Denver Catholic

13 DENVER CATHOLIC | MARCH 11-24, 2017 MACHEBEUF Bishop Machebeuf High School an academic community of faith Classical Track What is classical education? Classical—or liberal—education is not just about reading and studying "old" books and languages. Guided by the tradition of the Greeks, Romans, and Catholic intellectuals, classical education aims at forming the minds and reshaping the souls of the young. The purpose is not to train students to become skilled, or servile, workers; the purpose is to cultivate wisdom and virtue. Students learn truth, encounter beauty, and experience goodness. While fighting against the modern trend of relativism, the classical method aims to reconnect students with the true notions and purpose of nature, man, and, ultimately, God. Bishop Machebeuf High School Classical Tr ack Philosophy Presenting the Seven Liberal Arts to Boethius "As far as possible, join faith to reason." -Boethius Bishop Machebeuf High School Philosophy Presenting the Seven Liberal Arts to Boethius Bishop Machebeuf High School is pleased to announce the launch of a Classical Track Curriculum Launching in the 2017-2018 school year Guided by the tradition of the Greeks, Romans, and Catholic intellectuals, classical education aims at forming the minds and reshaping the souls of the young. The classical method aims to reconnect students with the true notions and purpose of nature, man and, ultimately, God. For more information on the Classical Track and other major initiatives at Machebeuf, visit Machebeuf.org or contact Kristen Dieterich at 303.344.0082 Ext. 117 was the biggest risk he'd taken in 34 years, and now, at 43, Deacon Tomic God has restored his human dignity and completely changed his life. "Now that I am here, I see that God transformed my life completely," Deacon Tomic said. "God is incredible. What he doing with me is a miracle." DEACON ÁNGEL PÉREZ Deacon Ángel Pérez was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Repub- lic. His parents were not baptized, but thanks to the insistence of his god- mother, he received the sacrament of baptism. He was educated, in his esti- mate, "like a pagan child." When he was 14, a group of mission- aries from the Neocatechumenal Way knocked on his door and because of this visit, he and his mother decided to attend catechesis and join the Neocatechumenal Way. However, years later he had strong doubts about the existence of God and heaven and decided to leave the Church. He returned to the faith later at his mother's insistence. At the time he was fi nishing his degree in electrical engi- neering. In 2008, he went on pilgrimage to Nicaragua where he felt the call to be a priest. The following year he entered the seminary Redemptoris Mater Sem- inary in Santo Domingo and two year later he was transferred to Denver. During his time in seminary he was sent on missions to Boston and then to Hawaii. After his ordination, Deacon Pérez thanked "the Church, my Neo- catechumenal community, and the catechist who announced the Good News to me. Thanks to the brothers who pray for me." DEACON ROBERTO RODRÍGUEZ Also of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Deacon Roberto Rodríguez and his parents were baptized in the Catholic Church, but he says that he only attended Mass on Palm Sunday, as well as funerals and weddings. He attended a Catholic college and university, and he graduated as a lawyer in 2003. In 2007, he participated in a youth gathering organized by the Neo- catechumenal Way, prior to World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. It was there where he received the vocational call. He left his family, his work and his country and was assigned to the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Denver, which he entered in 2008. Three years later, his compatriot Ángel Pérez — whom he did not know — arrived. They shared the rest of their formation time, and were both ordained deacons Feb. 25. During his time as a seminarian, he was sent on missions to Guam, Florida and Missouri. "The seminary has helped me grow as a person, [and] to begin to see the invitation that God makes for us [to serve others]," Deacon Rodríguez said. For him, his priestly vocation is a sign that "the Lord wants to have an encounter with each of his children. I am not the one who guarantees that encounter, but I am an instrument to facilitate that encounter." From left to right: Deacon Darrick Leier, Deacon Ángel Pérez, Deacon Roberto Rodríguez, Deacon Tomislav Tomic. PHOTO BY DANIEL PETTY

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