBC) writes: “From the very beginning, the beatitudes place morality in a radical context. They affirm paradoxically the fundamental dignity of the human being in the person of the most disadvantaged, whom God defends in a preferential manner: the poor, the afflicted, the meek, the hungry, the persecuted.”
With a quick, surface level read through, it may not be clear that this passage guides us in Christian conduct. However, the PBC provides additional insight to help our students connect these blessings with their world. The Commission explains:
The “poor in spirit” are those who “live in a precarious situation and, above all, acknowledge that they themselves have nothing, are wholly dependent on God.” Cardinal Newman students are encouraged to consider populations in Santa Rosa who live in precarious situations for their Christian Service work.
–Jennielynn Holmes, CPO, Catholic Charities
Such work builds empathy and compassion, especially for the less fortunate.
Those who mourn or are afflicted “compassionately participate in the necessities and sufferings of others.” We have all mourned the loss of a loved one, but what about sensitive personalities who feel the pain of others more acutely? These students often take action to speak up or support the suffering.
The “meek” are they who “do not use violence but respect their neighbors just as they are.” Oddly, the current view of meek is equivalent to weak or timid. Yet, it takes great strength to accept and respect others as they are without the need to force one’s views on them. In the volatile arenas of politics, media, and social media, the need for eventempered debate has never been greater.
Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness desire intensely to act according to God’s will in expectation of the kingdom.” This passage underscores the Cardinal Newman difference perfectly. As college-minded students come together in community at Cardinal Newman, they experience theological teachings that create a hunger for righteousness. At the same time, they learn the framework to incorporate their thoughts into daily action. The youth naturally want social justice, equity, and more inclusivity. Many are surprised to learn that those desires are the teachings of Christ.
The “merciful” are those who “offer active help to the needy” and “are ready to grant pardon.” Cardinal Newman students learn to develop the desire to help the needy through their Christian Service projects. And as teenagers, they certainly experience the need to forgive one another and to be forgiven for the social and personal mistakes we all make.
“Peacemakers” are those who “do everything in their power to maintain and reestablish love-inspired fellowship among human beings.” We have many students at Cardinal Newman who are natural peacemakers. That’s not to say they avoid confrontation. On the contrary, they’re willing to work through challenges and hard feelings to navigate a way back to communion with others. In addition, our counseling staff is often a great help, building conflict mediation skills and sharing strategies for better communication.
“Those persecuted for righteousness sake” are faithful to God’s will “despite difficult consequences.” Most Christians today experience some degree of persecution for believing in God. Though mild compared to the horrors of history, it still presents a challenge. In some cases, our students can experience two levels of difficulties. First, they can be made fun of for being a believer or attending a Catholic school and having the affluence to afford a private school. In both cases, it’s essential to have a tactic to contextualize the undue criticism, be ready to grant pardon, and keep the faith.
Our Theology courses teach the history of our faith to unpack the complex ideas, metaphors, and analogies used in scripture.
The textbook, Our Catholic Faith: Living What We Believe, connects scripture’s fundamental tenets with our daily lives, providing practical and essential skills for being happy and compassionate.
Introduction to Catholicism: A Complete Course builds on a spiritual and historical understanding of God’s gift.
Your Life in Christ: Foundations of Catholic Morality and A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve further develop the thoughts and tools students can use to orient themselves in the world and contribute to creating the community they want for themselves and their families.
Herein lies the critical difference between Catholic and Christian schools and public or secular private schools. Catholic schools provides a directional context for having an optimistic worldview. Education is about building the academic skills needed to go to college or grow in a career. Still, most of life’s significant challenges come from interpersonal relationships and one’s system of values.
That’s where the miracle of God’s grace shines brightest.
Cardinal Newman students graduate as a whole person, in body, mind, and Spirit. They have the confidence to take on new responsibilities without fear. The resiliency to navigate through hardships. Our students have genuine empathy for others and see their value in being human. They are compassionate and charitable, not just willing to help the needy but determined. Finally, our students are beacons of light that reflect the Spirit of Christ so that others may notice their example and awaken the Spirit within. Go Newman!
