Cole Hocker returned to Cathedral High School on Tuesday November 12th for a special assembly. It was Hocker's first time returning to the Hill since winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Hocker thanked the crowd and participated in a Q and A with a student panel.
by Katherine Lade
On the back cover
Cathedral gathered in the WAC on October 7th for a living rosary. Students from each grade, and selected staff members, led the school in prayer. Candles were lit and held up to honor the Blessed Mary.
Photo submitted
Camila Jackson '26
Mary Murphy '25 Managing Editor
Olivia Uskert '25
Ben Kauffman '26 Reporters
Kate Albaugh '27
Yackelin Castro '27
Julie Napier '28
Levi Funches '25
Faculty Moderator
Mr. Marc Quaranta Principal
Mrs. Julie Barthel
School President
Dr. Robert Bridges
Photo
Irish Golfer Prepares for Future as a Dog
Member of the
class of 2026 commits to Butler for Men’s Golf
He cleaned up a bogey on the 18th hole at the Players Club. He finished with an astounding one over 73. He walked away with a 3rd place finish, and this all kick started a summer that any aspiring golfer would kill for. A summer that included four top 10 finishes and seven top 15. A summer that led to a commitment to Butler University.
Class of 2026 Johnny Leaman has played golf his entire life and has spent the last three years fully dedicated to it. In his two years at Cathedral, he has grown as a talented young player into a complete player that can compete with some of the best in the state. After his freshman season as the only freshman on varsity, he became the teams number 1 his sophomore year, impressing first year Head Golf Coach Jim Grossi.
“Johnny has great determination and a natural ability to score. He is able to get the ball in the hole, regardless of how well a shot was struck prior to his next attempt. This is a skill set that is very difficult to learn, if not naturally present,” said Grossi.
From the start of his freshman season, Leaman has made an impact on the team starting every match on varsity. Contributing to the team has been very rewarding for Johnny as being a part of the team has felt like home from the beginning. “From day one, I was welcomed into the golf program. Coach Grossi and Coach Miller have helped grow my mental game and learning the game of golf.” Leaman’s presence on the team and consistent performances not only has helped him but also provided confidence for his teammates. Class of 2026 Sam Kinnett said, “Johnny is so consistent that as a team we don’t have to worry about having to make up for his score. We can just go out and focus on ourselves.”
After a successful Freshman season and regional appearance, Leaman worked towards taking a step forward the next season under Grossi. Coach Grossi noticed Leaman’s work ethic and said, “Johnny takes the game very seriously and is very knowledgeable about his swing, yet he is
open to any suggestions or help. He is not afraid to ask for assistance or guidance.” Cathedral golf had a great season with Leaman leading the team as a sophomore. After a setback with a second place finish at the City Championships, Cathedral dominated in Sectionals with Leaman finishing 3rd and teammate Sam Kinnett winning the sectional. Johnny then helped Cathedral return to the State Championship with an individual 3rd place award and 3rd as a team. As he continued a successful summer, Leaman began looking towards the future after Cathedral for golf. College golf became clear for Johnny that’s where he was going after Cathedral. While getting interest from plenty of schools the choice for him was an easy one, the Butler Bulldogs. “I’ve always had strong ties to Butler through my family and as a fan. My grandpa played basketball for a couple years and then ran track at Butler for Tony Hinkle. My grandma went there and my family has always been Butler fans. Butler has been pushed on me my whole life and I've always liked the school and basketball program. Recently I’ve developed a strong relationship with the head golf coach as I’ve been talking to him for a couple of years.”
Butler Men’s Golf is a competitive program that will be looking to build on its success in recent years. The Bulldogs finished 2nd in the Big East conference championship last season and finished 3rd in their first tournament of this season. Expectations will likely be high for Leaman when he enters the team, but Coach Grossi has confidence in his player. “I am very confident Johnny will find great success at Butler. He has worked very hard, and made tremendous progress in his golf game in a very short period of time. He has the presence of mind to acknowledge nerves and fear on the golf course, and then lean on his faith and believe in himself to excel. Every great player possesses this trait.”
Of his future, Leaman said, “I’m looking forward to relationships with future teammates, making new connections,
BY BEN KAUFFMAN
team trips, and going to a school I love while playing golf and also getting a great education.”
