TRIVIUM SCRIPTATRIVIUM SCHOOL LANCASTER, MASS. VOL. VII Winter

2002

CONTENTS

Silver Jubilee Campaign 1

Less is More 1

Fall Soccer 3

The King Stag 4

Trivium Seniors: Omnibus Bonis OperibusParati 5

Deus Vocat 6

Holy Hours in the Trivium Chapel 7

LESS IS MOREDr. William Schmitt

SILVER JUBILEE CAMPAIGNMark Langley

The crisis facing our world affects us all. Therecent events of last September 11, the secondday of school, are a sign written in the sky of ourtroubled world. Schools cannot address all ofsociety’s ills but should seek to do well what theycan. Education plants the seeds that come tofruition after many years. Schooling part of aslow formation process that prepares studentsfor the future. In this context, my motto is “lessis more.” Schools are burdened with too manygoals. If they did less, they would achieve more.The primary purpose of education is to fosterthe life of the mind, and remembering this, to theexclusion of other things, is the best way toprepare students to take upon themselves thetask of living rightly before God and man.

The life of the mind is far more than thepassing on of information. This is where ourmodern society has expanded almost infinitely.We are in the “information age.” Every studentknows that information by itself is deadening inthe classroom. Charles Dickens begins HardTimes describing the lamentable situation ofschools. He has Master Thomas Gradgrind sumup his dry and dictatorial method of educationwith these words: “Now, what I want is Facts.Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts.Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else,and root out everything else . . . Stick to Facts,Sir!” In the minds of many, Facts are the goal ofeducation. A simple test proves how shallowthis view is. Ask yourself what facts you remem-ber from a high school history class. The papersare full of startling polls showing the ignoranceof students about the most fundamental facts ofhistory. The answer is not more facts but less.

At Trivium, our ideal is the Socratic methodof learning. Michael Strong, a Harvard graduatewho went on to write about the Socratic style oflearning, lists eight results of

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this form of learning: independent judgment,

This past December 1, at a small dinner held atTrivium School, the School’s Trustees announcedthe commencement of the Trivium School SilverJubilee Capital Campaign. As we prepare tocelebrate Trivium School’s 25th anniversary in thespring of 2004, the school is taking steps rightnow to guarantee that Trivium School will con-tinue successfully to provide authentic CatholicClassical education to students for the nexttwenty-five years!

We are full of gratitude for those whomade the inaugural dinner a success. Through thegenerosity of those who attended, the Schoolreceived in a single evening contributions andpledges amounting to $28,700! This success wasin great part due to the generosity of two donorswho wished to contribute 5% ($18,000) of the$360,000 goal of the capital campaign. TriviumSchool continues to be blessed with friends whofully support the cause of forming the minds andhearts of young ladies and gentlemen who will betrue leaven in our society.

Last year, Trivium School announced plansto build an Arts and Athletics Center that will costan estimated $360,000. Of this total we havealready raised about 32% or $115,200.

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thoughtfulness as a way of life, the ability tounderstand others, standing by one’s word,willingness to accept criticism, the confidenceand ability to learn on one’s own, self-respect,and intellectual integrity. When a student grappleswith the truth and is drawn into a conversation,he develops intellectual virtues that last for alifetime. He is transformed and not merelyinformed (or reformed!).

One of the highlights of my senior Intellec-tual History class was the comment that a studentmade to me: “In this class, we never come to anyconclusions! You just play the role of Socratesasking more and more questions.” To be com-pared to Socrates is a great, if unintended, com-pliment. If the questions had been about factsand I had merely dodged them (out of igno-rance or deceit), that would have been incom-petence. But we were discussing freedom andgrace, one of the most profound mysteries ofreality. Saints, philosophers, theologians, and stu-dents have disagreed about the intricacies ofhow grace works with human freedom forthousands of years. It would be more than fool-ish to imagine that we could solve this paradoxin fifty minutes, and the students need to knowthat. The parameters are clear but the mysteryremains.

