The Prep Pulse

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday and the Advent season, I am reminded of a story from my Jesuit training that was full of thanksgiving and served as a reminder of Christ’s presence at work in my life. A year before I was ordained a Jesuit priest, I served as a deacon for a parish. When a deacon is ordained, he can begin to offer blessings. Throughout my service to the parish, I was approached by parishioners to bless all kinds of things—rosaries, bibles, pets, water, cars and more.

One day, I was invited by Ronnie, a parishioner from the parish, to visit for lunch and to bless his home. When I arrived to his home, I set aside my book of blessings and holy water, and he gave me the grand tour of his home. Then we sat down in the dining room for lunch. We began talking about the parish and sharing about our lives. As we were getting to know each other more, I asked him, “Ronnie, do you have any siblings?” And suddenly, he paused, and shared with sadness and disappointment. “Nick, I have a sister, but we have not spoken in a long time.” As we continued to talk, it was clear Ronnie desired a relationship with his sister, even though they struggled to get along throughout their lives.

After we finished lunch, I put on my alb and stole, opened up the book of blessings and picked up my container of holy water. I read through the readings and responses, and after a few minutes, it was time to sprinkle the holy water throughout the home. And just as I was sprinkling the holy water, Ronnie’s phone rang. It was his sister calling! She left a message, saying that she called to say hello and that she desired to catch up since it had been a while since they last spoke. Ronnie and I were both stunned, and believed it had to be the work of the Holy Spirit to reconnect him and his sister during this house blessing. He was full of thanksgiving, and a feeling of Christ’s presence at work in his life.

As we prepare and enter into Thanksgiving and the coming season of Advent, let us be attentive and grateful for God’s continual work in our lives.

Fr. Nick Albin, SJ
Creighton Prep

OMAHA, Neb. – (Nov. 14, 2023) – Creighton Preparatory School’s cross country varsity head coach Fr. Robert Tillman, SJ has announced his retirement from the sport. He is ending his 27 year career with top accolades, having brought Prep’s cross country team to a state championship win this past season exactly 50 years after his first state win with the team in 1973. He was selected as the 2023 Metropolitan Conference Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year and is also scheduled to receive the Level IV Jerry Stine Family Milestone Award in July 2024 - the highest award that a coach can receive in the sport.

Dan Tietjen will be taking over the role as varsity head coach while continuing as track & field head coach.

“I have had the opportunity to meet some great young men and their parents while coaching cross country at Prep,” said Fr. Tillman. “I saw runners develop lifelong relationships from friendships that developed during cross country. I also learned the importance of building community.” 

Fr. Tillman was an assistant coach to Fr. Ted Kalamaja, SJ ‘53 in 1970 and then took over as varsity head coach in 1971 while Fr. Kalamaja went on sabbatical for a year. He continued in that role for two seasons after Fr. Kalamaja’s return and led the team to conference championships in 1972 and 1973, qualifying for state each year. In 1973, Creighton Prep won its first state cross country championship. 

Fr. Tillman assumed the varsity cross country head coaching position again in 2001 after Prep varsity coach Terri Loewens stepped down. He has held the position for the past 23 years.

“A coach is only as successful as his runners, and I have had some great runners,” said Fr. Tillman. “I see them continuing the great tradition of Prep cross country. I look forward to watching them develop and grow and build friendships, which I see already happening.”

Cross Country Coach Fr. Robert Tillman, SJ Career Record

26 years as Varsity Cross Country Coach
1 year as Assistant Varsity Cross Country Coach

• 3 state championships
• 1 state runner-up
• 6 state 3rd place finishes
• 22 teams qualified for state
• 9 district championships
• 11 district runner-ups
• 4 Metropolitan Conference championships
• 6 Metropolitan Conference runner-ups

Coaching Honors

• 2014 - named Nebraska Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
• 2022 - received the Nebraska Coaches Association Service Award for 25 years of coaching cross country
• 2023 - selected as the Metropolitan Conference Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year by the conference coaches
• Fr. Tillman has accumulated points to receive the Level IV Jerry Stine Family Milestone Award in July 2024

Dear Creighton Prep family,

Have you ever witnessed a young person who embodies the qualities of a man for others? At Creighton Prep, we see them every day.

We see it in their eagerness to participate in liturgies and retreats. The enthusiasm they show for in-class experiments and discussions. The way they skillfully direct peers in clubs and activities. The dedication they exhibit in helping those less fortunate and in excelling academically as they look forward to success in a larger world.

With critical assistance from Prep family members like you, our young men’s formation prepares them for the next steps in their educational journeys and for lives that grow to reflect an ever more vibrant image of God.

Please help us form these Men for Others in 2023-2024 with a meaningful gift to the AMDG Fund. Your gift is an investment not only in the compelling programs, support services and affordability we offer but in the futures of people beyond Prep’s walls who will benefit from the character, compassion and skills our students develop here.

Fr. Matthew Spotts, SJ
President
Creighton Prep
 

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY

There is plenty to celebrate in this month’s news from the Fine Arts department regarding the accomplishments of our outstanding student musicians. Check it out!

Chamber Choir Sings with the Omaha Symphony

Congratulations to the members of the Creighton Prep Chamber Choir on being selected once again as one of the high school choirs to perform with the Omaha Symphony, which took place this past Sunday. The music this year was Brahms’ German Requiem, provided under the expert direction of Maestro Ernest Richardson.

