We Remember 9-11 

A little over a week ago our nation came together in prayer and remembrance for the tragic events of 2001.  Here at St. James, the students honored those who lost so much as well as those who strive daily to keep us safe.

Flags were placed around the school by each student, faculty and staff member.  Despite starting with dismal weather, the afternoon saw beautiful sunshine as the children joined in a prayer service, led by Fr. Majka.

Sr. Nancy was very proud of the children: "I would like to thank all who made our remembrance service such a lovely tribute; especially Ms. Lauby and her choir, Fr. Majka, our Boys and Girls Scouts and of course all our faculty, staff and students who came together to pray for peace."

We would like to thank our Computer teacher Mr. Charles Rayome for these beautiful photos.

Fall Events in Full Swing

It has been a busy start to the new academic year and the Parish has been busy as well.  We've gone from the Shrine, to the Plains, Virginia and are gearing up for Gettysburg later this month.

Hurricane Irene finally let us outdoors!

We have always been an active and vibrant Parish; reading the weekly bulletin gives just a glimpse into all the activities happening within our community.  Weekly bible studies, RCIA, Donut Sundays, Hispanic Ministry events, our Pro-Life Committee, lecture series, these are but a small sampling.

The On the Road with Padre Series was a way "to encourage community beyond the Church buildings," explains Father Posey.  "I wanted to have different types of events; ones that would appeal to many different audiences.  So we started with a visit to the Shrine and Franciscan monastery, following that with a day of  wine tasting and polo.  I guess you couldn't get much different than that!"

Check our Facebook Page for all the event photos!

Last weekend we had our annual Parish Picnic and once again we had a great turnout and a lot of fun.  Our Youth Minister, Em Anderson together with her fabulous group of 14 teen volunteers, manned the games and the sno-cone machine and were generally incredibly helpful.

There was food and games for the kids and everyone seemed to have an enjoyable afternoon.

Our volunteers were fantastic!  Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus, Pete Seroskie and his Adventures in Your Backyard company, the Hospitality Committee, our Youth and Nursery Group Ministries: you made our day!  "I would also like to thank my staff who worked so diligently to ensure a good time for our parishioners," says Father Posey.

Whether you came for games or fellowship, it was a great day.  We hope you can make our next On the Road when we head to Gettysburg for a tour of the battlefields.  Please be at St. James no later than 8:45am as the bus needs to leave promptly.  Lunch will be included.  So all you history buffs, go to www.oct15sj.eventbrite.com to register.  The cost is $30 per person.  If you have any questions, please contact Eileen Maldonado-Torres at 703-532-8815, ext. 128.

Park Avenue Profile: Sr. Margaret McCullough, IHM 

If you were expecting a shy, retiring type in our new Vice-Principal Sr. Margaret McCullough, you'll be disappointed.  Like so many of her IHM Sisters, Sr. Margaret exudes energy, and a wee bit of wicked humor.

Born in Philadelphia, Margaret (Peggy) McCullough is the 4^th of seven children.  "We lived a typical life, you know?  We were poor and didn't know it sort of thing."  She chuckles as she says this, as if this was par for the course.

The McCullough family has grown, comprising 21 nieces and nephews and several grand-nieces and nephews.  Five of Sister Margaret's siblings are still living; "one brother died in Vietnam," she explains.  "Just 19, but you know, my mother [bore] it like a good Irishwoman." 

"I always like to build things.  I'm sure I get that from my dad."  Sister tells of how creative her father was, "doing odd jobs from wallpapering to wedding photography."  She admits to owning a tool belt and gleefully divulges ownership of an IPad.  IPad 2 that is!  "Can't help it; I just love gadgets.  And so, I'm delighted to see all the technology here at St. James."

After attending West Catholic Girls High School, where she played basketball, Sister Margaret worked for a time prior to entering the convent.  Part of her time was spent teaching, while she took night classes at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. 

While she explains that she had always wanted to be a Sister, having the support of her family, "it was my Mom that encouraged me to work a year to really see if this is what I wanted."

"I always admired the Sisters; I was taught by IHMs and even though I had a cousin who was a Mercy Sister, the IHMs were the only community I considered.  I can't honestly say there was anything in particular that influenced my decision.  I believe that God puts that desire within you.  It is your choice to respond or not."

After entering the community in 1976, made her first vows in 1979 (on June 23^rd, the ninth anniversary of her brother's death,) "which made that date bittersweet."

For the next 25 years Sister Margaret taught first grade in the Philadelphia area.  "Oh, I loved it.  Those children are wonderful; not one has ever had a full set of teeth.  So you never got a full bite!"   She laughs heartily at that one.  "I loved seeing them learn to read; they're so innocent at that age.  Their insights into God are so simple."  She recounts the story of one student, when seeing the hosts brought up during the offertory, who said that "'there's enough there (the ciborium) for everyone.'  He saw the miracle.  Another child asked, "Is that why our heart beats, because God is knocking on our door?"

She jokes that they finally "trusted me to send me out of Philly I was always missioned around the motherhouse; I called it 'binocular distance!'"  In 2003 Sister was transferred to Shamokin, a coal-mining region of Pennsylvania.  For three years she was the elementary Principal.  Three years later the Diocese of Harrisburg merged two elementary schools with Lourdes High School, making it a Regional school for levels pre-K to 12.  "Although the area would be considered a[n economically] depressed area, it had [a] richness of its own; I would call it a Golf Region.  The area offers little in job opportunities with most of the young not returning after their college years.  "I loved being principal; you can do so many things for all the students, and the teachers."

