Villanova Parent Association

Welcome new and returning Wildcat parents! 💙🐾 Villanova is beyond excited to start a fresh new year in person! In celebration, the Parent Association & the Development Office invites all parents to join us tomorrow on the first day of school for coffee and pastries beginning at 7:45 a.m. down in the student parking lot. We’ll also be distributing the annual Villanova Wall Calendar.

Hang out and socialize with other parents or take your coffee and snacks to-go!

For any questions, contact [email protected].

Do you have a middle school student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math? Join us for our annual STEM Day, presented by the Clare Boothe Luce club of Villanova. For most students, high school is the first time you have a chance to learn in laboratories through hands-on experiments. STEM Day will give students a sense of what that is like. Participants will enjoy three sessions of experiments in chemistry, robotics, and physics. Parents are welcome and will enjoy refreshments and take a concurrent tour of campus. Registration is free and includes a STEM T-shirt. Space is limited so sign up today by going to villanovaprep.org/STEM or go to the link in our bio. 🧪📊💡

Are you a middle school student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math? Join us for our annual STEM Day, presented by the Clare Boothe Luce club of Villanova. For most students, high school is the first time you have a chance to learn in laboratories through hands-on experiments. STEM Day will give you a sense of what that is like. Participants will enjoy three sessions of experiments in chemistry, robotics, and physics. Parents are welcome and will enjoy refreshments and take a concurrent tour of campus. Registration is free and includes a STEM T-shirt. Space is limited so sign up today by going to villanovaprep.org/STEM or go to the link in our bio. 🧪📊💡

Great story in the Ojai Valley News about Villanova parents Bryan and Nikki Crawford and their generosity in community service. Thanks you Crawfords for all you do for our community!

Bryan and Nikki Crawford enjoy happy life of community service Photo provided Ojai Living Treasures for 2020-21, Bryan and Nikki Crawford.   Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter Each year, the Rotary Clubs of Ojai honor local citizens as Ojai Living Treasures for their commitment and spirit of giving to the community. Sharing L...

Thursday of the Second Week of Advent

Daily Readings:
IS 41:13-20
PS 145:1, 9, 10-11, 12-13AB
Matthew 11:11-15
•
•
Reflection:

Advent at Villanova always brings excitement and stress: excitement for the upcoming holiday break and time with family, but also stress from exams, papers, and Christmas preparations. This year we all have the added stress of COVID fatigue, changes to plans, and lock down preventing us from seeing family or engaging in our usual Christmas rituals.

In today's first reading Isaiah tells us: "The desert and parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song."

2020 has taken us far into the desert and parched lands, but today let us have hope as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior. The grief we are experiencing from COVID, the stress from exams and papers will all pass, and the desert we are living in will bloom again.

Lord Jesus, help us to always trust in you and have hope. Be with those who are despairing and bring them comfort. Help us to see our own part in making the world a better place and bringing your love and joy to the world and making this desert a joyful place. Amen.

-Josh Kruse
Former Director of Resident Life & Campus Ministry

Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

Daily Readings:
IS 40:25-31
PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10
Matthew 11:28-30
•
•
Reflection:

In the claymation film "Rudolph," Clarice's affection is enough to propel Rudolph to take flight. The attention and care he receives from her melts away all the hardship, persecution, and bullying from the other reindeer. God's love for us can do the same and lift us to new heights. From this new loftier perspective, knowing we are so deeply loved by God can "renew [our] strength" and help us "to run and not grow weary" as we hear in today's reading from Isaiah. In 2020, with so much on our minds and hearts, God's expression of love for us in Christmas- the Incarnation of God's Love- comes as a welcome reminder that if we bring our pandemic-weary hearts before God, God will shoulder the burden with us, in us, and among us. The greatest blessing in this time of social distancing and isolation is the knowledge that we are never alone. "O bless the Lord, my soul!” (Psalm 10).

