Education

By: Tara Kerrigan Hayes   When Rev. Brian Clary and Rev. Bob Connors arrived at The Collaborative of St. Brendan / St. Ann in June of 2018, they inherited a litany of challenges, from structural problems of deferred maintenance in upwards of 2 million dollars, to a $750,000 combined debt to the Archdiocese, as well as a dwindling number of parishioners. Then there was, of course, the stigma of the past. The Dorchester churches are not alone in diving attendee numbers considering the growing number of the nondenominational these days, as well as a demographic shift as more families move out of neighborhoods. It was, however, hit hard by the sex abuse crisis of 2002, which continues to haunt. Considering these two particular parishes were [...]

The Martin Richard Foundation is calling on young people ages 5-22 to submit their ideas for bringing their communities together in service with projects that promote peace, justice and kindness. Through the Foundation’s Bridge Builder Program, up to 30 applicants will be selected to receive $500 grants to turn their idea into reality. Applications are due Friday, January 18 and are available at MartinRichardFoundation.org.   Projects should be led by young people; display peace, justice and kindness as core values; and tackle an issue that warrants attention in their neighborhoods or schools. Adults may apply on behalf of the young people who will carry out the project, and educators, youth development professionals or coaches can help to support the project. Groups will be notified of their selectionby [...]

This is the mural whose painted words REALLY describe the Tynan School! “Safe, Kind, Responsible, Respectful”. The photograph says it all: it’s the mural overlooking South Boston’s Tynan School play area on Fourth Street. It reads, - TYNAN “Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Responsible, Be Respectful”. Unfortunately, last Wednesday morning, some vandal (or vandals) decided otherwise. These animals adorned several doors and walls on the Tynan School with obscene words. There is no need to repeat that language, but some of the words began with the letters “F” and “N”. Maybe these are the only words those vandals know. Enough said. The Tynan’s custodians responded immediately, painting over this graffiti as soon as the police had finished their investigation. But this incident is a disgrace [...]

South Boston Catholic Academy News Celebrating All Saints Day!  On November 1, 2018 the 5th and 6th graders of South Boston Catholic Academy traveled to Catholic TV in Watertown to celebrate the All Saints Day Mass on TV with Father Robert Casey, our Pastor.  Each student dressed up as one of their favorite saints.  While at school, we all celebrated the All Saints Day Mass at St. Brigid Church with Father Patrick Nolan, SJ, in which the 4thgraders took part in.  All the students did a wonderful job participating in both these Masses. On November 6, 2018 we enjoyed our Fall Open House, where we welcomed many prospective families to check out what makes South Boston Catholic Academy so special!  The school offers tours on Tuesdays and [...]

Recently, all of us at South Boston Catholic Boston Catholic Academy were honored and grateful to have the Former Mayor of Boston and Vatican Ambassador Ray Flynn and Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn come for a school visit. We had a chance to welcome them to our school and they had a chance to meet and speak with the teachers and our students and to see how we embrace excellence in education and a firm belief in the uniqueness of the individual. Inspired by the traditions of our catholic faith, family spirit, and academic excellence, we are committed to meeting the spiritual, academic, physical, and social needs of individual students. We strive to develop within our students the skills and values needed to become successful, [...]

  by Rick Winterson  Likely you’ve heard of the so-called “Makers Movement”, and a movement it really is. The Makers first grew from clusters of curious and creative people in the Bay area around San Francisco/ San Jose in the 1990s. The exact, original location could be in San Mateo, midway between San Francisco and San Jose, where the 13th Annual “Maker Faire” took place recently. Other Maker Faires (40 of them this year) are taking place worldwide – New York, Tokyo, Berlin, Paris, Rome, and so on.  Certainly, Boston deserves to have a Maker Faire, and the Children’s Museum in South Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood obliged (Saturday/ Sunday, October 6-7). In fact, this was the Museum’s third annual Faire, only they’ve chosen to call [...]

by Richard Campbell Instead of being couch potatoes on Columbus Day some smart families headed off to enjoy the first of the John F. Kennedy Library Celebrate Series. The concert featured Veronica Robles high spirited Mexican Mariachi Band blending music, dance and culture with an interactive twist. As a part of Boston’s city-wide celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, this performance was designed to get kids moving. From her Aztec God appearance to the closing song Ms. Robles kept the little urchins dancing and singing away in bliss- all the while learning about the culture of the Americas.  Robles is that rare bird: a female Mariachi performer with educational skills and wise cracking humor wrapped in a golden heart, who knows how to charm an audience. [...]