MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of Saint Francis DeSales High School is to provide an educational experience in the Catholic faith which prepares the mind, body, and spirit of each student to love God, seek truth, and live virtuously.
Core Values: St. Francis DeSales High School Charisms
christ-centered faith
“Live, Jesus!” - St. Francis de Sales
We believe that Jesus Christ is the living, beating heart of this school, and is central to everything we do. Faith is a gift that we freely receive and a return of love that we express individually and through every aspect of our communal life. Our faith is not merely an ethos or a collection of principles or doctrines. Our faith is an encounter with a person, Jesus Christ. Through this encounter, we strive to emulate Him to others and to see God’s design in every person.
community
"Now God is present everywhere, and every person is His work."- St. Francis de Sales
We believe every person, in their dignity, is called to family, community, and participation. Not only is every person sacred, but we are also social and we are made for community. With familial ties, binding friendships, and collaborative teamwork, St. Francis DeSales High School embodies the charism of community. We are fierce competitors, yet value solidarity over competition. We are a diverse community which is one of our greatest assets, for it is in a true encounter with one another that we are moved to extend our thinking, widen our perspectives, and contextualize our faith in the world.
joyful service
“Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily" - St. Francis de Sales
We believe our call to community is also our call to serve joyfully. True service, modeled after Christ, moves beyond pity or moral obligation. Joyful service, like love, is ever outpouring. We engage in joyful service when we share our individual gifts, come together as a school community to provide for those less fortunate than us and when we each offer small acts with great love.
Integrity
“Be who you are and be that well, so that you may bring honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are.” - St. Francis de Sales
We believe the words of our Patron mean moving beyond indifference and complacency toward authenticity and responsible participation. It is true that none of us is perfect, but we are called nonetheless to prayerfully reflect on ourselves and our behavior and to move toward the good, the true, and the beautiful. At the heart of the word integrity is the word integral - indicating that love, responsibility, and honor are fully integrated endeavors requiring our whole heart and self.
Stewards of a Living Tradition
"You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving." - St. Francis de Sales
We believe that we hold and carry on a legacy and a tradition that has been entrusted to us, and that we grow and cultivate what we have received to leave our school better than we found it. We recognize that we are part of a tradition that spans generations and builds champions, advocates, and leaders. We believe it is our call and our responsibility to leave our mark on the school that has left such a profound mark on each one of us, and to continue that work as we move into the future.
A PRAYER FROM OUR PATRON SAINT
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then. Put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: “The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me, and I in Him.”
- St. Francis de Sales