Dear Parents, Guardians, & Students,
This school year marks the 200th anniversary of the birthday of our patron saint, John Bosco. He is also the founder of the Salesian Congregation. We will celebrate the Bicentennial of St. John Bosco’s birthday on Friday, January 30th, 2015.
January 30th, 2015 will be a burgundy dress uniform day of school. Unlike prior celebrations of his Feast Day, this year’s celebration will not take place on campus. The school will be bussing the entire student body and staff to Sts. Peter & Paul Church in San Francisco. We will celebrate mass and enjoy lunch with the Salesians of the Western Province, Salesian College Preparatory High School of Richmond, representatives from Salesian Junior High School of Corralitos, and representatives from Sts. Peter & Paul Parish School in San Francisco.
· 7:45-7:50 am Student arrival and attendance in homerooms
· 7:50-8:00 am Students released by PA to board assigned busses and depart for San Francisco. Snacks and water provided on bus
· 11:00 am Mass at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, North Beach in San Francisco
· 12:15 pm Lunch provided to students & staff at Sts. Peter & Paul, North Beach in San Francisco
· 1:00-1:15 pm Students board assigned busses and return to St. Francis High School (Between 2:30-3 pm)
Here below is an excerpt from the opening message for the year, given by Father Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and the 10th Successor of St. John Bosco. The address was given Aug. 16th, 2014 at Colle Don Bosco, Turin, Italy.
“As we celebrate the Bicentenary of this historical event, we thank God for and we believe that the Salesian Society came into being not merely as a human venture but by the initiative of God. Through the motherly intervention of Mary, and the Holy Spirit, St John Bosco was formed with the heart of a father and teacher, capable of total self-giving; it is that self-giving that we come together to celebrate with the entire Salesian family. May Saint John Bosco bless us from Heaven and may he help us obtain the grace to make our commitment and our dream a reality. HAPPY BICENTENARY TO ALL!”
We consider this not only an academic day but an extraordinarily valuable part of the total educational experience in all our Salesian schools; as a result, we have partnered with the above mentioned schools and Province on the planning and expenses for this event. Students will be back in time for van rides, pick up, and after school sports. If a student does not attend this event, then s/he may not participate in sports or arts for that entire weekend.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick Lee
President and Principal