Dear Saints,

As I sit in my office on Walcott Street beginning my Lenten Appeal letter, I am thankful that spring is right around the corner. All the signs are there: warmer days, the beginning of baseball spring training, and the celebration of Ash Wednesday, Saint Patrick’s Day and Saint Joseph’s Day. I love the start of the spring season. The days are getting longer, the flowers are coming back to life, and there is a distinct anticipation in the air. I have always believed this mirrors the season of Lent, as we all wait in anticipation of Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Jesus.

The students on the Saint Raphael Academy campus are full of excitement and anticipation for another reason as well… preparations have begun for the annual Saints Olympics! The tradition of Saints Olympics (though simply called “field day” in the early years) dates to 1927! According to the yearbook, “The meet was hotly contested by all classes,” but in the end “the sophomores defeated the juniors and romped away with the much-coveted trophy.” Today, our Olympics are a week-long friendly competition during which the students work together as a class to see which class will provide the most contributions to support a variety of charities. This is a wonderful example of what it means to be a Saint; yes, the students are competitive with one another, but they know the real winners are those in the community who receive our help and assistance.

Today I am hoping you might consider helping some of our students stay at Saint Raphael Academy. For many of our Saints families, the past few years have been difficult. The daily cost of living has increased dramatically and almost every product and service costs more than the previous year. The SRA Finance Office reminds me almost daily that most of the incoming freshmen are requesting financial aid and many of our current students are hoping to receive additional financial support next year. The Academy does the best we can to accommodate these requests and any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated. All monies collected during this Lenten Appeal will go directly to keeping our students at Saint Raphael Academy.

I have been so impressed by the kindness and generosity of our alumni. Every donation – no matter the size – makes a difference! I cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve done for the Academy and, more specifically, for our wonderful students! Together we can continue to educate and graduate students who understand the value of faith, service, and community!

I hope you have an enlightened Lenten season and a blessed Easter Sunday!

In Peace,

Dan Richard

Head of School
Saint Raphael Academy