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Saint James
Catholic Church
Established 1892
905 Park Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
703-532-8815
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We may be in summer, but we are not slowing down at St. James. Our vibrant parish continues its outreach in July and August with wonderful opportunities to grow in faith and community. I encourage you to look into going to one or perhaps all of our offerings; from our screening of the popular "Catholicism" Series, to talks by Father Horkan and Father Walter to a day spent hiking. Save July 25th and join us as we celebrate our patron Saint's feast day with prayer, song and of course, ice cream!
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR PARISH PICNIC: SEPTEMBER 16th
We welcome our seminarian, Nick Barnes and look forward to welcoming our new parochial vicar, Fr. Augustin Tran later this week.
So much is happening at St. James. Check our website for the latest listings.
Our parish newsletter takes a summer vacation, however. We'll be back in September with news from school, religious education, our youth ministry and many other parish areas. In the meantime: I'll see you at Mass!
Father Posey
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Comings and Goings at St. James
With June comes the inevitable changes of the end of academic and fiscal years. Earlier this spring we bid farewell to several of our faculty who are moving on to new positions.
 We must also say good-bye to our Principal, Sister Nancy Kindelan, IHM who has been transferred to the Villa Maria Academy outside of Philadelphia where she will be the Assistant Principal for the Lower School. "I am extremely grateful to Sr. Nancy for all her work on behalf of St. James," says Fr. Posey. "The Design for Excellence was a huge success. Her dedication and diligence throughout our Strategic Planning process was fantastic. She has helped us set the course for St. James for the next five years."
 Father Majka leaves us as well to enjoy his retirement. A crowded reception for him was had on the 24th where we were able to bid him adieu. We will miss his quiet faith, kindness, good humor and most of all: his Polish candies.
 St. James School will be in good hands as Sister Margaret McCullough, IHM takes over as Principal. Arriving last year as our Assistant Principal, Sr. Margaret will be able to provide strong continuity during this time of transition.
Summer also brings clerical changes. We welcome Fr. Augustin Tran from Spotsylvania as our new parochial vicar later this month. Look for his profile in our September newsletter!
 We are also fortunate to have Nick Barnes, a seminarian on break from the Pontifical North American College in Rome. A parishioner of St. Raymond's, he attended Paul VI High School and the University of Virginia, where he majored in History. He feels somewhat out of place with all the Bishop O'Connell graduates living and working in the rectory. But we are making him feel welcomed and don't require him to wear Royal Blue! Please join us in welcoming both Fr. Tran and Nick.
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Strategic Plan Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What you have before you is the culmination of countless hours of thoughtful discussion and diligent analyses. When I requested that a committee strategically plan for our school's future, I was confident that those who took on this assignment would take great care in their endeavor. I knew, trusted and respected the members of this committee; the scope of their talents and experiences was wide. Each month, I was amazed at the commitment each member showed to this task. Each was there because he or she believed in parochial education, specifically here at Saint James Catholic School. Each was there because he or she believed that our best days lie ahead-that the foundation set last century is strong, providing a base from which our students can springboard to leadership roles in our society and our Church.
I am grateful to all 43 members of our committees and subcommittees. To our principal and vice principal, Sisters Nancy Kindelan, IHM and Margaret McCullough, IHM, thank you for your consistent dedication to our students. I owe a special thanks to Sister Bernadette McManigal, BVM, superintendant of schools for the Diocese of Arlington, for her support throughout this process. Our consultants, Dr. Regina Haney and Mr. Daniel Curtin of the National Catholic Educational Association, guided the Strategic Planning Committee through many months; I am truly grateful. I am also indebted to my staff, who provided information and analysis to our seven different committees: Mrs. Christine Hughes, Deacon James Fishenden, Mrs. Beth Saulnier, Mrs. Margaret Escobar and Mrs. Katy Cabbage. A group of this size requires a chair who is at once forward-thinking and detail-oriented. Mrs. Caroline Murn proved all this and more. For her efforts, I am most appreciative.
