Joliet Catholic Academy continues to live surrounded by faith and centered in family, as the 2007-2008 school year begins. Each faculty member and student received a bracelet with the JCA colors that read, “Surrounded by faith, Centered in family” at the beginning of the school year. JCA shows that this community really does surround its family in faith. Theology teacher, Jeremy Hylka, took the Respect Life Club to an abortion clinic Sept. 1 for a Saturday of thoughts and prayers. With the proposed opening of the fifth abortion clinic in the Joliet Diocese, JCA had a special Mass Sept. 7 in the morning, rosary prayer services during all homerooms and lunches, had each student sacrifice something of importance for that day and had a passing period of complete silence. The day was truly something special for the Joliet Catholic Academy community.

As acts of faith are being practiced daily at JCA, the community shows its family responsibilities with KEY Club starting its yearly Big Brothers Big Sisters project and National Honor Society beginning to tutor students. Each year Key Club and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Joliet join efforts every Monday after school to create a place where surrounding elementary students along with junior high students can come and be tutored or play games with JCA students. “It always makes my Monday more fun,” said senior Kathryn Ceranski who has been a Big Sister for the past two years. “The best is the party we throw the students at the end of the year.” NHA, with their newly inducted members from the 2008 class, began their weekly tutoring session. Every Tuesday and Thursday before and after school, NHA members can tutor other JCA students from subjects ranging from world music to advanced placement chemistry.

The student body continues to show the true meaning of being an Angel and Hillman. Recently, the “Hillzone” was recreated by the 2008 class. The Hillzone is the student cheering section at all volleyball and football games. This student section is quite organized. The students plan everything, from picking times and themes for sporting events, to having meetings during school hours. However, it wasn’t the theme or cheers at the Morris football game Aug. 31 that had the JCA community talking, or even the win over the archrival; it was after the game in which the entire Hillzone student section headed out onto the field to say the Our Father with the football team. “It sent chills down my spine” said senior Matthew Adler who is in charge of the Hillzone, “This is an awesome tradition this senior class has started.” After every home football game, the students will go and take a knee with the players in the end zone and pray. “I was really proud of the students who started up this tradition and I am really excited for the rest of the year,” said theology teacher Joe Burke. This is good news for the Joliet Catholic Academy community and high hopes for the rest of the school year.