Catholic

Entering God’s Rest at Thanksgiving

Ivy Schmalzried2023-11-20T20:00:08-05:00

It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and for many of us, this week entails a lot of hustle: planning dinner, writing grocery lists, waiting in check-out lines, cleaning guest rooms, washing tablecloths, fighting traffic, prepping, cooking - and then, finally, the day arrives. The table is set, the food is laid out, the family is gathered, and we can enjoy the feast. For Christians, the rhythm of this week is a microcosm of our lives. It’s not by accident that heaven is often described as a feast. And our lives of labor here on earth ought to be preparing us for that [...]

Entering God’s Rest at ThanksgivingIvy Schmalzried2023-11-20T20:00:08-05:00

When the Saints Go Marching In: A reflection on the Church’s Great Solemnity

Ivy Schmalzried2023-10-30T10:04:22-04:00

In two short days, hundreds of little saints will fill Saint Benedict Classical Academy’s classrooms and hallways. If this year is anything like years past, there will be no shortage of Saint Michaels wielding swords or Saint Lucys bearing crowns of candles. November 1st is always one of my favorite days of the year. I love watching the younger students proudly parade by the older ones, smiling from ear to ear. I watch from the sidelines as a five-year-old Saint George tightly grips a stuffed dragon under his arm. I smile as a little Saint Gianna Beretta Molla carefully holds a [...]

When the Saints Go Marching In: A reflection on the Church’s Great SolemnityIvy Schmalzried2023-10-30T10:04:22-04:00

Duc in Altum: Navigating the Abyss of Learning and Obedience

Ivy Schmalzried2023-10-23T19:37:18-04:00

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put into Deep Water and Lower Your Nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command, I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. Luke 5:1-11 It was the first day of my second year of teaching, and I was kneeling in the pew before morning mass reflecting on the Gospel passage above. As I knelt there feelings of discouragement were hitting me [...]

Duc in Altum: Navigating the Abyss of Learning and ObedienceIvy Schmalzried2023-10-23T19:37:18-04:00

Beyond Control: Celebrating Life’s Unpredictable Beauty in Respect Life Month

Ivy Schmalzried2023-10-10T12:29:33-04:00

October is Respect Life Month and I have always been passionate about the pro-life cause. In fact, I studied public health in graduate school so that I could help moms and babies. However I quickly discovered that many individuals in my field had their understanding of life all mixed up. They were under the false pretense of society that life is only worth living if it is easy, and free from disability or hardship. They inappropriately believe that life is something we can and should control. Being a mom of three (and one in heaven) has taught me that the beauty [...]

Beyond Control: Celebrating Life’s Unpredictable Beauty in Respect Life MonthIvy Schmalzried2023-10-10T12:29:33-04:00

Teaching with Grace

Ivy Schmalzried2023-10-10T12:30:05-04:00

“To be entrusted with the teaching of the young is a great gift and grace of God.”- St. John Baptist de la Salle St. John Baptist de la Salle, patron saint of teachers known for his innovative approach to training and mentoring high-quality educators, inspired my initial vocation to teach and has sustained my current mission to serve as Dean of Students. I first received this "grace of God" in 2013 when I took my first job as a teacher at Coates Elementary School in Herndon, Virginia. In 2021, my wife, two children, and I moved to New England for a [...]

Teaching with GraceIvy Schmalzried2023-10-10T12:30:05-04:00

The Miracle of the Mass

Ivy Schmalzried2023-05-22T16:27:14-04:00

Earlier this month I had the joy of witnessing 25 second grade students receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist for the first time. After a year of eagerly preparing for the Sacrament in prayer and study both at home and school, it was an absolutely beautiful moment. Our entire year of religion class culminates in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Throughout the year we follow the story of God’s people from Adam and Eve’s original sin to the long period of waiting for a savior. We learn about Mary’s “yes” to God leading up to Jesus' birth, life, and ministry. [...]

The Miracle of the MassIvy Schmalzried2023-05-22T16:27:14-04:00

The Sign of the Cross

Ivy Schmalzried2023-05-15T15:22:39-04:00

We all know how to make the sign of the cross, right? Yet, do we understand the importance or prominence that simple and easy sacramental should hold in each moment of our day? Often, I admit, I have used this sign respectfully, but superficially, unaware of its full significance. Recently I read The Sign of the Cross: Recovering the Power of the Ancient Prayer by Bert Ghezzi, a free ebook available through Word on Fire. Ancient prayer? I thought it was an opening to and closing of prayer and a symbol of a Christian, but a prayer?! Apparently I didn’t know [...]

The Sign of the CrossIvy Schmalzried2023-05-15T15:22:39-04:00

Finding Our Calcutta

Ivy Schmalzried2023-04-03T11:07:54-04:00

One recent February day just before the dawn of Lent, in our St. Benedict Classical Academy (SBCA) Pre-Kindergarten classroom at our St Placid Campus, I was preparing to lead an activity that would help our little ones begin to have an understanding of the Beatitudes. Truthfully I am just as much a learner about our Catholic faith as even our youngest student - our Faith is an ongoing and lifelong pursuit. I started by pondering and praying about each Beatitude and each of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, and how they applied to my role in the classroom. [...]

Finding Our CalcuttaIvy Schmalzried2023-04-03T11:07:54-04:00

Metanoia

Ivy Schmalzried2023-03-10T11:46:37-05:00

At the beginning of my freshman year of college at Bridgewater State University, I went on a field trip to a local artists’ studio for my art history class. Her studio was filled wall to wall with religious art, mostly depictions of Our Lady holding Our Lord close to her heart. One of my classmates asked her, “Are you Catholic?” “Not at all!” the artist remarked. “But there is something that draws me as a mother myself to the depictions of the Madonna and Child. And Confession! I love the idea of being able to get rid of something…” This interaction [...]

MetanoiaIvy Schmalzried2023-03-10T11:46:37-05:00

The Refiner’s Fire

Ivy Schmalzried2023-01-17T13:00:07-05:00

I thought I was blessed at my previous job when I could just walk across the college campus to visit Jesus in the tabernacle, but here at St. Benedict Classical Academy, Jesus is a mere 10 feet above my head. As I sit at my desk, Jesus sits in the room above me, in the little chapel of the schoolhouse. Most of the time it’s quiet upstairs, but every so often I hear the shuffle of students entering to pray or the creak of the door as a teacher enters to make a visit. But I know the room is never [...]

The Refiner’s FireIvy Schmalzried2023-01-17T13:00:07-05:00

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