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The 2026-27 school year opened with Mass of the Holy Spirit in the Martin Center, followed by a special presentation from guest speaker Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms. Stevens visited Newton Country Day to share stories from more than three decades of work and to invite students in Grades 8-12, along with parents and caregivers, to consider what it means to love courageously, faithfully, and practically. Her message connected directly to two themes of the school year: Courage to Love and Goal V: personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

Stevens founded Thistle Farms in Nashville in 1997, beginning with a residential community for women survivors. Today, the organization combines healing, community, advocacy, and economic opportunity through a social enterprise selling bath and body products, candles, and home goods. “We’re a mission with a business, not a business with a mission,” Stevens explained, emphasizing that economic opportunity is an essential part of creating lasting healing and independence.

At the heart of Stevens’ message was her invitation to be curious about what stirs our hearts and calls us to action. “What is it that sparks our interest and causes us to look deeper?” she asked. “What is it that’s calling you in your life? That’s the place you’re going to find the Courage to Love.” She also emphasized that courage requires commitment, sharing stories of women whose lives have been transformed through hope, faith, friendship, and community.

Stevens closed by sharing the story of a Thistle Farms leader who, after rebuilding her life, was unexpectedly sent back to prison for three years. Upon her release, she returned to Thistle Farms and immediately began making candles again. When Stevens asked how she could continue creating healing after experiencing so much injustice, the woman explained that she had felt the love of the Thistle Farms community while she was imprisoned and knew she wanted to return and “do my part.”

Stevens encouraged the Newton Sacred Heart community to recognize its own capacity to contribute to something larger through curiosity, commitment, friendship, and love. “You all have the capacity and the ability to love beautifully,” she told the students. Her message offered a meaningful invitation to embrace the Courage to Love while growing in the freedom to make thoughtful, purposeful choices in service of others.