The Valley Catholic
Catholic Schools
CATHOLIC EDUCATION INSPIRES
Sister Felicia Gross recognized by Project Cornerstone
Sister Felicia Gross, OSF
(Sisters of St. Francis), St.
Christopher Parish Religious Education Director,
was recently honored with
a nomination for Project
Cornerstone’s Asset Champion Award.
Project Cornerstone, a
Santa Clara County program originally founded
by the Youth Alliance in
1999, focuses on developing positive relationships,
opportunities, values and
skills for young people. Sister Felicia Gross, OSF with St. Christopher second gradToday it is an initiative of ers Neil Rogers, Zoe Harradine, Colin Macferran, Lauren
the YMCA of Silicon Valley. Fiock, Chance Namimatsu and Anna LaKose.
The Asset Champion
award honors individuals whose efforts
ply, “All I try to do is make people feel
create positive connections for young
included and that they matter.”
people. The nominees were honored
Since 1991, Sister Felicia has been
at the Asset Champion Breakfast in
ministering to young people in both
March.
St. Christopher Parish and School. Her
Sister Felicia, who has been in reProject Cornerstone nomination came
ligious education “more years than
about as a result of her efforts, not only
she can count,” has affected the lives
working with young people, but also
of countless young people. Teaching
with the many adults she has inspired
school at a variety of grade levels, servto follow her lead.
ing as a Pastoral Minister, and directing
Downplaying the honor, she insists,
RCIA programs are just a few of her
“I’m a farmer. I plant seeds, and God
accomplishments. Her message is simdoes the rest.”
‘Cats’ in Community visit St. Martin of Tours
St. Martin of Tours (San Jose) students in grades TK-4 recently had a visit
by San Jose SaberCats wide receiver Ben
Nelson who had spent a few years with
the Minnesota Vikings.
He shared stories about how to be a
great teammate. “Sportsmanship is important, win or lose, you should always
shake your opponent’s hand,” Nelson
said, adding, “you can’t control the outcome, so always staying positive is key.”
Nelson also works as a volunteer
firefighter. He encouraged students to
try different things, play different sports
“but always do your best in school first.”
Fourth grade homeroom teacher Erin
Divis coordinated the visit with the SaberCats community outreach program.
She said, “We talk about having good
sportsmanship on the playground at recess, and it was great having a SaberCats
player to come and support our message
in the classroom.”
SaberCat Ben Nelson spoke at St. Martin
of Tours School.
The Cats in the Community Program
offers visits to local schools to promote
sportsmanship and literacy. For more
information contact the SaberCats
Community Outreach Department at
[email protected] or
(408) 623-7663.
MHT students participate in STEM day
The following was written by Alicia
Saldivar and Daisy Oppus, sixth graders
at Most Holy Trinity School, Sa