Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving
at St. James Church in Falls Church Oct. 23, in gratitude for St. James
School’s third National Blue Ribbon of Excellence recognition by the U.S.
Department of Education.
St. James was one of eight Virginia schools to be recognized
in September as a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education. The
school, run by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also
received the award in 1999 and 2014. Only 50 private schools across the country
are recognized each year.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Sue Carwile, principal,
said members of the student government and National Junior Honor Society
presented Bishop Burbidge with a “spiritual bouquet” card noting that 537
rosaries had been prayed by the school community. The gift bag also included
several items of St. James School memorabilia, including a face mask, a blanket
and a water bottle.
The first parish school began in 1906 and was staffed by the
Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The IHM sisters have staffed St. James school
since 1923. This year, the school has more than 400 students and inaugurated
its first preschool.