The students themselves are often unawareof this transformation and it is difficult to conveyto them what is happening. But if there is onecharacteristic that I would say is almost universalamong the students, it is the desire for intellectualintegrity and the disdain for classroom timededicated to mere Facts. When I hear studentssay that a class was boring or a tutor (myselfincluded) was not teaching well, it always comesdown to the point that they were not intellectu-ally challenged. Students unwittingly hunger forunderstanding and demand that their questionsbe taken seriously. Of course they are slow attimes to accept criticism, to temper their emo-tions, to focus on the essential, or to select theirwords carefully, but they know–by Golly!–thatthe tutors should do these things and theirexpectations are a challenge to the faculty. Thistacit recognition of the value of the life of themind is the clay with which the tutor can help totransform them so that they gain self-respect,confidence, and intellectual integrity.

Rebecca McGarry and Michael Schmitt sashay down the lineat the annual Christmas Dance at St. Charles Hall.

The Silver Jubilee Capital campaign aims to raisethe remaining $244,800 by the end of the year2004.

The School’s Building Committee is justcompleting the preparation and careful planningthat this large project requires. Working closelywith our chosen contractor, bankers, and offi-cials from the town and state, the School plans tobreak ground in early spring.

The Arts and Athletic Center will be locatedin the wooded area to the left of the frontentrance of the School. It is of primary impor-tance to all involved in the planning that theexterior design complement the architecture ofthe School in its style and beauty. The mainentrance to the Center will be from the courtyardin the front of the School. There will be anentrance area and then a large room that includesa high school basketball court. This space will beused for chorus, drama, community gatherings,and physical education.

For me, there’s an excitement in being apart of the project and seeing it take shape. I haveconfidence in the success of our efforts becauseof the people involved: parents, friends, tutors,and students. The Arts and Athletics Center willhelp all of us to further Trivium’s vision ofclassical education. Trivium is succeeding in itsmission. This success deserves to be encouragedand to grow.

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Coach Phil Lawler (farright) and Assistant Coach

Mary Bouchey (far left) withthe Trivium Girls’ Soccer

Team.

FALL SOCCERAnne Turner (’02)

This fall, for the first time ever, Trivium had realorganized soccer teams. They were a terrificsuccess. Sports are an important part of anyschool. Besides being a necessary activity for awell rounded student, they unify the communityin a very special way.

Aside from keeping players healthy and inshape, athletics has a unique ability to clear themind and help one to put things in properperspective. It has frequently been my experi-ence, and I am sure that the other students wouldconcur, that after a good hard sports period,everything seems much easier to handle, whetherit be that term paper that just will not work, orthat classmate with whom it is so difficult to getalong. Sports at Trivium are nothing new; wehave always had sports in the past, and continueto insist on athletics for all students, regardless oftheir involvement with the teams. Playing sportsin a league is even better. By being faced withcompetition, we have been encouraged andcompelled to be our best, and really to strive forexcellence.

In addition to improving our soccer tech-nique by leaps and bounds, we have all learned alot by playing as a team. I cannot speak foreveryone, but I know that I have come to knowand respect my fellow students in a way I neverwould have otherwise. I have watched girls whowere not very interested in soccer really give ittheir all for the sake of the team. I have watchedguys who were simply outmatched not give up.I have been even more impressed by the schoolpride which everyone took in being a Triviumplayer, each sporting new a red and gold jerseyand thrilled to be on the team.

These teams were not only for the mem-bers; the whole community was involved. Theturnout of Trivium fans was huge for everygame. No matter how cold, how early in themorning, how late in the evening, or how faraway, friends, families, teachers, and classmatescrowded the sidelines. Everyone cheered andhollered with an enthusiasm which was almostembarrassing when compared to the subduedclapping of our opponents’ supporters. Afterone of the girls’ first games, which we lost 2-1,but during which we scored our first goal of the

season, we left the field congratulating each otheron our success. I heard a girl for the other teamsaying, “What’s up with them? We won.” Iexplained, somewhat apologetically, that it wasour first goal this season. She smiled understand-ingly and said that these were their first goals, too.

Our fall season was a great success, andnow we have two indoor soccer teams and abasketball team. Many thanks to the coacheswho volunteered—Dr. Goodman, Mr. Lawler,and Michael Nohrden—and to those who orga-nized the teams—especially Mrs. Goodman. Ithas been wonderful and will hopefully be apermanent part of Trivium.

Coach Tom Goodman(front, center) with theTrivium Upper-Grades

Boys’ Soccer Team.

