As we blow towards December, I am amazed that it has already been five and a half months as headmaster of Chesterton Academy of Buffalo. I tend to stay far from phrases along the lines of “time flies,” but I am very comfortable telling you that it feels as if I have been a part of Chesterton Academy for quite some time. Even more than that, it feels great to be here.
I wanted to take a moment today to share with you some of my observations as an outsider coming into this unique community. From the very beginning of my time here, I have been confident that the mission and goal of the school is acted on and lived out every day. During my handful of years in parish ministry, it became apparent quickly when a particular ministry, school or parish had a disconnect between their God given mission, their own proposed mission and what actually was happening day to day. It is also very clear when an institution has its priorities in proper order, and even more so when the majority of those in the community are aware of those priorities.
It struck me that it is important to start with what is most simple, and then when we give ascent to what is simple, we can take that fiat and apply it to any area, whether in personal life, in a school or in the greater community to see if it is compatible.
The simple question that Chesterton academy has answered so clearly and communicated so well is the question of “Why?” First and foremost, this question applies to the existence of our school. The temptation is to answer “to educate young minds of course!” and maybe even in Catholic education it is “to raise up disciples,” but I think we must take a step even further back. What most impressed me right away in seeing the board, faculty and staff operate, was that their answer to the question of why, was to give glory to and to serve our Lord. They had answered that first and primary question, which in turn allowed them to bring that mission into our school. Our school is first to serve Jesus Christ and His mission on earth. When we no longer take part in that mission, we will no longer have a school.
This ground work of finding the deepest why has been done, and it’s fruit is docility to the Holy Spirit and all subsequent virtues that lead to a saintly life. Since we know our first purpose, we can then apply that to the classroom and to student life. All is to give Him glory.
This answer gives a depth and a purpose beyond education, and it lifts education into the realm of human formation. Education then becomes a means to become one’s true self, and a path to discerning one’s vocation, not simply choosing a career. I can speak to this truthfully because I have been impacted by the environment that has been cultivated in our school. It is quite clear if you look closer past the surface that I have entered a new territory in this position. I have never been involved in education, let alone administration. In any other context, sleep would be a thing of the past and I would be living in a terrified existence, trying to hide the fact that this is new and challenging for me. I have nothing to fear here at Chesterton. Growth is the only mode of movement here. The whole project is moving forward and bringing (or dragging) all those involved along with it. I have been humbled, encouraged, challenged and drawn more deeply to rely on God in these past months.
I am beyond grateful to have been welcomed in so graciously to this community, and I will do what I can to expose as many as I can to the great work that is being done for the Lord here at Chesterton Academy of Buffalo. May our mission never be separated from the reality of what is happening in our school, and may our vision be always directed by the Light of Christ and His Spirit, which illuminates the darkness in our minds and hearts.
Grace & Peace to you all,
Jesse Saltarelli – Headmaster: Chesterton Academy of Buffalo
