Change Font Size:   A A A

Feb 11, 2016

Bishop Doyle Blesses New St. Francis Episcopal Primary School

“Onward to the kingdom of God!” With these words, The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, Episcopal Bishop of Texas, defined the task of those gathered at a chapel service for the blessing of the new St. Francis Episcopal Primary School campus on Wednesday, February 3.

St. Francis Episcopal Assistant Head of Primary School Darla McNay, Head of Primary School Michelle Symonds, and Head of School Dr. Susan Lair share a moment with The Rt. Rev C. Andrew Doyle and St. Francis Rector Rev. Stuart Bates (l-r).

 

With the opening of the Primary School cottages in January, plus the projected addition of an Upper School division in 2018, Bishop Doyle made the point that the St. Francis parents, grandparents, board members, and donors joining the Primary students at the event were the catalyst behind the school’s forward-thinking growth in building upon its cornerstones of faith, scholarship, courage, and honor.

 

Before entering the school for the service, Bishop Doyle first knocked at the door of each Primary School cottage three times with his crosier (staff), an ancient religious tradition signifying passage from sin to grace. He did the same at the door of the Andrews House, a historic South Campus building that hosted a reception following the event.

 

St. Francis’s new Primary School facilities are located on the school’s South Campus at 2300 South Piney Point Road, and include three instructional cottages totaling 31,000 square feet. St. Francis’s Main Campus, located at 335 Piney Point Road, houses the Lower School (grades kindergarten through fourth) and Middle School (grades fifth through eighth).

The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle knocks ceremoniously at the door of the Andrews House before presiding at a chapel service blessing the new St. Francis Episcopal Primary School facilities.

The Rt. Rev C. Andrew Doyle addresses students in the chapel of their new St. Francis Episcopal Primary School facilities.