Report on Mission Activities 2023

REPORT ON MISSION ACTIVITIES 2023

We are Lasallian

“Lasallian” describes a ministry or person fulfilling the mission set forth by educational innovator, Saint John Baptist de La Salle. A Lasallian is one who can transform the general Christian call to discipleship into a personal vocation, living out in a specific way the call to make Christ present in today’s world. The Lasallian mission is informed and animated by five core principles: faith in the presence of God; respect for all people; quality education; inclusive community; and concern for the poor and social justice. Lasallians are personally committed to living the gospel values and working to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor. For centuries, boys, girls, men, and women have followed in the footsteps of John Baptist de La Salle to fulfill their God-given potential by impacting the world around them with empathy and love. This report is a glimpse into how Lasallians at St. John’s College High School answered the call to be the body of Christ during the 2022–23 school year.

Mission: Faithful to the charism of St. John Baptist de La Salle, St. John’s College High School is an independent, Catholic college preparatory school whose mission is to provide a human and Christian education to young men and women from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

St. John’s is a community of faith and zeal with dedicated Lasallian educators committed to the spiritual, academic, cultural, physical, and moral development of the students. Rooted in Christian values, the Lasallian experience at St. John’s prepares young men and women for lives dedicated to leadership, achievement, and service to the community.

Right: students participate in an all-day, in-house service immersion experience with So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.).

MISSION AND MINISTRY

The Office of Lasallian Mission and Ministry helps students deepen their faith and understanding of the human experience. Within our Christian community, we encourage students to ask thoughtful questions about their faith. Our liturgies, retreats, seminars, and service opportunities lead students to the answers they seek and help them make God known to others.

LITURGY AND PRAYER

As we gather to worship on Holy Days, at weekday Mass, as an entire community, and as a class, the Mass imparts the Sacred Mysteries in an approachable way. We also assemble for morning prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and to pray the Rosary.

RETREATS

Freshmen: Our Place of Becoming and Belonging Prepares students to make the most of their time at St. John’s through friends, mentors, and faith

Sophomores: Prayer

Focuses on the students developing their relationship with God by learning and practicing a variety of prayer forms

Juniors: Road to Emmaus

Explores relationships, choices, and discovering Christ in the everyday

Seniors: The Kairos Retreat Heightens self-knowledge and spirituality

Peer Ministry

Builds a community focused on ministerial work

SEMINARS

An expression of our commitment to educating the whole person, the seminar series focuses on human development and relationships, decision-making, academics, and life skills. Throughout the eight-part series, freshmen and sophomores explore topics ranging in diversity from digital safety to diet and health.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Service to others reveals our students’ God-given graces and talents and helps them become citizens of the world. During their four years at St. John’s, our students complete 90 hours of Christian service, with many students extending themselves beyond what is required. Despite the pandemic of 2020–2021, the Class of 2023 completed a total of 1,124 extracurricular hours.

Right: students serve Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Walls, MS.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Six members of the St. John’s community were part of a 30-person group that traveled to Jamaica over President’s Day weekend to help construct a school for preschool children. The team effort was made possible by the Davitt/Ruppert Family and Friends Mission in partnership with Food For The Poor (FFP), the county’s largest human relief services organization. The new building will accommodate 70 students in the infant department at the Content Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland. The building, which consists of four classrooms, an administrative office, a sick bay, bathrooms, and a kitchen, will provide much need space to educate young children in the community.

Over the two days, the group moved all the materials from the trailers, constructed the walls and roof, and painted the outer walls. In the evenings, they gathered for dinner and reflection. They also attended Mass celebrated by the bishop of Mandeville.

“St. John Baptist de La Salle was an educational innovator who knew that education unlocks opportunity. I am grateful to have been part of a team continuing La Salle’s work by building a school for those in need.”

— Leah ’24

The Davitt/Ruppert Family and Friends Mission has been funding building construction in Jamaica since 2001. They have subsidized 200 structures for communities on the island.

FORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR MISSION

We educate the whole person and offer continuing formative education opportunities for all of the faith community; it’s the Lasallian way. Last year, our faculty and staff participated in a variety of enrichment opportunities that opened them to new ways of thinking and believing—as mentors and as human beings.

