Living Stations a CHS Tradition

The Living Stations of the Cross is an annual tradition at Pensacola Catholic High School.  Through our meditation on the last hours in the life of Christ, we are able to draw closer to Him and come to a deeper understanding of the meaning of the Cross. This is a prayerful event in which students pantomime the traditional 14 stations of the Cross. Many of the “actors” from the Senior Class have been participating since their freshman year.  However, all students are invited to be a part of the tradition.

New Pope Chosen

by Kaitlin Duggan

On March 13, 2013, the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose the new successor to Pope Benedict XVI after his nearly unprecedented decision to retire because of his age.   Already a historical event by any account, the selection of the new Pope (Francis I) is one for the history books.  A Jesuit of Argentinian heritage, Francis I was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian parents living in Buenos Aires. In 1998, he was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was appointed a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

“You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome” (Pope Francis, March 13, 2013).

He is the first Pope from the New World, and it is significant that he comes from a Latin American country, as the largest and fastest growing Catholic population can be found there. His selection is a nod to the Catholic population in Latin America, as well as being notable as he belongs to the Jesuit Order.

Pope Francis is a more conservative pontiff in the same vein as his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He takes strong positions on homosexuality  and abortion, and he has a special affinity for the poor.

Pope Benedict XVI to Resign

By Kaitlin Duggan

Pope Benedict announced on Monday that he is resigning, effective February 28, as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Pope told the cardinals that he felt too old and infirm to properly lead the nearly one billion Catholics of the world as it requires “strength of body and mind.”

“In order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary — strengths which in the last few months have deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.” -Pope Benedict XVI

This announcement came as a shock to the world as well as the Vatican.  The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415, almost six hundred years ago.  Various papal candidates have already emerged, but there is no clear forerunner among them. Since the customary mourning period for a pope’s death does not have to observed, it is expected that the selection will take place before Easter.

Catholic Schools Week

by Kaitlin Duggan

The week of January 28 to February 1 was an important week for Catholic High, as well as other Catholic Schools around the nation. Catholic Schools Week comes once a year, and it is a time to celebrate the good that has come out of the Catholic School System, the only one of its kind in the worl. This year’s theme was “Catholic Schools: Raise the Standard,” honoring the pursuit of quality education in Catholic Schools.

Students from around Catholic High sent in “tweets” and text messages about what a Catholic education means to them.

@Angela McGaugh: I will always be grateful to CHS for pushing me spiritually #CHSsenior2013

@Courtney Deason: winning with faith#cathighordie #Godsonourside 3believe #CHS

@Annabelle Doyle: Catholic makes me #believe #in #God I love the positive influences #blessed

    Catholic High celebrated all week long with certain days honoring certain people. There was Student Appreciation Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, and, the most fun day of all, SWAP Day. On SWAP Day, parents come in for the students and take their classes. Mrs. Davidson, one of the parents who attended SWAP Day, was taken aback in Mrs. Ferbezar’s Calculus class when she learned that she would be receiving a Calculus lesson and even more taken aback when she heard her husband answer a question correctly. Parents had fun seeing what their student’s day is like, and the students in attendance had even more fun watching parents try to get into lockers.

Bella Vita’s Upcoming February Events

Bella Vita, Catholic High’s Pro-Life Club, is preparing for their Bake Sale from February 19-21. Proceeds will benefit Claire’s Hope, an organization that gives women affected by crisis pregnancies “the information they need to honor the sanctity of human life.” You can read more about Claire’s Hope at http://claireshope.org.

A few days later, Bella Vita invites you to participate in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil. The vigil will be held from 6am to 6pm on Saturday, February 23, at the American Family Planning abortion facility at 6115 Village Oaks Drive, behind Hobby Lobby. To read more about the 40 Days for Life movement, visit http://40daysforlifepensacola.com/.

Bella Vita recently had a guest speaker, Anna Dosev, who spoke to us about her experience at the March for Life in Washington DC in January. Meetings are held every other Tuesday in the Studio after school. All are welcome to attend. Crusaders for Life!

Faculty Highlight: Shannon Gottstine

Interview by Lindsay Rapp

Why did you enter the teaching profession? I wanted to be a life long learner in the subjects that interested me.  It started out in the subject of history, then Biology, and lastly religion.

Why did you choose CHS?  I started teaching in a Catholic High school 20 years ago, and I was so excited when the opportunity arose to teach at CHS.  It feels like going home!

