The Valley Catholic April 25, 2017 | Page 23

tvc.dsj.org | April 25, 2017 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 23 Saint Elizabeth Seton School joins with Saint Patrick School to celebrate our Founders’ Day Each year Saint Elizabeth Seton School welcomes Saint Patrick School students and staff to our Founders’ Festival celebration. Our two school communities join together to remember and honor Saint Vincent de Paul who founded the Ladies of Charity, now 400 years ago, and in 1633 also founded the Daughters of Charity who generously sponsor both of our schools. We plan this day to live out our Vincentian mis- sion of serving others. Both schools gathered at Saint Albert the Great Church to recall the great works of our founders. We then grouped in grade level classrooms for a quick ice-breaker activity and set to work on pre-selected service projects. Our students and their families donat- ed goods for the success of each project. Beautiful gift baskets and activity pack- ages were made for children at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Ronald MacDonald House at Stanford. Tie-blankets constructed for the home- less; toiletries packaged for the farmers, cards made for the homebound and much more. It was delightful to see the enthusiasm in each classroom as both schools worked to complete their Saint Elizabeth Seton School welcomes Saint Patrick School students and staff to the Founders’ Festival celebration. projects together in a relatively short period of time. After a shared lunch, the afternoon was open for several fun activities amazingly well choreographed by Ms. Hunter and the seventh and eighth grade students. All students pre-select- ed two activities to participate in and colored wrist bands were assigned to reflect their choices. Lanyard making, Fruit Loop necklaces, Play-Doh and bubble stations, clean house and other ball games lent themselves well to an afternoon of welcoming our visitors. With close to 530 students that was quite a feat to coordinate! At the end of the day we all gathered in the church once again to share our service projects, explain who we were helping and how we saw Jesus in our service throughout the day. It was won- derful to hear students freely express their love for serving others. As we recalled the great works of our founders, Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac and Saint Eliz- abeth Ann Seton, we were reminded of the values of faith, love, hope and char- ity that they lived and shared freely with others. Through their sacrifices and efforts our schools were founded, and we are inspired to continue their work through our own Vincentian spirit. It is important that we, through our example and daily experiences, show respect for others, to help those around us feel safe, and to create peace and harmony with our positive actions. Through our community service proj- ects completed throughout the day we shared our Vincentian values as part of a living, caring community within our two schools. By living these values within our schools and homes we will create greater harmony in our cities, our country, and our world. If these values truly live within us then each of us can truly make a difference – we are also grateful to the Daughters of Charity who instill these values in our com- munities today. A Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines of Lourdes, Fatima & Santiago de Compostela Plus Lisbon, Bom Jesus, San Sebastian, Santander & More! During the 100th Anniversary Year of the Fatima Apparitions Under the Spiritual Direction of: Back Row: Coach Welsh, Desmond Casto, Christopher Wilk, Matthew Lavin, Ryan Packard, Ethan Galbraith, Clem Welsh, and Coach Agarpao. Front Row: John Agarpao, Curran Lyons, Alex Clisbee, Christian Klostermann, Mateo Ramirez, and Enow Akem. Saint Leo’s Eighth Grade Boys’ Basketball Team The Lions’ final roar came with a slight blow! The eighth grade boys’ basketball team at Saint Leo the Great Catholic School finished off their final season of basketball undefeated. Head Coach Welsh and Assistant Coach Agarpao were both so impressed with the athletic growth and prowess over the last four years as well as their undisputable teamwork and sports- manship. The Saint Leo community is grateful to the two coaches for their years of dedication and their countless hours of preparation for a final unde- feated season! Coach Welsh was overjoyed when he heard a coach from another team claim that the boys looked too small to match up to his team; the coach receiving that message responded, “I wouldn’t judge them by their size, I’ve seen them play!” Most Rev. Patrick J. McGrath & Rev. Christopher Bennett 13-Days: September 11 to 23, 2017 Only $3,599 from San Francisco (SFO) Plus $740 in airport taxes, security fees, current fuel surcharges, and $165 in tips. Download Brochure & Registration: www.GoCatholicTravel.com/Bennett Or Call Catholic Travel Centre: (800) 553-5233