An English major, Sister earned in her Master's in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary.  She is certified in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from Immaculata University, as well as earning her Principal certification. 

Sister continues, "I think it's interesting and a little funny that so many of our [IHM] principals were first or second grade teachers.  As a principal, you have to be organized and [a teacher of those grades] has to be incredibly organized.  It's not like when they get older and can do more.  You have to DO for them, and the parents as well because they're new.  It's all planning, which is exactly the same for an entire school.  But you know, you never forget being a teacher as a principal.  It is HARD being a teacher!"

This small, seemingly unflappable woman does have an Achilles heel.  "Oh my goodness, the traffic here!  When I was in Shamokin people would joke that '[Y]ou drive like you're in Philly!' I suppose I have a bit of a lead foot.  But here, no way."  She jokes that the biggest traffic jam in Shamokin was at the Dunkin Donuts.

"I love being here.  The parents, students, faculty and staff are so welcoming, and this place [the school] is wonderful."  She is anxious to get out and see more of the DC area.  "I made it to an Orioles game, the Pentagon, Monticello  and one of the Smithsonian museums so far."

"I am very happy Sr. Margaret is here with us," says Principal Sr. Nancy Kindelan.  "She brings a wonderful sense of humor and great energy.  Her talents bring a lot to our school."

When we speak of vocations, Sister becomes thoughtful.  "If I were to be talking to my 18 year-old self, I would say that if you have an inkling of a vocation, listen to it; it's a gift.  It's like an [aptitude] for biology or math.  You wouldn't go into a field that you did not have some interest or passion.  The same with a religious vocation; God offers us the grace, the desire.  But follow that instinct.  And pray. And talk to people: other Sisters, a priest."

But Sister's "radical" side comes out:  "don't forget to enjoy life, though!  It's meant to be enjoyed.  And if God is calling you, if it's meant to be, it will. Be patient and let your [vocation] grow."

Sound advice from someone who answered that knock on her heart.

SJS Design for Excellence

This year St. James School embarks on its reaccreditation process, the Design for Excellence.  Affectionally known as the DFE, this year-long endeavor encompasses the entire school community: teachers, faculty, school staff in addition to staff from the rectory as well as parents working in concert on evaluation and planning.

Principal Sr. Nancy Kindelan explains: "[E]very five years all Diocesan schools are required to apply for state reaccreditation.  We begin planning for the DFE years before we start the actual self-study.  I am very grateful to [third grade teacher] Mrs. Deirdre Prahm in chairing this most important effort."

In her letter to the various schools undergoing this process, Superintendant Bernadette McManigal, BVM, sets forth the goals of the DFE: "it is the program each elementary school undertakes in order to demonstrate evidence of:

• Compliance with the state of Virginia and the Virginia Council for Private Education's expectations
• Implementation of the Office of Catholic Schools curriculum requirements
• The quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning
• Those components of the learning community that include Leadership, Curriculum, Personnel, Service, Governance/Finance, Demographics and Facilities

A visiting team of educators reviews the self study and makes recommendations (for us, this occurs in early May).  Thereafter, a plan is submitted to the VCEA (Virginia Catholic Education Association) for approval.  Once awarded, the VCEA monitors each school for compliance.  

"This is an exciting time for us," says Sr. Nancy.  "While it requires a great deal of work on the part of so many, it is worthwhile.  It gives us a chance to look, programmatically, at what works in the classroom and beyond.  This ensures that we are always growing, always searching for new and better ways to provide the best educational experience for our children."

"I am indebted to Sister Nancy, Sister Margaret, Mrs. Prahm and all the faculty and staff who are involved in this tremendous effort.  I am positive that we will see wonderful things come from this self-study," says Fr. Posey

We will have periodic updates to keep you informed of our progress.

Information on IRA Contributions

You Can Donate to St. James Through Your IRA

Individuals age 70 1/2 and older are allowed to transfer up to $100,000 from their IRAs to any qualified charitable organization, such as St. James Catholic Church. The transfer is not treated as a taxable distribution to the account owner and fulfills some

or all of the IRA required minimum distribution

without increasing taxable income.

NOTE: this provision is only effective until

12/31/2011. For more information and a sample

letter for your IRA custodian, please call Christine Hughes at 703-532-8815 or at advancement@stjamescatholic.org

We Rocked the Red with Jason and Alex

Did you think another earthquake was happening last Monday?  Did the ground shake and did you hear shrieks of wonder coming from the school?

Not an earthquake, but a fabulous on-campus field trip for our fifth through eighth graders when Washington Capitals stars Jason Chimera and Alex Ovechkin came to bring a little hockey to Falls Church.

Part of their community relations initiative, the Capitals offer this type of event via a grant process.  P.E. teacher Jane Briggs applied and was thrilled when our application was accepted.  "I got an email from the Caps about a hockey school.  It sounded really special so I [applied for the grant]," explains Mrs. Briggs.  "It was the best ... so much fun.  Jason and Alex were very kind to everyone."

The entire school community was awash in red.  There were cheers.  There were chants.  There were a lot of hockey pucks.  Each student received autographed pucks as part of this wonderful event, which was aired by a local network and is on the Capitals website as well. 

For more details, check out this great video:

http://video.capitals.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=811&id=122900

We couldn't resist!

Saint James School