Principal Newsletter Archives

Dear St. Francis Families,

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! We are blessed to have our Troubies back on campus. It has been a busy week for everyone, but we were excited to see the energy and enthusiasm your daughters brought back to school this week.

Dear St. Francis Families,

Dear St. Francis Families,

Welcome back and I hope you all had a blessed Easter!

Dear St. Francis Families,

We had another productive week at St. Francis. Our Troubies are doing great things in and out of the classroom. Let’s try to keep them engaged as the anticipation of a two-week Easter break is almost palpable.

Dear St. Francis Families,

Earlier this week, I was fortunate to lead the Kairos prayer gathering for the parents whose daughters were participating in the culminating senior retreat.  It was an evocative evening, as parents got to reflect on their parenting journey, and the hopes/dreams they have for their daughter’s future, especially with the end of senior year only a few weeks away.

Dear St. Francis Families,

This week marked the beginning of the last quarter of the semester, as well as course registration for the 2019-2020 academic year. The remaining 10 weeks of this semester are going to move pretty quickly. We ask that you keep an eye on the calendar and on subsequent announcements to stay on top of all the end-of-year events.

Dear St. Francis Families,

Earlier this week official acceptance letters went out to our new Troubies and their families. The class of 2023 will formally come to St. Francis in a few short weeks to register for their classes. We are excited to welcome all of our new families, and look forward to a fun, faith-filled, and rewarding four years together.

Dear St. Francis Families,

Dear St. Francis Families,

Next week is our Pax et Bonum week, in which we celebrate the blessings of Catholic Schools Week. We have some fun events scheduled for our students and parents. I invite you to participate in our Pax et Bonum Mass on Wednesday, January 30^th, as well as our annual SWAP Day on Friday, February 1st.  I look forward to seeing you at one or both of these events.

In the spirit of the upcoming week, I offer this reflective prayer:

Dear Junior and Senior Parents,

I’m happy to share with you that on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, your daughter will be hearing from a renowned pro-life and chastity speaker, Ms. Patricia Sandoval, who travels internationally retelling her story of loss, struggle, and redemption. Her message has inspired thousands and is focused on God’s love, healing, and mercy.  We are excited to host Ms. Sandoval at St. Francis, as this is the only high school in the region she will be speaking at, given that she is this year’s keynote speaker at the 15th Annual Walk for Life West Coast event in San Francisco, January 26, 2019.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the 2018-19 academic year. To our Class of 2022, congratulations on completing your first high school final exams! I know some of you were intimidated by the prospects of taking college preparatory exams, but you showed your mettle and rised to the occasion - well done! For our returning students, congratulations on making it through another cycle of final exams, and being one step closer to reaching your goal of graduation.

Dear St. Francis Families,

Earlier this morning we were alerted of a strange odor in a science classroom. We immediately contacted the Sacramento Fire Department and PG & E, who assessed the situation and determined there was no natural gas or carbon monoxide present. All of the students and faculty involved were evaluated by the paramedics and are safe. 

Due to the nature of the reported incident, the Fire Department took every precaution to ensure the safety of our faculty and staff. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

We have two major events taking place in the upcoming week. There is a palpable energy surrounding Homecoming Week, and our students are visibly excited in anticipation of the week’s celebration.  

Dear St. Francis Families,

As we approach the end of October, you have probably seen an uptick of excitement in your daughter as the anticipation of Homecoming builds. Please encourage your daughter to stay on top of her academics, to prioritize, and to plan ahead in order to minimize stress levels and anxiety.

Dear St. Francis Families,

We had another fantastic week at St. Francis! Yesterday we celebrated the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, and our Troubies had an amazing time interacting with one another, our faculty, and staff. Thank you to all the parent volunteers that came out and made the event possible. It takes a small army to put on this school-wide event, and we couldn’t do it without your help.

