What will your New Year’s resolution be for 2025? It’s a question probably equal parts hated and anticipated. Some people look forward to this season every year as an opportunity to reflect and reset. Others feel guilt from the hauntings of failed resolutions past and would rather glide into the new year without disruption to the status quo. But how should the disciple of Christ treat this season?
Firstly, we must recognize that there is no distinctly Christian response to New Year’s. The Bible doesn’t explicitly address this occasion or the practice of making resolutions. So, whether you love this season or dread it, relax. With that said, however, I believe the season can afford the Christian with an unmatched opportunity for reflection.
Fundamental to the Christian outlook is the belief that our identity no longer rests on our own performance. To trust Christ is to finally give up on the futile pursuit of making ourselves. We are now “in Christ.” He is our “wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). So then, while it’s true that resting here is a constant struggle, this life-altering truth must be our starting point when reflecting on life change and resolutions. Nothing I do or perform can move the needle because Christ has already taken me past the finish line. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
The Christian call, in other words, has nothing to do with achievement of something not yet gained and everything to do with living based on who we already are in Christ. Why do we “put to death what is earthly” in us and “put on . . . compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:5, 12)? Because we have died, and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God. We resolve to live according to who we are in Christ. A Christian resolution must begin in Christ.
With that said, our journey in Christ celebrates new beginnings, and the new year provides a wonderful opportunity to reevaluate and form new habits that help us connect our lives with who we are in Christ. After all, to be “baptized into Christ Jesus” means that we have both died and been raised in him. We have died to the power of sin and have been raised so that “we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:1-4). The Christian, therefore, has unique access to the Holy Spirit’s power. The same power that raised Christ from the dead now works in us to raise us daily from the soul deadening way of life we formerly pursued. Christ has made it possible for us to live no longer enslaved to sin but instead enslaved to righteousness.
So some reflection questions to help you maximize this season with Christ at the center.
The first set has to do with rooting my life in Christ: In 2024, have I lived with awareness of who I am in Christ? Or have I fallen into the trap of trying to prove myself to God or to myself or to the world? How would my life look differently if I was more deeply rooted in my identity in Christ? What new habits will help me live daily with this awareness? How can the church help me live with this awareness?
The second set has to do with living out of my identity in Christ: In 2024 what habits have I formed that prevent me from living out of who I am in Christ? How have I allowed sin to reign, leading me to obey its passions (Romans 6:12) and taking me backwards to who I used to be? What earthly practices do I need to put to death (Colossians 3:5)? What Christlike characteristics do I need to put on (Colossians 3:12)? What new habits will help me walk in newness of life? How can the church help me live in Christ?
Happy New Year, Cardinal Family! May we all live 2025 with Christ at the center!
- We met with 197 students individually during the short month of December. Our seniors were the ones that popped in the most this month with our freshmen at a close second! We are so happy that our students see us as support here at JPII!
- We presented in the class meetings our December Guidance on Stressbusters: Unwrapping those Knots!. Counselors shared with our students the Pomodoro Technique where one studies for 30 minutes, then takes a break for 5 by taking a quiet, physical, snack, social, reflective, spiritual, laughter, or musical break. It's so effective for students' brains to sort and strengthen memories of what they've recently practiced or learned. For high school students, it's important to set aside a few minutes of space for reflection, joy, and connection during a packed school day.
All schedule changes have been completed! Let's finish this spring semester strong!
CHOICE OF SUBJECT FOR 2025-26:
First of all, don't those dates sound crazy? Time sure flies! However, it is that time of year when we start talking to our students one-by-one about their credits, GPAs, future plans, and classes for next year. Our academic departments are currently finishing up the 2025-26 Course Guide to reflect courses being offered, prerequisites, credits, etc. Once that is completed, be on the lookout for an email to make an appointment with your counselor. The plan is to visit with our current juniors at the end of January, our sophomores in February, and our freshmen in March. Be thinking about your goals and how you want to challenge yourself in 2025-26! See you soon!
Stay tuned for more information!
Email Ms. Heslep if you have questions at beckyheslep@johnpauliihs.org
CALENDAR ITEMS:.
- Guidance Lesson
- Bullying & Cyberbullying: What Does It Look Like in 2025?--January 28 and 29 in Theology classes
- We will be challenging our students with Ephesians 4:29-31 and to wear their HOT PINK RIBBONS on their lanyards (provided by the club, Service With A Smile) as a reminder that there is no room in the Christian faith to belittle or abuse anyone.
- Check out the bulletin board by our office for resources from each guidance topic.
- COFFEE WITH THE COUNSELORS
- January 8 at 8:45 a.m., in the Athenaeum
- College, Career, & Military Readiness
- Save the dates! See below!
- UPDATE--Our February Coffee is cancelled because of our JPII Athletes signing with their future colleges!
PARENT CORNER:
As we talk about bullying and cyberbullying with our students this month, this is a great support podcast for parents!
RESOURCES:
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- Need to see your Counselor? Email or stop by! Our doors are always open!
- The Shade (Elijah's Story from 1 Kings 19)
- Calming Room in the Counseling Office (check-in with counselor first)
- Reset, Relax, Recharge, Refresh, Return!
- Fidgets, Aromatherapy, Sound Machine, Cozy Chairs/Blankets, Journal, Coloring Books, & More!
- 20 minute limit....and then return to class
- Children's TCHATT
- 6-8 FREE weekly therapist appointments scheduled during non-core periods during the school day (referral through your counselor)
- Mental Health Navigation Line
- 972-525-8181, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Helpline sourced through Grant Halliburton to assist families with finding therapists (based on need, insurance, etc.) in the DFW area
- Coffee Days (mom support group for mothers of young people with mental health and emotional health conditions, offering opportunities to share experiences, resources, and information.)
- granthalliburton.org for upcoming meetings
- Additional Community Resources
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the John Paul II Counseling Office is to provide a proactive, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate program to address students' academic and career goals in addition to supporting their personal and social needs. This is accomplished through a partnership with parents/guardians, staff, and community members to enable all students to become successful, productive citizens and lifelong learners in a diverse and changing world.
VISION STATEMENT
The John Paul II High School Counseling Office is guided by our commitment to provide a safe, nurturing environment where the entire learning community addresses the unique needs of students to ensure students reach their fullest potential and successfully manage their lives as healthy, responsible, competent and productive citizens who respect themselves and others. Collaborating with students, parents, faculty and staff, we will foster the development of the entire person – mental, spiritual, academic and social. School counselors believe that every student can succeed through the collaborative efforts of school, home, and community leading to responsible and productive citizenship in the 21st c
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