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School News | Tuesday, April 25, 2017

St. Michael School marks 65th year

A group of St. Michael School teachers pose with Principal Carmen Alfonso, third from left, standing.

Photographer: COURTESY | Roberto Aguirre

A group of St. Michael School teachers pose with Principal Carmen Alfonso, third from left, standing.

MIAMI | St. Michael the Archangel School recently celebrated its 65th anniversary with a gala dinner dance attended by school families, staff, administration, the church's pastor and prior pastors.

St. Michael School started in 1951, before the Diocese of Miami was created. Bishop Thomas McDonough of St. Augustine blessed and laid the cornerstone Sept. 29. The pastor at the time was Msgr. Romuald Philbin, and parishioners made great efforts to establish the parochial school and convent.

Since then, the pastors of St. Michael Church have supported the school in every way. Father Francisco Gerardo Diaz, the current pastor, was assigned there in 2012.

The first group of Sisters, the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, arrived in 1951 to live in the convent and teach in the school. In 1981, the Sisters of the Apostolate of the Sacred Heart were invited to live in the convent. The first lay principal, Carmen J. Alfonso, came to St. Michael in 2004 and remains as principal.

The school's mission since its founding has been "to develop in its students a deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Catholic Church, knowledge, an attitude of service, and a strong desire to excel academically, spiritually and physically."

Much has been accomplished, but more lies ahead. The hope is that new generations of students, faculties, and administrators will continue coming together to form the new St. Michael family year after year.

Current and former staff of St. Michael are recognized during the 65th anniversary gala for St. Michael School. From left: Alfonso Balmaceda, religious education coordinator; Father Gerardo Diaz, pastor; Carmen Alfonso, principal; Father Christopher Marino, prior pastor and currently rector of St. Mary Cathedral; Father Richard Vigoa and Father Giovanni Peña, both former parochial vicars. Father Peña is now administrator of Prince of Peace Church in Miami and Father Vigoa is secretary to Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

Photographer: COURTESY | Roberto Aguirre

Current and former staff of St. Michael are recognized during the 65th anniversary gala for St. Michael School. From left: Alfonso Balmaceda, religious education coordinator; Father Gerardo Diaz, pastor; Carmen Alfonso, principal; Father Christopher Marino, prior pastor and currently rector of St. Mary Cathedral; Father Richard Vigoa and Father Giovanni Peña, both former parochial vicars. Father Peña is now administrator of Prince of Peace Church in Miami and Father Vigoa is secretary to Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

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