Dear St. Francis Families,

I would like to remind you that tomorrow, September 8, 2018, is Holy Bowl. It is an annual tradition in which we support almost five decades of respectful athletic competition between Jesuit and Christian Brothers High School.  This is a family event, and I welcome you all to attend with your daughter(s) to celebrate our Sacramento-area Catholic high schools.

While it is not a St. Francis High School event, it is an occasion that our Troubies use to catch-up and socialize with some of their grammar school friends, as well as an opportunity to showcase our enormous school pride and promote our Catholic education to the broader Sacramento area.

Please take some time to discuss with your daughter(s) the importance of being a good ambassador of St. Francis Catholic High School.  As a Troubadour, her dress and behavior should be a reflection of our mission and core values, as well as a reflection of her family and community.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful time and enjoys this long-standing tradition, surrounded by family and friends.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

We’ve had a busy start to the school year, and I’m happy to report that our Troubies are quickly acclimating to their routines. Some of the feelings of angst I referred to last week should be subsiding. If they are not, please have your daughter/s reach out to the Guidance and/or Wellness Department. 

Dear St. Francis Families,

We are a little more than a week away from the start of the academic year and looking forward to the 2018-19 school year. As is typical at this time of year, you might be receiving many emails from the school. Know that we try to minimize multiple communications, but we aim to keep you informed of upcoming events and activities on campus, as well as student life issues.  Please take the time to review the communications sent to your household email address, and stay up to date on the first day of school procedures, mandatory form submissions, schedules, and uniform requirements.

As new and returning parents, you can always find additional information on the school website, and we will always include some of the most pertinent upcoming activities and events on the weekly Principal’s Newsletter.  

I am excited and look forward to seeing all of our students on campus the first day of school, Tuesday, August 14th.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

I can’t believe the month of July is ending, and the start of the academic year is less than a month away. This being said, we are looking forward to seeing our students back on campus. We have missed the palpable energy they bring to our school.  I am also excited to welcome the Class of 2022 and know our school spirit and traditions will be embraced.   

I hope the remaining weeks of summer break are fruitful and filled with fond memories of adventure, travels, and good company. We await the return of our Troubies on the first day of school, and we anticipate another successful school year.

St. Francis of Assisi pray for us!

Pax et Bonum (peace and goodness),

Elias Mendoza
Principal

Dear St. Francis Families,

This week was full of joy and some tears as we celebrated our last school-wide Mass on Monday, in which we said farewell to our graduating class of 2018! On Wednesday evening, we welcomed our new senior class at the Junior Commissioning Mass, passing the leadership baton to the mighty Thumpers. These beautiful and holy traditions in the life of a St. Francis Troubadour mark important milestones that our girls and their families will remember for many years to come. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful students in our community.

With final exams beginning today, I ask that you keep our Troubies in your prayers. Let us pray that they do their best on these assessments and finish the 2017-18 school year strong!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We just finished two weeks of AP testing and are down to the final days of school. This weekend is Junior Prom and Senior Ball, and we pray for fun, safe nights for all our Troubies! On Monday we will have our last school-wide Mass, and I encourage you to attend this beautiful liturgy in which we celebrate an amazing year and say goodbye to our beloved seniors. Mass is at 10:10 in the gym. We hope to see you there.   

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Wednesday morning, a group of anonymous Troubies posted affirmations on each and every locker on campus.  “You are loved.”  “You are talented.”  “You are kind” were just a few of the comments left on lockers. In our Easter Mass on Wednesday, we recalled Jesus’ dying and resurrection. His great sacrifice out of love for us.  The locker affirmations were awesome Easter blessings for our Troubies, reminding them of their uniqueness and beauty in God’s eyes and how much they are loved, by their Troubie sisters and by God.  What a wonderful gift our girls were given!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Spring is definitely in the air and happy Troubies abound!  Our girls donned their neon today in honor of the Recognition Rally which had a “Golden Glow” theme. We honored our outgoing and incoming SBOs, arts, campus ministry, athletics, academic teams, clubs, and faculty and staff for their work in making this year a success.  Mom Prom is tonight and promises to be another amazingly fun event.  On Monday we will tape our school-wide lip dub at lunch, so be on the lookout next week for this fun video!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week we will host Freshmen Registration Night for our incoming class of 2021 and their families.  We are thrilled with our numbers for next year and welcome 320 new Troubies, our largest class!  Please keep these new families in your prayers, that their transition to our community will be filled with peace and joy.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

