MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

According to King Whitney, Jr., “Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.”

This quotation summarizes the feelings that stakeholders of SJA felt at the beginning of the school year 2009-2010 when news spread like wildfire that the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena will no longer administer the school. Most were fearful rather than being hopeful and confident. That was the same reaction we experienced in 1980 when the Maryknoll Sisters decided to concentrate on their mission work and ask another congregation to administer the school. In fact, former Mother General Cecilia Calaguas, O.P. told me that if not for the late Cardinal Sin they wouldn’t accept the administration of the school and the rest is history. The 30 years of service of the Dominican Sisters proved very fruitful. It’s because they treated the school as their own.

Today, marks another milestone in the history of St. James Academy as we become witnesses to the formal turnover of the administration of the school to the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity. I am personally convinced that God has a plan for St. James Academy. Let God work out the details of His plan in our life. Remember, no other best exceeds God’s best. Our most reverend bishop and the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena have that faith in the incoming administrators as change catalyst and ‘transformers in the school community as they have the vision, initiative, patience, respect, persistence, courage, and deep faith in God.

Administrators, teachers, support personnel, students and parents may come and go but the institution will always stay. Its 84 years of existence speaks for its excellence. On the other hand, the faculty and personnel have continuously affirmed their selfless dedication and commitment to the school no matter who will administer the school.

Change is inevitable. It is the essence of life. To the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena our endless thanks. You will always occupy a special place in our hearts and to the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity, welcome to our community. Rest assure that you can always count on our utmost and wholehearted support and cooperation Together, let us continue the journey to be of service to our fellowmen. May God continue to guide and direct our path towards making St. James Academy an institution of excellence and an instrument in glorifying God’s name.

Thank you and good day!