Father John Foley Research Paper

Creating a Catholic high school for low income students, with a work study program that helps students pay for their tuition, but is also a college preparatory high school, with cura personalis as its building block sounds like a dream. However, Father John Foley made it a reality for more than 10,000 students across America. Father John Foley is a Jesuit priest who started Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, IL in 1996. By 2001, The Cristo Rey Network of schools was created, now including 30 schools nationwide. So the real question here is: How did he do it? In order to create the strongest school and network possible, Father John Foley was strong in his faith in God and his passion for educating the future’s leaders.
Father Foley’s …show more content…
He worked in Peru for over 30 years, teaching and leading at schools for the poor. He came back to the states and walked the streets of the Chicago neighborhood, Pilsen, asking parents what they believed the neighborhood school should be. In an interview, Father Foley enlightens that “[The Cristo Rey students] have discovered that there is a future and the beautiful talents, both personally and culturally, that God has given them are their most valuable assets for a brighter tomorrow” (Dangel 1). He knows that his passion and hard work, combined with the passion of the students and families, helped create the good work of the Cristo Rey Network.
Ultimately, having faith and being passionate about your work will get you far in your goals and aspirations. Faith in God and yourself will bring you into a powerful mindset. Your faith will allow you to build bridges that no man can tear down. Love and passion for your work will make it easier for you to do the work. Passion and “love will [constantly] find a way to bring [your dreams and aspirations] into union with one another” (Lickteig 1). Father John Foley and The Cristo Rey Network is just one of millions of examples of letting God and love