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Views from the Choir Loft

Regina Chesterton Academy

Fr. David Friel · May 1, 2016

IBERAL ARTS education is an interest of mine. I would describe my own philosophical studies in the college seminary as essentially a liberal arts education—a gift for which I am most grateful. The virtues of this type of education are not always appreciated, but they are real, as I have considered here and here.

There is a new and rather exciting initiative in my area. Beginning in Fall 2016, the Regina Chesterton Academy will operate as a classical education track within Cardinal O’Hara High School (one among a large network of archdiocesan Catholic high schools in Philadelphia).

For a number of years already, the Regina Academies have been serving elementary students at four locations in the greater Philadelphia area (Ardmore, Abington, Downingtown, and Ottsville). Originally founded in 2003 by a group of lay Catholics, the Academies have experienced significant growth. The motto of the Regina Academies is Domine, ut videam (“Lord, that I may see”).

Contemporary America prizes diversity in certain areas, but not always in the realm of education. According to Cardinal O’Hara President, Mr. Tom Fertal, a desire for authentic educational diversity helped to inspire this undertaking. He explains:

Education, of course, is not a one-size-fits all proposition. We do our best to approach it from the perspective of what is most instructive for each and every student and his or her gifts. This will be the kind of unique program that a number of our parents have been asking for. As it will be deeply rooted in our authentic Catholic tradition, it is a program that also fits the mission of the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: to “prepare saints for life in this world and in the next.”

This new program of the Regina Academies will utilize a curriculum first developed by the Chesterton Academy in Edina, Minnesota. Teachers will lead Socratic-style classroom discussions about primary works by authors in such fields as logic, rhetoric, math, science, philosophy, art, music, drama, Latin, and Greek.

For more information, see the website of the Regina Academies.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Passing on Tradition Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Fr. David Friel

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Parish in Northeast Philly. He is currently a doctoral candidate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

4 March 2021 • Can you spare 15 seconds?

Due to Covid-19, California has basically been under “lock down” for 11 months, and these restrictions have had quite a detrimental effect on our choral programs. We are frequently limited to just 2-3 singers, on account of regulations by the government and our Archdiocese. However, although the number of singers is quite small, I was struck by the beauty of the singing last Sunday. Listen to this 15-second live excerpt and see if you agree?

—Jeff Ostrowski
3 March 2021 • “A policeman” — really?

According to Monsignor Frederick R. McManus, there were “policemen” serving the Sanhedrin in the time of Our Blessed Lord. Look at this awful translation in the 1966 “Saint Andrew Bible Missal” from 1966. Yuck!

—Jeff Ostrowski
Surprising Popularity!

One of our most popular downloads has proven to be the organ accompaniment to “The Monastery Hymnal” (131 pages). This book was compiled, arranged, and edited by Achille P. Bragers, who studied at the Lemmensinstituut (Belgium) about thirty years before that school produced the NOH. Bragers might be considered an example of Belgium “Stile Antico” whereas Flor Peeters and Jules Van Nuffel represented Belgium “Prima Pratica.” You can download the hymnal by Bragers at this link.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Soloists are dangerous in any church choir! Their voices frequently do not blend with those of the other singers to form a rich, integrated tone.

— Roger Wagner

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