Quiz Bowl

May 16, 2025 | Media

Cistercian’s Middle School Quiz Bowl team traveled to Chicago for the National Quiz Bowl Championship. The trip coincided with Mother’s Day, and we’re grateful to the mothers who made the journey with them.

Dressed in coats and ties, one opponent whispered, “We’re in trouble. They look well prepared.” And they were.

In one match, a student on the opposing team tried to buzz in, but his buzzer failed. Our player’s buzzer worked. Unprompted, our boys spoke up. They had seen the other student attempt to buzz first.

After the match, the opposing coach praised our students’ honesty. Later, a tournament staffer pulled Dr. Mindle aside to say word was spreading about our boys’ integrity and character.

Cistercian finished tied for 13 out of 160 teams. Congratulations to the team and to Dr. Mindle.

Hawk Happenings

Blessing of the Bats

Hawk Baseball held their annual Blessing of the Bats with Fr. Anthony this past week. One of Hawk Baseballs best traditions.

Student Council President

This morning, our Student Council President for the 2026–2027 school year was announced. Leadership is handed off. The torch is passed. Ardere et Lucere!

Rockets!

Each year, our Form III students take to the Hidden Field with Fr. Mark for one of Cistercian’s favorite traditions: the annual Rocket Launch.

Publications

‘The Lord is with you’

Gabriel is not the first messenger of the LORD to greet someone with the phrase “The LORD is with you” (Lk 1:28). An anonymous angel hails Gideon, a young man from a poor and insignificant family, as the lad desperately hides his family’s wheat harvest from the marauding Midianites: “The LORD is with you, you mighty warrior!” (Jgs 6:12). Gideon then receives his commission to save Israel from the hand of its enemy and to be a judge over the 12 tribes.

Discerning Communion calls for truth in charity

Discerning whether to offer or receive Communion can be a challenge, spiritually and pastorally; but such discernment can always also be fruitful.

Hail Mary, full of grace

St. Luke gives us the angel Gabriel’s annunciation greeting to Mary as “Chaire, kecharitōmenē” (Lk 1:28). There are thrilling grammatical and theological mysteries packed into these two Greek words.