Pope Francis

“The spiritual formation of our students is as important as their human
and academic formation” — John Lopez
principal at Cassata. In addition
to her daily interactions with pupils
and faculty, she is also responsible
for marketing, fundraising,
and development.
As academic dean, Lopez will
handle student scheduling along
with his role as campus minister.
“There’s a renewed vigor in
all of our principals, and they’re
excited about the potential in
their schools,” Pelletier enthuses.
“There’s a lot of change and it’s
exciting change.”
Founded in 1975, Cassata
was started to help struggling
students achieve a high school
diploma. The curriculum caters
to dropouts and other young
people facing financial, learning,
or family hardships, as well as
some students who simply want
to do their high school studies
outside a traditional high school
environment.
Lopez’s background prepared
him to help teens who are coping
with difficult life circumstances.
After converting to Catholicism
in his early 20s, he began teaching
RCIA classes to high schoolers
and headed his parish’s youth
ministry program.
More recently, the Franciscan
University graduate worked at
Child Protective Services as a case
manager.
“It taught me to love people
where they’re at in life,” Lopez
pointed out, describing his work
with families dealing with abuse,
neglect, and addiction. “My job
was to help families by connecting
them to services so recovery could
happen.”
The father of eight says his
fundamental objective is to help
Cassata students learn more about
their faith by discussing Church
teachings, social justice issues, and
other relevant topics in a welcoming
environment.
Lopez said Cassata was very appreciative of those who
helped make the renovations, including Tracy Rector,
project manager for the lower floor renovations,
Anissa Allen with Allen Architecture, Connected
Media, Elena Yorio, Nancy Farrar, adults and teens from
Good Shepherd Catholic Community, and other friends.
Cassata students Samantha Rodriguez, Andres Garcia, and Angela Quintero (l. to r.) in the new campus ministry room.
“The spiritual formation of
our students is as important as
their human and academic formation,”
says the seasoned youth
minister. “I want them to understand
their value and worth, and
that can be done by understanding
Who created us.”
Cassata will introduce a
theology course as part of its optional
curriculum and may offer a
school retreat. Lopez plans to use
the framework and catechetical
materials developed by the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops
for the theology class.
Space for a campus ministry
room was chiseled out of existing
administrative offices at Cassata.
“We wanted to create a place
where students can not only do
homework, hang out, and get
some coffee, but also provides
an atmosphere where we can
start conversations,” says the new
campus minister. “Everything is
still coming together because the
program is new.”
During his time as a youth
leader in the dioceses of Steubenville,
Ohio; San Antonio; and Fort
Worth, Lopez witnessed personal
transformations firsthand. He
remembers one high school freshman
who didn’t “fit in” with other
young people until he found love
and acceptance at a youth group
that met at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Parish in Helotes, Texas.
“He had his questions answered
about the faith and began
sharing his story with other teens
through a retreat ministry,” Lopez
recalls. “Today he is considering
missionary work.”
Educating young people
about their faith gives them a firm
spiritual foundation that benefits
the Church, their personal relationships,
and society.
“I’ve seen teens come through
the youth group, grow up, and get
married,” he says. “They take the
Sacrament of Marriage seriously by
putting the Lord in the center of
their union and being open to life.
It’s cool to see that happening.”
To Report Misconduct
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual misconduct by anyone who
serves the church, you may
․ Call Judy Locke, victim assistance coordinator, (817) 945-9340 ext. 201 or
e-mail her at jlocke@fwdioc.org
․ Or call the Sexual Abuse Hot-line (817) 945-9345 and leave a message.
To Report Abuse
Call the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (Child Protective
Services at (800) 252-5400
PAGE 47 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015