Catholic, Classical, Complete: Atlanta Georgia's Holy Spirit College

Catholic Online ^ | 1/21/11 | Deacon Keith Fournier

[tcg]

Catholic Colleges and Universities are an indispensable missionary resource for the New Evangelization. The task we face in the West requires the solid preparation of young men and women, fully formed in the fullness of faith and equipped with the excellence which an only an authentically Catholic education can provide. That is why I am pleased to write about Catholic Colleges and Universities which are worthy of the name.

In the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities, From the Heart of the Church (Ex Corde Ecclesia) the Venerable John Paul II explained the vital link between the mission of the New Evangelization and authentically Catholic Colleges and Universities. He wrote, "By its very nature, each Catholic university makes an important contribution to the Church's work of evangelization. It is a living institutional witness to Christ and his message, so vitally important in cultures marked by secularism, or where Christ and his message are still virtually unknown. ...

...Catholic identity at a Catholic College requires that the academic community understand its ecclesial nature. In an institution, just as in persons, this identity begins from the inside and works its way throughout like leaven or yeast in a loaf. Catholic identity must become the beating heart of a Catholic College and provide the infrastructure for its entire educational mission. When it does, the building of a Catholic culture on campus becomes a fruit...

This kind of Catholic culture ensures the integration of the faith in every aspect of the academy, through both word and witness. Such a Catholic culture flourishes when all who are involved in this educational mission, from the Catholic College President to the Professor in the classroom first view themselves as disciples, lifelong learners, followers of the Teacher, Jesus Christ.

[tcg]

Catholic identity at a Catholic College requires that the academic community understand its ecclesial nature. In an institution, just as in persons, this identity begins from the inside and works its way throughout like leaven or yeast in a loaf. Catholic identity must become the beating heart of a Catholic College and provide the infrastructure for its entire educational mission. When it does, the building of a Catholic culture on campus becomes a fruit.

This kind of Catholic culture ensures the integration of the faith in every aspect of the academy, through both word and witness. Such a Catholic culture flourishes when all who are involved in this educational mission, from the Catholic College President to the Professor in the classroom, first view themselves as disciples, lifelong learners, followers of the Teacher, Jesus Christ. This kind of response is always lived within His Body, the Church, into which they have been incorporated through Baptism. That Church is by its very nature, a teacher, and they participate in her educational mission.

[iowamark]

But how is their basketball team?

[married21]

I looked at the website for the school and couldn’t find how many people actually attend it.

[Padams]

I live near Holy Spirit Church. I didn’t know it had expanded its school to include college. Its school, preschool through high school, has about 700 students. It is known for its small size, family centered atmosphere, and classical education. The school’s families are very devoted to the school. The school is relatively new.

I suspect many of its College students are high schoolers taking “college level courses”. The high school is so small that its course and extracurricular offerings are limited. I think having College level classes is a great benefit and draw to the School. It does have middle and high school basketball teams. No football- not enough kids.