Fingers Crossed

Students in Mr. Dewey’s IB World Religions class took part one of a two-part, comprehensive exam as their final assessment today. Those who perform well may merit college credit for religion or social sciences courses. Good luck - we're praying for you!

The Cardinal Has Landed!

God Bless America

F Period

Wrapping up Spirit Week in style!  Students in Mr. Dewey's  classes sporting the Red, White and Blue. 

E Period 

Frenemies ...

So glad to see Mr. Dewey embracing a little friendly competition during School Spirit Week's Favorite Sports Team Day. Way to to keep 'em close, Mr. Dewey! 😇

It Won't Be Long Now

A very common sight at our current school building... the new athletic facilities cannot come soon enough!

Good luck today Cardinals!

Softball vs Putnam (HCC, 4 pm)

JV and Varsity Baseball vs Westfield (4 pm, Forest Park)

Girls Lacrosse @ Belchertown (5:30 pm) 

Boys Lacrosse vs Chicopee (4 pm, Spec Pond)

Girls Tennis @ Sabis (4 pm, Forest Park)

It won't be long now... check out our new athletic fields!

Back from Spring Break in Time to Celebrate!

Eddie Shore III presents the top defenseman award to Jacob King 

WELCOME BACK!
A happy day here at Pope Francis High - our students have returned safe and sound from spring break, spring is in the air, sunshine and mild temperatures predicted, AND several of our winter athletes were honored yesterday afternoon at the 52nd annual Bessone Awards Banquet! Congratulations to Brendan Nehmer who received the Amo "Betts" Bessone Award as Western Mass. Hockey's Most Valuable Player, and Jacob King who received the Eddie Shore Award for Top Defenseman. The top coach's award, the Joseph Buchholz Coach of the Year Award, went to our very own Coach Brian Foley.  Jon Tavella and Max Cocchi were also recognized by MassLive's Conor Ryan. #CardinalPride  Check this link for all the details!

Ted Howe presents most valuable player award to Brendan Nehmer

Conor Ryan presents coach of the year award to Coach Foley

Jon Tavella and MassLive's Conor Ryan

Max Cocchi and MassLive's Conor Ryan

A Job Well Done

"We were created for meaningful work, and one of life's greatest pleasures is the satisfaction of a job well done."

 - John C. Maxwell

An exhausted and happy group!

Thursday, April 19 - An Opportunity for Caring, Compassion and Kindness

“Wherever there are wild animals in the world, there is always an opportunity for caring, compassion and kindness.”  - Paul Oxton

Today our students brought energy and kindness to The Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter and Education Center. This not-for-profit wildlife hospital cares for injured, sick, and orphaned native North Carolina wildlife in a professional and compassionate manner. Their incredible mission is to rehabilitate and release the thousands of animals admitted to the clinic each year and to teach others how to happily and peacefully coexist with wildlife. The center is currently home to owls, vultures, hawks, songbirds, turtles, fish, and water fowl.

You can see our students are helping to beautify the grounds,  painting the ICU room, and prepping food for the wildlife. A messy and fun day, indeed! 

Missing Our Students... And Spring!

There is still plenty of work happening at school during this Spring Break - but we sure do miss our students ... and spring! Another raw, rainy (snow dusted) day in Western Mass.☔

Protect, Preserve, Restore - The Work Continued...

Yesterday's work was such an amazing experience for our students, we couldn't resist sharing more photos. Enjoy!

"Meaningful services, wonderful prayers, and deep reflections." 
- John Anziano, Director of Campus Ministry 
when asked how the trip was going.

 

Wednesday, April 18: Working Together for a Healthy Coast

Today our students worked to build a living shoreline out of recycled oyster shells!

The North Carolina Coastal Federation, in partnership with Camp Albemarle, invited volunteers to assist in building this incredible method of shoreline erosion protection. The new oyster reef will protect the shore from erosion and create habitat for hundreds of marine creatures including oysters - all of which help filter and clean the water.

You can see our student volunteers creating and passing along oyster shell bags to be placed in shallow water along the marsh. This project will help promote widespread stewardship of coastal resources - and our students know a thing or two about caring for the environment from their study of Pope Francis' Ladauto Si!

Looks like honoring Earth Day (4/22) has already begun! 🌎

A prayerful start to the day

Celebrating National Volunteer Week: April 14 - April 21

"Each generation of young people should be to the world like a vast reserve force to a tired army. They should lift the world forward.” – Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Celebrating the power of our student volunteers during National Volunteer Week. Thank you for taking the time to share your physical strength, intelligence, and heart with those in need. #CardinalPride 💖

Refurbishing furniture at Jacksonville, NC Salvation Army

Tuesday, April 17 - The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ...

Day 2 of the Spring Break Service Trip to North Carolina brought sunshine and a renewed sense of purpose!  Students can be seen here continuing their work at Maysville Park building benches...looks like we may have a few more qualified candidates for building theater production sets back home! 😉

Also today, they worked at the Salvation Army doing a real hands on project. The main task was to refurbish some old chairs. Students chose between creating the distressed look or a matte finish. The process involves stripping and sanding the metal and applying several coats of paint. Some of the chairs will be sold in the thrift store, while others will be used in the creativity room where local citizens can learn crafts and life skills through programs that the church offers. 

Amazing work, Pope Francis!

Monday, April 16 -Road Less Traveled: Spring Break Serving Others

Our students hit the ground running! Yesterday was the first official day of the annual April Spring Break Service trip to Maysville, NC and they accomplished more in one day than most do in a week! 

They can be seen here building benches, spreading topsoil and planting sod to help beautify a local park. They also helped with a very familiar service project - distributing food at a local food bank at the Maysville Methodist Church.  No doubt they felt the gratification that comes from helping others... and the southern sky is just a bonus! Enjoy the sun, guys!