As Leaman prepares for his next journey at Butler, he is focusing on the next two years at Cathedral. “This year, I believe, is a building year to get us one step closer to a state championship and I believe we can make it to state again. Senior year I believe we have a great chance at winning regionals and having a run at the state championship. As an individual I want to continue to learn and grow and be a leader."
Coach Grossi is also optimistic about the next two seasons coaching Johnny and leading the team. “I look forward to watching Johnny continue to improve his skill set for the next level of competition at Butler. Most importantly, I look forward to watching Johnny show his leadership on the team at Cathedral, and help lead fellow teammates both on and off the golf course. Johnny has a great personality, and to witness him helping others is what I look forward to most.”
The future for Cathedral Golf and Johnny looks very bright as they continue to chase their goals. The next two years will give the Butler commit a chance to close out his junior golf career with a state title.
Leaman hits a drive down the fairway in the Yestingsmeier Cup. Leaman won his match with a score of 69. Cardinal Acres Photography
National Eucharistic Congress
A massive gathering to celebrate the real presence of Jesus took place last summer in Indianapolis
BY CAMILA JACKSON
In a world that often feels more divided than ever, Catholics from all corners of the globe came together for an unforgettable experience at the 10th Annual National Eucharistic Congress as they continue to strive to share their faith.
The Eucharist, the center of the Catholic faith, is the source and summit of Catholic belief. Catholics learn to recognize the Eucharist as not just bread and wine but to see it as the body and blood, the soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Yet, in recent years, the true essence of the Eucharist has sometimes been overshadowed. Many have struggled to fully grasp its profound significance as some don’t recognize or believe that it is the true body and blood of Jesus. In response to this, the Catholic Church decided they needed to create a way to inspire its disciples to continue to find love in the Eucharist. Matt Cannaday, Religion Educator and Holy Cross Formation participant, said “The Congress itself was an effort on behalf of the bishops to try to cultivate that Eucharistic spirituality to the American church.”
The Eucharist beckons every Catholic to reflect, connect, and embrace its transformative power in their life. Understanding the importance of the Eucharist is a crucial aspect of the spiritual journey of all individuals. Dr. Robert Bridges, President of Cathedral, said, “The Eucharist calls us to see everyone as sisters and brothers, and to treat them with love and respect, even, and especially, those who see the world differently than us. ”
Indianapolis became the place to be for many Catholics around the world all with diverse and different backgrounds but sharing one thing in common: their love
for the Eucharist, a sacred ritual that lies at the heart of Catholic tradition. Bridges says, “Our world, our country, and our city need more love and respect right now, and that is what the Eucharist is all about.”
The National Eucharistic Congress is more than just an event–it’s a significant uniting force of Catholics and non-Catholic alike, striving to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist.
This year's gathering, held in July of 2024 in the heart of Indiana, marked the long-awaited return of a tradition that had been on hold for over 80 years due to the onset of World War II–since the last Congress in 1941. This monumental event shined a light on a path to unity and renewal throughout the Catholic community. Mark Matthews, Vice Principal for Academics, said “The Eucharist is always
important, but this was an opportunity for people across the United States to come together to pray, experience the Catholic community, and discover new ways of worshiping Jesus.”
Beginning with a vibrant Eucharistic Procession from the 4 corners of the nation, the event featured a grand convergence at Lucas Oil Stadium, where nearly 60,000 attendees awaited. Processions from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, another from the southern border with Mexico, one from Minnesota that worked its way through Wisoncin, Michigan, and Chicago, and even one on a boat outside the Statue of Liberty all carried the blessed sacrament, emphasizing the powerful sense of unity.
Eucharistic Procession with the Blessed Sacrament moving throughout downtown Indianapolis towards Lucas Oil Stadium. Hundreds of individuals gathered to see the Sacrament and also signed up to walk with it.
