September 12, 2022
Dear Principals, Mr. Hansen, Mrs. Molluzzo, Administration, Faculty, Staff, Parents and Students,
On behalf of the Daughters of Divine Charity and the St. Joseph Hill Academy School Board I take this opportunity to welcome you to the start of the new school year 2022-2023. The beginning days of a new school year are always moments of great anticipation, excitement and sometimes a few tears. Whether you are new to St. Joseph Hill Academy as part of the administration, faculty member, family, student or returning after the summer break, this is a very special time for all of us including the Sisters. For everyone, there is that sense of a new beginning, a fresh start.
The administration, faculty and staff of the PreK, Elementary and High School have been busy getting things ready to embrace this new year of learning: preparing the classrooms, organizing materials and creating an atmosphere of welcome filled with joy in meeting everyone as a class for the first time. You have begun by participating in the various back to school events for Pre-K through High School. Each level receiving what is needed to successfully begin the year. I am hopeful that all our students will be filled with enthusiasm for learning, sharing their gifts and talents, participating in after school activities, clubs or sports, listening to one another, while taking responsibility for their studies and respecting each other and the rules that have been set by Mr. Hansen, Mrs. Molluzzo, their teachers, their parents, who are and have been their first teachers in this marvelous journey of lifelong learning.
Today, we celebrate the Holy Name of our Blessed Mother. May, she enfold each of you in her mantle of motherly care and love as she too taught Jesus with patience and trust in the Almighty. Let us learn from her gentle care and humility to be of service to one another and always remember that you are loved. Together in faith, let us build that partnership between home and school that nurtures, sustains, challenges, strengthens and supports, your child/children, our St. Joseph Hill Academy Students. Our Foundress, Servant of God, Mother Franziska Lechner instructed her Sisters to be mindful of the need for educating the youth and preparing them for the future centered in the Love of God and the Eucharist. The Daughters of Divine Charity have embraced this mission of education since 1919 here on this beautiful campus. To give each student a strong education is truly a gift – a priceless gift that will last a lifetime as do the friendships and memories they make.
Welcome, to St. Joseph Hill Academy, to the first full week of school, to the start of an awesome year of growth spiritually, academically, physically and socially while making “God’s LOVE visible” each and every day. I ask that you pray for new vocations and peace in our world as the Sisters and I will remember your needs and intentions in our daily prayers.
May St. Joseph, our patron intercede for us –
Mary, Our Mother, pray for us --
St. Michael protect and watch over us –
Holy Spirit direct and inspire us –
Jesus, we love YOU ---
Holy Family show us the way ---- Amen.
God Bless each day,
Sr. Mary Coffelt, F.D.C.
Sisters and School Board