At the end of January, the division asked community to provide suggestions for what the name of the new E-Learning school should be. Based on this feedback, three names became clear fore-runners as potential options (listed in alphabetical order):
- Blessed Carlo Acutis School
- Trinity E-Learning School
Given the closeness of the results provided, the Board has asked that further research be done on each suggestion.
1. Blessed Carlo Acutis
.jpg "Picture of Carlo Acutis")
Feast Day: October 12
Patron: Computer Programmers and Youth
Born on May 3, 1991, Carlo passed away at the age of 15 from leukemia on October 12, 2006. He is buried in Assisi, a request he made as a result of his love for St. Francis.
Starting at a very young age, he demonstrated true devotion to the Rosary, the Eucharist, and the Mass. He was also a normal teenager who loved soccer and video games. He used his computer talents to research and develop a website that cataloged Eucharistic Miracles.
While the process for sainthood began shortly after his death, Carlo Acutis was beatified February 21, 2020. His tomb has been opened and his intact body lies in repose in a glass tomb where he can be venerated by pilgrims. He is displayed in jeans and a pair of Nikes, the casual clothes he preferred in life. The rector for the Sanctuary of Spoliation in Assisi, where Acutis’ tomb is located, called him a witness that holiness is attainable for teenagers. “For the first time in history we will see a saint dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a sweater,” the rector said. “This is a great message for us, we can feel holiness not as a distant thing but as something very much within everyone’s reach because the Lord is the Lord of everyone.”
Sources:
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=46077
https://carloacutis-en.org/index.html
https://www.lfparish.org/parish-activities/youth-ministry/blessed-carlo-acutis
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/world/europe/millennial-saint-carlo-acutis.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Acutis
Additional Source:
How Does the Catholic Church Declare Official Saints (Busted Halo) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUGRdpRJWYA
2. St. Isidore of Seville
Feast Day: April 4
Patron: The Internet
Though an intelligent and hard working student, Isidore’s brother, who was responsible for his education, sometimes used draconian methods. Frustrated by his inability to learn as fast as his brother wanted, and hurt by his brother's treatment, Isidore ran away. But though he could escape his brother's hand and words, he couldn't escape his own feeling of failure and rejection. When he finally let the outside world catch his attention, he noticed water dripping on the rock near where he sat. The drops of water that fell repeatedly carried no force and seemed to have no effect on the solid stone. And yet he saw that over time, the water drops had worn holes in the rock. Isidore realized that if he kept working at his studies, his seemingly small efforts would eventually pay off in great learning. He also may have hoped that his efforts would also wear down the rock of his brother's heart. Isidore eventually returned to his studies, embracing education and rising above his past to become an amazing teacher - and actually working quite closely with his brother on many of his projects.
Considered a Doctor of the Church, Isidore created a school that became a model for early universities. He also sought to establish good norms for social justice and representative government, as well as firm foundations in the faith.
One of the main reasons that Pope St. John Paul II selected St. Isidore as the patron of the internet stems from the writing of a twenty-book encyclopedia of knowledge, which included topics such as: language, law, astronomy, biology, agriculture, theology, etc…. Like the internet, Isidore saw the potential of sharing as much knowledge as there is to be shared. However, more than just knowledge, Isidore demonstrates great God-given wisdom, noting that, “Learning unsupported by grace may get into our ears; it never reaches the heart. But when God's grace touches our innermost minds to bring understanding, his word which has been received by the ear sinks deep into the heart."
Sources:
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=58
https://www.up.edu/garaventa/did-you-know/internet-patron-saints.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLFiOoLN8LM&list=PL58g24NgWPIzvBk2IQVES_xC4WTm6-CDI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isidore_of_Seville
3. Trinity
“Trinity” refers to how our one God is made up of three divine entities - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity Learning Centre, as it has existed in the past, opened adjacent to Catholic Central High School in 1997. It was developed as a high school outreach program dedicated to providing a caring, flexible learning environment in a self paced, self directed outreach setting based on the needs of each individual student. At the time, the choice to name the program “Trinity” stemmed, not only from the desire to honour the triune God, but also to emphasize the importance of unity within the home, school, and community to support and serve those students in need some additional "Tender Loving Care/TLC".
Please let us know which option you believe is the best name for the school division's E-Learning School and why. Feel free to scroll through others' suggestions and star those that you feel are a great choice.
If you see a submission that you believe is rude or inappropriate, please report it by clicking in the upper right corner of the thought. All responses will be reviewed. This ThoughtExchange will be open until Monday, March 7, 2022 at midnight.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts!
The Board and Administration of the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division