From The Pastor: 10-8-2017

Father Al's weekly message from this past Sunday:

This weekend at the noon Mass we are kicking off our celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Saint Joan of Arc Parochial School. Ninety years is quite a milestone in any lifetime but ninety years for a Catholic School is quite an accomplishment. I was reading the initial letter from our first pastor, Father Phelan, to the bishop at the time, Bishop Philip McDevitt, asking for permission to build a Catholic school here in Hershey. He gives all the reasons why it would be advantageous and then comes to the point of his letter: May we please borrow $4000 to build the school! $4000!!! To build a school!!! Ah, those were the days!

Our school has had an illustrious history with thousands of alumni coming through our doors. This year we have 352 students in Pre-school through 8th grade. For the entire ninety years we have had the privilege of having the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy as teachers and principals in our school. What a blessing! Our school has taught the Catholic Faith year in and year out for 90 years. What a special privilege to bring the love and mercy and teaching of Jesus Christ to the children of our parish! Ad Multos Annos! To many more years!

Father Al

*Reminder: Father Al's message is posted each week on our parish blog (parish website - www.stjoanhershey.org)