Dear Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Victory Families,

Here is an excerpt from my talk at last night’s Fireside Classics event that is, I think, appropriate to the life of a high school in October.

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There is a telling exchange between Dante and Virgil in the opening cantos of the Inferno. Virgil diagnoses the problem facing the pilgrim Dante with words that are at once honest and compassionate:

[Y]our spirit has been bruised by cowardice,
Which many a time so weighs a man’s heart down
It turns him from a glorious enterprise—
as shadows fool the horse that shies away.
That you may slip this worry and go free,
I’ll tell you why I came and what I heard
when first I pitied you your misery. (Inferno, 2.45–51)

Virgil’s diagnosis comes unbidden. He names Dante’s cowardice with a directness that is equal parts shocking and refreshing, comparing him to a skittish horse frightened by mere shadows. If Virgil stopped there, we might rightly regard him as a condescending pedant rather than the master teacher he is. Instead, he offers the beginning of a remedy—“That you may slip this worry and go free”—and expresses compassion for the man he has been sent to rescue.

Virgil brings Dante face to face with his shortcomings, but he does so within the context of a promise of redemption and a compassionate gaze. By the end of the canto, Dante responds with a willing act of trust:

“Go, for we two now share one will alone:
you are my guide, my teacher and my lord.” (Inferno, 2.139–140)

At its heart, this encounter takes the shape of the cross: the path to freedom begins with humility, trust, and the willingness to be changed. Here, Dante furnishes for us a profound icon of the relationship between teacher and student. Dante’s journey out of the dark wood begins when he acknowledges his own inadequacy and accepts the guidance of someone other than himself. Likewise, Virgil—the master teacher—doesn’t leave Dante to make his way out of the dark wilderness on his own. Instead, he says, “Come with me.”

We can too easily settle for an imitation of education that asks little of us and, in turn, offers little power to transform us. Dante’s education throughout the entire Divine Comedy calls him to something far greater: to put off his old nature and put on the new, entering more deeply into the mystery of the Christian life. Had his journey been only an exercise in affirming him as he was, he would have remained in the dark wood where the poem begins. Instead, Dante the Pilgrim accepts the difficult path of conversion and entrusts himself to wise guides who help him confront his sin. That journey leads him, finally, to a vision of Divine Love in its overwhelming fullness in Canto 33 of the Paradiso.

This is the vision of education we seek to cultivate at Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Victory. We want our students to encounter teachers who speak the truth with courage and compassion, who challenge them because they love them, and who accompany them through the demanding work of growth and the occasional setbacks that are inevitable. In partnership with you, we hope to help our students develop the humility to receive guidance, the courage to persevere through difficulty, and the freedom to respond generously to God’s call so that they, too, might one day behold the Beatific Vision.

Peace in Christ,
Randy

Congratulations to this week’s winners of the Virtue Awards! You know what you did…

Hope: Aurelia Chavez
Charity: Marie Kolden
Prudence: Max Valdez
Fortitude: Caleb Carson
Justice: Yashira Alzaga-Huerta
Temperance: Molly Maxwell

Due to the usually great outdoor reality of our campus, we crafted the following policy:

1. On rainy or snowy days, or days colder than 50 degrees, students are allowed to wear coats or jackets between classes. They must be removed during class.

2. Similarly, on rainy or snowy days, students may utilize their backpacks to carry their books to class.

3. Shoe needs on snowy days will be considered.

Please let us know if you have any questions! Thank you for your grace and flexibility as we navigate this first colder weather season on our new campus.

The volleyball game scheduled for Monday, October 26 has been cancelled. There will be no game or practice that day.

The OLV Spirit Store is now open! Shop online and pick up the orders at OLV the week of November 30th—just in time for Christmas! The store closes October 30.

Link to Store

Order by: October 30, 2026
Delivery Week of: November 30, 2026

Our athletics program is in need of 1-2 more basketball coaches at this time. Please email Delaney Nalen if you know anyone who might be interested in a good fit!

athletics@ourladyofvictorydenver.com

Mark your calendars!! Tryouts for boys’ and girls’ basketball are on Nov. 16! Please sign your student-athletes up ASAP so we know who to expect. Deadline to sign up is Oct 15. https://form.typeform.com/to/ackVLOSh‍ ‍

As always, your child needs to complete with CHSAA medical form (on the athletics page on website) in order to compete. Please make sure that is turned into Ms. Nalen.

The following priests will be celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Victory the upcoming week, October 16 - October 23. Please pray for our priests!