At Wednesday’s assembly, our guest speaker, Rochelle Whellums, spoke to our Troubies about habits.  She said, “Habits are powerful.  Be aware of your habits today because today you own them. Tomorrow, they own you.”  Her message about how habits shape our lives highlighted the power of our words on others. She gave our students the opportunity to stand up individually and express gratitude to friends, siblings, and adults on campus for the impact those people have had in their lives.  It was a powerful, joy-filled and emotional time for everyone.  I am reminded of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s words, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” I can think of no better habit than loving our neighbor, and that is what our SF community is all about!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next Tuesday is Valentine’s Day, a day when we celebrate love, devotion and romance; but did you know that this is the feast day of St. Valentine of Rome?  Valentine is believed to have lived in the third-century Rome and was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians being persecuted by the emperor Claudius. He was executed after refusing to renounce his Christian faith. St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, and young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses and his feast day is celebrated on February 14th. (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159) St. Valentine, pray for us!  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

The last couple weeks of storms have made driving to work and school a bit treacherous, the wind and rain causing flooding and power outages.  However, the rain has also hydrated our fields, filled our lakes and caused snow in the Sierras.  Let us remember to be grateful for the gifts God has given us. After years of drought, we rejoice in the blessing of water.  In his prayer “The Canticle of Brother Sun,” St. Francis of Assisi wrote, “Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”  We sing God’s praises for the gift of water.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Spring semester is a busy time at SFHS, with athletics, arts, academic events, and retreats happening every week. I have had the privilege of attending several SFHS retreats and have loved my experiences with our Troubies. Our retreats give participants an opportunity to step away from their busy lives and reflect on themselves and their relationship with our Lord. Faith is one of the pillars of our school and so important in our life journey. Our Campus Ministry team does an amazing job of fostering this pillar in our staff and students. The impact retreats have on our participants is profound, giving people a new sense of community and purpose. I would like you to encourage your daughter to attend a retreat every year. I promise you, she will not be disappointed!  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We invite all St. Francis dads to celebrate their daughters and the holiday season at the annual Father Daughter Dance coming up on Friday, December 9th.  This beloved event is a St. Francis tradition that has created memories that dads and daughters cherish for years to come.  Please join us for a fun and festive evening that you won’t want to miss!  Click HERE for more information.

Please join us for our school-wide Mass on Thursday, December 8th at 10:10 a.m. in the gym to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is a Holy Day of Obligation.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

As you may have already read, Bishop Soto has appointed me as the new president of our school. I am honored to take on this new role and serve our community in advancing the mission of St. Francis Catholic High School. This opportunity brings new change as we now look to fill the role of principal. We will post the job through the holidays and interview after the new year for a start date of July 1. I will continue to serve as both president and principal until this time. If you know of anyone who would be a good candidate for the principal position, please let him/her know that we will be posting the position soon. Please pray for me in my new role, and please pray that our Lord brings us a dynamic principal.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

This was a wonderfully spirited week of Homecoming festivities!  Our Troubies went above and beyond in their costumes, skits and cheers, and as always, they demonstrated what sisterhood is all about.  Please pray for a fun, safe Homecoming Dance tomorrow night. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 1st, for our All Saints Day Mass which will be at 10:35 in the gym.  This is a Holy Day of Obligation, and we love seeing our families join us for liturgy.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Our Open House last weekend brought in over 500 future Troubies!  It was one of the most highly attended Open Houses that we’ve ever had.  Thank you for being great ambassadors of our school and encouraging your friends, neighbors and parishioners to check out our amazing community.  We could not do what we do without your help, support and prayers.  As we continue to move through “Admissions season,”  please continue to share the good news of SFHS!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 1st, we are hosting our second annual  St. Francis Day Celebration from 3:30-7:30 PM. Please bring your family and friends and celebrate the Feast of St. Francis and the gift of our community! This is a family event with free food, games for the kids, and a live band. You won’t want to miss this wonderful community event!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

