St. Francis Academy

Dear Parents,

An Irish priest, newly arrived in New York City, decided to visit the section known as the Bowery, haven for homeless alcoholics and addicts. As he walked along one of the Bowery’s streets one dark night he suddenly felt a gun in his back. A raspy voice said, “all right mister, give me all your money.”

Quickly he reached for his wallet and, as he did, the holdup man noticed his clerical collar. The thief was overcome with shame. “Forgive me, father,” he said, “I didn’t know you were a priest.”

To which the victim replied, “That’s all right, laddy, just repent of your sin. Here have one of my cigars.”

“Oh, no thank you, father, said the thief, “I don’t smoke during Lent.”

During the month of March we celebrate the great feast of St. Patrick’s Day as we continue on in our Lenten journey. Like the anecdote above these two important times of the liturgical calendar seem contradictory, but I assure you they are not. St. Patrick journeyed in the desert, like Christ, during his six years as a slave in Ireland. Patrick returned to the land of suffering, fearlessly defied a king, and passionately enkindled the Easter fire spreading the light of Christ throughout Ireland. The feast of St. Patrick’s Day is most appropriately celebrated during the Lenten season of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer.

Here at SFA we honor so many of our wonderful sisters, past and present, who hail from the Emerald Isle on this holy day in their homeland. We ask St. Patrick to bless all at SFA, particularly our dear students and families with these words:

Bold Blessed St. Patrick
Lovingly smile upon us your sons and daughters.
May we be graced with your holy eyesight
to find good in everything around and within us
and to use all for the greater glory of God.

Peace,

Deborah A. Savage