-Erica Papkee
Augustinian Volunteer 2016-2017

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Daily Readings:
GN 3:9-15, 20
PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4
EPH 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38
•
•
Reflection:

Today, we pause one week into the Advent season to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The Gospel reading tells a foundational story of our faith: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” As I reread Luke’s telling of this holiest calling, I am struck by the humanity of Mary’s response. We rightfully focus on Mary’s ultimate “yes” to God’s call, but before she declares herself a “handmaiden of the Lord,” Mary is “greatly troubled at what was said” and wonders “how can this be?” The uncertainty, and even fear, in her response is deeply relatable. How often have we hesitated to act, to answer a call because of uncertainty and fear? There is comfort in knowing that Mary, immaculate and full of grace, is like us in this regard. But more than showing her humanity, she shows us how to respond to these feelings: with trust in God. We may not have spoken with the angel Gabriel, but God’s presence is in our lives. And trusting in this presence may free us from some of that fear. Trusting that it will be done according to God’s word may free us from some of that uncertainty. Trust may help us answer the call. So today, on the Immaculate Conception of Mary, let us reflect on what we are being called to do. Guided by Mary’s example, may we answer the call with grace, trusting in God’s will.

-Sarah Dunbar
Augustinian Volunteer 2014-2015

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Daily Readings:
IS 35:1-10
PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14
Luke 5:17-26
•
•
Reflection:

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Ambrose. Saint Ambrose emphasized giving to the poor, but not just in the literal sense. He encourages us to think of our giving as sharing the talents that we have received from God. So today, ask God to help you find a way to give-back in a way that we can make someone “poor” in something now rich. Here’s an idea to get you started: maybe you notice that your parent doesn’t have any time to relax after work (time- “poor”), ask if you can help with dinner or do the dishes.

In today’s first reading, it is proclaimed:

“Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
Then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.”

This reading gives us hope. In our current situation, many people are wrought with anxieties which burden them. This message tells us that God will save us from injustices and lighten our load. When we feel overwhelmed and stuck, imagine God’s angels lifting the weight of your stress, take a deep breath, work on what you CAN control, and let God handle the rest.

Jesus, I trust in you.

Saint Ambrose, pray for us.

-Teresa Nelson
Science Faculty

Second Sunday of Advent

Daily Readings:
IS 40:1-5, 9-11
PS 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14
2 PT 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8
•
•
Reflection:

“The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness” -Pope Benedict XVI

This quote from Pope Benedict seems to run contrary to today’s readings. If comfort is opposed to greatness, why is God commanding the prophet Isaiah to comfort his people? Shouldn’t Isaiah be extolling the people to greatness? What happened to “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect?”

The crux lies in our understanding of comfort. Note that Benedict XVI is warning against the world’s definition of comfort - a comfort that in reality betrays the individual. It is a reality closer to sloth, vanity, boredom, listlessness and despair. Think of some of the things the world holds up as comfort; amassing money, binging Netflix, cheap food, staying in bed all day, not really resting but not active, seeking your own pleasure. Now consider the comfort God offers to us: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” It is the comfort that is known only to those who’ve ever done a good day's work. It is prayer and rest, it is silence and communion, it is friendship and love, it is song and laughter, it is stories and learning, it is walking with God in the evening in peace and joy.

This is what God is offering us and what He wants Isaiah to tell to His people. There will be no more tears or suffering because He is sending One who will “wipe every tear from their eye.” All we have to do is rest in Him.

-John Coffey
Director of Marketing & Outreach

Saturday of the First Week of Advent

Daily Readings:
IS 30:19-21, 23-26
PS 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8
•
•
Reflection:

As we begin the Advent season, I ask you to think of a need, possibly some need others have fulfilled or that have been fulfilled for you. In times of hardship, it can often be difficult to determine what is truly needed from what is desired. Many, instead, may focus on receiving rather than sharing in the most important gift of love. These needs--prayers that we hold deep within our hearts--have a way of revealing themselves when necessary, and even when least expected. We may find that our desires aren’t always what we need, but we are able to receive something more meaningful through the fulfillment of our needs. Those who seek guidance may find it in the most unique ways, but will not be neglected in their search. The love we give is the love we receive. It is the sharing of this love which may fulfill these needs.

-Kirsten Ewing
Class of 2021

Save the date!