What makes a Catholic school great? How could you find out which one is the best? If you have checked your email inbox in the last 24 hours, you probably have an idea of what is prompting me to ask these questions. Niche, a popular school ranking website, recently named The Atonement Academy’s Upper School as its 2020 “#1 Best Catholic High School in the San Antonio Area.”
Naturally, we are honored by this recognition. News of it first broke to the Atonement community via Facebook this past Tuesday, which, coincidentally, was the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. More commonly, you might have heard Thérèse referred to as Saint Thérèse of Lisieux or by her nickname “The Little Flower.”
Why a “coincidence”? Saint Thérèse’s life brings to mind our Lord’s statement about the upside down architecture of His Kingdom’s hierarchy: “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12). What stands out about Saint Thérèse is her quiet, private, yet constant fellowship with Jesus as she navigated the small things of life with great love. (Read more in her spiritual autobiography,
The Story of a Soul.)
Certainly, The Atonement Academy at 25 years has much to celebrate and much which compares favorably to other area schools—a record of academic prowess, a beautiful swath of Hill Country acreage, teachers possessing disciplinary depth, a clear educational mission. But to the extent we would be faithful tenants of an outpost of the Kingdom that Christ preached, our true preoccupations must be purity of heart, considering one another as more important than ourselves, rejoicing in trials, and other qualities less frequently applauded, on the Internet or elsewhere.
Therefore, even as the fall months bring an upswing in activity (see below!), let us not forget to pray for one another and for our school.