Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde visited St. Luke School in
McLean the week before Christmas to congratulate Principal
Louis M. Silvano, his staff and the students for being named
a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of
Education.
The bishop said he was delighted to be able to congratulate
the entire school community – faculty, staff, students and
parents – for being a shining, outstanding example of a
Catholic school.
St. James School in Falls Church was the other diocesan
school recognized this year. It was the second time the
school received the honor.
“In every Catholic school, you are learning how to be a
faithful member of God’s people, the church, and a citizen of
our nation,” Bishop Loverde said in his homily.
“You are learning how to be kind and share, and how to
forgive.
“I am proud of each of you and grateful to all those who
sacrificed to allow this school to be stable and successful,”
he said.
The bishop noted that more than 50 percent of diocesan
schools have received Blue Ribbon recognition.
“May you be the Blue Ribbon School of faith, hope and
charity, shining brightly with the presence of the Lord and
His saving power,” the bishop said.
The Mass was concelebrated by Father David L. Martin, St.
Luke’s pastor; Father Anthony J. Pinizzotto, parochial vicar,
and Father Jamie R. Workman, a priest in residence.
At the school assembly following Mass, Silvano said St.
Luke’s is a “mission-driven school” that was established more
than 50 years ago. He said the school’s heart can be found in
its core values of honesty, empathy, achievement, respect and
trust in God.
Silvano said the school is already looking beyond the Blue
Ribbon award as it begins working on a new strategic plan.
Newly-elected U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock,
representing Virginia’s 10th District, reflected on how she
attended Catholic school in New Jersey, while her children
attended St. John the Beloved School in McLean.
“What a gift the (Catholic) school is to the community,
forming great citizens and people of faith,” Comstock said.
“The relationships you build (at St. Luke’s) will last for
the rest of your lives,” she told the students.
“Our Catholic schools really make a difference,” Bishop
Loverde said. “They engage the students in all their
talents.”
The bishop gave the students a day off from school, while
Sister Bernadette McManigal, diocesan superintendent of
schools, asked every teacher to pick one night and not give
the students homework.
