Regina Caeli Academy Blog

Dear Friends in Christ, 

 

The story of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe is packed with ordinary elements: a simple man, a collection of flowers, and a peasant's tunic. Yet this event is responsible for the conversion of millions and remains a fervent devotion more than five hundred years later. Why? Because every step of the way, God lifted up the ordinary, through grace, into the extraordinary. A poor Aztec convert became the ambassador of Our Blessed Mother to a doubting Archbishop, the flowers were not everyday wildflowers, but Castilian roses blooming midwinter, and the cactus-fiber tilma, usually disintegrating in a decade or so, can be found today vibrantly presenting a miraculous image of Our Blessed Mother.

As we conclude our first semester and begin the new liturgical year, it is worthwhile to reflect on all of the ordinary things that become extraordinary through our faith.

Whether through the simple lighting of the Advent wreath, the hanging of the Jesse tree ornaments, or the daily building excitement of the Advent calendar, we too can allow our daily family life to become imbued with the graces of the liturgical year.

Events that might seem purely secular, like a chili cook-off, can become the occasion of a beautiful Mass, community bonding, and a Rosary.

Regina Caeli is such a rich and vibrant community because we all have the same mission: to become saints! So whatever the event, be it a celebration of the saints, an egg-drop challenge, a thanksgiving celebration, or even something as simple as recess–all these events become even more joyful, fun, and spiritually deep by our shared mission and purpose. Alone, it is often difficult to give attention to all of these ordinary opportunities, but together, we are able to celebrate these ordinary events with shared rejoicing.

Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, let us be attentive to all the stirrings of grace in our lives together at Regina Caeli and allow the Lord to transform the ordinary events of our lives into extraordinary occasions of joy and renewal. 

Samantha Alvarez is an immensely talented 12th grader in AUS. The photos that follow show her learning as part of a medical internship with Dr. Kalamarides at the Vitae Clinic for her RCA Professional Development 2 class. The Vitae Clinic provides top tier health care in Austin while still staying true to their faith-based ethics and devotion to high standards of medical and surgical practice. Therefore, without providing oral or other artificial contraceptives, providing or referring for abortions, or using methods of achieving pregnancy that contradict these directives, they hold a higher standard of care for their patients in all aspects of obstetrics, infertility, and gynecology with respect and value of life.

Kansas City Chiefs Catholic kicker, Harrison Butker, featured Regina Caeli Academy on his cleats for the Dec 4th game against the Cincinnati Bengals!  Each year, NFL players reveal their passions beyond the game and wear their hearts on their feet through My Cause My Cleats. Players have the opportunity to pick a cause that is important to them and represent their chosen organization on custom-designed cleats. This year, Harrison chose RCA! Butker chose to support Regina Caeli with the auctionable cleat due to his long-time support for faithful Catholic education. He shared images of his designed cleats on social media, using the hashtag #mycausemycleats. In addition, at the end of the campaign, the cleats will be auctioned off, and 100% of the money raised will go to RCA!  Regina Caeli Board Member and father Michael Watkins accepted the signed jersey and the "My Cause, My Cleats" Regina Caeli cleat from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker on December 4th.

ABOUT REGINA CAELI

REGINA CAELI™ Classical Homeschool Hybrid® is the Nation's best
K-12 Accredited Homeschool Hybrid for Catholic Families  dedicated to
Training the Mind to From the Soul. Learn more at www.rcahybrid.org