New England
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July 19, 2023
Although rain has oft wreaked havoc on the schedule for the New England High School Summer Program, it cleared up just in time for Tuesday afternoon’s recreation period! Following the day’s classes on Euclid and Boethius, students were ready to take a little break and get in some exercise. The athletic field was cleared and painted for a casual soccer game, and a huge group of students took advantage of the opportunity! Others watched and chatted, painted, or played volleyball. Some visited the Pope St, John Paul II Athletic Center and pool, while others headed to the bookstore.
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Once recreation was over, the programmers went over to Gould Commons for burrito night! Then came study hall, where students spent half their time in Dolben Library, reading Boethius, and the second hour in St. Gianna Molla Hall, practicing their next three Euclidean propositions. Prefects were in every room, ready to assist the students in reading through and understanding the props, to break the demonstrations down into smaller steps, and to help the programmers practice their demonstration skills. Having grown in confidence, the students threw themselves into their work. One group even started timing themselves to see how quickly they were could present their props, writing them out again and again as they fine-tuned their skills at the board.
Then came Rosary, and students were able to take some time out of their day to be in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, praying in community. So many students have taken advantage of community Rosary, committed to growing in holiness with their peers!
The night then deviated from its regular course. Instead of a regular Coffee Shop hour, students made their way to Dolben Auditorium, where they were greeted by root-beer floats and a session of “Chaplains on Tap” with Fr. Miguel, Fr. Markey, and Fr. Viego.
For the last few days, students have been writing questions on slips of paper and placing them in a small box for the chaplains. These questions ranged from how one could grow in holiness to wondering whether God knows what pizza tastes like. Tuesday night, the chaplains answered these anonymous queries, giving recommendations for spiritual reading, advice on how to discern God’s will, and answers to some questions on the liturgy. Each question was met with a valuable insight by one or all of the priests, and the students were grateful for the evening of learning.
After the Q&A period ended, Associate Director of Admissions John Jost made a farewell announcement: Lucca Almeida, Pedro da Silva, and Dan Selmeczy were all leaving very early the next morning. Lucca has been the photographer for this blog, Pedro a prefect, and Dan, of course, the dance instructor and career counselor, always there to answer students’ questions and make wonderful conversation with them. We will miss all three as we head into our final days here in New England! We’re so grateful for all their hard work and the ways they have given to those around them during their time here!
Goodbyes were said, and the students went back to their residence halls for consecration, late-night conversations, and snacks, until they finally moseyed off to bed for a good night’s sleep.
On Wednesday, their studies of Euclid and Boethius resume! Check back to the Summer Program Blog later today to read about their demonstrations!
