In today’s world, it is all too common to see families driven apart by the college experiences of their children. These children often come home from college with a new worldview deeply opposed to that of their parents, turning the home into a battleground of ideological conflict.
But Kelly and Sylvia Spiering, who sent seven of their children to Christendom, have never encountered this issue. In fact, the Spierings credit Christendom with helping their children maintain strong relationships with them.
Kelly Spiering is a lifelong resident of Wyoming and a farmer by trade. After attending college for a year and a half, Kelly opted to pursue an agricultural lifestyle.
This story comes from the latest issue of Instaurare Magazine, the official magazine of Christendom College. Read more from Instaurare here!
Kelly met Sylvia through an outing with a friend of his, who invited both Kelly and Sylvia to pick out Christmas trees together. Within a few hours Kelly knew that he had met the woman he hoped would be his future wife. Three months earlier, Kelly had undergone a personal conversion and told God he wanted to change and have a family; 44 years later, both Kelly and Sylvia are grateful for God’s answer to his prayer.
Charlie Spiering ’05 is an author and a political journalist.
In 1980, the two had a fateful encounter with another couple that shaped their lives for years to come. The couple emphatically and joyfully testified to the value of the truths of Catholicism and the worth of a classical education, and drew their attention to Christendom. Inspired by Christendom’s unapologetically Catholic identity and strong academic program, the Spierings sent seven of their children to the college.
One of their most memorable experiences with Christendom took place during one of their earliest visits. They were present at that year’s Senior Dance and witnessed the senior slideshow, full of the highlights of the seniors’ Christendom experiences. Cheers erupted from the crowd when images of Pope John Paul II and the college’s Christ the King statue were shown on screen, and Kelly, struck by the joy of the community, told himself that here was a place where Catholicism was truly understood.
Roseanne Spiering at her 2015 graduation.
Kelly and Sylvia testify to the positive effect Christendom has had on their children’s development. The seven children who attended were able to form good friendships with good people. Kelly emphasizes that, unlike at many other colleges, a parent who sends their child to Christendom can have confidence that their child will leave as a responsible adult.
Many families who have sent their children to the college have made similar testimonies. They indicate the college community’s commitment to living out its Catholic values and the integration of the truths of faith and reason in the classroom as the determining factors that help their children become joyful, faithful, and mature adults.
Sister Molly Bernadette Spiering ’18 made her profession last fall.
After the graduation of his daughter, Marion, Kelly remarked, “There are a lot of things you can invest in… you can invest in bitcoin, you can invest in all the stock markets. One of the best investments that we ever made was sending our kids to Christendom. They come back from Christendom, and they love God, they love us, and you can’t get better return on your investment than that.”
The Spiering children have continued to have strong relationships with their parents after graduation. Kelly and Sylvia are grateful to Christendom for equipping them to have these relationships. Though it is not always easy, the Spierings continue to gladly support Christendom’s mission, grateful to the college for its support of family.
The Spierings contribute to Christendom as part of their regular tithing, and they have courageously continued to do so amidst the financial ups and downs of running the farm. When questioned about why the Spiering family continues to make financial sacrifices to support Christendom, Kelly answers that investing in Christendom College pays great eternal returns.
Written by Sean Hilbert.
Read more from Instaurare Magazine here.