New Parents Gather in Person

On September 30, we had the pleasure of gathering under the tent with two sets of parents - those who joined our community last year and those became part of our community this fall - for the New Parent Reception. Due to COVID restrictions in 2020-21, we were limited to welcoming our new parents last year via a Zoom reception. We were thrilled to finally meet these parents in person along with the newest group of families.

Fr. Arens kicked off the program with a fitting prayer and was followed by Colin Boland '22, telling of his own journey at St. Sebastian’s and how he went from being a quiet new kid to jumping in and getting involved in as many after school sports and activities as possible. Music instructor Karl Grohmann and Ben Goffredo ‘24 gave a rousing rendition of Billy Joel’s "Piano Man" which included Ben on the harmonica. Parents Karen Johnson P'15,'17,'22, Julie Mulvey P‘17,'21,'26 and Jim Donovan P’18,‘23 each spoke of their own experience at the School and encouraged the crowd to get involved, let their sons become more independent and savor every moment of their sons' time at St. Sebastian's.

Headmaster Bill Burke gave a heartwarming welcome and expressed his great joy at being with the parents in person. Mr. Burke noted that during the school year, we see students, faculty and parents most often, but last year, he personally found it hard not having the parents on campus and missed them sorely. He encouraged them to come to campus often and become a part of the St. Sebastian’s family. As always, he reminded those gathered before him, “The school exists for the glory of God and our students and their families. The rest of us are just here to serve and what a joy and an honor it is to do so.”