Three San Miguel students led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Inspiration
Kris David gave this inspiration
Today is a special tradition for our Rotary club as we gather with the students and teachers from San Miguel. It is in giving that we receive. Giving does not require a lot of money. Small acts done with great love are often the most powerful. We can hold out our hands to help the sick, collect clothes and food to help the homeless. We can stretch out our hand to say hello to a stranger.
Mother Teresa said, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love."
Today as we share this meal together let us give thanks for the good in the world and the joy, we share with one another.
On Zoom
Don Saracen, Anthony Hollingshead, Barbara Harris
Guests
Bill David, Charles Holley, Victor Reynoso, Tammy Barros, and Chuck Wilson
Coat Drive
Coats and other winter outer wear will be collected at the December 16 meeting. The coat drive will continue in January.
Happy Bucks
- Many San Miguel students expressed their appreciation for the Rotary luncheon and for being members of the San Miguel community.
- President Bill Applegate gave $5 to welcome San Miguel students and teachers
- Anthony Landi gave $5 because the San Miguel luncheon is his favorite meeting.
- Chuck Wilson gave $8 for the eight students at his table.
- Sharon Carpentier gave $5 for the San Miguel students!
- Suzanne Cannon gave $5 in honor of Brother Lawrence Goyette, FSC who founded San Miguel in Providence in 1993. I had Brother Lawrence as a teacher in 1973!
- Jenny Koehler was happy for the great conversations she had with the San Miguel men at her table
- John Wolf thanked the Club for the luncheon and shared his hope for a Navy win over Army!
San Miguel Speakers
Sebastian Velez,
8th grade Student Representative
“San Miguel was a journey for me. The day I walked into those doors, I was greeted by almost everyone in the school with a firm handshake. Remembering the tour Mr. Q gave me to the school, he brought me to the fifth-grade classroom and when I entered that class everyone stood up and shook my hand, and it wasn't only the 5th grade it was every grade. That showed me that what this school was all about. And when I actually got in the school everything was so cool like after school activities sports, and caring teachers.
I am applying to many high schools including LaSalle, St. Rays, Bishop Hendricken, and Davies. My first choice is LaSalle. I hope to be accepted there so I can continue my education at a Lasallian school. I hope to get good grades and play sports there, especially football.
My time at Saint Miguel has been rewarding, in fact, life changing. I never expected it to help me to develop into the young man I am today. I am grateful and appreciate all that the school has done for me. Thank you for having me and my brothers at these special luncheons. I will miss coming every year, and I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy and blessed new year.”
Mel Bride, San Miguel School Executive Director
The Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self,” which emphasizes the importance of serving others. This aligns closely with the three pillars of the Lasallian mission: faith, service, and community. San Miguel’s partnership with Rotary is rooted in these shared values, and we strive to instill a spirit of service in our students every day.
San Miguel is an independent, tuition-free Lasallian middle school, serving 64 boys in grades 5 through 8. The school was founded in 1993 by Brother Lawrence with a focus on providing life skills, such as the handshake, to foster confidence and open doors for students. Each student is paired with a mentor who meets with them weekly, offering positive adult role models and guidance.
San Miguel offers a variety of programs, including:
- Graduate support to help families plan for high school and beyond
- Full-time social worker and emotional support animals
- STEAM lab for robotics and technology
- Learning support specialist
- Cooking and gardening programs
- Martial arts and integrated life skills, covering practical activities like carpentry, poetry, and mapping.
Community involvement is encouraged, and volunteers are welcome to share their skills with students. As a tuition-free school, San Miguel relies on donations and sponsorships to fund its operations. The school invites community members to visit, take part in morning assemblies, and support its mission through partnership and engagement. Mel thanked Kris and Bill David, Bob and Mary Murphy and Bill and Holly Applegate for their support.
San Miguel Men in Poetry
performed
OVERCOMING VIOLENCE
From the
World Council of Churches
Give me a heart of poverty,
Able to love and open up and give myself to others.
Give me a heart of patience,
Able to love and live in hope.
Give me a heart of peacefulness,
Able to love and sow peace in the world.
Give me a heart of justice,
Able to love and measure myself by the standard of justice.
Give me a heart of mercifulness,
Able to love and understand and forgive others.
Give me a heart of sensitivity,
Able to love and weep without being discouraged.
Give me a heart of purity,
Able to love and see God in everyone.
Give me a heart of strength,
Able to love and be faithful until death.
Give me a heart touched by the Gospel,
Able to love.
The meeting ended with the traditional visit from Santa who distributed gifts to all the students.
Providence Shooting
Our hearts go out to the people affected by this horrific shooting at the Brown campus. Please keep them in your thoughts!
