Saint James

Catholic Church

Established 1892

905 Park Avenue

Falls Church, VA  22046

703-532-8815

Catholic Schools Week 2012

January 29th begins a week-long celebration of our nation's Catholic schools.  St. James Parish is blessed with an outstanding product.  With a dedicated faculty and administration, involved and active parents and a supportive Parish, our students continue to thrive. 

Our students excel in and outside of the classroom.  Our Junior National Honor Society students give witness to academic excellence and service in action.  Our sporting teams succeed as athletes and good sports.  Our parents continually give of themselves as volunteers, lending countless hours to the myriad of events and initiatives that improve the daily lives of our students.

Taking their calling as Catholic educators seriously, our administration and faculty work together towards improving their student's educational experience while giving witness to the Gospel of Christ.  No better example of this can found than their work on our DFE.  Looking inward and reaching forward, our faculty have spent many hours researching and collaborating on this most important endeavor.  (See an update on our progress further in our newsletter).

The week begins at the 9:00am Mass on Sunday.  The students will get the chance to show their colors decorating the classroom doors, and the ever-popular Spirit Day on Friday, complete with an XBox raffle.  Our teachers are honored on Wednesday with a "Thanks a Latte" coffee reception.  Most importantly, we have our Open House on Tuesday, January 31st from 9:00-11:00am.  Tell your friends and neighbors!

It's a time to, as Father Posey says, "celebrate our wonderful heritage of Catholic education at St. James." 

We continue to spread the good news here at St. James: in this Newsletter, our bulletin and in various newspapers.  Drive around town and you'll be sure to see our Open House signs -- two of which we had in November (we sent personal invitations to parish families with pre-school age children)  Pre-schoolers from St. Joseph's and Columbia Baptist came to our Christmas pageant.  Some of our faculty have gone to "informational coffees" at St. Joseph's.  The same faculty have been present at pick-up there passing out our flyers.  Mrs. Stirling and Mrs. Cabbage give private tours several times a week.   We're blessed with a terrific school and we hope you find time to see for yourself. 

Marching for Life 

It was cold and rainy, but that didn't deter our Parishioners from showing their support for the unborn.  Father Horkan led a group from St. James that braved the nasty weather.  Our Pro-Life Committee Chair, Rich Hunter, said it went well.  "It was great to have Fr. Horkan with us again, leading us in the Rosary as we rode downtown.  Everyone kept an eye out for everyone else."

Teens from the parish (including our 8th graders) also attended the Rally at the Verizon Center.  The day before they had attended a Life is Very Good Rally at the Hylton Memorial Chapel in Dale City.  Em Anderson, our Youth Minister, pronounced it "[A]wesome.  The kids had a great time and the Mass was beautiful."

Rich Hunter commented that the opening prayer, offered by Cardinal Dolan of New York and Orthodox Archbishop Metropolitan Jonah was very moving.  "The whole crowd joined in the response of 'Lord have mercy!'  It seemed an answer to prayers for Christian unity."

Thank you to all who were with us in spirit that day.    

Park Avenue Profile

Lance & Downey Hinrichs 

With Catholic Schools Week beginning next week, we are pleased to highlight one of our School families. Lance and Downey Hinrichs are another link in our long chain of parents who have chosen a parochial education for their children.  We thank them for stepping, albeit reluctantly, into the spotlight!

Born hundreds of miles apart, Lance and Downey Hinrichs could not have been more similar in their pursuits if you had cast them in a movie.   Both, as young persons, were heavily involved in outdoor sports: soccer, field hockey (that would be Downey!), lacrosse, sailing and skiing.  There really wasn't much they did not try... Downey even having a hand at archery.

Downey was raised in the Baltimore area, along with her two siblings.  Only 45 miles away from Washington, DC, "it feels like another world," she jokes.  Travel time to Baltimore today, however, is not such a laughing matter.   Named for her grandmothers, Downey's given name is Ann Downes Ruhl.  "My parents always called me Downey and it never felt right to go by 'Ann.'"

