Holy Family Catholic Academy
Our Academy began its 24th year last week with 500-plus students and 69 faculty members and staff. Since 2002, we have steadily grown into the largest Catholic grammar school in our area. HFCA offers a truly unique and innovative curriculum featuring inquiry-based learning where students are challenged to think critically and solve problems, all in a setting that is grounded in our Catholic faith, values and principles. They do use textbooks, but they also focus on 6-week units centered on solving a problem presented by the teacher.
We also are one of only a handful of schools in northern Illinois that offers International Baccalaureate programming. This offers integration of values from cultures all over the world and is a wonderful complement to the worldwide nature of our Catholic faith. Dr. Kate O’Brien is beginning her thirteenth year as our Principal and Laura Clark, our Assistant Principal, is beginning her twelfth year on our team.
Each Wednesday throughout the school year, one of the classes hosts Mass for the Academy and parish communities. I meet with that class weeks in advance, and together we plan and they execute the theme of the Mass in some very creative ways. If you want to catch the vibrant and innovative spirit of our Academy, you can do so by attending one of those Masses. You can also contact Deb Atkins, who will give you more information and a tour if you would like.
Academy families of second graders and fourth graders prepare for the Sacraments of First Communion and First Reconciliation alongside those in our Family and Teen Faith program.
I am so grateful to Dr. O’Brien, Mrs. Clark, and the very dedicated faculty and staff of our Academy. They share their faith every day with our students. We have families from 28 different zip codes who appreciate the truly unique curriculum. Our sports offerings continue to expand as this year we are fielding a soccer team for the first time. We field teams in golf, basketball, volleyball, softball, and track.
Family Faith Catechists Needed
Are you looking for a simple way to deepen your faith? Do you know someone else who may be looking to do the same? We have young people in our community who could benefit from your guidance as a Catechist for our Family and Teen Faith programs. Please contact our new Director of Family and Teen Faith, Karen McHale at kmchale@holyfamilyparish.org.
OCIA
Sometimes even the oldest traditions of our Church get updated. We are encouraged to refer to what was the RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS now as the ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS. This change actually makes sense because the ORDER is the overall process and the RITES are sub-sections of that order.
Regardless of what we call it, we are beginning this process that we call FOOTSTEPS IN FAITH here at Holy Family for any adult who is interested in completing the process of Initiation into our faith. OCIA is for adults who have been Baptized as Catholics but have not received First Communion or Confirmation – for adults who have been Baptized into another Christian denomination such as Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, etc. – or any Community church – and for adults who have never been Baptized.
There will be an INQUIRY NIGHT this Monday, August 31, beginning at 7:00 pm here at Holy Family. Please contact Mary Whiteside, our Director of Adult Faith, for more details.