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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
October 10, 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Saint Victor and the Dynamic Deacon
“The Church teaches that by freely
submitting ourselves to God’s Law and
to His loving care and protection we
can truly be children of God.” On Sept.
12, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, who
is known as the “Dynamic Deacon”
ministered to the children of God at
Saint Victor School in San Jose. As the
guest speaker at the regular Tuesday
Morning Assembly, Deacon Harold
shared with the students his faith jour-
ney. Growing up in Barbados, Deacon
Harold was the first baptized Catholic
in his family. His family then moved to
New Jersey, where he attended Catholic
schools.
Later that morning, Deacon Harold
assisted at Mass with Reverend Allen
Navarro. This first Mass of the year
was hosted by the new student council
members. Deacon Harold delivered the
homily in which he addressed the ways
that Jesus speaks to his children. He
inspired the students to pray each day
and to listen to their teachers and par-
ents. He asked students who would be
willing to spend the first five minutes
that they are home to pray and give
thanks for their day. Many students
raised their hands. Then, he told the
students that since God gave them the
gift of parents, it was their job to listen
to their parents and follow their direc-
tions. When children listen to their
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers (center), pictured
with Sam Milan and Principal Patricia Wolf,
visited Saint Victor School.
parents, they are listening to Jesus.
Saint Victor students were not the
only ones to whom Deacon Harold
ministered. The entire Saint Victor
community had the opportunity to
benefit from Deacon Harold’s visit.
For five days, he gave free talks about
faith to different parish groups about
various topics. The topics ranged from
“Understanding Our Life in Christ”
to “Preparing Us for Heaven.” Deacon
Harold wants everyone to remember
that “the Father’s gift to us is to allow
us to love as He loves, to allow us to
give ourselves to Him fully, completely,
and freely, just as Christ poured out
his love for us fully, completely, and
freely on the Cross.” To learn more
about Deacon Harold, visit his website
deaconharold.com.
Saint Elizabeth Seton School, Palo Alto Welcomes New Student Council
At Saint Elizabeth Seton School
our candidates running for office
must have three recommendations
from faculty and/or staff members to
participate in the process. Each gives
a keynote presentation to the Seton
teachers and student body to express
what they would do if elected and
why they believe they are the best
candidate for the position. Following
that, our fifth, sixth and eighth graders
cast their votes, and results are posted.
Each year we have many candidates
so the process can be a long one! An
entirely new Student Council is voted
in each school year.
It is an honor being voted onto
the Student Council. These students
represent the school at events through-
Seton School’s first school Mass for the academic year was celebrated by Father Matt Stanley.
New students and teachers were welcomed, a beautiful Mass celebrated, and the new 2017-18
Seton School Student Council members were installed.
out the year and are tasked with key
responsibilities. We look to them to
model good behavior, maintain a good
How can I
seek justice
and truth?
How can I
become my
best self?
academic standing, display a strong
work ethic and to clearly demonstrate
school expectations for all to see
How can I
be challenged
and nurtured?
Become
a Bell
How do I
change the
world?
throughout the school year.
Each week Student Council plans
and runs our meaningful and spiri-
tual school assemblies that include
prayer, the celebration of a saint and/
or feast days, school news updates
and a unique wrap up with a fun and
motivational video – a great way to
jump start that day. Other activities
include organizing and helping at
all school events, dances, festivals,
fundraisers and graduations. The
building of an amazing haunted house
in October is always a highlight for ev-
eryone, participating in a joyful Saint
Nicholas Day celebration, and more
importantly, coordinating community
thank you’s and many service projects
throughout the school year.
Bellarmine
College
Preparatory
Open House
Sunday, October 29, 2017
10 am – 1 pm
bcp.org
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