Pastor's Corner
January 29, 2017
This weekend is a busy one. The six novices from the Western Dominican Province are here, along with their Novice Master, Fr. Anthony Rosevear, OP. These young men are in a year of intense discernment regarding whether to make simple profession as a Dominican friar. They are living the life of a Dominican; studying our history and constitutions, praying and living in our community at St. Dominic’s, San Francisco.
They are beginning a tour of the southern part of our province, visiting communities in southern California, Arizona and Utah, visiting some of our other ministries and meeting more of the friars. All of this is meant to aid their discernment. At the same time, during the novitiate, we are examining them, and trying to help them discern if they are called to our life or not. I know you will show them our warm St. Dominic’s hospitality.
In addition, we are kicking off Catholic Schools week. I feel very blessed to work with Mrs. Emily Diaz, our principal, and to be a part of such a vital mission – not only to educate young people and prepare them for a multitude of vocations, but especially to help them have an encounter with Jesus Christ. That is primarily what makes Catholic education so important. It is not enough that our children learn about the Faith along with mathematics, writing, science, social studies and the arts. Everything we do at the school must be directed to helping them learn to hear the voice of Jesus, especially in the Scriptures, and to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit each day in all the various activities they undertake. As they learn to apply what they’ve learned in their classes to life, they must also learn to apply them as Christians. That is the life of the disciple of Jesus, and what makes Catholic education distinct from all other types of education.
Thank you for your support of our elementary school and for your support of Dominican formation. In doing so, you are benefiting in the long run, because the products of these programs change your world for the better!