Attending Catholic school from first grade until her senior year in High School, Downey recounts an ordinary childhood; one with summers spent in Annapolis.  "We'd go to camp where we'd play tennis, golf," and the infamous archery.  "That was actually a lot of fun!"

 After attending Notre Dame Preparatory for High School, Downey studied at the University of Richmond where she played lacrosse.  She made her way to warmer climes for her post-graduate degree: the University of Miami.  There she earned a Master's in Physical Therapy.  "I grew up playing lots of sports and found PT after many internships in healthcare."  After graduation she "played the traveling physical therapist up and down the East Coast."

Working in Rhode Island, Downey met Lance at the Shake-a-Leg regatta.  Lance, who had been injured in an accident while in college, was a participant in this race for disabled sailors while Downey was acting as an event volunteer. 

Born in Armonk, New York, Lance was also an avid athlete.  A lacrosse player like Downey, Lance was also a sailor and competitive skier.  Which explains his attraction to the University of Vermont.  Outside of the fine academics, those mountains are a sure temptation to one who spent so much time on the slopes as a young person.  He learned to sail on the East Coast and eventually became an instructor in his own right.  He earned his MBA from Columbia University after graduation.

The Hinrichs laugh when they talk of their long distance relationship prior to their 1997 marriage.  "We followed the weather," explains Lance.  Downey continued to be based in Florida, while Lance remained in the Northeast working.  "I was still in school in Miami; Lance is much older than me," she jokes - lovingly! 

After marrying, they were transferred to Houston for Lance's job at Enron.  There he worked as an energy analyst, a field in which he still works today.  Lance remembers thinking, "what were we getting into," moving to Texas.  Far from family and in an entirely different geographical setting (the Gulf while near, not quite the same as the Atlantic Ocean), the Hinrichs were surprised at how much they really enjoyed Texas.  "The quality of life was wonderful," explains Downey.  "We had a great time there." 

They remained in Texas for six years; their eldest child, Julia, was born there.  Both Lance and Downey laugh when remembering Julia's birth certificate:  "They put Lil' Buckeroo' on it.  It was pretty cute," says Downey. 

Employment brought them back East, this time to Virginia where Lance began work at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC.)  Downey continued working "part time" as a physical therapist.  Her specialty is catastrophic injuries.  "I don't necessarily see the folks who tweaked a shoulder; I deal with major life altering injuries."  It takes a special person to work in this field: compassionate, knowledgeable, strong in both body and spirit.  Upon meeting Downey one gets the impression that she has this in spades. In addition to this, Downey also works for a company which markets an exoskeleton for use in PT for the disabled.  Though requiring more travel than she anticipated, "you make it work!"

Together Lance and Downey have three children: Julia (our Lil' Buckeroo) in third grade and second grade twins, Lindsey and Michael.  They are taking a cue from their active parents and "are all about sports," jokes Downey.  One gets tired (and a slight muscle ache) listing their activities: soccer, lacrosse, basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, ice hockey.  A nap may be in order for this writer.  But it's not all touch fields and courts: "they also really enjoy pottery." Both Julia and Lindsey are involved with Girl Scouts; Julia is also active with the school choir.

Though Lance uses a wheelchair for mobility, he continues to sail and is extremely active in initiatives on behalf of the disabled.  He is president of the Board of Directors of CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating), an organization based in Annapolis which seeks to provide the sailing experience for physical and mentally challenged persons, as well as for those who are financially unable to share the wonders of ocean sailing.

Lance and Downey came to Northern Virginia for a job transfer, with the thought that they would enroll their children in Catholic School.  At St. James they found "a great community, with wonderful people and families."

Involved in many aspects of the school community as a couple, Downey also serves as the PTO Vice President; a job which she finds "terrific.  There are so many great people out there who are involved.  And that's what I would encourage [among all parents]: get involved, participate!"  She goes on to explain how easy it is to meet other parents and form strong friendships through volunteering.

"The kids are very happy here; they've made wonderful friends and are getting a solid education," says Downey.  Her children echo her opinion:  "I like everything about it," says Julia.  She tells us, "[T]he teachers are really nice."  A great plug for our specials teachers comes from Lindsey and Michael:  "we love the specials, [PE, computer, music, art, library and Spanish!] and all our teachers!"   

