Advancement Office Overview

I stared at the Facebook posting for what felt like an hour. Could I hit the send button? Should I hit the send button? Was my comment too informal? Did it display too much emotion? Would it be perceived as unprofessional? "I love my job! St. Mary School has the best alumni ever!" That is what I wrote, and when all was said and done, that is what I posted on facebook. It started with Chris DeSantis ’97 and Jenell Porreco ’97 communicating on the St. Mary School Facebook wall. Their comments were so affectionate and endearing that I couldn't help but join the communication. Why would I say "I love my job" and "St. Mary School has the best alumni ever?" I said it because that's exactly how I feel.

As the Advancement Office and I move into our fourth year at St. Mary School, the biggest achievement we've had is the number of alumni that we have re-connected with. I've had the challenging task of tracking them down, but I’ve also had the absolute pleasure of hearing their stories and getting to know them. As you’ll see in this newsletter, the St. Mary School alumni are flying jets at Annapolis, they’re winning marathons, they’re proprietors of their own businesses, they’re facing life’s battles with courage and dignity, they’re involved in the arts, they’re living in Alaska, they’re raising young families, and they’re caring for aging parents. For me - the St. Mary School alumni continue to inspire awe.

I often count my blessings here at St. Mary School. I am blessed to meet our amazing alumni; blessed to be a first hand witness to the legacy of St. Mary School. I am blessed also to work in this building; to be absorbed into the SMS culture of love God, and love thy neighbor. I am blessed to be able to walk these halls and see these beautiful children each and every day; the 8th graders - now tall and grown - ready to move on, and the little ones - who can’t seem to keep from skipping and hopping and smiling and singing on any given occasion. I am blessed with the tireless volunteers of St. Mary School. As the sole person in the Advancement Office, there is no ‘true’ office without the many hardworking and dedicated volunteers who have been with me from the beginning.

As we approach the 50th Anniversary of St. Mary School my heart is full with love, with trust, with optimism, and with gratitude for St. Mary School and her future.

I wish you peace and good health.

Sira Naras
Advancement Director
508-842-1601
naras@stmarysparish.org