Saint John Paul II lived these words every single day. He stood for courage, truth, love, faith, human dignity, family, joy, forgiveness, and the unwavering belief that every single person was created by God for a purpose.

He constantly reminded young people not to be afraid to follow Christ and to live boldly in faith. One of his most famous teachings was:

“Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ.”

What a beautiful reminder for all of us today.

Thank you to all of you who attended Mass yesterday in celebration of his birthday. Your presence, prayers, and love for our patron saint were deeply meaningful. May we continue carrying forward the values he stood for with joy, kindness, courage, and faith in Jesus Christ.

Today there is Mass in the chapel.

As always, a heartfelt thank you to Good Shepherd Church for their continued love and support of our school community. We would also like to extend a very special thank you to Father Francis as he prepares to leave. Thank you, Father, for the many years of faithful service as our Chaplain, for your prayers, your kindness, your joyful spirit, and your unwavering support of our students, families, and staff. We are truly grateful for the love and care you have shown our community over the years. You will always remain part of the Saint John Paul II Academy family.

This week, please make sure to watch “Catholic Education Matters.”

In this very special live panel discussion on the future and importance of Catholic education, host Troy Van Vliet brings together an outstanding group of Catholic educational leaders including Dr. Gerry Turcotte, Roy Scott, Anthony Walters, and Mich DesLauriers for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about why Catholic education matters now more than ever.

The panel discusses the challenges young people face in today’s increasingly secular and digitally driven world including loneliness, confusion around truth and identity, and the search for meaning and purpose. Throughout the discussion, the speakers beautifully explain how Catholic education offers students something deeper than academics alone by providing hope, authentic community, moral formation, spiritual grounding, and a strong sense of purpose rooted in faith in Jesus Christ.

Please take the time to watch and share:

Catholic Education Matters Panel Discussion

As we continue growing as a school community, we will soon be reaching out to our families and supporters as we expand our Student Learning Commons and library. Mr. Walters is currently working toward building a collection of compelling and inspiring books that will enrich the minds, hearts, and faith of our students for generations to come.

Our goal is to raise $15,000 for this important initiative. In recognition of our donors, we will be creating a Legacy Plaque within the library. Donations may be made in your own name or in loving memory of someone special. What a beautiful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of faith, learning, and love within our school community.

This weekend is our Saint John Paul II Academy Carnival.

Our committee and volunteers have been working tirelessly to make this event joyful, welcoming, and memorable for all of our families and guests. Thank you to everyone who has been giving their time, energy, creativity, and love in preparation for this special community celebration. There will be a walk through logistics meeting on Thursday at the school to finalize preparations and ensure everything is ready.

As we begin this new week together, let us continue walking forward with faith, joy, gratitude, and love for one another.

Matthew 19:14

Romans 12:12

Saint John Paul II, pray for us.

May this week be filled with peace, kindness, laughter, purpose, and the abundant love of Christ.

God bless everyone.