The Joy of Being Catholic - Affiliation with the Diocese of Joliet

Chesterton Academy of The Holy Family is pleased to announce that we are an officially recognized Catholic High School affiliated with the Diocese of Joliet. We thank our staff, faculty, and administration, and all who have helped make this possible, working side by side with Rev. John Belmonte, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools under the guidance of the Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon, Bishop of Joliet. We thank all the Chesterton families, and all who have joined us in prayer.

“The difficulty of explaining “why I am a Catholic” is that there are ten thousand reasons all amounting to one reason: that Catholicism is true.” GK Chesterton

Since it’s humble beginnings of conversations around a kitchen table, the founders of Chesterton Academy of The Holy Family dreamed of starting an authentically Catholic high school. That dream recently became a reality, and the announcement about our affiliation as a Catholic high school was made known at our annual Fleur-de-Lis Gala. the Most Rev. Daniel Conlon, Bishop of Joliet, accepted the 2018 Fleur-de-Lis award honoring the Diocese of Joliet for its commitment to Catholic education. He gave an inspiring acceptance speech charging the young students “to be full of virility, be courageous and authentic.” The school tries to abide by these words of our shepherd by having daily Mass, teaching a classical curriculum with the Socratic method, and having all teachers and staff take an oath of loyalty to the Magisterium at the beginning of the school year.

The 2018 Fleur-de-Lis Gala to a sold-out crowd, of just under 600 guests, heard Catholic author, Joseph Pearce, stress the importance of teaching what is true, good and beautiful, and how an integrated Catholic classical curriculum accomplishes this. Those in attendance witnessed a beautiful performance by the choir, along with a talk by our headmaster, Dr. Conor Hill, and inspirational testimonies from junior students, Jill Cook and Brener Bowles. Dance performances of Swing, Foxtrot and Cha Cha were highlighted by the students. The night included uplifting praise from Relevant Radio Show host, Sheila Liaugminas, who was the emcee for the event.

We remain overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and generosity from all the benefactors, families, priests and religious that attended the event.

We encourage you to join us in our mission of Catholic education with the primary aim to get souls to Heaven. First, please pray for us and know that you will be in our prayers. Second, spread the word that we are officially an affiliated Catholic high school by telling your friends and family, and especially your local parish priests. Thirdly, consider donating online to help support this mission and help keep our tuition affordable for Catholic families.