We're in the midst of a season of championships, with the college football championship recently decided and only 3 more weeks until the Super Bowl. Sports championships capture our attention, whether we root for our favorite team, the odds-on favorite, or the underdog. 

This past week, at our first all-school Mass of 2024, the school children heard about an underdog who fit a different definition of champion. The first reading was from 1 Samuel, part of the story of David and Goliath. In this well-known story, we hear about champion warfare, where the outcome of a conflict is dependent on the outcome of a single battle between representatives from each side, the champion. In this case, David, just a young boy, was the champion of the Israelites against a well-seasoned Philistine called Goliath, and at the end of the day, David had slayed Goliath with God's help and protection.

As Fr. Emmanuel explained in his homily, this was a wonderful example of a phrase that we use over and over during Mass, perhaps without thinking deeply about the meaning: The Lord be with you. David believed that the Lord was with him in his battle, and that was the key to his victory. We believe that the Lord is with us every day, in everything that we do, enabling us to dynamically transform the world into the Kingdom of God.

But what about this notion of a champion as someone who takes up a cause for someone, who defends rights and works for a just outcome? Do we also see that at work in us every day?

I would suggest there are two ways that we should be considering champions in our lives:

• First, one of our missions as followers of Christ is to be champions for others, especially those who otherwise don't have a voice in our society. We see Jesus advocating for the rights of widows and children in his time, because they were overlooked and outcast. What groups are the equivalent in our time? Migrants, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people immediately come to mind, but there are many other groups who need an advocate, a champion, so that their needs and concerns are heard. This is a role for all of us.

• Second, our champion is first, foremost, and always, Jesus. It is Jesus who listens to our needs. When we feel hopeless, that we're alone, that there's nobody on our side, we can always look to Jesus. Our belief in Jesus gives us the courage we need, because Jesus is always on the side of a just outcome.

As we venture out this week, be a champion, and remember, the Lord is with you as your champion every step of the way.

God bless!

-Deacon Mark

Come see our Super School!

Mark your calendars!  Super School Sunday is January 28. This is our kick off to Catholic Schools week. Tickets can be purchased here: Pancake Breakfast Tickets

• 8am- Prospective Family Tours  Schedule a Tour

• 9am- Family Mass

• 10am- Pancake Breakfast in the gym

• 11am- Current Family Tours

Save the Date: Feb. 8 Screening of Angst

The Saint Andrew School Advisory Board, as part of its Parents are Partners initiative, invites you to attend a screening of the widely-celebrated film Angst on Thursday, February 8, at 6:30pm in the Auditorium. Produced by Impactful Films, Angst aims to remove the stigma and open up the conversation about mental health, helping our youth and their families understand that a certain amount of anxiety is healthy - and how to recognize when it's too much. Our evening program, running until 8pm, will include a panel discussion to help parents recognize symptoms and tips as to when to reach out for help. Stay tuned for registration information. The Saint Andrew Community is invited.

Baby Bulldogs Registration- All are Welcome!

It's coming back! Baby Bulldogs will be back in January. This fun program is open to all infants, toddlers and their caregivers in our community.  Registration is now open. Baby Bulldogs Winter 2024 Registration. 

Applications are now open for 24-25! Do you have a friend or neighbor that is considering applying to the best school in Chicago? Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 24-25 can be found here: New Student Application