I invite you to join us for two events on campus next week.   The first is “Meet a Grandparent/Parent for Lunch” on Tuesday for students with last names A-L.  This is a great way to feel the joyful energy on campus, spend time with your Troubie, and sample our delicious food from Epicurean. We are also hosting our first-ever Math Night for parents on Thursday night to help you support your daughter’s math development.   We hope you can make it to both of these great events.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

It has been an amazing first two weeks of the 2016-17 school year!  I thank those parents who attended our Welcome Mass, a joyful liturgy that highlighted all that is beautiful in our community. Thank you also for attending Back to School Night and supporting our faculty and staff.  It, too, was a great evening for all.  Please keep our community in your prayers as we work together to mold our students into the women God is calling them to be.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We officially welcome you to the 2016-17 school year!  We especially welcome the Class of 2020 and our transfer students and their families to SFHS.  This is the first of my weekly e-newsletters which you will receive every Friday.  We will keep you informed on student activities, special announcements, and upcoming parent volunteer opportunities.  It is a great way to stay up-to-date on all the latest SFHS happenings, and you can always go to our website for more information as well.   I invite you to our Welcome Back Mass on Wednesday, August 24, at 10:00 in the Gym, and we also look forward to seeing all of you on campus on Thursday, August 25, for Back to School Night, which begins with our official welcome at 5:45 in the Gym.  May this new school year help us all grow together as a strong faith community.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Wednesday of this week we honored students at our annual Awards Ceremony. At this event, we recognized students who received national recognitions, donor-sponsored scholarships, and the highest honors, the Pillar Awards of Faith Excellence, Leadership and Service. Of our 252 seniors, 70 received the general excellence medal which represents their earning a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or above for all eight semesters of high school. The class of 2016, as a whole, was offered over $32 million dollars in one time and four-year renewable scholarships. We have much to celebrate as we look forward to our commencement ceremony on Wednesday night!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, commemorating the Blessed Mother’s appearance to three children from Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Mary’s message to them was simple – pray. And so today, I ask Our Lady of Fatima’s intercession for the health, safety, peace and well-being of our students as they head into the last few weeks of school. I ask for her holy mantle to be wrapped around all of our Troubies for their protection and inspiration to lead lives of holiness. I ask that you stop and pray a “Hail Mary” right now for all of our Troubies. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week we begin two weeks of Advanced Placement (AP) testing on campus. This year we have 330 students taking 526 exams. Please pray for our Troubies as they participate in these high stakes tests. Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing on all those who are testing. Bless them with knowledge, confidence and patience before, during and after their exams and help them to take care of themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually during this anxious time.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Saturday night we host our biggest fundraising event of the year, Revelry, in which we celebrate our “Diamond Gala” and 75 years of St. Francis Catholic High School. I want to thank the many people who have taken time out of their busy schedules to help organize, decorate, donate, and support in myriad ways to make this event possible. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes an army of dedicated volunteers to plan Revelry! I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow night, and I thank you for all your efforts in supporting this very important fundraiser that benefits our Troubies. 

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We are excited about Revelry which will be on Saturday, April 23rd.  For those of you who are new to our community, Revelry is our largest fundraiser and most fabulous event on campus!  This year, we are celebrating our 75th year with our “Diamond Gala” theme.  There are still tickets left for this beautiful event, which includes silent and live auction, live entertainment, and dinner. Please consider joining us for a fun and elegant evening.  I hope to see you there!  For tickets, please go to: www.stfrancishs.org/revelry

Throughout all of next school year, our faculty and staff will be working on our WASC/WCEA accreditation process in which we will be gathering data and writing our self-study report.  Please support our efforts by completing the parent survey below by April 29. Your feedback provides valuable data as we reflect on our accomplishments and plan for the future.  It takes only 15 minutes, but you will be given TWO parent service hours for your help.  Thank you in advance for your time.