Lance continues: "St. James provides great structure for the children and [grounding] in their faith.  They learn more than just the three Rs; which they do and do well!  But with faith as their guiding principal, they get so much more." 

More than a century after our first students walked through the doors on Broad Street much has changed.   New buildings were erected; playgrounds, white boards and computers came.  But the heart of a St. James education has remained intact: provide the best educational, physical and moral foundation for today and tomorrow.  For all those who have taught, administered and sent their children to St. James, a la Bob Hope: thanks for the memories.  And the dreams.

2012 PTO Auction Gala

On March 24th the PTO will host the 8th Annual Auction and Gala: the Black and White Ball.  For the first time, the Auction will be held here on campus.  With the theme of "Creating Possibilities" Auction Chairs Elizabeth Hart, Mary Beth DeLuca and Gina Dean hope to transform our gym and Heller Hall into a roaring 20s venue.  If you have attended previous auctions, then you know that the creativity of their decorating committees will not disappoint this year.

It was their talent in taking a simple banquet room and transforming it into old Hollywood glamour or a James Bond haunt that brought Mrs. Hart and Mrs. DeLuca into the picture. Mrs Hart jokingly recounts how "we were asked what we thought about using the gym for the auction and the possibilities.  It sort of went on from there!"

It's not only the venue that has changed.  Mrs. Hart explains that the auction is "going green" this year.  The large auction program will become more of an ad program; attendees will receive shorter explanatory sheets of the items and they will be encouraged to view them on line.  A new bidding twist will also be in play: the seventh line.  "On the bidding sheet," explains Mrs. Hart, "the seventh person listed will be eligible for a special raffle; so that even if they don't "win" that particular item they're still open to receiving something!"

Our Auction chairs are looking for support from our entire community.  All proceeds will go directly to the school, "funding teacher bonuses, technology improvements and curriculum enhancements."  If you would like to donate an item or volunteer that evening, please contact one of our chairs.

The Auction is open to the first 300 guests.  Ticket prices remain unchanged this year at $75 per person.  If you wish to receive an invitation contact any one of our chairs to ensure space will be held for you.

"I am very grateful for all the hard work that goes into this event," says Sr. Nancy.  Elizabeth, Mary Beth, Gina and all their volunteers have already put so many hours into making this a fun event for everyone.  I am grateful for the generosity and commitment of our parents."

Look for more information coming in the Church bulletin.  Or you can check the school website: www.saintjamesschool.org. 

Get out your nicest black (or white!) dress and get your spouse into their best suit for what promises to be a great time.  We already know what our good priests will be wearing!  They don't even have to shop!

Questions?  Contact:

Elizabeth Hart: Elizabeth_Hart@verizon.net

Mary Beth DeLuca: wolfedeluca@me.com

Gina Dean: ginardean@verizon.net 

DFE Update

Our faculty met on January 18th to ratify committee reports.  All seven areas were reviewed and discussed, having been disseminated by DFE Chair Deirdre Prahm.  Reports on Leadership, Governance & Finance, Curriculum, Personnel, Service, Demographics and Facilities were sent to the entire faculty for their comments and revisions.  All this as part of final preparations for the Accredititation Team's visit in May.

"The thought and care that went into each report is evident," says Sr. Nancy.  "I am proud and extremely grateful for everyone's input into our future.  St. James School is strong and will continue to be so because of our forward thinking."

Working concurrently is our School Steering Committee.  More than 40 members of the Planning Committee and their subcommittees met last week to review guiding principals and receive orientation for their assignments from officials from the National Catholic Educational Association.  Father Posey, Sister Nancy and Superintendent Sister Bernadette McManigal are hands on in this process.  Their work now begins in earnest in their seven areas: marketing, communications, faculty & staff, middle school, finance, a pre school option and academics.  Their final plan will be announced in June.  The members of this committee are planning in conjunction with the DFE.  Many thanks to all our committee members, especially our Planning Committee Chair, Caroline Murn, who has worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless set of initiatives from DFE to Planning Committee.

Saint James School