Advent Spirit Alive at CRJS

At Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle, this Advent season is filled with that spirit of hopeful yearning for the light of Christ, Cristo Rey, to fill our hearts and our world.

Our team has been working hard to prepare for the coming of our first class of students, in whom we know we will see the divine spark of Christ. Still, it can get a little quiet and lonely in our empty hallways and classrooms.

It is fun to imagine those spaces filled with the loud chatter and laughter of our first students—but even better when actual students show up. 

That is why our team is still feeding off the energy of the hundreds of families who showed up for October’s Open House, as we anticipate our next Open House on January 4. On December 14, we hosted our first Christmas party, as we welcomed 8th graders who have already applied to come to CRJS to play games, meet with Santa (yours truly), and get to know their new school more deeply. 

A sweet story: Last week, CRJS Principal Nadia Guy and Director of Enrollment Lee Westrick looked out the window to see an 8th grader with her mom taking photos next to our new CRJS sign on 57th Avenue. Student Enrollment Coordinator Flor Gonzalez walked out to chat with the student, who was excited to get a photo of herself at “my new school.”  

This lovely young soul embodies the Advent spirit: Anticipation of grace, a yearning for a future that will enable her to fulfill her tremendous potential.  

Recently, Myrna, the mom of another 8th grade applicant, said this of Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle: “Every message and every email I receive from CRJS fills me with excitement because I know that I will be helped in Spanish or English. My daughter is excited too and tells me, ‘Mom, at Cristo Rey Jesuit, I can pursue my career and help you financially.’ The most important thing for us as parents is the future of our children, and the opportunity that [CRJS] is offering us is very special.”  

In this Advent season, we are filled with anticipation, as we prepare to welcome and challenge our new students to explore and expand the gifts that will enable them to soar to heights they may have never imagined possible. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from south Seattle! 

Paul Hogan
CRJS President