By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager
After 25 remarkable years ministering at Saint Luke School, Sr. Grace Augustine Canevari, OP, recently began a new ministry at St. Frances de Chantal School in the Bronx.
“Going to a new ministry after Saint Luke was going to be different, but I find my new ministry welcoming. I am pleased that I can work with children. I am very grateful to the good Lord for all of these blessings,” shared Sr. Grace.
St. Frances de Chantal School has been serving students in the Bronx and New York City communities since 1930 and prides themselves on “developing the spiritual and academic potential in students through intellectual, creative, and social challenges and opportunities. Our goal is to empower our students to prosper and contribute as responsible Christians in an increasingly complex society.”
As part of her new ministry, Sr. Grace works directly with primarily the four-year-old students, often floating between a few classrooms and helping out wherever the most need is.
“I do find it very enjoyable to be with the students.”
Along with the opportunity to continue working with children, something else that drew Sr. Grace to St. Frances de Chantal was its mission.
The St. Frances de Chantal School mission statement is: “As a Catholic School community, we recognize that we are created in the image and likeness of God. It is our mission to maximize the potential of each student and foster competence in Catholic identity, critical thought, and personal independence through educational experiences that are curriculum-based and centered on Jesus Christ and His Church. We participate and celebrate the Eucharist and the other sacraments of the Church. Our school motto, “Live Jesus,” adopted from our patron saint, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, serves to guide us towards the realization of our mission.”
Even though Sr. Grace has positively impacted the St. Frances de Chantal community; she still often thinks about her former students and colleagues at Saint Luke School.
“Most of them are doing very well. A Pre-K teacher is from Saint Luke is also at St. Frances de Chantal. We do see each other often.”