Photo submitted
The first night marked the end of the pilgrimage, with people arriving from every corner of the country to participate in Eucharist Adoration. The atmosphere was serene, illuminated only by the lights shining on the monstrance and accompanied by worship hymns. Each morning featured Masses: One at Holy Rosary and another at the convention center. One morning there was a Syro Malabar liturgy, which comes from Indiana, instead of the Roman Catholic Church. This showcased the diverse nature of the Church. Cannaday said, “Contrary to other beliefs, the revival wasn’t just attended by older, upper-middle-class American white people; there were Filipino communities, Indians, immigrant communities, as well as Latinos and Africans. It truly was a beautiful representation of the diversity of the Church, as they also estimated 1,200 nuns in attendance.”
With another pilgrimage hoping to start in May, starting here in Indianapolis and extending to different parts of the country, Catholics are beginning to see a resurgence in this more traditional deviation to the Church, which resonates across
cultures, languages, and social classes. Cannaday said, “What was amazing was to see the Franciscan friars who were various groups of nuns ministering to people in downtown Indianapolis on that hot summer day. They are not sightseeing, they are sightseeing as ministering to the poor, which is what we are called to do as a Church.”
Throughout the five-day long Congress, attendees selected an impact session for the morning and a breakout session for the afternoon. However, the most anticipated part of the day came in the evening when the entire assembly gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium to experience the powerful revival sessions. Bridges had the opportunity to volunteer at the Congress and spent time checking in with the vendors and exhibitors. The diversity that is presented at the Congress highlighted the many beauties of the Catholic Church, as it united people from various different backgrounds in shared faith and worship. Bridges said, “I saw a wide variety of people all day long! The variety of our Catholic Church is a large part of its beauty! Religious sisters from all over the
country checked in, as well as priests and brothers from all different orders came through the line, and so many lay people, men, and women, old and young, with children and not. It was great to see.”
The Eucharistic Congress was a powerful reminder of how important the Eucharistic is in everyone’s day to day life. It brought together people from all over the world to celebrate the central part of the Catholic faith, which is how Jesus is present in the Eucharist and that it can strengthen connections to God and to others. The event wasn’t just about listening to the talks or going to Mass, rather it was about experiencing the love that the Eucharist has to offer. For many, it was a chance to reflect on their own faith and find new ways to live out what they believe. Moving forward, the lessons Cathedral staff and students learned through this event about community, service, and the real presence of life, can help them live with more purpose and a deeper understanding of their faith-filled lives.
The final parts of the Pilgrimage where the Sacrament arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium. More than 60,000 people arrived, with an estimated number of 1200 nun, and the average age of attendees being 38.
Photo submitted
Goodbyes are Never Easy
Cathedral says goodbye to Irish Legend, and longtime Principal, Dave Worland.
22 Years of life dedicated to Cathedral High School comes to an end. Mr. Dave Worland retired in October 202 and now the Irish community reflects on his career here on the Hill.
Mr. Dave Worland began at Cathedral as principal in August 2002. He served as principal until December 2020 when he moved to being the Senior Vice President for Mission and Advancement up until October 2024. In between all of that, Mr. Worland has also been club moderator of Champions Together (Unified Sports) for the past 10 years. For these efforts, it is clear that Worland has been a vital component to the success of Cathedral High School for over two decades. He was more than just a staff member, but a friend to many. Mr. Worland accomplished many things while working on the Hill. Some notable achievements include being named a Blue Ribbon School in 2016 and 2004. In 2017 Mr Worland was named Principal of the Year. In 2019, he was named as one of Indy's most pivotal leaders. In 2022, he was nominated for the Circle of Excellence award. While Mr. Worland served as principal, he also served on several boards including INPEA and IHSAA, which ultimately improved Cathedral in many ways.
Over his years at Cathedral, Mr Worland. built many lifelong connections with other staff members. While Worland was in the running for the Circle of Excellence award, Mrs. Lisa Ford, Math teacher, wrote in a recommendation letter, “One thing that makes Dave special as a principal is his consistent outreach. He viewed Cathedral as part of a bigger whole, and he was always looking for ways to extend our connection with others. He was very active in the IHSAA, and he fostered community relationships to help the Enrollment and Advancement Teams while he was principal. His door was always open to parents, and parents felt comfortable just popping in and shooting the breeze with him.” Mrs. Ford has spent many years under the leadership of Mr. Worland. She, alongside many others, feel grateful to have gotten to work with
BY MARY MURPHY
him. Ford said, “Mr. Worland encouraged and expected us teachers to be excellent in and out of the classroom, and his door was always open to us too whenever we had questions about how to live up to that expectation. He encouraged us to network with other teachers, especially those in our fellow Catholic schools. Rivalries aside, he pushed us to hone our craft by learning from others and from each other. One time, he actually taught a unit in a health class, so that he could ‘walk the talk’ and better understand the daily challenges of being a teacher. For a few years, I served as an administrator, and during that time, Mr. Worland was always available to coach me and to encourage me as I navigated unfamiliar waters.”
