"We are grateful for the enduring blessing the school of St. James has been for the past 100 years," said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde at the opening Mass celebrating the centennial anniversary of St. James School in Falls Church.

The events started early on Sept. 17 as the school community gathered for a Fun Nun Run. More than 600 students and parents ran or walked 1.5 miles to raise money for Camilla Hall, the retirement home for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters.

Along with the run, kindergarten through second-grade girls were invited to compete in a nun look-alike contest and dressed up as their favorite sister. Many religious who have taught at St. James over the years were in the area for the centennial and were able to watch the fun. The event raised more than $7,000.

During the Mass, the bishop referred to Catholic schools as one of the main places where evangelization occurs. He commended St. James School for providing Catholic education in Falls Church for a century.

He also called to mind all the many people who have been a part of the school over the years — students, parents, faculty, staff and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. Bishop Loverde hoped that students who attended St. James School would be "so deepened in love of God that they would live their lives faithfully and bring others to Jesus," he said.

After the Mass, the bishop blessed the new statue of St. James outside the church and then walked across the street to bless the school. All were invited to tour the school after the blessings and make their way to a reception held in Msgr. Heller Hall.

The close-knit community was at its best as generations came together to meet and reminisce about the school’s long history. It was not hard to find people who have dedicated their lives to this school.

Marianne Barrick has taught science at St. James for 37 years.

"This place is home," she said. "It’s truly a faith community. People reach out and embrace you."

Along with the supportive parents and parishioners, Barrick finds the children to be especially motivated. Every year, she takes several students to regional science fairs, and they tend to impress the judges. St. James School has taken home many awards over the years.

When Barrick first arrived at the school in 1968, she had three grades of every class. At recess, the children played on the church parking lot and were bumped off for funerals. She said the changes the school has undergone since then have only improved it.

"Let’s go for another 100," she said. "Anything running for this long has to be doing something right."

In her 36th year of teaching kindergarten, Mary Clarke believes she has a very rewarding job.

"What other job can you have that you get a hug and ‘I love you’ at the end of each day?" she asked.

Clarke enjoys having the alumni return to the school — either as teachers or just to visit. As an alumna, Clarke has quite a history with the school and is always happy to see the sisters who taught her return. The presence of the IHM Sisters has been the one constant throughout the years, she said.

"It’s so comfortable here," she said.

Sister Rita Keller taught at the school from 1972-78 then returned in 1992-2001. She remembers the community always being very vibrant.

"As a young sister, it was very life-giving to me," she said. After her first interim at the school, she always hoped she would return but never thought it would happen. Sister Rita felt privileged to return in 1992 to teach a new generation of students.

Two fifth-grade students expressed their affection for the school.

"We’re going to come back for the 125th anniversary," said Meg Donovan, and Jesmine Legrand added, "One hundred years and still lovin’ it."