Ministry & Service - Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

We live in a sound bite world. Television advertisers talk fast for
30 seconds, cable news tells all we need to know in 30-minute
broadcasts, and newspaper headline writers attempt to capture
the essential essence of a complex story in seven sensational
words or less. Many people decry both the pervasiveness and
the limitations of the 140 character text, the Facebook© status
line, or the one-sentence tweet.
if you have been around teenagers recently, you know that they
converse with each other via texting on their mobile phones.
Telephone calls are apparently too much trouble, and email is
only used as a last resort (or to communicate with their
grandparents in Florida.)
What happened, members of older generations will ask, to long
letters, great speeches, artfully articulated editorials, and carefully
researched papers that conveyed meaning and passion and
moved people to tears and to action? How can great ideas be
formulated, argued, and communicated among our texting,
YouTube-watching, remote control-wielding, thumb-typing
younger generations?
Perhaps on more careful reflection, this younger generation has
found technology that supports and encourages a larger truth—
great meaning can be found in simple words shared between
people who have a common understanding and a shared belief.
in Gospel accounts, Jesus often gave his disciples the most
powerful lessons in simple language. The passage, found to
the left, from the Gospel of luke is only 119 characters—it’s
tweet-ready!
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children
of God.” Matthew 5:9. Jesus’ words, just 69 characters in all, was
repeated by sister Dorothy stang, snDden ’49 to the men who
would take her life in February 2005 in the rainforest of Brazil.
“This is my body which will be given for you; do this in memory
of me.” luke 22:19. again, only 69 characters. Perhaps Jesus could
express great meaning in few words to his friends because of the
time he spent with them talking, listening, praying, and simply
being together. and perhaps those simple words today continue
to convey power and truth and compel action on our part
because we have come to believe.
We continue Jesus’ mission today at Chaminade Julienne, a mission
formed by Catholic Tradition and shaped and emboldened by the
Marianist and notre Dame charisms. We sometimes use simple
phrases to describe our work and commitment that could be
viewed as simplistic if not for the deeper understanding shared
by people who care about this great place. This understanding is
borne of experience, reflection, conversation, and collaboration.
Our mission statement calls CJ an “educational community of
faith,” a phrase of only 30 characters that recognizes that great
learning happens when people endeavor together to recognize
and celebrate the goodness of God. The tagline you may often
see on our publications and advertising, “Catholic faith, excellent
academics, inspired community” reminds each of us that we are
joined—graduates, parents, friends, teachers, and staff—in holy
work to help young people discover how God is calling them to
serve His people.
so, as you read through this annual report, i urge you to see
the name of each benefactor and recognize that one name
often represents the belief and commitment of so many
other members of that same family. review the educational
experience of our teachers and sense a deep and expanding
commitment to intellectual curiosity and faithful living. read
the simple summaries of the accomplishments of the young
men and women who attend CJ and picture hours spent in
the classroom, laboratory, library, and practice venues.
For those who know Chaminade Julienne well, it should be
inspiring to find deep meaning and great truth in a tagline or a
simple list of names. as we work together to forge a bold future
for our students and broad school community, we know that
such truth in simple phrases will only continue to be found as
members of the CJ family continue to come together, to use their
gifts of time, talent, and treasure, and to pray for one another.
“For when two or three are gathered in my name, there am i in
the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. 79 characters.
People who care about one another and share a common bond
often need few and simple words to share what is in their hearts.
“Go eagles!”
Wishing you peace and great joy,
Da n i e l J. Me i x n e r ‘84
President
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