Dear Parish Families of both St. Brendan and St. Richard,
“No matter how much it has done for your mind,
your education has been a failure if it has failed to open your heart.”
St. Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of Catholic Educators
28 December 2022; 400th Anniversary
Ever since entering into a friendship with Incarnate Word Academy, since they are known for their giftedness in the Catholic spirituality of the Incarnation (God with us, in the person of Jesus Christ) and for their academic excellence, our St. Brendan heart has certainly been opened, enriched and blessed in so many ways. I want to thank Mr. Michael Wisnor and also our school principal, Miss Julie Onacila, and the whole faculty and staff for the time and work spent in enhancing who we are as the Catholic School in North Olmsted.
As true Navigators, along with our patron, St. Brendan, we are fearless in stepping out and sailing into unexplored waters. Along with the Diocesan initiative called, “Keeping the Faith,” and now my additional parish assignment at St. Richard, this is a great opportunity for all of us to look at the bigger picture of Catholic education. This should happen not just in one parish community, but along with the parish communities of St. Richard and St. Clarence, within the wider North Olmsted community as well. Going forward, we will make sure that this is a reality.
St. Brendan School is dedicated to educating minds, to make healthy the human person God has created us to be, and to foster souls that are committed to God who guides us in every way. Mind, body, and soul – this is at the heart of Catholic education! If you would like to know more about what is happening at St. Brendan School please go to our school website. I think all will be elated to know how we integrate what we pray at every Eucharist, at every Mass, “At the Savior’s command, and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say…” And from that divine teaching we pass on to our children that they can call upon God… not as someone stuck in the cosmos, but as God who is so near to us as to call upon Him as Father. As He calls to us, His sons and daughters, as His Beloved.
During this time of increased friendship with IWA, working more collaboratively as North Olmsted Catholic parishes, and working intentionally with the Diocese on the “Keeping the Faith” initiative, please pray for us – the priests, the administration, faculty, and staff. With a great legacy and tradition that has been handed on to us, may we become a school that is even better by opening our hearts wider to God and our neighbors.
I live for Jesus Christ,
Rev. Thomas Woost