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As I shared with you in last week’s memo, the new year provides for us the opportunity to begin anew (Nunc Coepi) by resolving to make some improvements, not only our own day-to-day routines, but also by making a concerted effort to elicit some positive changes for our children and grandchildren. I was pleased to receive responses from several of you affirming the value of music – both playing and listening -- as a means to foster intellectual as well as emotional development

The start of the new year also marks the end of the regular NFL football season, and while San Diegans do not have a home team to root for, we fondly remember the days when the Chargers called “Amerca’s Finest City” their base. So, when Philip Rivers temporarily came out of retirement as signal caller in three of the last four Indianapolis Colts games, I watched him with delight.

Gary Chapman, in his book, “The Five Love Languages,” describes different ways people express and perceive love. Each person, Chapman states, gravitates toward one primary and one secondary love language, among them: 1) Words of Affirmation, 2) Quality Time, 3) Giving/Receiving Gifts, 4) Acts of Service, and 5) Physical Touch.

On Saturday, the Big Ten College Football Championship pitted favorite and top-seed Ohio State against second-seed Indiana. In a surprising win, Hoosier quarterback Fernando Mendoza catapulted his team to victory and cemented Indiana’s first championship in 50 years. The Hoosiers will play next in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026. Mendoza, who is a favorite in contention for the Heisman Trophy, tied his success to his faith stating, “I want to give all the glory to God.”

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new liturgical year as we entered the Season of Advent. Over the next four weeks, we take time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I pull out all of my tried-and-true recipes handed down to me from my mom, grandmother, and even great-grandmother, hoping they will gratify the palate of those around my table today as well as in future generations. As I mix the ingredients for the pies, stuffing, and other traditional dishes, I cannot help but reminisce about the people in my life who have blessed me, not only with their food, but with their wisdom, guidance,

Every November 11, Americans pause to honor the brave men and women who have served in our military, both past and present. This year is especially significant because three branches are celebrating 250 years of service and sacrifice to our country. The Army was founded on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistments of riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year. In the same year, on October 13, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to fo

When I was growing up in the 1960s, my most prized possessions were my Chatty Cathy and Barbie dolls (which I still have, along with clothes my mom sewed for them). The following decade saw the rise of Atari games and Star Wars. By the '80s, Rubik’s Cubes and Pac Man were the rage; the '90s introduced Super Nintendo, Walkman, and the ever-popular slap bracelets; and in the 2000s, the craze centered on Furby, Polly Pocket, and Game Boy.

Recently, the Office for Schools hosted a convocation for all Catholic school teachers in the Diocese of San Diego, with over 1,100 people in attendance. It was a joy-filled day celebrating the impact of Catholic education, and re-affirming our mission and vocation to teach and guide our students as future leaders.

Today is Columbus Day, declared a federal holiday by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. Setting the controversy surrounding this holiday aside, Columbus and his team displayed a great deal of courage in their quest for discovery.

Autumn is, without a doubt, my favorite season of the year. Growing up in Wisconsin, the fall foliage was breathtaking, and my family often took Sunday drives to enjoy the scenery. (If truth be told, I was not always fond of those hours-long road trips to nowhere, but they do have a lasting imprint in my memory).

This week, we celebrate two important feast days pertaining to Angels. Today, September 29, is the Feast of the Archangels, which includes our patron, St. Michael; and Thursday, October 2, is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

My daughter gave birth to a baby boy six months ago, her first child, and my sixth grandchild. Watching her care for him, dote on him, and worry about him propels me back in time when I, too, strove to guide and protect my own four children, not only throughout their childhood, but into adulthood as well.

To help our students learn about their faith, grow academically, and become good citizens, we have created a list of Schoolwide Learning Expectations (see below) to assist them in understanding how to achieve these goals. Each week, teachers explain one of the SLEs and talk about how they can demonstrate mastery of this skill. After each pillar (Faith, Knowledge, and Character) students reflect on their progress and identify where they might improve.

Yesterday, Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis as the first millennial saint. Carlo, who died at age 15 from leukemia in 2006, is most specially known for his devotion to the Eucharist, as is depicted in the image of the monstrance above.

The old adage, “All things come to those who wait,” is certainly apropos for us today. After two years of planning, preparation, and execution, our South Campus Field Project is nearly complete.

Welcome back to another wonderful school year. As many of you will recall, in my former role as Principal, I would use this forum to share with you perceptions on our Mission, reflections on our faith, insights in education, and resources regarding social and emotional development, as well as highlight excellence in action at St. Michael’s School.

As a child, I loved to sing, but, unfortunately, I could not sing in tune, much to the chagrin of my father. To remedy the problem, he decided to have me start taking piano lessons when I was seven.