I have a confession to make: I love this time of year! The summer is becoming a distant memory, the Academy is in full swing with grades from the first Quarter being submitted this week, and our campus has been transformed by the gold and red leaves of autumn. This Academy truly has so much to be thankful for.
Yet, despite our myriad blessings, we don’t often take the time to reflect on this bounty and God’s goodness. It is with good reason the Polyeleos is sung during special services of the Church with the opening line from Psalm 134, “All give thanks unto the Lord for He is Good, Alleluia.”
God is good, and He has been good to our little community. If you had asked me 4 years ago if we would have an amazing staff of more than 20, a wonderful active Faculty Parent Council, and over 100 students from grades K-12, I would have doubted you. We moved to Pennsylvania from Texas knowing this project would be a lot of work. Don’t get me wrong, it has been, but it has all been worth it, and God has been with us the entire way. Our community of students, faculty, and parents is so strong it’s really unbelievable. Just look at the community events we are highlighting below. They are not being organized by me, but by members of our community who are as invested in this Academy as I am. It is a well-known saying in parish ministry that hurt people hurt people. However, the opposite is also true. Healthy people heal people, and this Academy has drawn healthy community of people who are willing to volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to build something truly beautiful.
As the Thanksgiving season rolls around, take some time to give thanks to the people in your life who have taken the time to help you out in any way, and give thanks unto God for everything He has given you. I am extremely grateful for the community we have built over these 4 years, and what we have built together is truly special. Anytime a guest comes to visit the Academy, they all comment on the joy they see in the faces of not only the students, but also the faculty and staff who are teaching them. They sense that this Academy is something special.
And so, in this season of Thanksgiving, thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to the building of this beautiful and special place I have come to call my home.
As always, in the final word of St. John Chrysostom: Glory to God for All Things!
John W. Heitzenrater, II A.B., M.H.M.
Headmaster
jheitzenrater@chrysostomacademy.org
610-427-2758