Dear Saints,

As I sit in my office on Walcott Street beginning my Lenten Appeal Letter, I am looking at the piles of snow the Blizzard of 2026 has left throughout Saint Raphael Academy’s campus, and my greatest wish is that spring is right around the corner! We all know hope is eternal! The spring season has always been my favorite. The days are getting longer, the flowers are beginning to come 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.

Today at Saint Raphael Academy, we are also full of anticipation. This is a very special time on our campus because it is Saints Olympics Week! As you might remember from your days here, in this week-long competition the students compete as a class to see which group provides the most support for different charities chosen this year. 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 the individuals who need our help and assistance. In the spirit of Saints Olympics, I am hoping you might consider helping some of our students stay at Saint Raphael Academy.

Paying tuition has been the cause of much trepidation for some of our Saints families and students this year. The “affordability” issue is very real for many of our parents, and having a student at SRA adds to their financial concerns. It is not uncommon for our parents to take a second job to make ends meet, and unfortunately there are instances when this is still not enough. The SRA Finance Office reminds me almost daily that most incoming students are requesting aid, and many of our current students are hoping to receive additional financial support for the next year. The leadership at the Academy does the best it can to keep students at our school, but any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Any and all gifts that we receive during the Lenten Appeal go directly to support our students at Saint Raphael Academy.

During my time at SRA, our alumni have left me in awe with their kindness and generosity. I cannot thank you enough for always being there for our students and their families. May God watch over you and your loved ones during this Lenten season, and I hope all of you have a blessed Easter Sunday!

In Peace,

Head of School
Saint Raphael Academy