Brian Murphy as the Old Man.

THE KING STAGJoseph Lawler (’04)

The Trivium L-group players presented twoperformances with two different casts of CountCarlo Gozzi’s The King Stag on Friday, Novem-ber 16 at Trivium School. The play is set in theoriental kingdom of Serendip, with most of theaction happening either in the King of Serendip’spalace or in the nearby Forest of Ronsiclappe, inthe year 1762.

Count Carlo Gozzi (1720-1806) was anItalian dramatist who spent his life defending hisculture. He is known for his dramatizations ofpopular and oriental tales, with which he soughtto revitalize the dying commedia dell’arte (impro-vised Italian comedy). The King Stag (1762) wastranslated by Carl Wildman.

Two performances were shown, the firstat 6:30 pm, the second at 8:15 pm. The dialoguein each performance differed slightly, as theactors improvised; however, the plot remainedthe same throughout both.

We are intro-duced in thefirst scene, byCigolotti, amagician’ss e r v a n t(played byA n d r e aKaulbach),with the helpof a voice( M a r i a nKieselbach),to her mas-t e rDurandarte,( J o s e p hHennesseyand JoshuaFleuriel) whois trapped ina parrot’sbody. He hasgiven theb a c h e l o rK i n gD e r a m o( T i m o t h yNewcombe

and William Brennan) two presents: the first, aPortrait (Mary Cheffers and Michelle Grimaldi)which laughs or smiles when a woman lies in itspresence, and the second, the ability to possessthe body of a dead creature. The King has usedthe portrait to avoid the rustic Smeraldina(Bronwen Mitchell and Ellen Turner), cousin ofthe Royal Housekeeper (Christopher Byler andMaria Cross), and the secretly engaged Clarissa(Rebecca McGarry and Sarah Alcarez) to findhis perfect wife, Angela (Emily Marr and DeirdreLawler), the daughter of the bumbling ministerPantaloon (Steven Bloemer and NathanaelMcGarry).

However, the evil and perfidious PrimeMinister Tartaglia (Joseph Lawler and JesseSmith), who has long desired Angela for him-self, has other plans. On the hunt celebrating theengagement between Deramo and Angela, heconvinces the King to change into a stag, andthen steals his body. The King must resort toinhabiting the body of an old man (Brian Murphy)whom Tartaglia killed. Meanwhile, the courtbirdcatcher Truffeldino (Benjamin Knoell) findsthe parrot Durandarte, the body of the stag thatthe King briefly inhabited, and Tartaglia’s formerbody, and brings them to “king” Tartaglia, withthe help of a peasant (Stephanie Hiester andJessica Dunleavy). Deramo must then regain hiskingdom, and Angela, from Tartaglia with thehelp of Durandarte.

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Ben Knoell as the court birdcatcher Truffeldinoand Ellen Turner as Smeraldina.

Jesse Smith as the PrimeMinister of Tartaglia and

Will Brennan as KingDeramo.

TRIVIUM SENIORS: OMNIBUSBONIS OPERIBUS PARATI

Ingrid Mitchell (’02) &Chelsea Webb (’02)

As an expression of gratitude for the generosityof our community to Trivium School (e.g. thesuccess of last year’s Trivium Auction), Triviumstudents decided to begin an outreach cam-paign. In the first trimester alone, we completedtwo fundraising projects directed towards theneeds of our community.

Last year, Dr. Ramey spent an evening withthe junior class, acquainting them with his mis-sionary efforts and inviting us to participate inthem. He and his wife established a charity in

memory of their daughter, Jessica Ramey, aformer Trivium student, to contribute to thephysical and spiritual needs of the DominicanRepublic. Sadly, this past fall, Mrs. Marita Rameydied suddenly of a heart attack. Recalling fromDr. Ramey’s visit that $800 could build anadequate home for a needy family, the Triviumcommunity worked hard to raise this sum for ahouse to be built in her memory.

Besides participating in the annual Marchfor Life in Washington DC, we also wished tosupport a local pro-life organization. In No-vember, the senior class, under the guidance ofMr. Langley, led a fund-raiser for Spring House,a home in Berlin, Massachusetts, that sheltersunwed mothers who might otherwise, due tounfortunate circumstances, feel forced to chooseabortion over life.

