The Network of Sacred Heart Schools kicked off its 50th anniversary year — celebrating 50 years united in mission — with an opening prayer service at the Shrine of Saint Philippine Duchesne, located on the campus of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, Missouri.
The service was live-streamed, garnering over 250 live viewers, many of whom were entire school communities who gathered to watch the service from their respective worship and gathering spaces. Academy Head of School Tim Horner opened the service with a welcome, followed by a roll call video that featured all 25 Network schools.
"The words from our 25 school communities just captured in the video remind us of the sheer joy of being gathered here today to share in 50 years of shared vision and shared mission," said Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, Provincial of the United States ─ Canada Province.
Sister Cooke shared touching remarks about the importance of this moment. "I never thought as a student of the Sacred Heart that I'd be here for this grand celebration as provincial. That is my honor and privilege," she said. She talked about the Sacred Heart charism, or gift from the Holy Spirit, given to Society of the Sacred Heart founder Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, and paid homage to Catherine "Kit" Collins, RSCJ, and the RSCJ and other Sacred Heart educators who were pivotal in the formation of what we know today as the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the Goals & Criteria of Sacred Heart education.
"Sister Collins and all the educators who worked together, 50 years ago, to imagine Sacred Heart education in light of Sophie's gift understood that joy springs from the depths of our heart, and a relationship with Christ rooted in the sensitivity to the Spirit. So let's pray for that, and that the Goals & Criteria, more importantly, Sacred Heart education will live on."
Students and educators from various Sacred Heart schools joined in-person to celebrate with representatives from local Network schools, the Academy and Villa Duchesne School of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis.
Various schools were represented in another video, in which students and educators shared about their experiences of Sacred Heart education and living the goals. Petitions were read by students representing seven Network schools, and the service concluded with a prayer written by Kim King, RSCJ, and read by Sheila Haggas, executive director of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