This plan is a blueprint for what we can become. It is our promise to future generations that we will not rest, that we will continue to bring all we can to ensure the best educational and spiritual experience to our students. They are our most precious gift and our greatest responsibility.
I hope that you will come away with the same thought I had when I finished reading this plan: Saint James Catholic School is one of the best in the diocese now; this plan takes us beyond to even greater heights.
Click below to read our Executive Summary. The full committee report can be found on our website: www.stjamescatholic.org
Executive Summary
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Graduation 2012
Congratulations to all our graduates! Their hard work has served them well as they embark on new adventures in High School. But they will always be ROCKETS!
Brian Adkins, Raina Amirghaffari, Tatum Andres, Stella Assefa, William Aubry, Christopher Bach, Rachel Barrett, Isabella Blanco-Madiedo, Matthew Chen, William Conroy, Andrea Day-Valdez, Juan De Bernardinis, Caroline Dibble, Edward C. Donnellan, Lila Duvall, Raquel Friedman, Noah Galvin, John Gartner, Carter Grose, James Handley, Seth Harding, Cailey Hillard, Stacy Ho, Caroline Kerrigan, Phillip Koch, Abigaile LaVelle, John Phillip Le, Keelyn Leonard, Koorosh Malek, Caroline Martin, Maura Mooney, Chandler Mouw, Caroline Mubiru, Catherine Nguyen, Jacqueline Nnaji, Michaela Palma, Isobel Paoletta, Joseph Parrotta, Julia Pipan, Divina Rutherford, Stephanie Salinas, Justin Schutt, Anand Seshadri, Gregory Shero, Alexandra Simonson, John Stahlman, Erin Stuver, Tyler Taneyhill, Edmund Terwilliger, Katherine Tramonte, Samantha Tran, Christian Tran, Katharine Tripp, Anthony Villegas, Zachary Wilson
At graduation, Father Posey spoke to the students about their time here during his homily. "I was thinking about what to say... maybe a good quote about learning. From Aquinas. The Pope. And I came up with this ... Winnie the Pooh."
Sometimes it's the simple things that strike the right balance. Pooh tells his friends that they "are braver than they know... and that [we] will always remember you... and that you are loved."
After all the lessons, tests and applications, that's what Christ tells us: that we are loved and that we are remembered. That's the most important lesson of all.
Click here for a list of Awards2012 |
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Park Avenue Profile:
Stephanie Salinas & Christian Tran
 Earlier this month, Father Posey spoke to the graduating class of 2012 about their unique relationship with each other, the wonderful camaraderie exhibited within the class. It was this ease of friendship that was so evident when speaking with the winners of the Msgr. Heller and Sister Helen Maureen Awards: Christian Tran and Stephanie Salinas.
Intelligent and incredibly well-spoken, Christian and Stephanie are the latest in the long line of exceptional students. Chosen for their academic and personal excellence, both have been St. James students for many years: Christian arriving as a kindergartner, Stephanie in first grade. Both are the eldest in their families (Stephanie has a sister and two brothers while Christian a younger brother). The Trans are cousins to the Bach family whose children are the same ages as Christian and his brother, real family togetherness!
"I was really surprised [when they called my name]," recounts Christian. Stephanie echoes the same sentiment. "I couldn't believe it was me!" Laughing and finishing each other's sentences you get a real sense that these two young people were extremely happy here and excited about life's prospects. Both will be attending Bishop O'Connell in the fall, enrolled in the Honor's Program.
Somewhat more serious in nature, Christian is a studious young man. Student Council President, active in CYO basketball, Christian reveals that his favorite subject is Math. "I don't really like to watch TV," he admits. "I'd rather be out doing something!" Stephanie shows surprise when Christian speaks of his desire to become involved in the Drama Club at DJO. "Really? But you know, you were really good [in the Shakespeare play]." Christian laughs but begs off the notion of doing musicals. "Oh I don't know if I can sing in public!" Active in the Boy Scouts, Christian has set his sights on becoming an Eagle Scout.