The event was a sponsored walk from St.Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester to the PlannedParenthood Clinic. Senior Nathan Schroeder setthe tone of the walk by leading us in prayer anduniting us in our respect for life. Guided by anexcellent police es- cort, we marched 3.5 miles,carrying signs withour statement, andprayed a decade ofthe rosary outsidethe clinic itself.

The enthusi-asm of the studentsas they trudgedfrom house tohouse gatheringpledges (whichamounted to over$3,500!), the spiritof reverence andrecognition of pur-pose with whichthey completed thewalk, and the over-all devotion to thecause was awe-in-spiring. We hopethese events will bethe beginning of anew Trivium tra-dition.

Gozzi’s plot was not easy to follow, but theperformances themselves illuminated the morecryptic scenes. The performances were directed byMiss Jana Draeger and Miss Mary Bouchey, as-sisted by Mr. David Muir and featured the originalmusical score of Mr. J.G. Phillips.

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Alumna NancyNohrden.

DEUS VOCATNancy Nohrden (’92)

As all proud scholars of Lingua Latina (thenatural method, of course) well know, theword vocation comes from the Latin wordvocare – to call. Someone who has a vocation istherefore, quite simply, one who has beencalled. But who is called? Who calls? And towhat?

Lumen Gentium tells us that “[A]ll in thechurch . . . are called by Baptism to holiness .. . ‘For this is the will of God, your sanctifica-tion’” (Par. 39). By virtue of our very Baptism,God himself has called us to a two-fold voca-tion of sanctification and apostolate. This is atruth which sadly (or conveniently) so oftenescapes our attention: upon accepting me ashis adopted child, God now actually expectsme to be a saint and to spread the Good News. . . “Each one…according to his own gifts andduties” (ibid., Par. 41). While the call to unionwith God and apostolic fruitfulness is univer-sal, in the end there are as many ways to reachthis ideal as there are individual human souls.

Happily, God does not leave us to ourown pathetic devices in the life long quest forsanctity. In the ordinary course, God seeks toreveal his personal plan for our lives in youthor young adulthood when our souls are natu-rally discovering within themselves a freedomto seek our own fulfillment in a world oftremendous opportunities. There, in the tangleof the interior grapplings of the young humanheart, Deus vocat. He invites some to seek theirholiness in marriage, some in secular servicewithin the Church, and still others in a life oftotal consecration to Him. Three years ago Idiscovered God calling me to the latter, and so(at my former Headmistress’ request!) I willattempt to say a few words about this way oflife that has brought me such ineffable joy andfulfillment.

By “consecration” I literally mean “setapart”— set apart from the world, for the sakeof the world, in order to follow Christ moreclosely, and to imitate his characteristic featureswith a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience,thus standing as perpetual signs of eternity inthe material world (cf. Vita Consecrata). Thepersonal invitation to consecrated life, as I andso many others have experienced it comes

directly from Our Lord, who pursues his be-loved with unflagging enthusiasm. There is noway to invent such a vocation at whim or will,nor is it any easy task to ignore successfully thevoice of the Blessed Trinity! But finally, DivineLove is placed at the despotic feet of humanfreedom, and each individual human soul mustchoose to receive the gift of freedom and love.

The Holy Spirit has granted us a wealth ofmeans to live consecrated life in the Church:active and contemplative religious orders,monastic and hermetic congregations, and,more recently, secular institutes and apostolicmovements. I live my consecration in RegnumChristi, an apostolic movement made up of laymen and women, religious, and priests. We areall finding a way to answer our baptismalcommitments by serving God in the Church,through the Church, and for the Church.

It is beautiful to witness the Holy Spirit’saction made visible in the veritable explosionof charisms that he has inspired as the thirdmillenium opens. These volatile cells of theMystical Body are just another manifestationof the “new springtime” that the Holy Fatherhas mentioned so often of late. The specificcall of Regnum Christi members is to work forthe spread of the Gospel in the most effectiveand far-reaching manner possible. More thansix billion souls have more than six billionneeds, and so we work to bring the intensity ofpersonal prayer and the sacraments to nationaland international youth activities, mass media,education and wide-scale promotion of theChristian family. Time is short, and eternitydraws near…what will we not do to bringsouls to the thirsting heart of Christ?