WASC PARENT SURVEY - Complete by April 29

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day.  On that day we remember one of the world’s most popular saints, St. Patrick of Ireland, who died in 361 after evangelizing Ireland for 40 years.   He is remembered as a humble, pious, and gentle man, whose love and total devotion and trust in God is a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God and importance of his mission.  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate such a beloved, international saint than to come to our 25th anniversary celebration of International Night!  Join us at 4:30 on March 17th when we will host two international food trucks and sample desserts from around the world. At 7 PM we will head to the theater to watch our talented students perform songs and dances from around the world.  Click here for more details.  I hope to see you at this festive community event!  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We are thrilled to announce another successful year for our 24/24/24 Fourth Annual Day of Giving. Thanks to the support our amazing community and our generous matching donor, we raised $145,168.91 to fund scholarships for students in need of financial assistance. A HUGE thank you to all of you who contributed to this valuable fund. Our Troubies and future Troubies thank you as well!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

In just a few days we will be kicking off our Fourth Annual 24/24/24 Day of Giving. We are asking members of our entire community to donate just $24 (or more!) to support students at our school. As a Catholic community we are called to help those in need. Since all money directly benefits students who are in need of financial support, I can’t think of a better way than to help those in our own school be able to continue their fine St. Francis education. Nearly 30% of our Troubies benefit from financial aid, and the need increases every year. Please support our mission and give opportunities to those who seek the beautiful St. Francis experience!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

We hosted SWAP Day today and had a wonderful time with our parents. I want to thank those of you who joined us for this great tradition. It is a wonderful way to bring together our community and show off the great things our teachers are doing in the classroom. I can’t think of a better way to conclude Catholic Schools Week, to highlight the great teaching and learning happening across campus and to celebrate the impact Catholic education has had in our community and in our world!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week.  The theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” We have some fabulous activities planned, including a surprise for our parents in the parking lot, our Pax et Bonum Mass on Wednesday, and SWAP Day on Friday. Through these events, we focus on the value Catholic education provides to our young people, its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation. Parents are invited to attend our Pax et Bonum Mass which will be held in our gym at 10:35.  And, of course, we look forward to seeing all of you on SWAP Day! For more information on the success of Catholic school across the nation, see the NCEA website HERE.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

After three successful years of technology integration using iPads and Google apps for education, we are changing devices.  We are proud to announce our new Chromebook initiative for the 2016-17 school year. Beginning with summer school classes in 2016, the school will be issuing each student a school-managed Chromebook.  We have analyzed the increased quality of Chromebooks, alongside Google’s progress in the development of its educational tools, and have come to the decision that this is the best next step to take in the development of our 1:1 program. For more information about this exciting initiative, click HERE.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

