Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School Adopts New Mission Statement

Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School

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St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School is a Christ-centered community where each person is a valued child of God.

We are dedicated to cultivating the mind and the heart.

During the 2016-2017 school year, Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School reviewed its mission statement with its stakeholders, including faculty and staff, the School Board, Home and School Association, and Fr. John Norman, pastor of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish. Multiple drafts were formed and circulated, and comments were considered.  

“By the end of March, a draft was composed reflecting many important aspects of the school such as its focus on community, and its commitment to academics and spirituality. However, we felt the statement was more informative than inspiring, and no one had come up with any brilliant ideas for improving it,” Principal Gary Green said.

In April, an idea came to a staff member: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School is a Christ-centered community (this part they already had) where each (member) is a valued child of God.  Fr. Norman suggested they change the word “member” to “person.” This new phrase began the mission statement’s transition from stating facts to saying what sets their community apart and reminding them of God’s call about our treatment of others.

“The second sentence was still not finalized when school began in August. Shortly after, Bishop Solis was speaking to principals about his vision for Catholic Schools, and said, ‘We have to be more than just academics. We have to cultivate the mind and the heart,’” Green said. “From that message came the second part of our new mission statement: We are dedicated to cultivating the mind and the heart. The full mission statement was approved, and each classroom displays the new mission statement.  We hope it will inspire people in the community for years to come.”

Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School