The Real Reason ...

The Real Reason . . .

Over the past few months we have shared several reasons why St. Francis College Preparatory High School is opening in August 2016 and why we believe it is important for parents to consider St. Francis as the choice in education for their children.

First, there is our vision for a tradition of faith, learning and leadership for the benefit of mankind.

Next, there is our mission to inspire students to leadership through a 21st Century education that is founded upon the Catholic faith and tradition.

Then, there is our purpose, which is to lead, serve, motivate, and challenge our students to be strong in Catholic identity, which is centered in the Person of Jesus Christ and is expressed through spreading the message of the Gospel.

Finally, there is our philosophy on education – that it truly begins and ends in the home and that we are to partner with parents in providing such education.

All of these, collectively and individually, are incredible reasons for both opening St. Francis and for parents to consider St. Francis as the educational partner for their children.

However, the foundational reason – the real reason — that underlies all of these and any others that might exist is the simple but profound fact that St. Francis understands, believes in, and celebrates the importance of these next two very special days: today, Christmas Eve and tomorrow, Christmas Day.

Awake, mankind! For your sake God has become man. Awake, you who sleep, rise up from the dead, and Christ will enlighten you. I tell you again: for your sake, God became man.

You would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would you have been freed from sinful flesh, had he not taken on himself the likeness of sinful flesh. You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness, had it not been for this mercy. You would never have returned to life, had he not shared your death. You would have been lost if he had not hastened ‘to your aid. You would have perished, had he not come.

Let us then joyfully celebrate the coming of our salvation and redemption. Let us celebrate the festive day on which he who is the great and eternal day came from the great and endless day of eternity into our own short day of time . . .

Excerpt from sermon by St. Augustine (Sermo 185: PL 38, 997-999) used in the Roman Office of Readings on Christmas Eve

And, it is for this very real reason that we echo the cry of Ebenezer Scrooge upon waking from his night of ghostly visits during which he learned the truth . . . “A merry Christmas to everybody!”

Because Christ came to save whosoever would believe . . . John 3:16