After listening to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge’s start of the school year message, teachers and administrators at Holy Family School in Dale City decided they needed to change their morning call and response with the students. At the Mass for the 25th anniversary of the school Oct. 25, Principal Sarah Chevlin demonstrated the new chant for Bishop Burbidge.
“Boys and girls, rejoice in the Lord,” she said.
“Always,” the students called back, echoing the year two theme for the Diocesan Golden Jubilee as they celebrated their own silver jubilee.
Holy Family School opened in the fall of 1997 and added a new grade each year According to the school history, the preschool parents and Father Joseph P. Biniek, then pastor, were the driving forces behind its creation. Today there are nearly 200 students at the school, and more than half are Hispanic.
“The most special thing about Holy Family is the tight-knit community that is exceptionally diverse,” said Deana Gomez, director of admissions and marketing and a school parent. “We are a spiritual family and parents know their kids are safe here. Every teacher knows every student; the child is never just a number or another face in the crowd.”
The school’s family system helps facilitate bonding between the students, said Gomez. “Students gather in their respective ‘families’ of approximately 20 students each before Mass once a month,” she said. “Each family, which is named for a particular saint, has a shield and symbol. School families foster a deeper sense of community within the school, unite students from different grade levels, and generate leadership opportunities for the older students.”
At the Mass celebrated by Bishop Burbidge and Father Ramon A. Baez, pastor, Bishop Burbidge advised the students to stay close to the Lord. “Remember all your blessings and give thanks to God, rejoice in his great love for you and remain with him, doing what is right, what is good and walking humbly with your God,” he said. “If you live this way, you will know great joy, today and always.”
