I welcome you to our St. Mary’s website and invite you to explore our pages to see the fascinating and exciting things happening in our school!
     I am a proponent of Catholic Schools, not because I am a priest or because I am a product of Catholic school education because I am not, but I am a proponent of Catholic schools because I have witnessed firsthand what makes Catholic Schools, and particularly our own St. Mary’s School, such a wonderful center for faith based learning and academic excellence.
     There is something about Catholic Schools that sets them apart.  The particular advantage enjoyed by our Catholic schools, over any other school system, is their ability to teach the faith on a daily basis, alongside the other subjects that make up the school curriculum.  Religion is taught with the same rigor that one would expect to find in a Math, Science, English or History class. Moreover, the faith is integrated into every aspect of the school day; not only in classroom work, but in extracurricular activities, character formation, and certainly in the spiritual life which is central to Catholic schools.
     I believe the academic success, and the personal growth of our students is all accomplished because we as a Catholic School are a family.  We are a family of faith, where the students are part of a larger school family; where they are taught the importance of caring for one another, showing respect for one another, and where they are taught to live out Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you.”  Nothing gives me greater joy than to see them caring for one another. For example, an older student helping a younger one in our Big Buddy program, sitting with our youngest students at weekly Mass and teaching them about Mass. It is truly heartwarming to see the care and concern for one another displayed by our students, our faculty, and all our families.
     A question often posed is: “Why should I consider a Catholic school when the public schools offer a great education?”  I always begin with the long-standing tradition the Catholic Church has in educating our young people to a higher degree of success.  St. Mary’s Catholic School alumni continue to lead in all areas of student life as they excel in their high school years. Catholic schools, and it is true for our parish school, establish a spirit of faith, family, and community in their students.  The education our students receive at St. Mary’s Catholic School stays with them their entire lives and can be the basis from which they orient themselves with the world. It also encourages them to remain grounded in the Catholic faith while they reach to fulfill their dreams. Our students enter our school to learn, and leave to serve as disciples of Jesus.
     So, come join the St. Mary’s Apache family, because if you’re not here, we’re going to miss you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Very Rev. John P. Nolan, VF