“The Prep students really enjoyed this experience,” said Director of Vocal Music Rob Chesire. “We’re also blessed to have Maestro Richardson and his colleagues at Prep from time to time to work with the students, and that is always very helpful to their development as vocalists.”

Three Selected to All-State Music Festival

Congratulations also go to bass clarinetist Isaac Bohlsen, cellist Maddox Meyer and choir vocalist Nick Ferro on being selected through a competitive audition to the 2023 Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) All-State Band, Orchestra, and Choir Festival.

These students will represent Creighton Prep at the NMEA All-State Convention from November 16-18 to participate in rehearsals with world-renowned conductors each day, working alongside talented young musicians from across Nebraska.

Fifteen to be Inducted in Tri-M Music Honor Society

At tonight’s Fall Band Concert in the Sullivan Center, the new Creighton Prep chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society will be inducting the 15 students listed below as founding members. Congratulations to these young men, too. The evening of great music starts at 7 p.m., and all are invited to attend.

• Ethan Fredrick Abboud   
• Max Thomas Burbach-Domeyer
• Christian Milton Burton-Lewis
• Thomas Michael Ciecior
• Ryan Robert Eichele
• Nicholas John Ferro
• Andrew Connelly Lawler
• Jack Riley Loftus
• Christopher Francis Lowes
• George Kyung-Jae Manhart
• Patrick Thomas McFall
• Maddox Hanson Meyer
• Richard Jermaine Deshawn Robinson
• John Henry Tasset
• Andrew Vinh Tran

Congratulations to the cross country and football teams as they wrapped up their 2023 seasons with a state title and a state playoff appearance, respectively.

The Metro Conference and District A-1 champion varsity cross country team capped a tremendous season by winning the Class A state championship in Kearney on Friday, October 20. Dennis Chapman finished third overall and excellent performances were also turned in by teammates Elias Jones, Jacob Finney, Aidan McGarry, Owen Jensen, Andrew Sauer and Michael Sauer. The Junior Jays edged Fremont for the title, and Papillion La Vista South placed third.

Just a few hours later, the varsity football team finished their regular season strong with a convincing 46-0 win over Benson. They also qualified for the state playoffs for the 29th consecutive year in program history.

(As mentioned in the October Prep Pulse, the Metro Conference champion tennis team concluded a great season with a second place finish at state.)

Do you know a prospective student in your area? Here is how you can impact the future of Creighton Prep: 

Creighton Prep is committed to attracting, developing and retaining students from all backgrounds who have the desire to be formed in a rigorous, Ignatian educational experience. We believe our parents, students, alumni and friends are the best way to promote Prep and recommend promising young men.

We encourage you to send us the names and contact information of young men who you believe would be a great addition to the Prep community. These can be prospective students in grades 5-8 from your respective communities: your neighborhood, work, church or previous schools. You can also share this Creighton Prep Inquiry Form with the prospective families for them to fill out and share their interests.

For more information, please contact the members of the Admissions and Recruitment Office listed below or visit CreightonPrep.org/YouGotThis.

Josh Luedtke ‘90
Director of Admissions
jluedtke@creightonprep.org
(402) 548-3872

Aurora Driscoll Barker
Director of Recruitment
adriscoll@creightonprep.org
(402) 548-6220

Enjoy a great evening of music and celebration led by the Creighton Prep Concert Band and the CP Jazz Collective tonight (Wednesday, November 15) starting at 7 p.m. in the Sullivan Center/Commons. 

They will perform classic and contemporary sounds of the season by Edvard Greig, Michael Colgrass, Count Basie, Bobby Timmons, Frank Ticheli and Danny Elfman. There will also be a premier performance of a work composed for the Concert Band by junior Ryan Eichele and dedicated to the Creighton Prep Band.

Between sets, the newly founded Creighton Prep chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society will induct its first class of members during a short ceremony. A reception and refreshments for all follow the concert. See you there!

Please consider donating a turkey (or two!) this Saturday to include with our Operation Others food bags in December. You can drop them off that day between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Prep’s west parking lot near the bell tower. Turkeys can also be dropped off at the Skutt Catholic parking lot (3131 S. 156 Street) or the GOLFTEC parking lot (362 N. 114 Street, Suite 362). Our goal is to collect 1,000 turkeys. Thank you!

See the WOWT story on Operation Others Turkey Collection Day that started airing today (Wednesday, November 15).

We hope you'll join us to hear the amazing Prep choir guided by Director of Vocal Music Rob Chesire. They will entertain you with wonderful music that is sure to add to your Christmas spirit. There will be dancing, too, and an ugly Christmas sweater contest.

The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Sullivan Center (also known as the commons), and admission is free. Be there!

Mark your calendar now to assist us in the effort that day to deliver food bags to over 1,200 materially-poor local families.

All are invited to 8 a.m. Mass in the Sullivan Center then to the west parking lot to deliver food bags. We are usually done with deliveries by 2 p.m., and there is no need to sign up to deliver.

Each food bag will contain 20 food items, including fresh milk, bread, produce, a turkey or chicken, cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna, fruit and a Christmas card. 

Thank you!

Don’t miss this always fun addition to the holiday season, and watch for the annual student skit during halftime of the Prep vs. Papillion La Vista varsity game. The JV game starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity contest at 7. 

Be sure to get there early to get a seat, and shop the Jay Mart in the Smith Atrium from 5:30-8:30 p.m.!

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