FACULTY AND STAFF PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING:

The Brother John Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice

The Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Faculty Development

Faculty/Staff Retreats

Heritage on Tap with San Miguel School

The Huether Lasallian Conference

New Faculty Formation

VEGA Workshop for Young Lasallians

FORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES WERE ALSO OFFERED TO NEW

FAMILIES:

Freshman Parent Receptions

An annual September event for freshman parents started in 2011, President Jeffrey Mancabelli hosted three parent receptions, sharing the life story of St. La Salle and how we live the Lasallian mission at St. John’s.

Former Superior General Bro. Robert Schieler, FSC, leads SJC’s faculty retreat.

A COMMUNITY-CENTERED CURRICULUM

Faith development at SJC isn’t exclusive to liturgies or religion class lectures; it’s the cornerstone of our curriculum. From physics to the performing arts, our curriculum challenges students to strengthen their faith and commitment to social justice.

CADET CORPS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The entire Cadet Corps led by 33 seniors participated in Operation Cadets Care. For this annual Christmas drive, cadets selected four community organizations and raised more than $9,700 in funds and items to help those in need. The cadets donated, collected, and organized:

• 163 toys for Toys for Tots

• 85 comfort kits containing toiletry items for veterans at the Washington DC VA Medical Center

• 140 Christmas decorations for the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Fifteen cadets spent a total of 45 hours decorating two chapels at the home.

• 1,000 non-perishable food items for Manna Food Bank in Rockville, MD.

Fifteen cadets volunteered 60 service hours at Boulder Crest Retreat in Bluemont, VA, a facility for wounded and disabled veterans and their families. The cadets painted fences, tended the gardens, and spread mulch around the cabins.

DE LA SALLE SCHOLARS

Students created innovative independent study projects, some of which served the local community.

ENGLISH

Students raised $19,300 for San Miguel School, DC.

MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

Students in Spanish 2 classes participated in a virtual exchange with La Salle México in Mexico City.

PEER MINISTERS

The students ministered to the student body throughout the school year. Members led 19 student retreats.

Peer ministers were crucial to the success of Freshman Orientation and the Froshmore Dance.

PERFORMING ARTS

Members of Advanced Vocal Studies and the Scarlet and Grey Strings ensemble performed during the Christmas season at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing facility and the Christian Brothers retirement residence in Beltsville, MD.

RELIGION

Religion classes raised $6,300 for our twinned school, the Child Discovery Centre in Kenya, during Poverty Education Week.

VISUAL ARTS

Students participated in the Memory Project, creating 35 portraits for children in Syria and 49 portraits of CDC students, SJC’s twinned school in Kenya.

Students made ceramic bowls to benefit the annual mission drive.

WRITING CENTER

Fifteen senior volunteers attended training, conducted one-on-one appointments, and ran seminars in the Writing Center. This year, the students also took a field trip to the University of Maryland’s Writing Center for a training session.

Performing Arts students spread Christmas cheer for retired Christian Brothers.

Students take a break at Glacier National Park while serving at the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, MT.

EXTRACURRICULAR TEAMWORK

Clubs, organizations, and athletic teams at SJC attest to the power of collective action. Every day, students, faculty, and parents involved in school-sponsored activities enliven our mission with passion and purpose.

BEST BUDDIES

The club held a t-shirt tie-dye event to raise funds for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk Fund.

Members participated in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk at the National Mall. This annual walk raises awareness and financial support for the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disability.

BLACK STUDENT UNION

During the Thanksgiving season, students partnered with Purpose is Life, a DC-based nonprofit organization, to assemble 100 blessing bags of canned and boxed food for people experiencing homelessness.

ECO CLUB

In partnership with the Rock Creek Conservancy and the U.S. National Park Service, the club participated in two Rock Creek Park clean-ups through their Stream Team initiative. Twenty-eight members collected a total of nine bags of trash.

HER ESSENCE RADIATES (H.E.R.) CLUB

Partnering with Martha’s Table, a nonprofit organization that reaches thousands of DC residents through their programs, 12 members and one faculty member collected 227 items during their Women’s Hygiene Drive.