On Tuesday, December 8th, we will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, and a day in which we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. In particular, we look at the holiness of Mary who was “chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless“ before God (Ephesians 1:4). During this time of Advent, we joyfully await the coming of Christ and reflect on Mary’s part in ushering in God’s new creation. We hope that you will join us for this beautiful Mass and celebration of our Blessed Mother.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Last Wednesday, while 10th and 11th graders were taking the PSAT, our 9th graders attended three workshops aimed to improve their academic experience at SFHS. The three workshops, given by our own faculty and staff members, were “Multiple Intelligences,” ”Creating a Positive Digital Presence,” and “Study Strategies.” A survey given to our 9th graders showed that they overwhelmingly felt that the sessions were useful and engaging. The girls gave us some great feedback, including the following: “Finding my learning strengths is going to help me become a better student in the future…” “I realized that we have a lot of support from numerous people to help us out when we need it.” “I learned a lot about online safety and actions that are important in ways we don’t realize daily.” We were happy with the feedback and know that our 9th graders gained some valuable tools and resources to ensure their success.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week Pope Francis will be in the United States for his historic first time visit. During his visit to Washington, D.C., he will be celebrating the canonization Mass of Father Junipero Serra, the Spanish missionary priest who founded the California missions. It is an exciting time for us as several members of our school community will be present to celebrate such a momentous occasion. President Margo Brown, Director of Campus Ministry, Stephen Tholcke, and eight Troubies– Emily Bartylla, Clare Brennan, Victoria Castillon, Sidney Clymer-Engelhart, Maya Solis, Julianna Tanjuakio, Brooke Uhlenhop and Emma Vance– will be representing SF . During their visit, our Troubies will be memorializing their experiences via our SF Facebook and Instagram accounts so you can keep track of their exciting adventures. Please pray for their safe travel and for a grace-filled, “Papa Francis” experience.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!  

Dear Families,

Dear Parents,

It has been wonderful welcoming new and returning Troubies this week and to see the enthusiasm on campus! We invite parents and grandparents to join us for our Welcome Mass on Wednesday, August 26th, at 10 AM in the gym. Please come to the front office to sign in. If you have not experienced a St. Francis school-wide Mass, I encourage you to join us for a beautiful experience. We also are looking forward to seeing you at Back to School Night on Thursday, August 27th. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Parents,

We officially welcome you to the 2015-16 school year!  We especially welcome the Class of 2019 and our 20 transfer students and their families to SFHS this year.  This is the first of my weekly e-newsletters which you will receive every Friday throughout the year.  We will keep you informed on student activities, special announcements, and upcoming parent hour opportunities.  It is a great way to stay up-to-date on all the latest SFHS happenings!  You can always go to our website for more information as well.   We look forward to seeing all of you on campus next Thursday, August 27th, for Back to School Night.  May this new school year bring all of us greater knowledge, wisdom and deeper faith.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that we will be ending another school year and in a few days will be graduating 253 amazing young women who will go out and change the world.  As I watch our Troubies cross the stage on Thursday night, I will be reminded of each and every one of you– parents, community members, benefactors, coaches, faculty and staff– who have contributed to our graduates’ success.  Graduation is a time to celebrate our amazing Class of 2015 and give thanks for all those who have inspired them along the way.  Thank you all for making it a great year, supporting our community, and praying for our success.  I wish you and yours a joyful and relaxing summer break!  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

As we enter into the spring season of proms, balls and graduation parties, I would like to ask you to talk to your daughters about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  One of our speakers at the Every 15 Minutes Assembly last week shared that most parents are woefully unaware of the choices their children are making about drugs and alcohol. Please talk to your children about saying no, and don’t be afraid to ask the questions that will keep them safe:  Who are you hanging out with?  What are your friends’ phone numbers?  Who are their parents?  Will they be supervising? Where do they live?  Children need parents who are willing to set boundaries, even though kids push against them.  Sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t always feel good, but out of love and concern for the safety and well-being of our kids, sometimes we have the be the “bad guys.”  Let us pray that all our children will be safe this season. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

We begin AP testing this week and will continue testing for the next two weeks.  Please pray for our students who will be taking these high stakes tests.

Dear Families,

Third quarter grades are out. March has been a long month without a break. The days are longer. It feels as if Easter will never be here. During this season of Lent, let us remember that our God calls us to joy, in spite of the facts. Our model is Jesus who suffered, died and was buried, yet He rose again. We cannot have the Resurrection without the Crucifixion. So when the days become long and weary, remember that our Lord has a plan, and joy is, and will be, a part of it. We trust that all things work for good. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

One of our Troubies shared with me yesterday that for Lent she was going to give up Netflix so she could spend more time with her family.  I had a teacher share with me that her Lenten routine would be to try to sit in silence for 15 minutes every day to listen to God. Whether you give up something or take on something new as your Lenten observance, I hope that this holy season be a time of growth in your relationship with God and an opportunity to pray more deeply as individuals and families.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

