Why Martin Saints is More Fun Than Flying a Fighter Jet
Yesterday was a great day at Martin Saints. Let me share it with you, please.
First up, Lt. Col. Lucas Brommer (USAF) visited with his beautiful wife Madison and their five delightful children. You may remember his remarks at our 2024 Vision Dinner. This time, he told the students about his career in Air Force intelligence, fighting ISIS in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan (with a little bit about what's happening now in Iran, towards the end). He explained how GK Chesterton became his mentor and friend in his conversion to Catholicism. "Reading Chesterton always makes me happier, so I started to read more Chesterton." He talked about majoring in history and French, and how a liberal arts education prepares you excellently for military service and leadership. He talked about discovering Martin Saints online, and making this school a Catholic home-away-from-home. Really, you don't want to miss this talk. Listen above. THANK YOU to the Brommer family for their annual visit and sharing Catholic life with us.
Next up - our annual fish fry. Folks came from far and wide. Consensus was that Mr. and Mrs. Baldon worked some kind of new magic, and the fish was extra tasty this year. THANK YOU to the whole kitchen crew and the Parents Association. You rolled up your sleeves and built community. This is how we build a school and fulfill the mission. What is the mission? Keep reading...
Next our students hosted an evening coffee house. THANK YOU, Ambrose and Augustine Houses, for organizing everything, and hosting us with delicious food and drink!
Keep reading...
The students opened and closed with a hymn. In between we had Frank Sinatra and Gregorian Chant, original poetry, several original compositions, covers of contemporary pop stars unknown to me (who is Weezer?), a rather epic account of getting lost in an airport, a flute, a clarinet, a piano, guitars, and an unforgettable Irish jig.
More to come...
Why do we do all these things? What does it mean? What is the gift that Martin Saints is trying to give? What is our mission?
In his talk in church this morning, Lt. Col. Brommer also said: "When we walk through the doors of Martin Saints, we get a palpable sense of energy from both students and staff. These are joyful warriors, on the front lines of the most important battle we are facing today - the transmission of culture to the next generation, so that our children and grandchildren may 'worship freely, without fear, all the days of their life.'" (Luke 1:74-75)
This man gets it. That's why he'd rather be here than flying jets. He sees why we're building up a school, and what the stakes are. Thank you, Lucas, for your verdict and your partnership.
Not every day is as good and successful as yesterday was. But many are. Most are. Enough are. The glory of God is man fully alive. Come and live with us! There is room for you here!
On Monday, most of our senior class is headed to Rome for our annual Holy Week pilgrimage. Also next week, we'll be announcing six summer camps for June and July. In other words, expect news of more goodness soon! In the meantime, a few more coffee house photos because...why not?