Pretty and vivacious, Stephanie Salinas is a bundle of energy. At St. James she was also involved with CYO sports, Girl Scouts, the Junior National Honor Society and our tutoring program. "I had to tutor my sister... and her friends. That was interesting," she laughs as she tells the story. She is quick to state, however, that they were very good and her sister listened to her. No scandal here Mom.
"I'm taking my Physical Education requirement over the summer," she explains, "so I can take my fine arts elective." An avid artist, Stephanie loves to sketch, preferably with charcoals. She also plans to try out for the Volleyball team, having played for several years on Arlington and Vienna teams. The conversation veers just slightly to the technicalities of proper hand positions when setting the ball for a spike. Christian listens politely and smiles. Good man!
When asked what was most important to them as students, it is almost simpatico: "Well, of course our education." "And our friends." Both cite the influence of their teachers in preparing them for high school. Christian describes math teacher Mrs. Celeste Soliven as "a very loving person." One of several students in our Geometry program, Stephanie says "Mrs. Piepenburg was tough, but a good teacher!" Stephanie took the placement exam for Geometry and is awaiting those results from O'Connell. Christian placed out of Algebra and will be taking Algebra 2-Trigonmetry.
Thoughts of the future seem far away, but Christian seems focused. "For now I plan to go to dental school, but my performance in high school will have a lot to say about that." Somehow one gets the feeling this young man knows what he wants and is determined to work hard to get there. Stephanie speaks of a possible career in Architecture, marrying her gift for art with her proclivity for math. "Although English is really my favorite subject; I love to read!"
Excited to head to high school, but "nervous" at the same time Christian and Stephanie have all the same concerns of new high school freshman. "It's [DJO] so big, " says Stephanie. "I'm afraid it'll take me three weeks to find my locker!" But they are prepared; both speaking of reading lists and assignments over the summer.
"My best advice to a 7th grader would be, don't slack off," says Christian. Stephanie agrees. "Have a fun year; play hard but work hard too. You want to finish strong!"
"There were so many great things in 8th grade," says Christian. "Spirit Day, field trips, the play ... it's a terrific year."
At graduation Christian, as SCA President, addressed the assembled. He spoke of good times at Gettysburg, Colonial Days and the growth they all achieved at St. James. "[Here], our education is as much about developing character and values as it is about gaining knowledge and skills." It was a great speech; one mature in outlook and thoughtful in recollection. "In the 20 years I've been attending grade school graduations, this speech was the best," said Father Posey. Click below to read the full copy of Christian's speech.
Christian Tran Graduation Speech
"Christian and Stephanie are exactly what these awards are about: they are great leaders; they are responsible and great students," says Sr. Nancy. "I am very proud of them; they are both such wonderful kids. I know they will be great success in high school and beyond."
As the 2012 Msgr. Heller and Sister Helen Maureen winners, Christian Tran and Stephanie Salinas have shown their accomplishments as students and young people. These awards also show the tremendous potential that they have - to be leaders in our society and our Church; to be exemplars of all that St. James School espouses. They have made their families and teachers proud; what a gift it will be to read the next chapter in their lives.
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Alumni in the News
Congratulations to our Class of 2008 as they move on from High School!