While in a position of leadership, it was important for Worland to be personable and approachable to not only staff members but to the students as well. Mrs. Shannon Braun, Assistant to Worland from April, 2016 - January, 2020 said , “When I worked with Mr. Worland it was evident that he was incredible at fostering relationships and making people understand that they are important and loved!
He is one of the most personable people I have ever known. It was his goal to know every single student's name, whether they were performers, bowlers, football players, swimmers, etc. He would not only study names from the yearbook, but he would also attend multiple events/ competitions each night/weekend to cheer on and support our Irish. I would estimate that Mr. Worland gave at least 14 hours a day to Cathedral. Mr. Worland would also zone in on our students and educators' accomplishments and always congratulated them no matter how big or small the milestone was! He had a way of building people up and empowering them to believe in themselves and be the ultimate person they could be. When he was principal, he gave his whole heart to Cathedral.” Mr. Worland was a very involved principal. He took it upon himself to go to as many school activities as possible. It was important to him that he built relationships with as many people in the Cathedral community as he could. This made Mr. Worland truly stand out as a staff member on the Hill.
Mr. Worland stands and smiles beside two Village of Merici, Johnny Mac's Coffeehouse workers. Mr. Worland has spent many years volunteering to the Special Needs community! Photo submitted.
Worland has many gifts that made him important to the Cathedral community. While working alongside adults, high schoolers, and their families, Worland was incredibly supportive, patient, and understanding. Mrs. Beth Wissler, Associate Director of Admissions and parent at the time of Worland’s principal role said, “He is one of the most positive, spirit filled human beings I've ever met. He truly radiates the love of Christ.” Worland is known to be compassionate, genuine, pastoral, and approachable. As someone who was hired by Worland and felt guided by him, Mr. Anthony Ernst, Social Studies teacher, Director of Students Activities and Director of Camp Programs said, “Mr. Worland was always willing to listen to anyone.” He went on to say, “Without him I wouldn't be here. He often served as a mentor to me early on in my career and I credit him with supporting me in the various duties that I have held throughout 22 years of employment.” Worland impacted everyone he came across. Mr. Bill Peebles, Admissions Liaison and head football coach said, “He was a patient and empathetic person who knows how to diffuse crises. He would go out of his way to support teachers and students and be an advocate for both.” Mrs. Braun added, “While I know Mr. Worland will be incredibly missed, I have no doubt that he is going to spread his greatness in our community! Mr. Worland will someday be named a Saint! God blessed me beyond measure to have the opportunity to work for Mr. Worland and I am a better person because of his influence on me! While he may not be working at Cathedral, his impact will last for many years to come!”
Upon Mr. Worlands retirement, the Cathedral community is sad to say good-
bye. Although they know he won't stray too far as he will always stay involved, Cathedral knows that they are losing an Irish Legend. Mr. Worland has been a calming steady influence that has had a huge impact that Cathedral will miss. The Cathedral Family says, Thank you for a job
well done, and God bless you as you move forward into the future! Your influence will live on through all of the students and teachers and parents that you touched during your time as principal.
Mr. Worland posing for the first day of school in the 2024-2025 school year! Mr. Worland started his last few months on the Hill after 22 years!
Photo submitted
Recognizing, and Delivering on, the Mission
Cathedral High School has been inducted into the inaugural group of schools being certified by Lumen Accreditation BY
KATE ALBAUGH
For Cathedral High School, being a stand out school isn’t an irregular occurrence, it's almost the expectation. Cathedral classrooms have held Olympians, the walls hold over 70 state titles, The Hill has seen some of today's best competitors. Cathedral students have academic trophies in the halls, multiple Blue Ribbon Scholar Awards, and an average GPA of 3.7. Cathedral really does sit at the very top of the Hill. Sometimes the Irish’s efforts and excellence goes unnoticed, but not anymore.
