by John Rocha
Holy Rosary Academy is a 70 year old Catholic parochial school in Nashville. Drive by, and you will not see any spectacular architecture that will make visitors or tourists stop by. On a regular weekday morning, you will see over 350 students (PreK-2 to 8th grade) being dropped off in two parking lots, parishioners and daily mass attendees also parking to prepare for the 8 a.m. mass. There is a hustle and bustle in the morning. I am blessed to be part of this community and beginning my second year as principal.
The beauty of the Church of the Holy Rosary is its community. A prospective family or employee will notice the closeness of families and faculty. One may say it is the longevity of some of its faculty and staff or even the commitment of families as 4th generation of students begin attending the school. What is blossoming at the school and parish is the fulfillment of Pope St. John Paul II’s vision put forth in his Apostolic Letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte, when he states,
“A spirituality of communion indicates above all the heart’s contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us. A spirituality of communion also means an ability to think of our brothers and sisters in faith within the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore as “those who are a part of me”.
Like any other parish school, Holy Rosary Academy has had its ups and downs in the past, but beginning his third year as pastor, Fr. John Sims Baker, is seeking to unite the parish and school with a spirituality of communion as expressed in Novo Millennio Ineunte. The academy exists as a parish ministry to form students and families in the Catholic faith and to experience a relationship with Christ. Daily mass for the community is six days a week, with three days having two daily masses. Confessions are available from Tuesday through Sunday 30 minutes before every mass and during Holy Hour, which begins at 4:30 p.m. during the week. Christ is ever present, and the pastor allows the parish to be an open door for all who want to come and spend time with the Eucharist. During the school year, students attend daily mass at least twice a week, along with opportunities for confession, adoration, and praying the rosary. I state the availability and openness of the Sacraments and acts of piety, because the academy’s success is grounded in them.
The families at Holy Rosary Academy vary from those new to Nashville to those students who have had their grandparents attend the academy when the doors opened in 1954. The connection or tie that each family has is through the tradition of the Catholic faith. The families that I met when I interviewed and now as principal have a common tie, and this community thrives because of its closeness. One may think such a description is vague, yet what families experience and then see is their unity as part of the “Mystical Body, and therefore as ‘those who are a part of me.’” I have not seen this at many schools I have worked at or visited.
The faculty is committed to Catholic education and living out the curriculum to form students in the faith and grow in their personal relationship with Christ. There is a small Blessed Sacrament Chapel inside the school, and in the morning before students arrive and throughout the day, faculty spend time with Our Lord during their preparation time.
Students serve the parish and local community in various ways including leading the Acts of Piety from various grade levels, serving with vibrancy as altar servers. This past year was the inaugural year for the middle school, “Aspiring Theologians Society” to add to student activities which include sports teams, student council, the National Jr. Honor Society, and the academy choir. The Spirituality of Communion is the source of the academy’s living out the New Evangelization.
In Fall 2024, our first faculty member attended the Duc in Altum Summit. We have a multitude of teachers and leaders seeking formation this summer, through Level One training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, ICLE programs including the Spirit and Craft of Teaching, the Catholic Educator formation and Credential Program, the Aspiring Leaders Program, and others seeking graduate degrees. The faculty members want to share their faith and assist parents in forming their children. Still, they also see the need to challenge themselves regarding personal and professional growth opportunities. Giving our faculty the opportunity to further study and ground their knowledge in Catholic anthropology is essential to renewing Catholic education and fulfilling Pope St. JohnPaul II’s spirituality of communion.
Catholic educators choose to work in Catholic schools because it is here that children and families can best be supported to evangelize the world.
I invite you to stop by. You will see smiling faces in the hallways and classrooms, and possibly some praying happening, all in the hustle and bustle of the school day at Holy Rosary Academy.