St. Francis High School Admissions Newsletter-12/15/2022

Join Us On The SFHS Path

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish

the light of a single candle.”

Saint Francis of Assisi

Welcome

“Good Tidings of Great Joy and College Acceptances”

Walking to the Faculty Lounge last week, I decided this may be the most wonderful time of the high school year. In the span of three minutes, I heard the Music Ensemble (aka Rock Band) performing Christmas songs while students filmed a project in the Atrium, laughed with a teacher, and reflected on a classroom writing prompt “How I have encountered God.” There was a happiness on campus that affected the college-bound seniors and the younger students preparing for finals. As college acceptances begin to roll in, I’m reminded that this unparalleled college prep journey fortifies young people and, in the process, their college applications. Building up each student in personally enriching ways that lead to meaningful college placement is a strength of St. Francis High School. Here are some examples:

Students discover who they are, then present their best selves on applications. St. Francis provides the opportunity and time to get involved in clubs as well as sports/visual and performing arts, making it easier for students to explore interests and ultimately define themselves on paper.

St. Francis gives students varied classroom experiences that help them choose their best college major. St. Francis provides an academic structure that focuses on strengths and offers unique experiences (like Intro to Engineering, Business, and AP Art) that help students articulate why they want to pursue a college major.

St. Francis helps students make a balanced college list. With the expertise of attentive teachers and counselors, students apply to the right mix of reach schools, target schools, and likely schools, giving them opportunities and options when they are ready to make a college decision.

St. Francis students accrue a bank of experiences that transfer to college applications, making it easy to tell their stories and describe who they are and why they want to pursue their college goals. All while enjoying the experience. They feel blessed to be here, and we feel blessed to call them family. This week, I wish you the peace and joy of Advent and Christmas. Contact me any time, before or after Christmas, to discuss how your child can thrive at St. Francis High School.

Please call me with questions at (630) 668-5800, ext. 1120.

Sincerely,

Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions

Only at St. Francis High School

Experience the SFHS difference, which offers distinct advantages that provide students with a well-rounded education to prepare them for a successful future.

THIS ISSUE’S FEATURE:

Faith Formation – Pastoral Ministry Overview

Our faith is central to who we are. It’s what has helped us build a vibrant community. SFHS accompanies students, which entails deeply listening, supporting, and helping them understand how God is working in their lives. Our Catholic mission not only helps us better prepare students for college, but also for life.

According to Director of Pastoral Ministry Dr. Diane Mercadante, “Pastoral Ministry’s mission is to accompany students and the community as they journey in faith. By offering opportunities to encounter God through prayer, service, and community, we hope students’ knowledge in the Religion classroom becomes a reality in their lives. We want to offer tools to live the life of a Christ-follower long after they graduate from St. Francis High School. The spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi is a gift, and our hope is that they begin to see God in the eyes of the poor, all people, and in all of creation. Each one of us has a call to bring about the reign of God, and by developing that relationship with our Creator, we can better serve God and our neighbor with our gifts and talents.”

Christian Service

The Christian Service Program aims to provide our students with the experiences and means of reflection that will stimulate growth in community engagement, relationship building, and social awareness. By introducing active involvement in their community, students will see the vitality of service with others while connecting it to one’s Catholic faith. Additionally, students will be more open to new opportunities and relationships by connecting with others from different backgrounds. Students grasp the complexity of social issues and the need to reflect and respond through a Franciscan lens. The corporal works of mercy were important to Saint Francis and Saint Clare, and in this Christian spirit, we hope students will deepen their faith and maybe even find their vocation and calling. A lifelong commitment to service is at the core of the SFHS experience.

Retreats

The SFHS retreat program offers students the opportunity to take time away from their busy academic, co-curricular, and social lives for prayer and reflection. While on retreat, students reflect on and discuss issues that affect their lives. Our retreat program is student-led to emphasize that students are the living examples of Christ in our community. Each year through junior year students are required to attend one retreat. Most choose the optional senior retreat, Kairos. The retreat program is a component of each student’s formation, regardless of religious affiliation, because it is integral to the holistic growth we offer each student and lies at the very heart of our goal of forming the whole person. Our retreat program strives to assist our students as they seek to find God in all things, come to a greater awareness of God’s actions in their lives, and deepen their relationship with Christ.

Liturgical Life

Celebrating the Eucharist is a part of daily life at SFHS. At the beginning of the school day, students have an opportunity to gather in the Chapel to celebrate Eucharist together. Through the liturgical life at our school, we celebrate Christ, our Christian faith, and the community we share at SFHS. In addition to weekday masses, SFHS celebrates school-wide liturgies, in which all students, faculty, and staff gather to participate in the life of the Church. Students lend their gifts to liturgies by serving in liturgical ministry roles such as altar serving, lecturing, ministering the Eucharist, music ministry, and hospitality.

Daily Campus Prayer

Our students pray daily on campus. In addition to all-school prayer during homeroom, classes and many sports/activities are all begun with prayer. Our Catholic faith is central to what we do every day and our commitment to building the habit of daily prayer reflects our belief that daily prayer is essential to the growth of spiritual life.

Student Ministry

Student Ministry is a group of student leaders who join the Pastoral Ministry Team at SFHS to lead and serve the community in three primary components of religious formation and student representation at SFHS: liturgy, retreats, and service. We aim to respond to the call of Pope Francis by building a culture of accompaniment and encounter at SFHS.

• Student Ministry Team (SMT)

SMT brings together a diverse group of students called to lead and serve the SFHS community in faith formation. Students are responsible for the creation, development, and implementation of programs that can better affect the experiences of our students. Our SMT leaders serve as facilitators and guides to empower the sharing of faith. A goal of SMT is to invite students to be more involved with their faith while feeling connected to the heart of the SFHS community, Pastoral Ministry. In addition, as retreat leaders, they play an essential role to assist their peers on their spiritual journeys while growing and enhancing their own faith.

• Men’s Spirituality Group & Women’s Spirituality Group

Weekly gatherings and monthly Sunday dinners encourage students to spend time with others, sharing and praying together. These groups are open to all and offer a place to check in and be supported by others who want to grow in their relationship with God and others. Scripture reflection, witness talks, small group time, prayer, and community building give students an opportunity to lead and share their faith as they grow with others.

Immersion Experiences

Our formative work extends beyond the doors of our building. To better reach out to a larger community in need, SHFS offers several immersion opportunities. This work allows students to be better educated on the needs of others. Each moment of culture and diversity will encourage students to better stand in solidarity with the vulnerable in our world.

Examples include:

Neighbor Tutoring
Summer Service Trip: Mission of Our Lady of the Angels
Faith & Fellowship

"I Am St. Francis"

The Student Perspective:

What does FAITH at SFHS mean to you?

Chris C. ’23

RETREATS

“Kairos brings about a spiritual enlightenment for participants and it inspired me to hear the stories of others at SFHS. All retreats, but Kairos especially, pushes participants to grow closer to God and each other.”

Sean H. ’25

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

“Service gives us the chance to help our community. It is beneficial as it allows us to get closer to God and help make our community a better place.”

Nicole K. ’23

STUDENT MINISTRY TEAM

“SMT is a space where I am able to nurture my faith and serve my fellow classmates. This is important to me because I am able to grow and learn about my faith through prayers, services, and community.”

Gaby R. ’24

ALL-SCHOOL LITURGIES

“It really feels like the entire school is participating in worship – we all sing the fun songs together and dance to the Music Ensemble (aka Rock Band). It’s so amazing the love and acceptance too; it doesn’t matter where you’re at in your faith. Everyone participates and has fun and it’s just such a beautiful thing to see.”