As Catholics, the month of May is a very special and beautiful month dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary.

Saint John Paul II had an incredible devotion and love for Mother Mary and lived his life under the words “Totus Tuus,” meaning “Totally Yours.” He entrusted everything to Our Lady. His joys, his struggles, his leadership, his vocation, and his entire life were placed lovingly into the hands of Mother Mary.

As a Catholic community, we are reminded during this beautiful month that Mother Mary always walks beside us. She comforts us, guides us, protects us, and gently leads us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.

No matter what challenges we face, God always reminds us that when we place everything into His hands with faith, love, humility, and trust, He takes care of the rest.

And yesterday was truly a beautiful example of exactly that.

What an extraordinary and absolutely amazing day yesterday was at the Golf Tournament.

The sunshine, the laughter, the fellowship, and the incredible spirit of community made the entire day truly unforgettable. It was beautiful to witness so many families, alumni, supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and friends come together with joyful hearts in support of Saint John Paul II Academy.

The generosity, kindness, and love shown throughout the day were a true testament to what it means to live our faith through service, community, and compassion.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous. The skies were clear, the sun was shining over Tsawwassen Springs, and there was such joy, happiness, laughter, and gratitude throughout the entire day and evening.

It truly felt like a celebration of faith, friendship, generosity, and community.

Yesterday was more than just a golf tournament.

It was a witness to what can happen when people come together in love for a common purpose.

Families, alumni, supporters, volunteers, donors, sponsors, staff, and friends all came together in the spirit of Saint John Paul II Academy with hearts full of generosity and joy.

A very special and heartfelt thank you to Chartwells and Sal y Limón for the incredible lunch sponsorship yesterday.

Everyone absolutely loved the food and could not stop talking about how fantastic everything was. The warmth, hospitality, and generosity shown yesterday were truly appreciated by everyone attending.

Special thank you to Chef Fred, who was on site throughout the day, along with the management team that worked so hard behind the scenes to make everything such a success.

A big thank you as well to Adriana and Pepe Basantes, who were also on site on behalf of Sal y Limón. The tacos were absolutely amazing, the service was incredible, and the joy and hospitality they brought to the day were so appreciated by everyone. Thank you both so much for your generosity, kindness, and support of our school community.

Thank you for your partnership, your friendship, your support, and your belief in our school community.

It meant so much to all of us.

We are still tabulating and organizing everything from yesterday, but already we know it was extraordinary.

There were bidding wars throughout the evening. There were major donors present who gave so generously from the heart, and even many who could not physically attend still participated and donated from afar through phone bidding and online support.

That is the power of community.

That is the power of faith in action.

This is what being Catholic truly means.

It is not simply about saying we are Christian or saying we are Catholic.

It is about how we love.

It is about how we serve.

It is about how we sacrifice for one another.

It is about how we care for families and continue to support families during both joyful and difficult times.

Yesterday was a living witness of God’s grace moving through this community.

At Saint John Paul II Academy, we continue to stand together for families, for students, and for the future of Catholic education rooted in truth, compassion, dignity, and love.

God always blesses work that is done with humility, sincerity, and love for others.

There are truly many people in this community who quietly and faithfully give from the heart every single day, and we are deeply grateful.

Special heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of our incredible volunteers and supporters:

David Fanning

Jose Vargas

Brigida Vargas

Gen Randle

The Knights of Columbus

Glen Brooks

Bill Debiuk

Dan Seibel

Dr. David Wilke

Mr. Darren Watt

Holly King

Alou Antazo

Italia Prieto

Adriana Basantes

Cori Pomeroy

Ben Sears

Dr. Vincent Tigh

Thank you for your sacrifice, your commitment, your time, your generosity, and your love for this school community.

So much of what you do happens quietly behind the scenes without recognition, yet your work impacts so many lives.

Thank you for giving from the heart so faithfully and graciously.

This morning we are blessed to gather together for Mass at 7:45 AM.

We are especially grateful to Father Augustine, Father Edwin, and Father Francis for their continued love, guidance, prayers, and support of our school community.

God bless each of you for always walking beside us in faith.

If you have an opportunity after Mass, make sure to stop by Lina’s Bistro for coffee and breakfast. Truly one of the best breakfasts in town and always served with kindness and warmth.

Speaking of breakfast, Sal y Limón is now officially promoting Sunday Brunch every Sunday moving forward.

After Sunday Mass, make sure to gather with family and friends and head over to Sal y Limón to enjoy wonderful food, fellowship, and community together.

Thank you again to Sal y Limón for supporting our school community so generously.

We would also like to thank Mrs. Cindy Akyuz for coordinating and forwarding a wonderful scholarship opportunity for students interested in journalism, creative writing, or literature.

The Irene Adler Prize is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a woman pursuing studies in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post secondary institution.

This is an incredible opportunity for students who have a passion for writing, communication, storytelling, and literature.

Please connect with Mrs. Akyuz if you would like additional information regarding the scholarship opportunity.

We are also incredibly proud of our students who participated in the March for Life.

Aleli Perez did an outstanding job helping lead the charge over at the Island, and Saint John Paul II Academy students represented our Catholic faith with courage, dignity, and conviction.

As Catholics, we believe every human life is sacred and precious from conception to natural death.

Marching for life is not about politics.

It is about love.

It is about compassion.

It is about human dignity.

It is about standing peacefully and faithfully for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Special thank you as well to the Knights of Columbus for generously providing the banner that proudly led the walk.

Your support and witness of faith mean so much to our students and our school community.

Saint John Paul II always reminded young people not to be afraid to stand for truth, goodness, and love.

Yesterday and throughout the March for Life, our students beautifully lived that message.

Today is also a very special day as we celebrate Father Francis and his many beautiful years of faithful service.

Father Francis has always led with kindness, humility, joy, and love.

One of the greatest gifts about Father Francis is his joyful spirit. He has always quietly served others without seeking recognition. He was always there for someone who needed encouragement, someone who needed prayer, someone who needed comfort, or simply someone who needed a hug.

He served this community faithfully with love, sacrifice, compassion, and commitment for so many years, and for that reason he will forever hold a very special place in our hearts.

Leadership through service is one of the greatest examples of Christ’s love, and Father Francis has truly lived that example every single day.

We wish Father Francis so much happiness, peace, and joy as he enters this new chapter surrounded by family, friends, and all those who love him dearly.

Please join us after Mass today for a special celebration honoring Father Francis and all that he has meant to this community.

We love you, Father Francis, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done for all of us.

“Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

As we continue through this beautiful month dedicated to Mother Mary, let us remember that Our Lady walks beside us every single day.

She cares for us as a loving mother.

She intercedes for our families, our school, our community, our joys, and our struggles.

When we place everything into God’s hands with trust and faith, He truly takes care of the rest.

We see His blessings every single day if we simply slow down enough to recognize them.

Today we are also reminded through the witness of our students at the March for Life what it truly means to live our Catholic faith with courage, compassion, dignity, and love.

Aleli Perez did an outstanding job helping lead the charge over at the Island, and Saint John Paul II Academy students represented our Catholic faith beautifully and faithfully.

Special thank you again to the Knights of Columbus for proudly leading the walk with their banner and for always standing beside our school community in faith and service.

Saint John Paul II always reminded young people not to be afraid to stand for truth, goodness, and love, and our students truly lived that message.

Thank you everyone for your love, your collaboration, your faith, your generosity, and your commitment to this beautiful school community.

May God continue to bless each of you and your families abundantly.

Have a beautiful and blessed weekend.

Silveria Roselli