OGDEN — “We are St. Joe’s!”
This motto graces much of the spirit apparel at Saint Joseph Catholic elementary and high schools in Ogden. But what does it mean?
At a recent birthday party, friends came together who first met in kindergarten at St. Joseph Elementary in the 1980s. In tearful toasts to the birthday boy, they recounted their school years and shenanigans aplenty, then went on to share how they had been there for each other through college, graduations, marriages, divorces, moves, children, baptisms, God, parenthood, cancer, surgeries and family deaths, including spouses – great joys and great sorrows.
These friends have shared more than 40 years together. This is St. Joe’s!
Alumni from the Class of 1966 recently began coordinating with the high school for their upcoming 60th reunion. They want an early start because 25 of the 32 graduates are still around, still engaged with their St. Joe’s roots, and excited to get back together to celebrate. Many of them share more than 70 years together. This is St. Joe’s.
Throughout the 150-year celebration of Utah Catholic Schools, we remember St. Joseph as one of the oldest Catholic schools in Utah. The relationships built in the smaller student body stand the test of time, just as the schools have. The current students continue to do amazing things academically, spiritually and athletically, joining alumni in reporting that it is the relationships formed and the faith community surrounding them that makes the difference.
So, while adding to our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics)
Lab and program, adding new sports programs like wrestling, and ongoing revamps to strengthen academics, community and faith will always be St. Joseph’s core.
We are blessed to have Father Joshua Santos, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden, on the high school campus Thursday mornings to lead the new Youth Ministry on Campus program. These weekly one-hour sessions include Bible study, Mass, fellowship time, or Confession, prayer and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It is uplifting and inspiring to see the impact
this hour has on students and faculty.
The elementary school community recently celebrated the restoration of the Adoration Chapel with a procession and ceremony to return the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle on campus. The brand-new gymnasium wing enabled the restoration of the chapel.
Without the active insertion of Catholic faith into their worldview, academics will fall short of shaping students into the friends, workers and community members the world and God need them to be.
In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, if a longing for faith and community resonates deeply within you, YOU might be St. Joe’s, too! St. Joseph’s roots grow deep here in Ogden.
Katie Bakker is the advancement director for Saint Joseph Catholic Schools.