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President’s Message
It seems like not long ago I was suggesting to our student body that the time will fly by before one even knows it. Seniors especially would be affected by this phenomenon to see the end of their high school career coming at them fast! Wow, only a few more months before this academic year ends to leave us with great memories and challenging new values to implement. To what do we have to look forward?
I recently read a quote from a wise figure. “The beginning of the end of every civilization is an unwillingness to make sacrifices for the greater good.” It is a somber thought indeed, but happily reflects the antithesis of who we are as Bruins.
I am constantly thankful for the willingness of so many of us who identify with Padua to give of ourselves when a need presents itself. I’ve seen us in action over the past six years to put aside our own preferred wants to serve the needs of another. Be it in tutoring a student, in raking leaves for the elderly in Parma, in supporting our Christmas For Others charity drive, in contributing to PaduaPlus+ Campaign and Franciscan Fund, in helping Padua grow physically, in essence making service a way of life, not just a one-time event!
In this issue of The Paduan you will find myriad examples of how we reach out to others to make a difference in real honest-to-goodness lives, to bring a smile to our brothers and sisters. You will read about our coming together to honor a Padua Franciscan retiree of 50 years with a new back entrance to the school. The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi was the occasion of our successful 24-hour Bruins Big Give. We honored 10 outstanding individuals with exceptional gifts and talents by inducting them into the Padua Franciscan Hall of Fame. Our efforts made it possible to graduate 187 young men and women in the Class of 2019, and welcome 202 freshmen into the Class of 2023!
To what do we have to look forward? It is said that the only thing worth doing is what we do for others. When we see the fruits of our labors, when we know we have contributed in making our world a better place, when a smile and a “thank you” brings us happiness, we will know what it is to give and receive, love in a lifestyle of service. I trust the pages of this Paduan, prayerfully, will bring a smile to your face.
Peace and all that is good,
Fr. Allan DaCorte, ofm President of Padua
Cover Photograph:
Photo by Rachel DeGirolamo ’02 Edited by Don Gerda
Board of Trustees
Fr. Allan DaCorte, ofm
President
Mr. Nick Iafigliola
Chairperson
Mrs. Heather (Ross) Scaglione ’89
Vice Chairperson
Mr. Dana Banyasz ’04 Mr. Michael P. Barth Mr. Michael Biehl ’74 Mr. John Chmura ’99 Mr. James Climer
Fr. John Doctor, ofm
Fr. John Dombrowski, ofm Br. Tom Eaton, ofm
Mr. James Gaydosh ’78 Mr. Dennis Juliani ’68
Mr. David Knowles ’65 Mrs. Mary Ann Kocurko Mr. Gerald Koler ’86
Mr. Wayne Ligato ’68
Mr. Paul Marnecheck II ’00 Dr. Maria Ramundo
Mr. Joseph Schuerger Br. Thom Smith, ofm Dr. Richard So ’89 Mrs. Linda Wasco
Mr. Martin Zanotti ’70
Mrs. Mary Jane (Dworznik) Zarach ’88 Mr. Stephen Suding
VP of Mission and Ministry &
Secretary of the Board
Mrs. Ann-Marie (Lehman) DiPaolo ’86
Treasurer
Mr. David Stec ’86
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Principal