Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

UNITY

I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched two sculptors there. The clay they used was a young child's mind. And they fashioned it with care. One was a teacher; the tools he used were books and music and art. One a parent with a guiding hand and a gentle loving heart. Day after day the teacher toiled, with touch that was deft and sure. While the parent labored by his side, and polished and smoothed it o'er. And when at last their task was done, they were proud of what they had wrought. For the things they had molded into the child could neither be sold nor bought. And each agreed he would have failed if he had worked alone. For behind the parent stood the school, and behind the teacher, the home.

Author Unknown

Mount Alvernia Academy

MISSION STATEMENT

In keeping with the traditions of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, rooted in the teachings and values of St. Francis and St. Clare, the mission of Mount Alvernia Academy is to educate students to become life-long learners and responsible Christians, willing to share their many gifts with the world that has been entrusted to them. Mount Alvernia's rigorous academic program, which embraces excellence in education, challenges students to develop critical thinking skills. The students are encouraged to apply these skills in all academic areas as well as in daily life experiences.

PHILOSOPHY

Guided by the example of Jesus, as witnessed in the Gospels, the philosophy of Mount Alvernia Academy is rooted in the belief that every individual is valuable and unique. We encourage the students, parents, faculty, staff and administration of the Mount Alvernia Academy community to grow in faith and in service to God and to others.

We strive to educate the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, and physical child, so that each individual reaches his or her full potential. We provide a nurturing environment which develops self-confidence, respect, and the appreciation of the uniqueness of each individual. We encourage students to work toward a life of commitment, ministering to their family, church, school, extended community and, in particular, to be mindful of the needs of the less fortunate in our world.

We recognize that through example, education, service and prayer, all things are possible with God. We hope to instill in each person a fundamental belief in self-worth and a realization that one has the power to make a difference in this world while honoring God. We trust that our students, equipped with Christian values and a strong education, will positively affect our world in much the same way as did our mentors, St. Francis and St. Clare.

CHILDREN'S MISSION STATEMENT

God made me to live, not just for myself, but to share my gifts with others. I will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Saint Francis, and Saint Clare to make the world a better place.