If you had a career before teaching, what was it and how long did you stay in that career?  I would not call it a career; I had odd jobs as a bank teller and retail clothing sales.  I also worked as a receptionist at a real estate office while going to college.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?  There is nothing better than when you can connect with the students, especially when they get a concept that you are presenting.

What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching? I love when the students know that you genuinely care about them, and they appreciate it.

Please share an interesting fact about yourself: I am left handed.  Okay, not so interesting …  I lived in Germany for almost four years and loved traveling all over Europe.

High School Attended: McGill-Toolen Catholic High school, in Mobile, Alabama

Degree(s) and College/University: I have a Bachelors in Science in Secondary Education with a major in biology and minor in history.

Faculty Highlight: Mrs. Kaczor

Interviewed by Lindsay Rapp

Why did you enter the teaching profession?
I chose to do a B.S. in Ed. .  at Eastern Illinois University—- it was known for its teacher education and for  its Lincoln studies, and was a gem of a small university; there, all but one of my professors had his/her doctoral degree, and class sizes averaged about 25-40 -incredible!

Why did you choose CHS? I didn’t.  It chose me  in 1974-75—when  I was  fortunate to  be asked to teach  after an interview conducted  on the rainiest Saturday  of memory in Pensacola. My car  lost its brakes and died at the Cathedral rectory office where my interview was taking place.  The school president pretended not to notice that the wet young teacher who knocked at the  door “sloshed”  in  walking over the  plush  carpet  in squeaking shoes  that  left little pools of water.  And,  I was hired!

In early August   I received a phone message asking me to attend  the  first department  meeting of religion  at  a  get-acquainted luncheon.  I sat down at the rectory at St. Paul’s to  meet  the department,  only then  to realize I was the only religion department member not wearing a Roman collar!

Sitting with the “Fathers”  over a meal of hot dogs, baked beans, and Jello  was  a marvel. I soon  discovered that everyone wanted to ask what I knew—but   NOT about religion—about what I knew about  COOKING!!! All were trying to learn! And, they influenced me to enter grad school and do my master’s degree in religious education and theology.

In my first years teaching at CHS, I had  some fathers and mothers  of  present students.  One of the priests and I began a  co-educational vocation club–we had 70 members, and I  advised Charisma  yearbook in 1976. Later  came eight years living and working in Tallahassee  and then my husband and I  moved back to Pensacola and I returned  to Catholic High, where I have been here ever since.

If you had a career before teaching, what was it and how long did you stay in that career?
Writing and publishing  emerged  at  my  university my sophomore year, and I worked on the campus  newspaper as a writer and columnist;  then was  executive editor of the  yearbook senior year,  researching  and writing  a  history of the university.  Once in Florida  where my husband was with the U.S., Air Force,  I worked  full time summers and  several hours in the evening  for the Pensacola News-Journal.  I was active in newspapering for about five years in all.  And, my first job was being a publicist and  curriculum design report for a Title IV project working with ten counties in illinois.

What do you enjoy most about teaching? Seeing students broaden themselves–and become more curious—and realizing students of all levels do so well once they have been at Catholic High.  It used to be said that those at Catholic High had three fortunes that were theirs:  1) they got into college and most likely finished college;  1) they were like a family; and 3) everyone learned how to make brownies!  (What is it with the cooking?  I wonder.)

What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching? Being in touch with students , faculty and staff through so many years and seeing their lives unfold  and much evidence of their commitment to faith and to an active life style.

High School Attended:   Carlinville High School

Degree(s) and College/University: B.S. in Ed.  (Majoring in English; Minor in Journalism)  Eastern Illinois University
M.A. in Religious Education and in Theology,       Loyola University, New Orleans

Tweets and Texts Attest to Why CHS

Lindsay Rapp: Our school keeps our faith strong, we stick together and love each other #cathigh #CHS #faith #goGod

Talia Leonar: At Cat High I feel so much closer to God.

Julia Helton: Mr. Holcomb helped me realize that it’s OK if everyone doesn’t like what you love.

Angela McGough: I will always be grateful to CHS for pushing me spiritually #CHSsenior2013

Michael Mann: Cat High never ceases to amaze me, putting our faith before EVERYTHING in life! #God #is #great

Colleen Kidder: Thank you CHS 3prayerlifeenhanced #savedmylife #allelusiaamen

Noah Wells: CHS has really encouraged me to become a better person.