Accreditation is a process that every school must go through, most simply, it ensures that schools are providing quality education to their students. There are three broad types, National, Regional, and Specialized.
Specialized Accreditation occurs in three main forms, for schools and Universities in a school system with specific standards, for schools that need specific curriculum approved, or for cultural or religious schools to measure the values presented.
Cultural accreditation can be for specific types of schools like an art school or other specialty school. A religious accreditation would look into the value of the religion and see how its reflected in a school's mission.
Prior to this fall, Cathedral has been accredited by a public agency, or one that is accessible to all schools, public or private. This issue with a public agency, is that they’re legally unable to ask about Cathedral Catholic aspects. When religious schools aren't asked about their missions or values, it leaves the school to go unchecked and could be teaching values that do not correlate to religious beliefs. Lumen Accreditation is a part of that third group, being a Catholic Accreditation institute. The problem with regular Accreditation at Cathedral is that it doesn't showcase the full experience of Cathedral.
Dr. Rob Bridges, Cathedral President, explained, “They’ll still look into everything that they would, but they’ll look into the school's mission, which should be the fo-
cus. Public Accreditation agencies would look into everything but they can't acredit the most important thing.”
Two years ago, Cathedral became a part of the pilot group along with another school from Denver and one from Minneapolis. The processes of accreditation differ by agency, but most commonly public agencies use a self study, an on-site visit, and a peer review to determine the school's quality. To compare, Lumen Accreditation requires a school to rate itself against their thirteen standards and substandards, 77 benchmarks, and takes around two years to complete, in addition to all of the normal requirements.
The hours of work that go into an application are long and tumultuous, as Dr. Bridges put it, “There was one person who accomplished most of the work, Mark Matthews. Part of the application is a huge report that has to be written on the state of the school, it's probably 35 or 40 pages. The biggest thanks goes to him definitely.”
The ITCE mission statement, per their website, says, " Lumen Accreditation, offered through The Catholic University of America, advances and promotes the distinctive excellence of K-12 Catholic school education. Guided by Christ and illumined by the Church’s rich educational heritage, we accompany Catholic school communities as they strive for continuous growth in fulfilling their mission." Photo from itce.catholic.edu
The mission at Cathedral has been the same since its beginning, to exhibit and live the Holy Cross core values. The school has claimed these values to be the backbone of the school, and there has been no way to disprove that because Cathedral is so true to its mission.
Now, Cathedrals dedication to its mission has been proved by an actual Accreditation Institute. Through Lumen Accreditations approval, Cathedral has been credited with everything they claim to be, say, and do.
By being Lumen Accredited, Cathedral
raises its level of excellence once again. Though now many schools in the diocese are accredited, Cathedral was the first. On the Hill, Lumen Accreditation has given the opportunity to show Cathedral's dedication to innovation. People often mistake Cathedral’s dedication to tradition as an inability to progress. Cathedral, while rooted in tradition, is always striving to cross new horizons. By being a part of the inaugural class of Lumen Accreditation, Cathedral sets a new expectation of excellence that has been followed by other Catholic schools in the area. Cathedral has set a new precedent as a trailblazer, and having a commitment to improvement.
The adversity that has been faced throughout this process is worth the hard work. Cathedral is always striving for excellence. In the classroom students are working hard and have won several awards, in sports they’ve won national championships, as well as being a faith centric institution since its inception. Lumen Accreditation is a perfect way to showcase just how exceptional Cathedral High School is.
The Class of 2025 gathers together on October 29th, 2024 with Father Jomy and Archbishop Thompson to celebrate Mass. The group heard the story about the mustard seed as they prepare for what will be their final semester at Cathedral. Photo submitted.
Competence, Character, and Commitment
BY OLIVIA USKERT
Months of preparation, hours of practice, and countless long nights have led up to this moment. Senior Regina Jones stands among the 5 girls who have been selected as finalists in the Miss Circle City Classic Coronation. The contestants wait with baited breath as the second runner-up is announced, then the first runner-up, and finally, their champion: Regina Jones is crowned Miss Circle City Classic 2024.
