News Post

St. Joseph’s Academy gathered as a school community to celebrate the annual Vocations Mass on September 30. The Eucharistic celebration was held in the Academy Student Center. Father Josh Zelden, SJA’s chaplain, was the celebrant.

Sophomore Myka Barker welcomed the large gathering. Sophomore Elia Nassif lit the memorial candle to remember the members of the Academy community who have passed away, especially since the last mass. 

“We gather this morning to celebrate that we are called by name,” Barker said. “Each one of us has a vocation, a special call by God, to transform the world through service. Each of us is called in a very special way to serve God, as priests or sisters, husbands and wives, teachers and coaches, and sons and daughters of God. As students and faculty, we join together in our willingness and openness to answer God’s call in each of our lives.” 

Father Josh commissioned the seniors who have volunteered and participated in training to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion during SJA masses this year. They were Cate Barbier, Mary Bourgeois, Ava Broome, Sydney Brust, Sofia Ceruti, Murphy Dreher, Abigail Eldredge, Sarah Fargason, Sydney Faulk, Kathleen Funes, Ramsey Graves, Mia Hodges, Caroline Juneau, Anadele Lagarde, Emerson Landaiche, Hope Lemoine, Audrey Lenguyen, Lillian Mann, Evangeline Martinez, Cheri Nguyen, Cora Newman, Isabelle Olinde, Sophia Rispone, Hailey Schiro, Amelie Schmitt, Neala Thompson, Paige Ullrich, Isabella Walker and Brianna Wisdom.

Freshman Claire Canty read from the first book of Samuel. Senior Cate Barbier and freshman Amelia Mouch led the prayers of the faithful. 

Danielle Baird directed the choir. Cantors were seniors Melody Guillot and Sophia Rao. They were accompanied by pianists Olivia Mouch, Angela Sneed and Baird. 

Following mass, Dean of Women Christina Richardson recognized the Sisters of St. Joseph in attendance: Sisters Adele Lambert, Joan Laplace, Anna Schellhaas, Annie Ramagos, Barbara Hughes, Cynthia Sabathier, Lucy Silvio and Adelaide Williamson.

Also recognized were members of the faculty and staff celebrating milestone years of service in their vocations at SJA. Honored for five years were Denise Brown, Sarah Catherine Buie, Erin Hart, Renee Ricard, Christina Richardson and Kayla Telhiard. Recognized for 10 years were Wendy Coniglio, Trey Gaudin, Brooke Haigler, Jade Spears and Priscilla Talbot. Honored for 15 years were Katie Amato, Cindy Downs, Meg Gerald, Sarah McCann, Larry Patin, Jennifer Prather, Kate Hutcheson and Jacqueline Saia. Recognized for 20 years were Jeanne Boudreaux and Sivi Miller. Honored for 25 years of service to SJA was Jamal Tajdaran. 

Dean of Academics Aubrey DeJohn congratulated several seniors for their outstanding performance on the PSAT and their recognition as National Merit commended students: Sadie Bowman, Whitney Nachman and Addison Willmann. She also recognized semifinalist Sadie Bozeman.

Senior Anna Clare Wilson closed the assembly with the singing of the alma mater.