LASALLIAN YOUTH

Faculty and 35 students participated in weekly service trips to San Miguel School to tutor and mentor students.

In partnership with The Arc Montgomery County and Community Companions, five members assisted in running a field day with and for students with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Eighty-eight students tutored freshmen and upperclassmen throughout the year.

PARENT CLUBS

Men of St. John’s:

• helped with operational aspects of the annual Admissions Open House

• held their annual Citrus Fundraiser to benefit SJC students

• ran the concession stand for home athletic events

Mothers’ Club:

• co-hosted the Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner, raising $1,400 for the mission drive

• helped with operational aspects of the annual Admissions Open House

• contributed to the Marge Gasser Memorial Award for teachers

• decorated the school for Christmas

• Hosted:

› Meal of Solidarity during Poverty

Education Week

› Mardi Gras party for the school community

› Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day

SAN MIGUEL TRANSLATION CLUB

Four AP Spanish Language & Culture students and one faculty member traveled to San Miguel School during each quarter to provide four-hour sessions of translation services for Spanish-speaking parents during their parent-teacher conferences.

SHRED

Throughout the school year, 31 members of the SHRED team collected recycling from offices and classrooms.

SIGNUM FIDEI

Fourteen Lasallian-formed faculty members met throughout the year to plan and analyze mission-focused initiatives, including mission education, service, and faculty retreats.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

During the Christmas season, students collected toys for residents of National Children’s Hospital.

Left: Lasallian Youth members participate in a field day for students with disabilities. Right: members of the Black Student Union assemble blessing bags for those experiencing homelessness.

POVERTY EDUCATION WEEK TURNS

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Poverty Education Week, the school’s annual Lenten program through which the St. John’s community expresses its solidarity with the poor by focusing on education, service, and prayer. The inclusive program planned by Mission and Ministry and the Poverty Education Committee is designed to engage all community members—students, faculty, staff, and SJC families—and run across all departments.

Over the years, the program has evolved and become one of the most important school events of the year. In addition to the fundraisers, department lessons, community service, guest speakers, the annual mission drive to benefit the Child Discovery Centre in Kenya, daily prayer, and artistic expression throughout the campus, modified and new activities are introduced on a regular basis.

NEW INITIATIVES

This year, Bro. Oscar Okoth, administrator of SJC’s twinned school, Child Discovery Centre, shared his experience at the CDC via Zoom with SJC’s Lasallian Youth. He discussed how the CDC has evolved from a modest food program to a full-service boarding center and outreach program for children in grades 6 through 12. With a focus on education, the CDC addresses a variety of basic human needs including food, shelter, hygiene supplies, school materials, and more. Bro. Oscar described the Centre’s daily schedule, the children they serve, and their most urgent needs.

Also new this year, a small group of students participated in an all-day, in-house service immersion experience with So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E), an organization in the nation’s capital that strives to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through their comprehensive “whole person care” approach. S.O.M.E. members shared their personal stories and spoke about social injustice—highlighting the differences between social justice and charity and equality versus equity. Students packed more than 300 snack bags for those experiencing homeslessness and created a “Jeopardy” game for S.O.M.E.’s senior services center.

2023 ACTIVITIES

Members of the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) addressed junior and senior religion classes in Frana Auditorium.

Students prepared 600 sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a nonprofit organization that reaches thousands of people through their support programs.

The Counseling Department shared themed prayers and statistics each morning.

The library displayed an exhibit, “What’s Homelessness Really Like?” which featured stories of more than 30 individuals experiencing homelessness in America.

The SJC community raised funds to benefit the Child Discovery Centre, St. John’s twinned school in Kenya.

Student artists created exhibits to raise awareness of the plight of the poor and made bowls to benefit the annual mission drive.

Faculty and students participated in an all-day technology fast, abstaining from the use of technological devices as an act of solidarity with those who do not have access to technology or reliable Internet connections.

During lunch periods on Wednesday, students participated a Solidarity Meal in which they were served a modest portion of grains and legumes—reflecting the UN World Food Programme’s ration distribution for refugee camps and humanitarian crises.