The Miss Circle City Classic Coronation is held through the Indiana Black Expo (IBE), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the voices of African American youth and families, and is a part of the Circle City Classic.
The Circle City Classic takes place near the end of September and is a football game between two Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs). This year, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) played against Norfolk State University (NSU) at Lucas Oil Stadium; NCCU won 37 to 10.
Several other events occur over this weekend as well, including the Circle City Classic Coronation, a worship service, gala, parade, college fair, and more.
Jones was inspired to compete through the encouragement of Director of Lifelong Connections Mrs. Jean Smith ‘97 and the 2023 Cathedral debutantes, who were also participating in the competition.
In addition to this, Jones said, “I also knew of the community service work the Indiana Black Expo engaged in and the opportunities they created for youth, and I was excited to take part in any initiative I could.”
Despite popular belief, this competition
is not a beauty pageant or talent show. Rather, it provides high school women in the area with the opportunity “to advance their skills in academic achievement, community service and leadership development,” according to the Circle City Classic website.
The process of preparing for the competition began in June, four months before the actual coronation. Fridays consisted of 8-hour workshops and Sundays were booked with 2-hour dance rehearsals. Jones said, “We practiced formal presentations, had guest speakers and panels, practiced fashion with Nikki Blaine Couture, and engaged in other activities that created a lasting sisterhood between the 30 girls.”
This sisterhood was a key component of
preparing for the Coronation. Rather than viewing each other as opponents, the competitors aimed to bring out the best in each other and inspire each other to be the best version of themselves. According to Jones, “Creating a bond with my fellow coronation girls and my mentors prepared me well. We uplifted each other and were able to prepare for this together like it was not a competition.”
On the day of the Coronation, all 30 contestants arrived early in the morning to run through the show, vote for Miss Congeniality, and prepare their dressing rooms before the show began. The show itself consists of a fashion show, dance, and formal presentations before the pool of contestants is whittled down to the top 10.
The Circle City Classic Court poses for a picture after the Coronation with Indiana Black Expo President Alice Watson. The Indiana Black Expo was founded in 1970 to empower the voices of Black families in Indiana.
Photo submitted by Regina Jones
Regina Jones, class of 2025, wins the Miss Circle City Classic Coronation 2024.
The top 10 competitors are chosen based on factors such as attendance to these workshops, interview performance, original academic papers, attitude, and more. The 10 remaining girls answer an onthe-spot question and from there are narrowed down to five finalists. After a holistic review of each candidate’s performance, the 1st and 2nd runner-up are announced, as well as Miss Circle City Classic herself.
Upon recalling that moment, Jones is filled with gratitude and appreciation for everyone who assisted her in the preparation process. She is especially thankful for Mrs. Smith, who was a primary source of encouragement and motivation, and speech and debate coach Mrs. Jeanne Malone, who prepared her for the on-thespot questions and assisted in the creation of her research paper.
Mrs. Smith said, “Our girls always do a phenomenal job at representing themselves, their families, and Cathedral. Regina is an amazing example of [what Circle City Classic embodies] and really showcases our Holy Cross core value of excellence.”
Immediately after Jones was proclaimed Miss Circle City Classic, all of the other competitors ran on to the stage to congratulate and celebrate her victory. “I was honored to be surrounded by such loving and intelligent young women,” Jones said.
Senior Amyia Bell competed alongside Regina in the Miss Circle City competition and was overjoyed when she won. “My reaction to Regina being crowned was pure happiness. Regina works so hard and . . . is a person of integrity, loyalty, determination, and kindness.”
Not only did Jones win a $5000 scholar-
ship and $1000 Apple gift card, but she is now honored to serve her community through the Indiana Black Expo and will mentor future contestants for the Coronation.
Jones said, “Representing the Indiana
Black Expo and the brilliant women of the Coronation is a wonderful opportunity . . . Even the smallest interaction can create impact, and because of this title, I have many more opportunities to enact change.”