Giuseppe Feo: @ProDeoEtPatria you inspired and made me a better person #crusader

Annabelle Doyle: Catholic makes me #believe #in #God I love the positive influences #blessed

Hunter Vredenbur: By enabling me to pray and practice my faith freely during school, it has enhanced my faith #ILoveCatHigh

Jayde Ferguson: @pensacolacatholichighschool Your way of integrating faith in every aspect of my education has developed my faith

Lilly Sheridan: Before I went to Cat High, something was missing from my life. CHS has helped me grow spiritually and mentally #MyFaith

Catherine Davidson-Hiers: CHS has pulled me out of a rut1 3CHSStudentMoving

Courtney Deason: winning with faith#cathighordie #Godsonourside 3believe #CHS

Hannah Stefancik: Catholic High is filled with prayer, reflection, and awesome people to help me grow in my faith #faith #hope #love

Year of Faith

By Kaitlin Duggan and Josef Pezdirtz

In the spirit of evangelization and hope, Pope Benedict XVI has declared the year from October 11, 2012, to November 24, 2013, the 50th anniversary of the monumental Vatican II, a “Year of Faith.” The purpose of the Year of Faith is to inspire a renewal of Catholicism and a rediscovery of their faith for many Catholics.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei wrote:

Ever since the start of my ministry as Successor of Peter, I have spoken of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ. During the homily at the Mass marking the inauguration of my pontificate I said: “The Church as a whole and all her Pastors, like Christ, must set out to lead people out of the desert, towards the place of life, towards friendship with the Son of God, towards the One who gives us life, and life in abundance.”[1] It often happens that Christians are more concerned for the social, cultural and political consequences of their commitment, continuing to think of the faith as a self-evident presupposition for life in society. In reality, not only can this presupposition no longer be taken for granted, but it is often openly denied. Whereas in the past it was possible to recognize a unitary cultural matrix, broadly accepted in its appeal to the content of the faith and the values inspired by it, today this no longer seems to be the case in large swathes of society, because of a profound crisis of faith that has affected many people.

With all the enthusiasm of Catholics around the globe for the Year of Faith, the Vatican is preparing for an exciting calendar of events to celebrate and spread the message behind it from the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro to many conventions in Rome.

For those who can’t make it to Rome?   Many local churches and dioceses are preparing for their own events, including the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese. Bishop Gregory L. Parkes has invited the entire diocese to come together for CELEBRATE FAITH 2013: Encountering Christ! Feb. 9 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach. If you are interested in attending this event, click here.

When I was 17… Mrs. Carter

Interviewed by Dominick Meyers

What high school did you attend when you were 17 and what year did you graduate? I went to Pensacola Catholic High School and graduated in 1992.

If you began driving by 17, what was your very first car?  I actually did not have a car until I graduated college, although I could drive.  I did my share of driving around in my mom’s 1982 Ford Fairmont.

What was your favorite music, i.e, bands you liked or concerts you went to?  I loved U2, and Pearl Jam was just getting big.  And, of course, Guns n Roses.  After all, “November Rain” was THE song of that time!

What was your favorite TV show or movie at the time?  A T.V. show called “Young Riders” which came on Thursdays.  We would come back to school and discuss the show (popular with the females only as it featured mainly good-looking young men!).  We also all loved Saturday Night Live.  It may seem lame now, but if you came back to school on Monday and could not talk about the hottest SNL skit, you were not in the know.

What were your favorite subjects? Do you have special memories of a certain teacher (or teachers) who inspired you?  I loved American History/Government.  My teacher was Mrs. Alta Bestler.  She really challenged us, but she made history live!  I also liked English with Mrs. Witt.

What type of clubs, sports, or activities were you involved in?  I was in the Drama Club.  Ms. Moore was our sponsor.  During my Senior year, we did a play that we were able to do for Pensacola Little Theater.  It was part of a drama competition among the local high schools.  She was a great sponsor, and it was a wonderful opportunity.

What did you do on the weekends?  Hung out with friends.  Watched movies at the Cordova Mall Theaters…there were two…one in the mall and one outside the mall.  Going shopping…at the mall, of course.  And, every Friday in fall, if it was a home game, I was at the Gorecki-LeBeau Stadium cheering on the Crusaders!

How did your high school experience influence the college/university you attended?  I am not sure, but I knew I wanted to go to a Catholic college so that I could see my faith grow.  I went to Spring Hill College, and I know that the education I got at CHS was a fundamental part of my success in college.

Anything else you would like to share?  It has been 20 years since I graduated high school, and yet there are some parts of it that seem so much like yesterday.  Remember to be nice to each other, and that if high school has not been the best part of your life, it is okay.  It’s only one part of your life.  And, do try to meet the people in your class and get to know them.  Don’t just stick with a clique.