Saint Rose Academy

We pray for all those suffering from COVID-19. Saint Rose Academy will be closed to students from March 16-April 3. These dates will be updated as needed. 

Saint Rose, pray for us!

FROM THE HEART OF THE CHURCH…

Since its founding more than fifty years ago, Saint Rose Academy has enrolled students in grades preK-8 for a dynamic academic experience in a joyful and formative Catholic environment. Under the direction of the Dominican Sisters of the Saint Cecilia Congregation (the “Nashville Dominicans”) and an outstanding faculty and staff, students receive an academically stimulating education that emphasizes the dignity of the human person and fosters an appreciation for all that is true, good, and beautiful.

…TO THE HEART OF THE CHILD

As the only Catholic elementary school in Birmingham led by religious sisters, Saint Rose Academy is uniquely qualified to form children with truth and love in a confused and hurting world. Saint Rose is dedicated to the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and emotional development of its students. Daily efforts by the faculty and staff make the faith a tangible reality for the children, one that is referenced in their decisions, practiced in their relationships, and shared with their families.

MOTTO: VERITAS ET CARITAS

Truth and love (especially in the Person of Christ) stand as the foundation and goal of Saint Rose Academy. The faculty and staff of Saint Rose are deeply committed to its mission of leading our students, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, in an unending pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty by providing a Catholic Education in a nurturing environment. Through a rich curriculum that focuses on the development of the whole person, Saint Rose Academy trains young minds to seek knowledge and truth (Veritas) and young souls to grow in virtue and love (Caritas).

How about a story about our good friend Joey Hale that you didn't know?

It was two nights ago when a tearful Joey Hale thanked an overflow crowd at the annual Saint Rose School gala for honoring him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Why would school officials honor Joey, a 47-year-old bagger at Publix? Thirty-six years ago, Joey ran into a fence post while playing football in the sixth grade, and months later his world changed. After discovering a tumor, doctors quickly removed it, and would later perform six other brain surgeries, saving Joey's life. Joey had to learn to walk and talk all over again.

Now the amazing part of this story: Sister Mary Charles was the school principal at Saint Rose when Joey was hurt in 1984. Sister Mary Charles now lives in Nashville, but made it a point of being at the gala Saturday night to help honor one of her favorite people, After chatting with her at the gala, I learned that Sister Mary Charles has had a picture of Joey in her prayer book ever since Joey was hurt- she tells me that she has prayed for Joey every day for 36 years.

Meanwhile, Joey is into his fifteenth year of working at Publix on Valleydale Road, and what few people know is that Joey quietly takes prayer requests from customers, writes them down on a piece of paper and slips the paper into his pocket while bagging groceries. Joey then prays for those folks when he arrives home at night. That's just the kind of a man Joey Hale is, and it's just the kind of a man he will always be.

Sister Mary Charles will be praying for Joey again tonight, as early tomorrow he will undergo surgery on his inner ear. I'm sure that Sister Mary Charles would welcome our prayers as well, as we look to help Joey get through surgery and have a complete healing. And when Joey is back on his feet? It's a good bet that at some point in the future, he will be praying for us.

And now you know the story of Joey Hale and Sister Mary Charles.

By Rick Karle WVTM 13