THE THIRD YEAR AT WARNERS

Fr. Stephen Stanich's Letter to Friends and Benefactors

Dear Friend,

In this my first letter to you, the benefactors, I would like firstly to wish Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer the best in his new apostolate in India. Father had desired to go to this mission country for some time now, and finally, has been granted his wish after four years here in Syracuse. May he like an Xavier of old bring the fire of charity to that pagan country!

I am the new principal of Blessed Virgin Mary Academy. Proud son of a marine (Korea), I was ordained in 1992 in Winona, Mn at the hands of Bishop Tissier de Mallerais. I have now been asked to continue the work which Fr. Pfeiffer and the priests before him have begun. Blessed Virgin Mary Academy has increased by leaps and bounds, now reaching almost 170 students, including 26 male boarders coming not just the eastern states, but also from Missouri, Florida, the great state of Texas and even from the country of the Philippines.

Needless to say, the expenses of running the school have increased. As always we request your generosity. Generosity! This is what I hope to instill in the students during my time here as principal. Generosity especially to our Catholic faith. What use is it if we cannot instill in our youth a love of their religion? We would like vocations (religious and priestly), but ultimately, we would like to form men and women who are generous to their faith.

I hearken back to my youth. As I have already mentioned, my father was a marine; he bled red, white and blue, but his heart was gold and white, that is, it was loyal to Rome. This is what I was taught growing up: Love your faith above everything else. I call to mind an incident still vivid in my mind to this day. I played in little league baseball in the fourth grade; I was having a great season!- until late in the season: One of games was stopped because I had a scapular of our Lady around my neck, supposedly against the rules of the little league. I was told to take it off or leave the field. I was confused and embarrassed, so I ran to my father crying. But I was comforted to see that my father stood up to everyone at the game and let the umpire (a Catholic!) know that his son would never take off the scapular! Being a former marine and a professional boxer, but also a Catholic meant that he would be "semper fidelis" to his Church, and ready to fight for his sweet mother in heaven. The scapular would remain on even to this day. Years later when his son was at college break thinking of ways to become wealthy (of course as a good Catholic!), he exhorted him to give some time to our Lord in spiritual reading. I obeyed. And in just a few days I decided to accept the call to the priesthood.

Now I beg for money rather than trying to become rich! Please be generous to our school as we too try to form men and women true and generous to their faith. Your prayers and donations would be greatly appreciated!

Wishing you God's blessings, I am Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Stephen Stanich