24/24/24

Next week, on Tuesday, February 24th, we are having our annual 24/24/24 “Day of Giving” event, in which we ask SFHS alumnae, community members, families, students, and staff to contribute $24 (or more!) to help families with financial aid.   Last year, over 1,000 supporters from all over the world came together to donate $72,000 through individual contributions. All funds raised were dedicated to SFHS scholarships. Hundreds of young women with various backgrounds want to attend St. Francis Catholic High School. The demonstrated need of our families that apply for financial aid is over $2.4 million each year. St. Francis is able to grant only half that amount. Please help us support the young woman whose heart is with St. Francis, but is torn by concern over her family’s finances.  Thank you for your financial blessings!

50 Hues of Holiness

A lot has been discussed most recently regarding the book and the film, 50 Shades of Grey.  I have received many emails this week from concerned parents about this movie and the number of young women who are going to see it.  In a letter, dated February 4, 2015, to fellow clergy at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Richard Malone, wrote: “Remind the faithful of the beauty of the Church’s teaching on the gift of sexual intimacy in marriage, the great dignity of women, and the moral reprehensibility of all domestic violence and sexual exploitation.”  As we work in collaboration to help mold our children into the saints God is calling them to be, I encourage you to talk to your daughters about their beauty and dignity as children of God and what a holy union between a man and a woman looks like.  This movie does not represent who we are and what God is calling all of us to be.  

Dear Families,

Next week is Staff Appreciation Week, a time when we celebrate our wonderful faculty and staff.  I am so very blessed to work with professionals who share their time, talent and treasure to make St. Francis Catholic High School a wonderful place to work, a home away from home for our students, and a Christ-centered environment.  I thank them for being great role models for our students, for teaching with passion, for living the faith, for modeling Gospel values, and for inspiring our students on a daily basis .  If you have a moment this week, say a prayer for them and/or drop them a line and tell them what they mean to you and your daughter.  St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families,

Next week is National Catholic Schools Week, a time when we celebrate the gift of Catholic education across the country and its impact on our young people and our nation.  At St. Francis Catholic High School, we are celebrating it as Pax et Bonum Week, highlighting our community’s unique gifts.  We have several fun activities next week, including SWAP (Switch with a Parent) Day on Wednesday, in which parents come to school and participate in their daughter’s classes.  It is a wonderful community builder and a great way for parents to experience the awesome teaching and learning that is happening at St. Francis.  In addition, we have a fun surprise for our parents on Monday morning.  So I ask that you please be extra careful in the lot that morning. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Dear Families, 

Happy New Year! I pray that 2015 has been a joyful year for you and yours. No doubt you and your families have made New Year’s resolutions. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, met with Vatican employees, mostly lay people with families, before Christmas and shared with them the following points. They sound remarkably like New Year’s resolutions, and I’d like to share them here:

Dear Families,

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the Church we celebrate Mary’s appearance to St. Juan Diego near Mexico City in 1531. As a result of her appearance, millions of natives were converted in a very short time, and a revival was sparked in the nation. Mary’s appearance to this humble man, reminds us of God’s limitless love and mercy for all. His desire to bring all his children back to Him is as strong today as it was in 1531. During this Advent season, may we reflect on Mary’s unending love for us, which brings us ever closer to her Son. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, pray for us!

On Monday, we celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Thank you to all those parents who joined us for liturgy. Father Roland, our wonderful priest, gave an excellent homily, explaining the Immaculate Conception. I have provided it here:

Dear Families,

We are all excited about Spirit Week next week!  This is a time when we gather as a community to celebrate our classes and have fun.  It is also a time of class pride, friendly rivalry and great creativity as we watch our amazing students compete in games, build sets, and create skits.  Please make sure that you check the schedule this week for special daily schedules.   May this week bring us all closer as we celebrate our vibrant St. Francis Catholic community.  

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!