Dear Santa Sophia Academy Families,

We welcome you to Santa Sophia Academy and look forward to partnering with you in the formation of your children as they encounter Christ, seek wisdom, and grow in virtue. As a Catholic private school, we hope that you will experience and help us to build a Catholic culture of invitation, belonging, and mentorship all for the greater glory of God. Building this type of culture together will make our Catholic school community a bridge to Jesus Christ for one another and for those who come in contact with our school community through our sports leagues, academic decathlon, and other inter-parochial school activities.

Being an inviting Catholic community means we will always be on the lookout for ways we can invite others to share in the joy of knowing Jesus Christ and in our Catholic community. Being a Catholic community of belonging means that we will be attentive to helping one another to have a sense that our circle is not closed but rather open to new friends and disciples of Jesus Christ. Being a Catholic community of mentorship means we will be open to sharing our gifts with others as we all seek to become the person God is calling us to be.

As pastor of Santa Sophia Catholic Church, I would like to support and encourage you to be involved in our parish community as well. You can do this in a consistent way by making Sunday Mass attendance a priority for your family. Sunday Mass is a call from God for us to gather weekly as disciples of Jesus so to adore God, thank Him, ask for forgiveness, and to pray for our needs and the needs of the world. Making the commitment to participate in weekly Sunday Mass will transform your family life as you do so with a generous heart. We gather for Sunday Masses on Saturdays for anticipatory vigil Mass at 4:30PM, and on Sundays at 8:00AM and 11:00AM.

One of the beauties of a Catholic school community is the closeness we share as a smaller community united by our Catholic faith. At the same time, the values we would like to see reflected in our community require commitment and work from all of us. As we begin this partnership together, I would like to join you in making a commitment to be the light of Christ for all those we encounter. In this way, we can experience the blessings that come from our hearts being transformed in Jesus Christ.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

- Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14 to 16.

For the greater glory of God,

Fr. Corey Tufford Santa Sophia Catholic Church Pastor