Why Should You Support the 
Annual Giving Appeal?

Please read this important message.
 
Tuition fees pay for the operation of St. Bonaventure's College, including salaries and general operating costs like cleaning supplies, general maintenance, heat, light, telephone, insurance, etc.  Tuition fees DO NOT pay for the bursary assistance program, teacher professional development or facility upgrades or improvements.  Our bursary program is central to our mission and an essential and vital part of any Jesuit institution.  Each year we are required to raise approximately $450,000 in order to offer the bursary program, enhance teacher professional development opportunities and improve the facilities.  This $450,000 is better represented in the cost per child of $1,171.33.
 
Through donations and fund raising activities we raise these funds, thanks to the kind and generous support of alumni, benefactors and parents.
 
Our principal sources of parental support come through the Fall Gala, the Lottery and the Tribute Dinner.  After much discernment, I have decided to cancel the Tribute Dinner/President's Dinner in the spring.  Two dinner/auctions per year were simply overwhelming on our staff and have run their course in St. John's.  We will continue with the Fall Gala as it is a community building event which is well subscribed by parents and friends of the College.
 
The forgoing information contextualizes why I am writing to you.
 
It is my intent to begin the migration of school fundraising away from event based activities to the Annual Giving Appeal.   The Annual Giving Appeal will be the cornerstone fundraising request each year from the school to the community, where we will be seeking your financial support.
 
I ask each of you to seriously consider this request for support and do what you can to help us reach our goal of $450,000.00 for this school year.  You can donate any amount, no donation is too small, and we will be thankful for your participation and support.
 
This school is a special place made extraordinary for each child by offering a bursary program, employing innovative educators in facilities which enhance learning.  
 
Faced with the demands of fundraising, I often reflect on this verse from Corinthians:
 
"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."
 
I extend God's Blessing to you and your family and I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Peace,
 
 
Tom McGrath
President 

For a copy of the Annual Giving Appeal, please click here.

2015-2016 Report of Appreciation
Our 2015-2016 Report of Appreciation has been mailed to our benefactors from the past year.  The report lists our donors to the Annual Giving Appeal, the Ignatius Society and the various fundraisers held in the last school year.
 
The report is available by clicking on this link.
 
We thank you for your generous support.
St. Bon's Alumnus Named A
Citizen of National Historical Significance
Padre Thomas Nangle - Citizen of National Historical Significance
Thomas Nangle, a St. Bonaventure's College graduate and member of the class of 1909, was recognized by the Government of Canada as a person of national historical significance with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the Canadian Forces Station in St. John's on November 8, 2016. 

Nangle, a Catholic priest at the time, served as Padre of the Newfoundland Regiment.  Later he was tasked with the responsibility of exhuming the remains of the Newfoundland war dead in Europe and interring them properly. 

Following his regimental service,  Nangle was responsible for the installation of the commemorative plaques and statues at Beaumont Hamel, the creation of the Trail of the Caribou, and the conceptualization and establishment of the National War Memorial in St. John's.   Nangle  was also instrumental in creating the Newfoundland Great War Veteran's Association. 

Students Jane Hutchings '17 and Connor Milks '18, were invited to sing "O Canada" and the "Ode to Newfoundland" while Ben Dornan '17 read the plaque inscription in French and English. 

One of the proponents of Nagle's nomination was Deputy RNC Chief  (Retired) Gary Browne '67.  Browne is co-author of "Soldier Priest - Padre Thomas Nangle."   The plaque was unveiled by Mr. Seamus O'Regan, '84, Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl.  In attendance were City Councillor and Alumnus Mr. Danny Breen '77, former MP Jack Harris '62 and Monsignor Francis Puddester, '63, Vicar-General.
2016 Fall Gala Results
Our Annual Fall Gala was held on Saturday, October 29th at the beautifully decorated Glendenning Golf. Our guests were treated to a fun-filled evening featuring a champagne reception, a performances by Alumnus Ryan Aspell '15, a delicious meal and Dessert Auction, an entertaining video thank you from students, a surprise "Thriller" flash mob, a performance by 709 and enticing raffles and auction.

