The Valley Catholic February 6, 2018 | Page 16

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
February 6 , 2018 | The Valley Catholic

“ We Believe ” – Diocese of San Jose Observes ‘ Catholic Schools Week ’

By Liz Sullivan
The Diocese of San Jose began its celebration of Catholic Schools Week on January 29 with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , followed later in the evening with a Donor Thank You event at Archbishop Mitty High School .
This year ’ s theme was “ We Believe .” That sentiment was strongly felt at the Mass in the morning and the event to conclude the day .
Addressing the dozens and dozens of students gathered in the Cathedral Superintendent of Schools Kathy Almazol reminded the children : “ Don ’ t forget to say thank you to your parents for giving you this wonderful opportunity .”
Almazol gave a Reflection during the Mass at the invitation of Bishop Patrick J . McGrath , who was the celebrant . In November , Almazol announced she was retiring at the end of the current school year , after serving as Superintendent for the last nine years and 37 years as an educator in the Diocese . She began her career working in the Archdiocese of San Francisco .
“ It is truly a treat to be here ,” said Almazol , who instituted the first Catholic Schools Week Mass nine years ago . “ Today is special because it is the last time I will be here in this role and for many of you ( addressing the students ) it will be the last time you will be here . You have your whole journey ahead of you and to look forward to . I encourage you to think and to reflect what it means to receive gifts from God and what it means to do with them .”
Reflecting on the Gospel from Saint John ( 15 : 1-5 , 7-10 ) in which Jesus presents himself as the true Vine and God is the Gardener and we the people of God are the branches , Almazol said ,
The Diocese of San Jose began its celebration of Catholic Schools Week on January 29 with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , followed later in the evening with a Donor Thank You event at Archbishop Mitty High School .
“ God has provided a strong vine in which we can grow and that vine is Jesus Christ . Where do we find Jesus ? In everyday life . I encourage you to get to know Jesus better .”
At the conclusion of Mass it was time for those involved in education in the Diocese to say thank you to Almazol for believing in Catholic education for so many years . Each of the 27 elementary schools and six high schools in the Diocese presented Almazol with a memory poster of something that happened with her at their school and they thanked her for her service .
“ Thank you so much for all of this ,” said Almazol afterwards . “ I have been truly blessed to do this work and I have loved what I do because of you ( the students ).
“ What can I say about Kathy ?” said the Bishop . “ She has been a courageous leader and one with vision and through it all Kathy has maintained a kind and gracious spirit . Thank you for the many years of service , for the example you have given us and the kindness of heart . I personally , will miss you .”
Later , at the evening event , it was time to say thank you to the dozens and dozens of parent volunteers without whom the schools in the Diocese would not be as successful .
“ We cannot do this alone ,” said Jacque Wright , Principal of Resurrection School , speaking on behalf of the principals . “ By what you do , you show that you value Catholic education . You are a blessing to all of us .”
As is customary at the evening
Superintendent of Schools , Kathy Almazol gave a Reflection during the Mass .
Bishop McGrath and Melissa Sanchez , a senior at Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School , who was invited to speak about how she has benefitted from Catholic education .
event , those assembled heard from a student who has greatly benefitted from a Catholic education in the Diocese of San Jose . This year , Melissa Sanchez , a senior at Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School and a graduate of Saint John Vianney School , spoke .
The high school will see its first graduating class this spring .
“ My Catholic high school education is the greatest gift my parents could have ever given me ,” said Sanchez . “ This experience has grown my faith and continued my passion for serving others . The past 11 years are the best time any 17-year-old could ask for .”
To learn more about Catholic Schools in the Diocese of San Jose , please visit www . dsj . org / education . More pictures from these events can be viewed at www . tvc . dsj . org .

Saint Francis High School Alumni Interns Return to Campus to Hone Interests

The Holy Cross Intern Program at Saint Francis High School gives alumni who are recent college graduates an opportunity to determine if education is the right career field for them .
This year ’ s interns , Ben Hadrovic ’ 12 and Khalid Johnson ’ 13 – the program ’ s first class – returned to their alma mater with a strong desire to help shape young people . Mr . Johnson aspires to counsel high school students , while his fellow intern is open to teaching or counseling . Both agree that they have benefited tremendously from ongoing mentorship by faculty members and from hands-on experience of working regularly with students .
“ The valuable part is that I get to create relationships with students , and that ’ s a big part of what a counselor does – relationships where kids trust you , listen to you and take any and all guidance that you give ,” said Mr . Johnson .
Among the many ways they interact with current students , these interns assist in the Learning Resources Lab and with the Holy Cross Achievers program as tutors , and they also coach or moderate activities . Mr . Johnson , who served as the captain of the men ’ s basketball team at Sonoma State University , is the assistant coach for the boys varsity basketball team , and Mr . Hadrovic , who graduated from UC
Berkeley , heads up the Lancer Live Broadcasting Club .
“ This has been a great experience to teach the students professionalism and how to interact in a work environment ,” he said .
Mr . Hadrovic ’ s motivation in coming back to Saint Francis as an intern stems from his college experience of providing activities at summer camps for disabled and disadvantaged children . He remembered how rewarding it was to support campers in such meaningful ways as helping them to discover their talents or form their own opinions . The internship at Saint Francis allows him to consider other
approaches with which he can impact young people .
“ To be a voice of reason or to provide advice , even if it ’ s just one or two kids during the semester , that ’ s a cool thing ,” he said .
For Mr . Johnson , it ’ s his grandfather who played an influential role in his desire to be a high school counselor . He continues to see how many people in his community view his grandfather as a father figure .
“ He gave them so much , from basketball skills to life skills ,” Mr . Johnson said . “ The way he ’ s helped kids inspired me to want to give back and guide kids as well .”