Let us all thank God for more thantwenty beautiful years of Trivium School, whichprovides such rich soil for vocations to allpaths of discipleship to take firm root andblossom in this new century. And let us allopen our hearts to hear the still voice of God,who longs to fill our lives with the happiness offollowing Him in freedom and love.

HOLY HOURS IN THETRIVIUM CHAPEL

Tutor Ann Turner

Largely through the organizational efforts ofTherese Cross, the wife of Trivium tutor Dr.Rick Cross, the parents and families of TriviumSchool have begun to make daily holy hours inthe school chapel. Mrs. Cross brought a one-month calendar to the Parents’ Potluck in the Fall.By evening’s end, most days were filled with thenames of volunteers who wished to spend atleast one hour per month in the chapel prayingfor the intentions of the School, its students,teachers, and benefactors.

The “Holy Hour” is a long standing tradi-tion which no doubt grew from a meditation onChrist’s words to the drowsy apostles at theGarden of Gethsemane, “Could you not watchwith me one hour?” Taking this time to be quietlyalone with Our Lord can be of particular impor-tance in our ever so noisy society.

At Trivium School we are particularlyblessed with the presence of the Holy Eucharistin our chapel. On speaking with John and LouiseSchmitt about how this boon came to be, itseems the hand of providence was at work.

One day years ago, Louise visited a friendwho had a Eucharistic Chapel in her home.Amazed and delighted, Louise asked how thishad come about. The friend said she had knownthe local bishop for some time, and she simplyasked him. He granted her permission, knowingthat she was a prayerful and responsible person.Needless to say, this story prompted the thoughtthat one day Trivium, too, could make such arequest of our bishop. In the summer of 1990,Mr. Schmitt made such a request, and His Excel-lency Bishop Harrington gave permission forTrivium to have our Lord, in his sacramentalform, under its roof.

Mr. Schmitt then designed and built thesmall chapel which blends beautifully with thearchitecture of the main building. His son, Will-iam, the current headmaster, no doubt has fondmemories of the removal of the rather large treeand its massive stump, which constituted a memo-rable “ground-breaking” for the foundation.

The chapel was completed through the falland winter. Its cost, labor, materials and furnish-ings were all donated by the Trivium family of

friends. Theb e a u t i f u lwooden hand-carved statue ofOur Lady ofFatima wasprovided by aformer tutor. Inthe Spring,Biship Reugeroffered Massin the newchapel, blessedit and left theBlessed Sacra-ment with theSchool. ManyMasses havebeen said theresince and everymorning theTrivium schoolday begins withprayers at theopen chapeld o o r s .Throughout the day students make regular visitstaking a few moments to give Our Lord theircomplete attention.

As we look with joy at this brief history, itis clear that the support of the whole Triviumcommunity brought the chapel into existence: thefounders with their vision and hard work, par-ents and friends in their generosity and encour-agement, and the students by their faithful prayers.One is reminded of Bernanos’ words at the endof Diary of a Country Priest, “Grace is every-where.”

If you wish to participate in the organizedHoly Hour schedule, please contact ThereseCross. We certainly encourage you also to takethose briefer opportunities you might have tomake a visit as well. Many parents find it conve-nient to do so at pick up or drop off time.

The altar and tabernaclein the Trivium chapel.

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TRIVIUM SCHOOLP.O. Box 597

S. Lancaster, MA 01561

Calendar

January 22 Washington D.C. March for Life

February 8 Friday Evening Lecture: James Stenson

February 11, 13, 15 (2:00-2:50) Junior Theses

Friday, February 22 G-Group Drama Production:Sir Gawain & the Green Knight

February 17 (3:00 p.m.) Mostly Mozart Concert

March 1 (at noon)—March 10 Winter Holidays

March 28—April 1 Easter Holiday

April 5, 12, and 19 Senior Theses Nights

April 27 Trivium Auction

Trivium Ties!

The official Trivium Tie is now available. This hand-some silk-blend school tie is red with crossed goldkeys. Tasteful and distinguished, it is a perfect gift. Mailyour order to the School or pick one up on any schoolday. The cost is $20.00 ($3.00 postage/handling).