This year's Fall Gala  will net approximately $60,000.  The money raised from this year's event will help complete the following projects*:
2016 Fall Gala
  • Remodel current library space in Mullock Hall
  • Renovations to Mullock Hall cafeteria
  • Space renovations to Holland Hall
  • Install final phase of glass block in Holland Hall
  • Exterior/peripheral lighting improvements
*(These are subject to other health and life safety projects that may manifest considering the age of these buildings)
 
This event would not have been a success without the generous support of our sponsors, donors, volunteers and attendees. A special thank you to the members of our organizing committee for their tireless work to make this event such a resounding success. Thank you!
2016 Alumni Dinner

Alumnus of the Year Kevin Keough ' 60 & Magis Award Recipient David Browne '09
The 2016 Alumni Dinner was held at St. Bonaventure's College on Thursday, October 20, 2016. The evening was a success with a great turn out - lots of fun was had! The event started with a mass in the Chapel, celebrated by Archbishop Currie and concelebrated by Fr. Bill Browne, S.J. '45, Fr. Kevin Molloy, Fr. Joseph Schuck, S.J. and Fr. Earl Smith, S.J. Guests then headed to the Aula Maxima for a reception hosted by some of the current St. Bonaventure's teachers. Alumni were able to catch up with old friends and share many memories. Dinner followed in the gymnasium, where guests further socialized and reminisced before the presentations of the Magis Award for Young Alumni and the Brother J.B. Darcy, C.F.C. Alumnus of the Year Award. Current grade 12 students shared tables with past alumni, giving them an opportunity to meet the community they will be joining at the end of this school year. David Browne '09, the 2016 Magis
2016 Alumni Mass
Award recipient, enlightened the crowd regarding his work with Engineers Without Borders, including the four months he spent in Ghana in 2012 working with the Agricultural Extension Team. Dr. Kevin Keough '60, the 2016 Alumnus of the Year, shared his extensive contributions to the medical science industry, as well as some pleasant memories of his time at St. Bon's. Will Goodridge '17, a fifth generation St. Bon's student, thanked the alumni with a wonderful speech before Fr. Bill Browne '45 led the crowd in singing "On the Hill" together. It was another successful Alumni Dinner and Awards. Proceeds will go to the St. Bonaventure's College Bursary Program.
Jesuit Schools Network Mission Formation Cohort by Melissa Follett
Ms. Follett with 
fellow conference attendees
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Mission Formation Cohort in Kansas City planned and implemented by the Jesuit Schools Network. Throughout the week, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and engaging in meaningful conversations with fellow educators who were from various geographical locations throughout North America. As I quickly learned, although we are geographically isolated we are deeply involved in the Jesuit Mission within our school.  
 
During the three days spent in the Saviour Pastoral Center I learned about professional, personal, and spiritual mission of Jesuit Schools. We discussed ideas, challenges that we face, and how we can improve. This was an experience gave me the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our school and the global perspective that we are so lucky to be a part of.
 
I hope I can bring back some wisdom and insight to fellow staff, parents, and alumni of our school to deeper our involvement in the Jesuit Mission through spiritual exercises, retreats and global initiatives. We as a community need to become intentional in our mission and create a culture. For instance, if someone asks "why?" our response needs to become, "because we are a Jesuit school", or "because this is how we role." As conversations and ideas flowed and the week came to an end, I can say with confidence that our school is carrying out the Jesuit Mission and in many ways we are ahead in our thinking and practices because of the hard work and dedication that our staff puts forth everyday. 
St. Bon's launches Art Jumpstart
Teacher's participate in Art Jumpstart PD
We are very pleased to announce the launch of a new art initiative at St. Bonaventure's College called Art Jumpstart.  The aim of the program is to provide enriched learning opportunities for children in K-6 in art education and to develop in students a love for art in its' various forms.  The project will conclude with a year end art show of student work.
 
"We are pleased that Anita Singh has been retained to animate this project with classroom art teachers and students," said Mr. Tom McGrath, President.  The program will be coordinated by Dean Jaline Rowsell.
 
The Art Jumpstart program will be linked to the "integral ecology" initiative begun at St. Bon's.  Working collaboratively with the artist the teacher will determine the particular art project to be undertaken by the class.  Projects will focus on the
Ms. Singh presents one of the projects teachers can include in their class
environment. 
 
Students in Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 will each have a minimum of six hours of classroom art instruction with Ms. Singh and additional time with their classroom art teachers.  Students in grades 3-6 will receive yen hours of instruction with Ms. Singh and additional instructional time with their classroom art teachers.
 
"The fine arts have been an integral element of Jesuit education for centuries and we are hoping to re-ignite interest with this initiative," concluded McGrath.