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Dear Cathedral Family,
“The people of this big, bold, beautiful, and complicated nation.”
That was part of the message from Beyonce as she introduced Team USA to the world as part of the opening night of the Olympic Games last week in Paris. The next words of her message were, “All rooting together for them,” and then she recognized several of the stand-out athletes of this summer's games. Big, bold, beautiful, and complicated. That is a good way to define our country, to be sure.
My wife Marcia and I love the Olympics. We watch every day and night. When we moved our family here in June of 2016, we didn’t unpack our boxes before we all left for Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 games. Yes, all six of us, Sammy ('22), Daniela ('20), Gabi ('18), Robbie ('17), Marcia and I were so excited to attend the Olympics. We were rewarded by seeing Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps, Simone Biles and her teammates, along with beach volleyballers Misty May and Kerri Walsh, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony and Team USA hoops, and so many more. Indeed, the Olympic Games represent the best of us as a global community, engaged for 16 days every few years to compete in fair and just competition, with sportsmanship a key part of the action. It is a wonderful two weeks.
As I write this to you all, I am very aware of the controversy that is still simmering due to the disgraceful mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremony in Paris. I saw the outrage online in the days following, including calls for boycotts of the games. I saw the semi-apologies, yet I continue to watch and support the athletes competing in various venues in Paris. Winning and losing, Team USA, and athletes from more than 200 countries, are giving it their all showing their grit and strength in so many amazing competitions. Our men's and women's medal-winning gymnastic teams summed up the best part of the USA teams: diverse, dedicated, and united.
And yet...
My mind is still on the love and joy represented here in Indianapolis just a few weeks ago as the National Eucharistic Congress gathered here and gave our world, Catholic and not, a vital and well-timed shot in the arm. After all of the dust settles, from the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump to the sudden withdrawal of President Joe Biden from the upcoming election to all of the war and strife and division in our world and country, our Olympic athletes give us the gift of being able to unite and cheer for a common cause, our big, bold, beautiful, and complicated country. But even this fantastic event only lasts 16 days, and the Summer Olympics every four years.
If you know me, you know where I am going here. Jesus, our Savior, offers us never-ending joy, peace, and fulfillment. He loves us unconditionally! As we gear up for the 2024-25 school year, we are determined to provide our 1,150+ students the sublime opportunity to experience the divine presence of Jesus every day on the Hill, not only in our daily Masses in our Chapel but in every classroom, in our St. Br. André Service opportunities, and in every project, homework assignment, and any other interaction during our 180 days of school. For nearly 106 years, Cathedral High School has been a beacon of hope, love, and excellence that annually welcomes a diverse group of students to our family. We dedicate ourselves to transforming these students each and every day.
And so, while the world simmers, social media boils, and our complicated country prepares for a divisive presidential election, we here at Cathedral once again dedicate ourselves to our Mission and Vision. In our Catholic and Holy Cross tradition, we offer the love of Jesus to educate the hearts and minds of a diverse group of students and to do so with great zeal. May God be praised! Go Irish!
Humbly and faithfully,
Rob Bridges, PhD
President
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Cathedral Connections Going For Gold!
Cole Hocker '19 (left photo) crushed the U.S. Olympic trial's 1500-meter record with a 3:30.59 finish, punching his ticket to his second Olympiad. Please click here for the Olympic track and field schedule.
Jackie Gillum '10 Anderson (center photo with her family) is cheering on her husband, Matthew, as he competes in his fourth Olympics for the Men's National Indoor Volleyball Team. Click here for the volleyball schedule.
Samantha Peszek '10 (right photo), who won a silver medal as part of the 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic gymnastics team, is also in Paris. She is a gymnastics sports analyst for NBC Sports and is doing a fantastic job.
Good luck to our athletes! Go Team USA!
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Growing The Faith Over The Summer
Earlier this summer, educators Megan Schmidt and Maribeth Cloud '86 accompanied eight of our outstanding students (pictured left) to the Holy Cross Conference for Student Leaders at the University of Notre Dame. The students had a great week deepening their faith, learning more about Holy Cross, and meeting students from all over the country.
Also this summer, four students joined educators Cole Hepp and Irene Wilson (pictured right) for the One Bread, One Cup Conference at St. Meinrad. They focused on community building, leadership development, and liturgical and spiritual formation. While there, they also won the Ultimate Frisbee Competition!