Elizabeth Adkins, Patrick Andrews, Natalia Arancibia, Donald Bell, John Bieniek, Elizabeth Bloom, Gabriella Cajina, Alexandra Carver, Brianna Clarke, Thomas Cline, Joshua Conrad, Vanessa Corral, Meghan Dalbec, Stephen Daniel, Adam Decelle, Cherisse Decena, Pedro Del-Carpio, Alison Dommel, Ryan Ferguson, Charles Fidler, Erin Fitzgerald, Louis Gardella, Meaghan Gilmartin, Katherine Groody, Danielle Gruenbaum, Lindsay Harvey, Julie Hillegass, Mark Hilliard, Lina Izzeldin, Brendan Johnson, Nina Kajaria, Sonia Kapoor, Patrick Klena, John Mai, Shaudi Malakooti, Mary Matecki, Daniel McAteer, David McQuillen, Matthew McQuillen, Jennifer Medina, Magdalina Moses, Dale Mullane, Shannon Nasca, William Nixon, Helene Nygard, Patrick Onesty, Ian Oosterbaan, Carlo Palma, Therese Paoletta, Temo Perron, Michael Pipan, Troy Potts, Sarah Quattrocki, Emily Rodriguez, James Roy, Kelsey Saunders, Michael Shero, Frank Sikorsky, James Spollen, Thomas Terwilliger, Andrew Thompson, Thomas Vaughn, Paige Veoni, Nicholas Wells, Michael Wilson, Emily Winchester, Janice Yahner, Thomas Zekoski
 SJS Alums looking dapper at their Gonzaga graduation.
From Left to Right : Brendan Johnson, Matt McQuillen, Thomas Zekoski, Frank Sikorski, Nicholas Wells and David McQuillen. Missing is Patrick Onesty
Thank you for sharing your post graduate plans!
Patrick Andrews: St. Michael's College (Vermont)
Elizabeth Bloom: University of Virginia
Thomas Cline: University of Pittsburgh
Meghan Dalbec: University of Virginia
Louis Gardella: (graduated a year early from George Mason High School and is entering his second year at Colorado Mountain College)
Meaghan Gilmartin: University of Virginia
Katherine Groody: University of Virginia
Mark Hillard: James Madison University
Mary Matecki: Washington University, St. Louis
David and Matthew McQuillen: University of Virginia
Therese Paoletta: University of Pennsylvania
Michael Pipan: Longwood University
Kelsey Saunders: Christopher Newport University
Michael Shero: entering the United States Marine Corps (THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE MICHAEL)
Frank Sikorsky: Fordham University
Andrew Thompson: St. John's University (New York)
Nicholas Wells: University of St. Andrew's, (Scotland). If we ask nicely, can Nick get us an autograph of Prince William when he visits his alma mater? We're serious...
Have news you want to share? Contact Christine Hughes at advancement@stjamescatholic.org We're thrilled to sing our alumni praises!
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Legacy of St. James Campaign Update
We have offically gone over $100,000 our $2.5 million goal. This is wonderful news and a real testament that the Legacy of St. James campaign message continues to resonate with people.
Yet, we still have slightly more than $658,000 left on pledge balances; and there are some pledges which will we will not be able to collect because donors have moved or sadly, passed away. The campaign offically "ends" December 31, 2013. Please help us continue to do the good work we began in 2008. There are still many items on our campaign list which need funding, such as additional repairs to the School's retaining walls, the Church's air conditioning, and of course completing funding for tuition assistance. We appreciate your generosity and commitment!
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Signing up with Faith Direct will make pledge payments simple! Go to our website, www.FaithDirect.net to log on. Our log in number is VA50. Please remember to note "St. James Legacy Campaign" on your check or memo line.
Please take advantage of the PINK Campaign Envelopes in your monthly offertory packet to make your pledge payments. Simply place your payment in the basket at Mass. Again, please remember to note that your donation is for the Campaign to avoid confusion in recording.
We thank everyone for their commitment to this effort. If you have questions or concerns regarding your pledge, please contact Christine Kurtzke Hughes in the rectory at 703-532-8815 or email her at advancement@stjamescatholic.org |
 Saint James School
THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR! WE'LL SEE YOU IN AUGUST.
If you would like a tour or have any questions, please contact the school at 703-533-1182 or go onto the website: www.saintjamesschool.org
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Ministry Updates
PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (PREP)
Get Ready for St. James Vacation Bible School!
Join the fun Surfin' with the Holy Spirit!
