Blueletter: October 10th, 2008

St. Francis Borgia

Dear Families:

I intended to add more thought on education from Jacques Barzun, but came across this inspiring article from Senator Rick Santorum. I thought I would share this with you this week. Back to Barzun next week.

Hope Does Not Disappoint - By Rick Santorum Philadelphia Inquirer - Publication Date: September 25, 2008
Twelve years ago tomorrow I led an unsuccessful effort to override President Clinton’s veto of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, which banned a late-term abortion procedure that pro-choice forces argued was necessary to terminate pregnancies that had gone awry. Sen. Dianne Feinstein defined “awry” as “fetuses with severe birth defects . . . fetuses with no eyes, ears, mouths, legs or kidneys.”
Because of Sarah Palin’s son Trig, who has Down syndrome, America is now aware that more than 90 percent of children with significant birth defects are aborted, often late in pregnancy. Over the past few months, several personal experiences have led me to ponder how I and our country should see these imperfect children.
Four months ago, Karen and I were blessed with our eighth child, Bella, who three days later was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a syndrome with a mortality rate of more than 90 percent in the first year. I subsequently discovered that a friend’s 12-year-old son, Brendan, who also had Down syndrome, had a reoccurrence of leukemia. Then, two weeks ago, a friend’s father performed a heroic act to save the life of his 20-year-old son with Down syndrome. And 12 years ago next week, our family will commemorate the date when we were told that Karen’s fourth pregnancy had gone “awry.”
I’ve recalled Condoleezza Rice’s remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast: “American slaves used to sing, ‘Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen - Glory Hallelujah!’ Growing up, I would often wonder at the seeming contradiction contained in this line. I believe this same message is found in the Bible in Romans 5, where we are told to ‘rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint.’ ” Amen!
This May, as our family was trying to come to grips with the news about our newborn baby, our priest told us of visiting our friends’ son Brendan at the hospital before his chemotherapy treatment. Brendan didn’t want the treatment because he knew it would make him very sick. Father told him he was not alone in his suffering, that another child like him, our daughter, was struggling in intensive care. Brendan said: “I’ll do it and give up my suffering for Bella.”
At the Republican Convention, I watched little Trig Palin “wave” to the crowd, have his hair spit shined by his big sister Piper, and have an emotional mom pledge solidarity with parents of special kids. We all glimpsed both the joy and the difficulty of having a disabled child.
Thomas VanderWoude, 66, was working in the yard with his youngest son, Joseph. “Josie” fell though a piece of metal that covered a small opening to their septic tank. VanderWoude jumped into the six-foot deep tank and pushed his unconscious heavier son from below to keep Josie’s head above the muck. After some 15 minutes rescue workers pulled them both out. Only Josie survived.
I keep thinking of the Christian narrative of the Savior jumping into the squalor of this world to suffer an ignominious death to lift up and save our defective souls.
And 12 years ago, Karen and I discovered via ultrasound halfway through the pregnancy that our baby had a fatal birth defect. We knew we could not end our suffering by ending his life, so instead of giving him a death sentence, we gave him a name, Gabriel Michael.
Despite the best medical care, he died shortly after his birth. Karen’s book, Letters to Gabriel, chronicled her struggle. It turned out that her book and the story of Gabriel’s life have saved many lives and comforted many parents. In a country where some politicians now promise to end suffering, and where our usefulness seems to be measured in dollars, these special individuals stand as complex, mysterious contradictions from a loving God. They remind us that it is not just our capacity to achieve, but our capacity for sacrificial love that will change the character of America for the good. And that character will inspire true hope - and that hope does not disappoint.

Congratulations!

JEAN AND ATHENA!!!!
NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDATIONS
And, ATHENA also received honors as a 2008-2009 National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, for being among the highest performing Hispanic students of the year on the PSAT.

COLLEGE NIGHT - SEE FLYER- Due to Military Academy representative schedule conflicts, the college night has been moved one week hence, to October 23rd. Please mark your calendar and come.

College Note - PSAT Test for Sophomores and Juniors will beheld on Wednesday, October 15th. Start preparing for your test now - especially Juniors!

JOG-A-THON - Thanks Mrs. M and Mrs. S, and ALL THE VOLUNETEERS - and especially to all the students who are running their hearts out!

DIRECTORY CHANGE - Please change your directory! The VH Family is moving. The new address is
(Removed, please see mailer)

VOLLEYBALL - Great Job Girls! 3 wins, 0 losses! Upcoming Games:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 14th @ Home v UCMS at 3:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 16th @ Home v. Holy Cross at 3:30 p.m.

CONGRATS - to former teacher Bill and his wife Margaret. They welcomed their 4th baby girl, Susan, to their family on Tuesday morning, Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Baby Susan is also the niece to student, Jack (grade 10), not to mention relative to a few other Academy families.

St. Augustine’s Annual OKTOBERFEST! Beer, Brats and Polka! - Come with the family, bring some friends. This is the best Oktoberfest in town. (Pre-Fest-Card-Party: SEE FLYER!) October 18th from 4:00-7:30 PM.

CALENDAR NOTES

  • Oct. 13th NO SCHOOL
  • Oct. 15th PSAT Testing (10th -11th)
  • Oct. 16th Moved to the 23rd.
  • Oct. 17th End of First Qtr.
  • Oct. 24th Report Cards
  • Oct. 23rd College Night - 9th-12th

Ora Pro Nobis:
For the great aunt of the G and H children as she faces her last few days. For Mrs. L, grandmother to our former students, who is suffering from an aggressive cancer. For the continued recovery of Dr. G. For Miss R’s continued recovery. We continue to keep all our friends and family in our prayers. Let us pray for one another.

Quote of the Week!
I thought I saw a doctor on an Alaskan island, but it was only an optical Aleutian!