Fri, Oct 16: Msgr. James Shea
Mon, Oct 19: St. Mary Priest
Tues, Oct 20: St. Mark Priest
Wed, Oct 21: Fr. Doug Grandon
Thurs, Oct 22: Fr. Adam Bradshaw
Fri, Oct 23: Fr. Joshua Nayoni

🏐 Volleyball

• Thursday, October 15: Away vs. Mile High Academy

  • JV: 4:00 PM | Varsity: 5:00 PM

  • Location: Mile High Academy

• Tuesday, October 20: Away vs. Renaissance Secondary

  • JV: 4:30 PM | Varsity: 5:30 PM

  • Location: Panther Volleyball Club, Centennial

  • This is the last JV game of the season!

🏃 Cross Country

• Thursday, October 22: CHSAA 2A Regional Championships

  • Start time: 10:00 AM

  • Location: Aurora Sports Park, Aurora

Come cheer on our athletes as they finish the season strong!

Noon Mass on Friday, October 16 will be celebrated by Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary in North Dakota. Also at Mass will be the impressive Capella chapel choir of the University of Mary, an impressively talented choir currently joined by former OLV graduate Anga Deodatus.

Families are welcome to attend Mass as always, but especially due to the size of their choir, please be prepared for standing-room only. Interested students will have the opportunity to meet members of the choir during lunch.

Reminder: Mass on Friday is at 12:00pm. It is not in the morning.

Put on your boots and hats and come to OLV’s Honk-Honky Tonk Tailgate Dance on October 16th! Head to the back parking lot of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, where we will have truck beds down, lights strung around the dance floor, and a beautiful view of the sunset! The dance will be held from 5:30-7:30, with doors opening at 5. We hope to see you all there, decked out in your flannel and denim!

Well Read Mom will meet on Tuesday, October 20th, from 1-3 pm at OLV to discuss So Big by Edna Ferber. The group will be meeting in Ave Maria Hall (Main Office/Classroom Building) in Classroom 003. If you have not registered through Well Read Mom's website, it is not too late- WellReadMom.com.  

Email Sarah Pelster (sarah.pelster@gmail.com) if you are interested in joining or have any questions.  

Join us for the first OLV Line Dancing Night on Saturday, October 24, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. in Chesterton Commons!

Organized by Clarice Burch and Coach Andy Slavin, this new club is a chance for our OLV community to learn some new dances, enjoy a little friendly fun, and spend time together. We’ll learn two or three line dances of varying difficulty and then hit the floor for favorites like Copperhead Road and Church Clap!

The evening is geared toward adults and older kids, but younger children are welcome with parental supervision.

A few things to know:

• When: Saturday, October 24, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

• Where: Chesterton Commons

• Bring: A water bottle

• Food: Please eat dinner beforehand; no food will be provided.

• Dress Code: Boots and jeans are classic, but anything you can dance in works just fine.

No dance experience is necessary—just come ready to learn and have fun! We hope to see lots of OLV families there!

To help our juniors kick off the college preparation process, we are blessed to be visited by a handful of college admissions counselor who are eager to share information about their schools. These presentations will take place during lunch in Ave Maria 102 and they are required for all juniors. Parents are welcome to attend!

All that Remains:
Thursday, October 29th: Ave Maria University

Come join current OLV parents and faculty members for an informal night of drinks & conversation! We'll have a couple tables reserved at Prost Brewing in Highlands Ranch on Wednesday, November 4 from 6:30pm-9pm. Stop by anytime and enjoy some social time with fellow OLV parents.

St. Mary Littleton has been committed to hosting an annual Pro-Life Symposium to encourage teens to take the pro-life issue seriously and become personally involved in building a culture of life.

This year, they are especially calling all young men to attend. (Young women still more than welcome and encouraged to attend! Notice the familiar female face on the flyer 😁) The keynote speaker, Sean Corcoran, CEO of Men For Life, is eager to speak directly to young men about the important role they have in standing up for life and supporting women and families. (Good for young women to hear as well.)

The morning will include Mass with Bishop Rodriguez, a free breakfast, pro-life speakers, prizes, and ministry tables.

Saturday, November 7 | 8:15 AM–1:00 PM
St. Mary Littleton Catholic Parish

This is a great opportunity for our young men to hear from inspiring Catholic leaders and consider how they can personally make a difference.

You can register here!

Everyone belongs at the table! This fall, support the FIRE Foundation Denver and its mission to help students with disabilities thrive in Catholic schools while enjoying a delicious homemade pie.

Choose from Pumpkin, Cherry, Pecan, or Apple pies for just $25 each. Pies are generously donated by Bluepoint Bakery.

📅 Order by November 15
🥧 $25 per pie
❤️ 100% of proceeds support the FIRE Foundation

Scan the QR code on the flyer to place your order and help make sure every student has a place at the table!