K4J (Kids 4 Jesus)
July 16 - 20, 9:00am - 12:30pm
Register Today! Extra forms are in the back of the Church.
30% off VBS registration fees with full-time parent volunteer. Contact Anne Haislmaier at: anne@kidsaregreat.net
VOLUNTEER at the St. James VBS!
Join in the fun as a GUIDE at Vacation Bible School.
No VBS experience needed - just a happy heart!
Anyone age 16 or older can be a guide. General help and
PT volunteers welcome too. Everyone 18 and older must
complete the Diocesan VIRTUS training.
 Don't forget our Monthly Food Distribution: Friday, July 6th. Questions? Contact Janet Qualters at 703-573-9170.
Charismatic Prayer Group
Join the St. James charismatic prayer group at The UNBOUND conference held July 27-28 here at St. James. For more information contact, Kathryn Hosford at 703-536-2153, or email trustpsalm27@aol.com
Click the link for more information: Unbound Conference
A Busy Summer awaits you at St. James!
Summer. A time of slowing down. Sipping lemonade under a tree. Maybe read a book. Or, you can come to St. James for a summer of FREE presentations on the popular Catholicism DVD Series, talks by Father Horkan on Mondays about our Faith and NEW (!) our own version of Theology on Tap (minus the tap) with Fr. Walter and our seminarian Nick Barnes on Sundays. Click below for flyers on these upcoming events:
Refresh Young Adult Series
Reasons for Hope: Fr. Horkan Series
Catholicism Screening Series
YOUTH MINISTRY
We're winding down the school year, but it doesn't mean we're slowing down! We've got our Banica Mission trip as well as Work Camp this summer. We also have many activities arranged to keep us connected with us each and Christ over the summer such as hiking at Great Falls, movie nights, and Grace n' Grub Tuesday Mass/lunches. Check out our website and Em's facebook page for more information:
http://www.facebook.com/notifications?clk_loc=1#!/stjamesymfallschurch
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Upcoming Events |
Youth Ministry Banica Meeting
July 2nd, 7:30-9:00pm
Knecht Conference Room
Refresh Series
July 1st, 8th, 15th and August 5th
Sunday Afternoons 4:00-5:30pm
Heller Hall
Grace n Grub (Mass and lunch)
Tuesdays through August
Meet at the Noon Mass
Social Outreach Food Distribution
Friday, July 6th, 7:00pm
Heller Hall
Youth Ministry Dinner & A Movie
Friday, July 6th 7:00-10:00pm
Knecht Conference Room & the Gym
"Catholicism" DVD Screenings
Beginning Saturday, July 7th
See Ministry Section for Informational Flyer
Hispanic Prayer Group
Saturday, July 7th 7:00pm
Heller Hall
Fr. Horkan's Faith Discussions
Monday July 9th, 16th, 30th; August 6th, 13th and 20th
Knecht Conference Room 7:30-9:00pm
Youth Ministry Hiking Trip To Great Falls
Wednesday, July 11th 8:15am-2:00pm
Vacation Bible School
Monday July 16th through Friday July 20th
Youth Ministry Work Camp Meeting
Tuesday July 17th 7:30-8:00pm
St. Agnes Church Hall
Feast of St. James Mass & Ice Cream Social
Wednesday July 25th 7:00pm
SAVE THE DATE FOR 2012 PARISH PICNIC: SEPTEMBER 16th |
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Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24: 46-48)
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Contact Information
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St. James Catholic Church
905 Park Avenue Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-532-8815 Office hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-9pm; Saturday 9am-6pm
Reverend Patrick Posey, Pastor
Please see our website: www.stjamescatholic.org
Saint James Catholic School
830 Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-533-1182 Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Sister Nancy Kindelan, IHM, Principal
Please see our website: www.saintjamesschool.org
Religious Education
830 Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: 703-533-1182 (ext. 104)
Monday-Friday 9:30am -2:30pm
Sister Joyce Bell, IHM, Director
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