The top three contestants of the Miss Circle City Classic Competition attend the Circle City Classic President’s Gala. Left to right: Second Runner-Up Karis Gorman, Miss Circle City Classic Regina Jones, First Runner-Up Taniliah Chestnut. Photo submitted by Regina Jones
Overseas Journey of Faith
From Cathedral to Rome to France all in the name of Jesus
Cathedral educators, through the use of the Dan ‘70 and Betsy Brunette Educator Investment Award, enjoyed a week-long Holy Cross Pilgrimage filled with life-altering and faith-renewing experiences.
The faith is not only a religious experience but also a gift to the Catholic community. Experiencing and growing in the faith however can be done in a variety of ways, from simply enclosing oneself in the Church’s walls to an overseas pilgrimage in hope of religious growth. Cathedral offered a life-altering experience to learn more about the Holy Cross Heritage in France. The purpose of the trip was to spiritually strengthen and grow, to delve deeper into the faith, and take part in these life-alternating experiences with fellow Cathedral educators. This journey culminated in a powerful return on the Hill as educators shared their zeal and faith with the Cathedral family.
Cathedral educators who were fortunate enough to go on this pilgrimage wrote letters to President Dr. Rob Bridges, explaining why they wanted to attend this pilgrimage. Two groups consisting of 14 total educators were fortunate enough to visit France and Rome for seven days.
The educators who traveled to France consisted of Marian Bender, Kathy Douglass, Victoria Temple, Maribeth Cloud, Fr. Jomy, Mark Matthews, and Greg and Linda Bamrick.
Those educators who went to Rome included Jon Kane, Greg Smith, Michael Mofatt, Dawn Gilmore, Grace Rodecap, and Beth Wissler.
Both groups were able to visit beautiful historical sites, the majority of which being churches and cities. The group that traveled to Rome visited the Vatican, saw the Pope, and toured churches in addition
BY YACKELIN CASTRO
to visiting Assisi and Orvieto.
The group visiting France, traveled to St. Etienne Church, where the Shrine of St. Genevieve, patron saint of Paris, is held. This site marks the spot where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure. Educators also explored the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Physical Education teacher Linda Bamric said, “While in Le Mans, we stayed at the Solitude, where Father Basil Moreau once resided. Currently several Marianite Sisters live there. The place also serves as a retreat center for those visiting on pilgrimage. Father Jomy said Mass for us
daily at 8 a.m. and it was such a blessing. It was a very memorable moment when he used Blessed Moreau’s chalice during consecration.”
With doors opening at 8 a.m. to closing at 11 p.m., life-changing experiences occurred in many Cathedral educators' lives. Throughout a journey of 20,000 steps, Cathedral educators managed to travel and experience a new perspective on spirituality. It was a common part of the daily routine to attend Mass once in the morning and once in the afternoon, followed by seeing the Pope twice.
The beautiful church is the Basilica of Saint Frances of Assisi. Inside the Beautiful church is St. Francis’s tomb where educators had mass. Photo submitted.
When the group traveled to Assisi, they were fortunate enough to have had a local priest be their guide. Director of Marketing, Mrs. Grace Rodecap explained the rhythm of her group's daily routine and said, “We attended the Pope’s Angelus on Sunday, a special prayer. Offered by the Pope each Sunday in St. Peter’s Square. We also attended the Pope's Audience, where we prayed with the Holy Father and received his blessing. It’s a moment I will never forget.”
In the span of one week, unforgettable memories were made and lifelong connections were formed. From receiving the Pope's Blessing to simply enjoying a new atmosphere, great impacts were felt by these faithful educators. Associate Director of Admissions. Mrs. Elizabeth Wissler said, “My favorite city was Assisi. Specifically, I loved seeing young people pay honor to ‘Blessed’ Carlo Acutis. He is the first Millennial to be beatified.” The beautiful history, culture, and landscape throughout this pilgrimage made the experience breathtaking and unforgettable for all attending.
Mrs. Grace Rodecap said, “My favorite moments happened in Assisi. Unlike Rome’s crowds and rapid pace, Assisi is
a breath-taking town nestled on a hill in the countryside of Italy. We met up with a priest named Father Phillip, who served as our personal tour guide for part of our stay. We learned about St. Frances, St. Clare, and a young man who is set to be
canonized a saint next year, Carlo Acutis.”
