St. Francis Academy

“One day I was staring through the window of a beautiful little Christmas shop.  It was packed with Christmas items … there were exquisite crèche scenes from Italy, Germany, and Norway.  There were fuzzy-faced elves and jolly old Santa Clauses, sleighs and reindeer of every size and description, bells and trees, and music boxes.  There were nutcrackers and candles and electric lights, angels and wise men and little drummer boys, stars and snowmen and ginger cutouts.  The little shop was fairly bursting with Christmas…  It was infectious…, and down in the corner of the front door, where no one could miss it, was the neatest touch of all.  It was a small sign that said:  “Christmas Spoken Here.”

- John Killinger

Dear Parents,

I cannot imagine a more perfect description of St. Francis Academy during this Advent season than “Christmas Spoken Here”.  The language of Christmas is certainly one of generosity, charity, and love.  Our older students have been praying the Christmas Novena fifteen times a day since the feast of St. Andrew for their special intentions.  I’m assured that the majority are praying for the good health and well being of their families, for the financial wherewithal to attend a Catholic high school, and for peace in our world.  Though the media has bombarded them with commercial propaganda since birth these young people speak the language of Christmas.  Their helpfulness and good spirit fill our school with hope for the future of our church.

Our younger students are eloquent in the language of Christmas.  They await the coming of the Baby Jesus with wonder and awe, how fortunate are we to be in the presence of children at this blessed season for they allow us to awaken to the joy of Christmas.  On December 7^th we celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas.  All our students were gathered in the chapel to bless candy canes, as Santa entered the sanctuary a gasp of excitement swept through the chapel and I heard a kindergarten student say to her friends “Santa is here!”  Santa did not ask the children what they desired for Christmas but spoke to them about giving to others in the true spirit of St. Nicholas, Santa spoke the language of Christmas.

Our front hallway here at SFA is sparkling with the lights of our manger scene, trees, and the advent wreath, but the items whispering the language of Christmas are the sweatshirts for the homeless, the toys for underprivileged children, and the boxes of food which we delivered at Thanksgiving.  The ducks, chickens and goats sent by Grade 1 to Africa and the most popular toy donated to be raffled for the missions are proclaiming the goodness of the season.  For it is you, dear parents, who speak the language of Christmas most fluently, your generosity and spirit of giving is limitless.  God bless you and your family during this holy season.

Peace,

Deborah A. Savage