Dear Alumni & Friends,
As you may know, today is the Feast Day of our patron St. Francis de Sales. Our Salesian identity, under the guidance and ministry of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, is what makes our school so special. Since our founding in 1954, the students at Father Judge have been educated in the likeness of the "gentleman saint" St. Francis de Sales.
In celebration of today's Feast Day and in recognition of the "Judge Guy" Oblates who have supported our school and students as well as those who continue to serve in various ministries, I ask you to consider making a gift to the Crusader Campaign Annual Appeal. St. Francis de Sales said, "True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice". This quote perfectly captures the spirit and charism of the Oblates who work and minister diligently and without fanfare. Our school is what it is today because of the leadership and loyalty of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
Over the years, dozens of "Judge Guys" have become Oblates. Some have been called home to God and some are retired. But many are still actively ministering locally and around the world, for example, as the President of De Sales University, Chaplains at Holy Family University and Chestnut Hill College, President of Hands Together in Haiti, world-renowned Salesian Artist, Superior General of the Oblates in Rome, Chaplain of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police and Provost of DeSales University. Perhaps one of these "Salesian Gentlemen" impacted your life and you will make a gift in their memory or honor. You can do so online at www.friendsoffatherjudge.com/crusader-campaign.
We teach our young Crusaders to "live Jesus" and to serve God and others each day "quietly and persistently" as our patron calls us to do. This commitment to Salesian service is especially meaningful as we humbly celebrate today's Feast Day. I hope you will join in our homage to St. Francis de Sales as we will remember you and all of the Oblates in our prayers as well as in our intentions on January 31st when Archbishop Perez joins us to celebrate a Feast Day Mass with our school community.
In Salesian Spirit and Crusader Pride,
