Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Pamela Catherine Peasel continues to update us on St. Peter Mission High School, Bapchule, Arizona.

The close of the first quarter is fast approaching and St. Peter Catholic High School is doing quite well. We had a few hiccups in the beginnings, growing pains as we like to call them, but the past month has gone smoothly and we are in the midst of planning a homecoming for the freshmen class. Students absolutely LOVE their CTE classes.

These are held at the end of the day when students should be dragging their feet, wanting to go home. Instead, students are changing into their coveralls, or putting on their chef hats with a renewed energy, ready to use their hands to create, repair, build, cook Another favorite time of their day is United States Military Appreciation Program (USMA). This is our precursor course to ROTC, which we hope to have in full swing by their sophomore year.

Do you recall the name Fabian Terry? He is the gentleman who wears many hats and his latest being our PR person for vocations. His niece, Kaylin, teaches Career Explorations and Culinary while his nephew, Aram Coleman, who currently serves our country in the U.S. Army Reserves, teaches USMA and assists in the PE class. We have nicknamed the mission; Terry Town as Fabian’s mom works in the office and another niece is a teacher aide. This family defines dedication.

We are hoping to break ground for the high school in October and recently had a very uplifting meeting with East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), the cream-of-the-crop of CTE schools in Arizona who would like to partner with us and create an EVIT campus on our school grounds. This will not only serve our students, but also those in the surrounding area which includes, Chandler students, Casa Grande, Maricopa and Ak Chin. Again, God is very busy and at work. Our students will be bussed to their Mesa campus over the next few years until we have the facility here on the Mission grounds for EVIT to function as a school. CTE will take place in the morning and academics in the afternoon.

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support as we continue to grow and expand. Your prayers are truly felt and our students are benefiting greatly. We thank our many benefactors who have supported the school both financially and with their prayers. We also praise and thank God for making the impossible possible as we continue to carry out His Will. He truly amazes us! To God be the Glory!