With all the hectic obstacles one has to face in day-to-day life, it may be difficult to balance out the negative and focus on what is positive and important. This pilgrimage offered a wonderful chance to step away from the demands of daily life and concentrate on prayer.
Linda Bamrick said, “This experience was incredible! It was most spiritual journey I've ever been on, as it has brought me closer to God and put so many things in my life both past and present into perspective.”
Educators Greg Smith, Michael Moffatt, Jon Kane, Dawn Gilmore, Grace Rodecap and Elizabeth Wissler stand in front of the Vatican. The group attended an afternoon Mass in one of the Vatican's chapels while in Rome.
Photo submitted
Cathedral educators pose in front of the Colosseum. From Left to right Greg Smith, Jon Kane, Dawn Gilmore, Elizabeth Wissler, Grace Rodecap and Michael Moffatt. Photo submitted
Lucas and His Film
The brand new Filmmakers Club is finishing the script on a new horror movie.
The Filmmakers Club is led by Joellen Desautels, Cathedrals Visual Communications and Photography Teacher. Desautels stated “This is our first year to try this club. We have never made a short film before, but having such a blank canvas offers many opportunities for creativity and collaboration. “
Students are in the process of developing a short film which will be ten minutes in length. Approximately, ten students participate in the Filmmakers Club. During the meetings students watch professional short films to gain knowledge and understand what a short film is all about. The meetings are also used to develop the script and produce the film. Club members will practice writing, acting, and directing.
The students and Mrs. Desautels helped create the latest project which has a title in the works. Desautels credited “Lucas Weiland '27 as the brainchild and vision for this club."
The current short film is directed by Lucas Weiland. He said, " I have a passion for cinema and the arts. And I also enjoy providing opportunities to anyone who may want to enter the field and testing their merit of accomplishment on a Hollywood like level. A few years ago, I visited Los Angeles and went to the film academy. I took a look around and made some mental notes regarding the kinds of work that is the standard within Hollywood. It was and is my ambition to create a program that can form such standards within young filmmakers here in the Midwest region.“
Weiland takes great pride in being the leader for producing a great short film. He said, “It takes a long time to write and people who have a wide imagination, this club is the best thing to let your imagination fly.” Although it may look difficult to write once you get into the hang of it, it will all fall right into place. He said, "Filmmaking is much more than just mak-
BY JULIE NAPIER
ing a video, it is like taking a piece of time and capturing it.”
Lucas started this club because he has a passion for film. He said, “I started this club to provide an additional step up for any photographers who would like to advance their skills and begin working in a field/industry that highly utilizes any skills they may have. In addition to this, I also saw a good opportunity to combine school arts resources such as theater, photography, broadcasting, English, and the bands to formulate a cinematographic society that serves to embolden the arts within our school and beyond.”
Writers saw their opportunity to write a film that may be less than ten minutes long but will take you into the several-day journey of a freshman on her first day of school that will change her life forever. Watching other thriller films provided inspiration for the script. Analyzing the acting, sound effects, and costumes is a learning tool. Weiland leads the students in learning how to set up the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and
resolution in the current project.
Freshman Tara Johnson stated she, “loves being part of the Filmmakers Club to express her imagination.” She is always a part of the group coming up with new ideas that are extraordinarily out of this world. Like every member of the group, Tara brings something unique to the club.
The Filmmakers Club meets most Thursday’s in room 1220 in Cunningham. The meeting starts at 3:30pm and typically lasts an hour. If interested in joining the Filmmakers Club please reach out to Mrs. Desautels at jdesautels@gocathedral.com or Lucas Weiland ljweiland27@gocathedral.com for additional information.
In Lucas’ words, "I would say that it’s a good experience to have regardless of what your ambition is to study. I also think that for anyone who is interested in buffing up their college application, this feature film that we are making will be acceptable to add to your common application come senior year in the achievement sector or extracurricular section.”
Lucas and the members of the Filmmakers club brainstorm ideas for their film. Discussions that have taken place at meetings revolved around plot, character development, and conflict. Photo submitted.