Left: student-artists create pottery bowls to benefit the mission drive. Below: students learn about homelessness experiences through library exhibits.

“For 15 years, St. John’s faculty and staff have been drawing students’ attention to the needs of the economically poor and educating them about the systemic causes of poverty. As a community, we are ever more aware of the truth of Jesus’ statement, ‘The poor you will always have with you.’ Matt. 26:11. This reality is a call for us to engage in relationships of solidarity, realizing that it is we who are being served. In these relationships and in our service, students learn that we encounter Christ and are vehicles of His love for the most vulnerable.”

—Tom Sipowicz, Director of Mission Integration

Clockwise from top right: students assemble 300 snack bags for those experiencing homelessness. The Mothers’ Club serves lunch during the Solidarity Meal. Bro. Oscar Okoth, FSC, administrator of Child Discovery Centre, speaks to Lasallian Youth members.

SJC WELCOMES SECRETARIAT FOR SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPMENT

In December, St. John’s welcomed visitors from the Lasallian Generalate in Rome and its Secretariat for Solidarity and Development, who spoke to junior morality classes and students from the Entrepreneurial Center for Innovation and Social Impact about their work on behalf of the most vulnerable in Lasallian institutions throughout the world. The Secretariat is supported by the fundraising and work of the La Salle International Foundation and oversees ministries in education, the multidimensional vulnerabilities of poverty, children’s rights and well-being, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. The impact extends to the entire community by providing formation, stability, and even sustenance in the form of clean drinking water.

The visiting members of the Secretariat were intrigued by the unique nature of the Entrepreneurial Center for Innovation and Social Impact and hope to deepen the relationship and efforts between the two entities.

The members of the Secretariat were accompanied by two members from the Christian Brothers’ Generalate in Rome, Executive Secretary for the General Council Bro. Sergio Leal, FSC, of Bogota, and new General Councilor Bro. Chris Patiño, FSC, of Los Angeles, who represents the region of North America in Rome. St. John’s was the first school in the district (DENA) to welcome Bro. Chris.

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

LET US REMEMBER WE ARE IN THE HOLY PRESENCE OF GOD...

St. John’s is excited to welcome home Msgr.

John Enzler, SJC Class of 1965, as our new chaplain! In 2023, Father John retired from his post as president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington and celebrated 50 years of priesthood. He will offer Mass and hear confessions in De La Salle Chapel and be available to the St. John’s community for spiritual guidance.

Students pray during Eucharistic Adoration.

Staff generously serve as sacristans.

Students receive ashes during Ash Wednesday Mass. Music ministers lead the community in song during all-school Masses.

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Many students choose to serve beyond the curriculum requirements and embark on service opportunities across the nation and abroad. In these immersion trips, students relinquish creature comforts and stereotypes in favor of Christian service and self-discovery. These experiences are made possible by members of the SJC community, who donate generously to the Lasallian Christian Service Fund.

• La Salle Educational Center, Homestead, Florida: Eight students and two faculty members helped to organize and run the first session of summer camp at the La Salle Educational Center in the South Dade community. This center serves low income and migrant agricultural families, provides a safe and nurturing environment, and offers integral programs in education, faith formation, vocational skills, and sports.

• Sacred Heart Southern Missions, Walls, Mississippi: During three trips, 23 students and six faculty members co-created safe and functional housing structures for residents of the greater Memphis community by tearing down and re-installing house frames and ceilings. They also volunteered at the community food drive, cooked for the team, and led the daily prayers and reflections.

• De La Salle Blackfeet School, Browning, Montana: Eight students and two faculty members empowered children on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation by facilitating science labs and assisting in English and math classes. The group also participated in the school remodeling project by helping to remove furniture and install, sand, and paint drywall.

• Oscar Romero Center, Camden, New Jersey: Nine students and two faculty members aided the urban poor by assisting Neighborhood Collaborative Community Gardens, Cathedral Kitchen, St. Joseph’s Cathedral School, and Urban Promise. Students worked in the gardens, prepared and distributed food, assisted teachers in classrooms, and painted low-income housing.

NEW!

