Faith Takes Root in the Grand Valley
The fertile ground of Western Colorado’s Grand Valley—renowned for its vineyards and abundant orchards—is about to nurture a new kind of growth.
Amidst this rich soil, three families have cultivated a vision: to plant enduring seeds of faith and harvest the vibrant fruit of the Holy Spirit.
A historic moment will arrive in just a few short weeks as Grand Junction welcomes its very first Catholic high school: the Chesterton Academy of Blessed Carlo Acutis.
Named after G.K. Chesterton—the great English writer and Catholic convert who exemplified the faith through a life of joy, wonder, and gratitude— the school seeks to inspire faith and a love of learning in the hearts of its students, guiding their intellectual and spiritual journey.
Inspired by soon-to-be saint Carlo Acutis, a young man who embraced his faith with joy and used the tools of his time to share it, Chesterton Academy envisions a future where a new generation of saints and leaders will defend the Faith and build a culture of life.
Finding good soil
For three faithful Catholics in Grand Junction, the idea of opening a Catholic high school had stirred in their hearts for years, but it seemed out of reach once the COVID-19 pandemic began. Soon after, Katie Jones, Vince Stone, and Aric Rastrelli found an answer to their calling in each other.
“Vince and I had been discussing how we could continue educating our kids beyond our K–8 school, Holy Family, but with no real direction,” said Aric. “So, we had the seed planted, but Katie brought the needed sunshine and water. Once we joined forces, our vision began to grow.”
“When I think about Chesterton Academy, I’m reminded of the parable of the sower,” said Vince. “Our longing for a school was the seed planted in our hearts. Even though we’ve faced challenges—the rocky ground or thorns—the faith and support of our Catholic community inspired us to persevere. That cultivated the good soil we needed for the school to take root.”
Classical education
Rooted in classical education with a Catholic tradition, Chesterton Academy is part of a national network that integrates faith, reason, and the great works of Western civilization. Students study the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They read foundational texts—Homer and Plato, Dante and Shakespeare, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Teresa of Avila—encountering timeless questions through the lens of faith.
The school weaves together history, literature, philosophy, and theology. Sciences and humanities connect profoundly: the logic of math emerges in philosophy, and God’s handiwork is recognized in biology and chemistry.
In this education, faith and reason meet in every class. As G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.”
Faith in action
Having witnessed the fruits of classical education in Wichita—especially among high school boys discerning a call to the seminary—Aric was convinced of its merit. “That’s the strength of this kind of high school, it fosters vocations,” he said. “Our students will become planters of their seeds, and the faith will keep growing with each new generation.”
Echoing this sentiment, Katie added, “What we’re really aiming for is that our students don’t just get an excellent education, but also a heart so full of faith that they can’t help but share it with others.”
As August approaches, the school’s opening marks more than the launch of a new educational institution—it marks the planting of deep roots for the Catholic faith in the Grand Valley.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, Pray for Us.
This story was published in the June 2025 edition of The Little Way publication of the Diocese of Pueblo.