Saint James

Catholic School

Alumni Newsletter

Established 1906

830 W. Broad Street

Falls Church, VA 22046

703-533-1185

Campus Upgrades

If you haven't been to campus in a number of years, you'd be shocked at the changes. While the school may be over a 100 years old, inside, we are state of the art. Each classroom is equipped with Activ Boards with a Sound Enhancement system. Our computer lab received new PCs this summer and finally, our Primary Wing had its windows replaced. In the last four years repairs and renovations have been made to the roof, electrical system, heating and A/C units, the retaining wall by the back of the cafeteria and parking lots.

Nun Fun Run

We came. We ran. We had a donut afterwards. The 2010 Nun Fun was a huge success with close to 300 participants. A $2,500 check was sent to Camilla Hall to assist the IHM order in taking care of their more senior members. Sister Nancy was thrilled with the event. "I can't tell you how appreciative we all are to this wonderful community here at St. James. To see parents, students and former students come out early on a Saturday was just fantastic. Thank you to everyone."

2010 Bazaar: The Greatest Show on Broad Street

Do you remember this annual event at SJS? Years ago, we used to decorate individual classrooms; everyone so excited because the Bazaar meant not only fun and games, but TIME OFF FROM SCHOOL!

We may have shifted some of the venues, but the spirit is still there. 2010 Co-Chairs Sue Andres and Vince Dufrane led dozens of volunteer leaders who in turn had a wealth of support from parents and parishioners. "It went really well," says Dufrane. "Everyone seemed to have a really good time. We had a huge response to the White Elephant; more donations than we've had in a long time."

This year, more than $18,000 was raised for the school from the White Elephant alone. The total raised was in excess of $40,000!

"This Bazaar had something for everyone," says Andres. "More games, more moonbounces, more food choices, more music. There was a real attempt, and I believe we succeeded, in having a Parish wide event. Fr. Posey and Sr. Nancy were there every night." She continues, "it was terrific to see the whole Parish donate items, come together and have a good time."

A special visitor dropped by on Saturday: R.J. Denault. It was R.J. and his dedicated group which ran the Bazaar for 40 years. "We had a lot fun; and a lot of laughs. It was hard work, but it was worth it," remembered R.J. The smile on his face said it all that night. "Great memories. Wonderful memories and wonderful friends."

R.J. Denault with Sr. Nancy and Co-Chairs Vince Dufrane and Sue Andres

In the Rockets Red Glare:

Sr. Lorraine De Arros

We like to highlight members of our St. James family. Our new Vice-Principal, Sr. Lorraine De Arros, is our first profile.

Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Sister Lorraine remembers a carefree youth playing ball and simply hanging out with her friends. She laughs somewhat ruefully in recalling that at her elementary school (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), "[W]e had no sports for girls. We had CYO, but it was just boys' football. So, I was a Girl Scout!"

"I had never really thought about becoming a Sister or a teacher," muses Sister Lorraine. Happy with her friends and her life in High School, it was not until her junior year while on a trip to the Mother House in Westchester, PA that she began to hear the whisperings of a calling. "I remember little hints, clues along the way, but it was really that trip that did it. The atmosphere was so nice and it was obvious that [the Sisters there] loved their community."

While herself educated by Franciscans, her parents had been taught by IHMs. "They loved the IHMs," as did many of her friends who spoke highly of the order. Lorraine DeArros entered the convent in September 1963 with the full support and love of her parents. "Now, my brother Neil had a hard time, but he got over it." Neil, seven years her junior, missed his favorite cinema companion.

In 1966 she became Sister Joseph Timothy. "I remember when I was 20 and it was my first time teaching; I had 70 children in the classroom!" Seventy. That is a lot of kids. "How was I?" Sister asks. "Oh my goodness, frightened of course." There's a quick laugh in her response. "But I had such a wonderful teaching partner; and I always loved going to workshops and learning new ideas and techniques."

Sr. Lorraine spent 25 years teaching first grade in the Philadelphia area. "I loved it. They came in so small and you were able to see them grow socially, physically, spiritually. So much happens that year. They gain independence and learn to work in groups. You can do so much with them at that age."

Administration beckoned and answering the call of her superiors, Sr. Lorraine in 1990 became principal at Sacred Heart in Reading, PA. "I prayed for the grace to do what the community asked me to do. [Again], I had a good mentor to guide me through that first year." The next 20 years saw Sister at various schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

A bit of self-reflection creeps into the conversation. "It's been 44 years since my first profession, and I've loved every day." Sister is yet another example of a young woman who heard the stirrings of a call to religious life and when shown the joy with which our IHM Sisters live, chose the path which "has deepened my spirituality, provided [many] opportunities and [given] me a sense of community."

She is effusive in her praise of the "tremendous technology you have here! I've never seen anything like it."

"Everyone has been so welcoming. This is a wonderful school. St. James is blessed."

Good News From St. James Students

Who knew carving pumpkins could raise so much money? For the third year, eighth grade teacher Mrs. Denise Landon has organized her students in a "Pumpkin Patch" contest: entries are "judged" by the entire school who comes out to see the wonderful creations. They "vote" for their favorite with their own money. This year, $1,000 was raised for the Pontifical Missions. Mrs. Landon was delighted with the overwhelming success of this fundraiser. "This is our biggest and best year yet!"

Fr. Posey received the check on behalf of the Missions. "Thank you for your wonderful generosity. This donation will do much to help our efforts for those not as fortunate as we."

Principal Sr. Nancy Kindelan was equally grateful. "Mrs. Landon has done wonderful things, both in and outside the classroom, to reinforce the message of charity to our students. I am so proud of our students and was incredibly impressed by the inventiveness of our entries!"

The top five winners were: Maeve Ponticiello, Sarah Harvey, Maddy Sanders, Shelby Rieger and Caroline Flynn.

National Junior Honor Society Comes to SJS

This fall Father Posey and Sister Nancy inducted 34 seventh and eighth grade students to the NJHS. Students must have an average of 90 or better, show involvement with their community, school or sport. A Faculty Council comprised of five teachers from different grade levels reviewed applications and made their membership decisions.

Student members will meet throughout the year and are required to maintain their GPA and perform 20 hours of community service by May. Thank you to Third Grade Teacher Mrs. Deirdre Prahm for heading this effort.

SJS Garners Top Award from Johns Hopkins University

Congratulations to all the students, teachers and parents as St. James was named a Top 10 school in Virginia by Johns Hopkins University. Based on Terra Nova scores and overall academic quality, St. James is the only parochial school from the Arlington Diocese in the Top 10, ranking 4th in the state.

This is your spot for photos and news. We have many, and here's just a sampling.

Our own Mary Jessell Clarke'52 retired from SJS in 2009 after decades of teaching Kindergarten.

John O'Hara, '64, is a priest in the Diocese of Arlington and has spent time at our mission in Banica, Dominican Republic.

Connie Rackowski Donnelly, '67, resides in Falls Church and remains an invaluable volunteer for St. James Parish and School. Connie also sent her children to SJS.

Brian Anderson, '81, is a professor in Mississippi

Teresa Rienzo Paquette,'82 and her husband, Ed, welcomed their 5th child, Lucy, in October.

Peter Seroskie, '87, lives in Falls Church and has a child at SJS now! Peter is the owner of Adventures in Your Backyard; so if you need a moonbounce you know where to go.

Let us know what's new with you! Send your information to advancement@stjamescatholic.org