Community is at the very heart of our faith. From the very beginning of the Gospel, Jesus Christ calls us together, not to walk alone, but to live in communion with one another. He gathers His disciples, He teaches them, He loves them, and He sends them out together. In the Gospel we hear,
“For where 2 or 3 are gathered in My name, there am I among them.”
This is the meaning of our lives. We are called into relationship, into unity, into love.
To seek community is to seek Christ. To support one another and to rally together for the love of the school and one another is not just important, it is essential to our faith. When we stand together, we become the living body of Christ. We carry each other, we celebrate each other, and we grow together in holiness and purpose.
Good morning everyone,
What a joyful and beautiful way to begin the day. We are so incredibly proud to share that Saint John Paul II Academy now has 2 MORE BANNERS. What an extraordinary blessing for the entire community. Thank you Cindy Akyuz for sharing this wonderful news.
Amazing work Coach Dela Cruz and Coach Wilkie. The leadership, dedication, and love for the students are clearly seen in this incredible achievement.
The Grade 8 students are both Surrey Champions. The Grade 8 boys achieved a score of 199 to 109 against Pacific Academy. This is an unprecedented margin not seen in many years. This is not only a victory in athletics, it is a testimony to unity, discipline, teamwork, and belief in one another. These banners represent sacrifice, commitment, and the strength of a community that stands together.
Today, there will be the Grade 12 Capstone presentations in the Learning Commons. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Anne Boyle for setting all of this up, including the adjudicators who will help evaluate the projects. This is a beautiful example of academic excellence, mentorship, and community coming together to support the students in a meaningful way.
As we prepare for the Carnival, we are once again called into that beautiful spirit of togetherness. This is where joy meets purpose. This is where the community truly comes alive.
The dunk tank is a wonderful example of this shared joy and participation. Thank you to Mr. Mark Addison, Mr. Tony Walters, Mr. Jason Borkowski, and Mr. Troy Van Vliet for stepping forward with such generosity and enthusiasm. We are also reaching out to Mr. Mark Wilkie, Mr. Dela Cruz, and any other teachers who would love to participate. This will be a moment of laughter, connection, and unity, all in support of the programs and the school.
In this same spirit, we are excited to share the raffle initiative. This is a beautiful opportunity for the students to take part, to contribute, and to experience the joy of giving and working together.
Each student is invited to sell raffle tickets. The student who sells the most booklets will receive a cash prize for Amazon. The class that sells the most raffle tickets will enjoy a pizza party together, celebrating teamwork and shared success. In addition, every student who sells a booklet will have the name entered into a draw to win a Saint John Paul II Academy hoodie. Thank you to Italia and Holly. We will continue today promoting the raffle tickets to the students in classes. This began last week and we are building wonderful momentum together.
This is more than a fundraiser. It is a living expression of community. It teaches responsibility, encourages participation, and brings everyone together with a shared goal and joyful spirit.
We also have a very full and meaningful week ahead.
On Tuesday at 5 we have the Foundation Board meeting.
On Wednesday at 9:30 we have the JOHS committee meeting. Please let us know if you are unable to attend. Your presence and your voice matter.
A gentle and very important reminder that during drills, every person in the building must evacuate and proceed to the muster station. It is important that attendance is taken and that protocol is followed carefully. This is how we care for one another.
The Foundation will conduct a headcount, and participation from everyone is required. In the past, not everyone has participated, and this is something we must now take very seriously. This is about safety, accountability, and responsibility for every single person in the building. Each person matters, and each person must be accounted for.
This is also important as it relates to WorkSafeBC compliance. We have a responsibility to ensure that proper procedures are followed and that we can clearly account for every individual during a drill or an emergency. Reliable participation means that in a real situation, we will be prepared, organized, and able to respond quickly and effectively.
When we follow these procedures together, we protect one another. This is an act of care. This is an act of community. This is living out our responsibility to one another in a very real and meaningful way.
On Thursday at 5 we have the Golf Tournament meeting. We are in the final days and there is still important work to be done. We are seeking sponsors and golfers. We need you. This is a beautiful opportunity to support the mission and come together in generosity.
Also on Thursday evening, we gather for the leadership dinner at the Hyatt featuring Matt Maher. What a blessing to come together in faith, music, and fellowship.
On Friday morning, we have the Prayer Breakfast. Mr. Walters and Mr. Wilkie will be bringing students to serve as ambassadors. This is a beautiful witness of faith and leadership.
Also on Friday, we celebrate the Mother’s Day Mass. In the Gospel, we look to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose yes to God brought Christ into the world. Her love, her faith, and her strength remind us of the sacred gift of motherhood. This is a time to honor and pray for all mothers and to thank them for their love and sacrifice.
We are also reminded through powerful testimonies like those of Robb Nash and Bryana Russell that even in moments of darkness, God is present. Through community, through love, and through faith, lives are transformed. These stories call us to care deeply for one another and to never underestimate the power of kindness and presence.
As we move through this week, let us hold firmly to the truth that community, collaboration, and love are the foundation of everything we do.
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
“For where 2 or 3 are gathered in My name, there am I among them.”
May we continue to walk together, to serve together, and to love one another as Christ loves us.
Blessings to each and every one of you.
