St. Joan of Arc School

As this new school year begins we will again work to build the City of God by teaching your children the foundations and fundamentals of their faith as well as to prepare them for the City of Man by teaching them valuable information they will need to be global citizens.
We value each and every child that crosses our threshold. God has entrusted these children to us and He expects much…..and much we will give Him. We will teach them in word, deed and spirit. We will lay the miracle of education at their feet. We will build the necessary foundation for secondary and higher education, as well as begin the lifelong lessons they will need to make educated choices about their lives as they grow.
Join us in this task as we ready your children for the journey ahead. Lay down strong guidelines in their spiritual, academic, home, social and economic lives. Be strong role models and offer much encouragement. Offer them safety from the storm, safe harbor in times of need. Be their lighthouse as they navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of childhood. Be the first smile they see in the morning and the last one they see at night. Hug often and take time to smell the flowers.  If I were to offer any words of advice they would be to cherish childhood; it is gone in a flash.
Together we will be an unstoppable team preparing the children who cross our threshold today to stand tall and strong in all they will encounter tomorrow.
In preparation for the 2008/2009 school year my teachers attended classes, took courses, participated in seminars, did independent studies and took some much needed R & R over the summer.  They return with bodies, minds and spirits refreshed and rejuvenated to face the year ahead with enthusiasm.  I will highlight summer accomplishments, as well as offer bio’s on those new to our teaching staff in upcoming blog entries.
As for the staff as a whole we came together on 8/21 for our first installment of the second year of  Into the Fields. This is an innovative and comprehensive Catechism based review of Catholic teachings. Rooted in scripture, liturgy, and Catechism the program offers concrete teaching methods that work in the real classroom. The Spiritual Exercises for Into the Fields draw upon the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola. These Spiritual Exercises are intended to help us grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God.
The second of our two day seminar began with general information necessary to insure that a school of our size works in every way and the all important safety and security meeting followed by the formal introduction of our staff to our new pastor, FATHER GABRIEL BALTES, OSB.  Father Gabe is an enchanting, charismatic man who is a wonderful addition to both parish and school.  After Father’s ‘meet and greet’ he spent some time with new faces, reunited with old friends who were here when he was with us some years ago and then took us on an enlightening  faith journey into the Mass.  He comes to us with a strong liturgical background and an infective love of his fellow man, including the smallest of those – the children.  We look forward to him becoming a regular fixture in our hallways and classrooms and I’ll bet he shows up at a few basketball games, as well. When I think of Father Gabe I am reminded of one of those old posters that hangs somewhere in our hallowed halls; God doesn’t call the equipped – He equips the called. Welcome Father Gabriel.
Finally, as always, my door is always open and I’m looking forward to yet another banner year.  In advance, thank you to all of you who do so much to make St. Joan of Arc school the special place that it is. We couldn’t do it without you and no deed no matter how small goes unnoticed.
God bless you all.