Cathedral was well represented at the National Eucharistic Congress in downtown Indianapolis. Educators, parents, alumni, and students participated in the Eucharistic Processions leading up to the Congress and were blessed to attend Masses and events at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Convention Center. Cathedral Board Member Rev. Fr. Patrick Beidelman, STL '90 served as co-chair for the Liturgy Committee. In this interview, he discussed the importance of the Congress being held in Indianapolis. Our transportation team helped with the event, as well. Michael Ivory volunteered to provide transportation for the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. (pictured below)
We are proud of all the ways our Cathedral family celebrated their faith this summer as we are called to bring hope to others!
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Camp Success
What an awesome summer it was for Camp Cathedral! Our camp staff had a blast with activities that thrilled and delighted our future Irish. The campus was alive with 35 Sports Camps representing 16 different varsity teams. We also had 52 Enrichment offerings ranging from STEM and communication camps to art and imagination workshops. Roughly 1,450 campers registered for more than 2,100 camp openings. It was a very successful summer with more than 85 summer offerings, and we were able to grow, laugh, and learn with our future Irish.
Be sure to look out for our upcoming programming, which will take place over Christmas Break of the 2024-25 school year, and additional opportunities in the spring of 2025. Special thanks to our fabulous Director of Summer Camps, Anthony Ernst, and his wonderful staff made up of Cathedral educators, alumni, and friends.
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Debaters Shine at Nationals
Please join us in congratulating the Hoosier Crossroads Gold World School Debate Team, comprised of students from Avon, Brebeuf, Carmel, and Cathedral's Julia Hurley '24 (second from the left). The team made it to the Sweet 16 at Nationals in Iowa this summer, competing with 7,000 students from all over the world! Our very own Jeanne Malone coaches the team. Also at the tournament, Johnny Beauchamp '24 was a national semifinalist, and George Madden '24 was recognized as a four-time national qualifier. Cathedral had nine students qualify for Nationals, and we are so proud of them! Coach Malone is assisted by Chris Gray and Lainey Adams. Congratulations, Cathedral Speech and Debate!
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Make A Will - A Gift for You and Your Future
August is National Make-A-Will Month, and Cathedral High School invites you to consider your own willpower by creating a will. In just 20 minutes, you can find a sense of security knowing that you’ve protected your family, dictated important decisions, and made a lasting legacy to support Cathedral for years to come.
Please click here to find out more and create your will today!
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Get Ready to Ignite the Irish!
Cathedral High School is proud to begin the 2024-25 school year with the Ignite the Irish Student Fundraiser! We are excited that the student fundraiser has been such a huge success over the last several years. Cathedral students will utilize personal online fundraising pages to raise money to support our tuition assistance program, as well as a philanthropy fund that can be used by the student body to assist the clubs, sports, and student activities of their choice. Click here for details and updates. Let's get ready to Ignite the Irish!
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2024 Evening of Excellence - Register Today
Make plans now to attend the Evening of Excellence, during which the 2024 Circle of Excellence Class will be inducted. The Evening of Excellence is Thursday, September 26, in Cathedral's Welch Activity Center. Click here to learn more and register.
The 2024 inductees are as follows: Greg Bamrick, Dave and Barb Bego, Jack Bradshaw, Jr. '48, Darrick Brownlow '87, Mike Hunker, Richard Leighton '63, Vince Lorenzano '77, Jenny Matthews, Kathy McCullough, and Victor Schlachter. Click here to learn more about the 2024 Circle of Excellence Class.
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Class of 2029Applications Open
We are excited to meet future members of the Cathedral family in the Class of 2029! The application period is open, and rising 8th graders can begin their journey to becoming Irish. Visit gocathedral.com/apply to start your application. The priority admission deadline is October 13, and you will receive your enrollment decision at the end of November. The general admissions deadline is December 6.
Also, save the date and register today for Cathedral's Open House on Thursday, October 3. Mass is at 5 p.m. and Open House runs from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Greatness is calling!
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Coming Up on the Hill
August 1 - Irish New Parent Immersion and Orientation - (Optional Resource Fair, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Required Orientation, 6-7:30 p.m.)
August 4 - Lughnasa, Freshmen Experience, 2:30 p.m. check-in, 3:00 p.m. Mass
August 7 - New Student Orientation, 8:40-11:30 a.m.
August 10 - Black Alumni Council Cookout - Noon - 4 p.m.
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