Students assist with gardening in Camden, NJ.

“Going to Mississippi was truly eye-opening. To make a physical impact on a community while strengthening my relationship with God was an incredibly rewarding experience.”

— Thea ’24

Top left and middle right: students co-created functional housing structures for the greater Memphis community. Bottom left: students helped to organize a summer camp at La Salle Educational Center in Homestead, FL

FRESHMEN ON A MISSION

In April, the Class of 2026 gathered for their Freshman Mission Mass and to sign their class mission statement.

Each year, the 9th-grade class develops its own specific mission statement—an SJC tradition since 2001. In the spring, a committee of students crafts a statement based on the unique spiritual, academic, and social qualities of their class. After meeting several times to review and revise the draft, the final document is revealed to their classmates at the Freshman Mission Mass. The printed mission statement signed by each freshman is then hung in Heritage Hallway, where all the statements of the current classes are displayed to remind students of what they hope to accomplish at St. John’s and beyond. The mission statement is read annually at their class Mass and at graduation.

Below: each member of the Class of 2026 sign their class mission statement. Right page: a committee of freshmen craft their class mission statement.

CLASS OF 2026 MISSION STATEMENT

The St. John’s Class of 2026 comes together from a multitude of backgrounds to form one dedicated and welcoming community. We represent a variety of interests and goals, and a shared commitment to our academic success, faith development, arts, athletics, and clubs. As Christians, we have learned that we are all made in the image and likeness of God and strive to fulfill this potential by working our hardest in class and continuing to act as Lasallians outside of school through acts of service and kindness.

Our class entered this Lasallian community with open minds and a desire to learn. After our graduation, we will leave to serve with the knowledge we have gained during our time at St. John’s. We will be prepared to live out Jesus’s message of justice and love for all as we navigate the world around us. With the values of persistence, kindness, and trust in God, no matter where we are, or who we become, we will always be Cadets.

FROM INCLUSION TO BELONGING

This year, a religion teacher offered a new unit in the Jesus and Church course—Exploring Disability in the Gospels. He arranged for a guest scholar to speak to the class via Zoom about disability in the Christian tradition. The students were assigned a gospel passage and worked in small groups to create presentations and handouts for the class. They also wrote a reflection on the theme of disability in the gospels, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of compassion for and inclusion of people with disabilities, and the transformative power of faith in the lives of those with disabilities.

Impairment is a natural part of the human state.

All are made in God’s image.

We must accept and embrace differences.

Intentional inclusion fosters the fundamental human need of belonging.

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE

The annual Doc Scalessa Golf Tournament raised more than $35,000 toward $5.4 million in 2023 tuition assistance.

In honor of Founder’s Day, the school’s annual Day of Giving raised more than $100,000 for tuition assistance.

SOPHOMORES RALLY FOR LLS

Eight members of St. John’s Class of 2025 raised more than $87,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through fundraising activities.

CommUNITY

In May 2022, SJC’s head coach of boys’ basketball, Patrick Behan, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS and Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since that time, the St. John’s community has rallied in support of Pat as he battles this disease. A valued member of the SJC community, we hold Pat in our prayers and work to support him as he continues his head coach responsibilities.

BEHAN STRONG EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR...

Pat served as the honorary captain for an SJC home football game. The week prior to the game, students and faculty purchased “Behan Strong” bracelets to show their support. All proceeds from the football game concession stand, gate proceeds, and bracelet sales were donated to help Pat in his fight.

SJC boys’ basketball hosted the inaugural Behan Strong Invitational basketball showcase. All proceeds supported Pat and others fighting ALS.

The inaugural “Party at Pat’s” fundraiser was held in SJC’s Gallagher Gymnasium on March 18. The evening raised $177,000 to assist Pat and Matt K., a former baseball player at Catholic University, with medical expenses associated with ALS.

SJC baseball played archrival Gonzaga and donated 100% of the gate, concession, and merchandise proceeds to the BehanStrong Trust.

SJC’s crew team purchased and raced in BehanStrong t-shirts to raise awareness for ALS at the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association’s championship regatta.

The athletic teams raised more than $35,000 to support Pat.