Panther Pause

PANTHER PAUSE Stephanie Sanchez Meets the Pope

In celebration of Sant’ Anselmo’s 125th anniversary, 15 students from Benedictine schools throughout the world traveled to Rome. Sant’ Anselmo is a house of study for monks from Benedictine communities throughout the world. Priory student, Stephanie Sanchez ’19, was one of the lucky students chosen to make the trip, and the highlight of the journey, was a once in a lifetime personal meeting with Pope Francis. Sanchez prepared for her meeting with Pope Francis by asking her family members if they wanted to write him a letter that she could give to him. “I even talked to some of my teachers about it and they had some questions that they wanted answered,” she said. In a room next to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Sanchez sat patiently with approximately 250 other devoted people awaiting the Pope’s arrival. When Sanchez’s time came, she was surprisingly calm, “Standing in front of him, I felt comfortable and happy that I was talking to him,” she explained. Sanchez had decided it was best for her to speak in Spanish to the Pope, so she introduced herself, mentioned her hometown, her school and “said that my friends and family love him very much, and thanked him for being an inspiration to many.” Once she finished speaking, she handed him the letters written by her family and asked him to bless a few small items belonging to her family members. After he blessed the items and received the letters, he said “Thank You” in Spanish and the remarkable encounter was concluded. Sanchez reflected on meeting the Pope, “talking to him was definitely not what I expected. I thought that I would have gotten a lot more nervous than I did and I felt that after meeting the Pope is when I realized what a positive impact such an admirable figure can have on some people such as myself. Sanchez was very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet the Pope and also visit Rome and the surrounding cities of Montecassino, Subiaco, and the Vatican. “Meeting the Pope was not the only once in a lifetime opportunity for me, but spending time in one of the most beautiful places in the world with amazing people is truly a blessing,” she added. “I’m very glad I had a chance to experience this life-changing trip.”

25 Years with Volunteer Captain Tim Molak

Tim Molak with his daughter Kate and future son-in-law Brad Hallick.

On April 28, Priory took part in the annual Rebuilding Together project to restore a home in East Palo Alto. What many people don’t realize is it takes a team leader, an organizer, or what Rebuilding Together classifies them, a Volunteer Captain, to make the entire project come to life. Head of School Tim Molak, has been that Volunteer Captain for the past 25 years. Molak’s tireless dedication to Rebuilding Together goes beyond the actual day of work by the large group of volunteers. What many people don’t see are the days that Molak went to the homes in need and scoped out what needs to be repaired, dumped, cleaned and followed up with additional final repairs. This year, Rebuilding Together honored Molak by presenting him with a trophy for 25 years of his dedication as a Volunteer Captain. Molak started the relationship between Priory and Rebuilding Together as the dean of students and was proud that Priory is the first school in the area to volunteer with Rebuilding Together. “They started 28 years ago and we have been a part of Rebuilding Together for 26 years, that’s pretty cool,” remarked Molak. So what has inspired Molak to continue working as a Volunteer Captain for all these years? “I love doing it, the kids love doing it with faculty and staff by their side, and it provides a specific fundraiser for all students during Lent,” Molak explained. “The clients we serve are so happy and grateful for what our group does for their home,” he added. Mr. Molak, we are happy and grateful for what you have unselfishly done for so many homes and for so many years. Congratulations on your 25 years of service honor!