The Padua Franciscan High School community will be “Fully Alive” during the 2025-2026 school year.
During the Opening School Assembly on Thursday, August 21, 2025, Principal Bob DiRocco unveiled the theme for this year. In doing so, he explained the expectations for each of the students, faculty and staff members as the community embarks on another year.
“What does it mean for us to be fully alive?,” DiRocco asked. “First and most obvious, we reflect God’s goodness. This would suggest a relationship between God’s word and our flourishing. When we live lives of authenticity, experience, and joy, when we contribute to the world, we reflect God’s love and mercy, God’s own nature. We become a reflection of God.”
“That makes perfect sense to me, especially as a theology teacher. The most fully alive person ever was the Son of God, who became one of us, who walked this very same earth. No one has been more fully alive than God’s own son, a perfect reflection of God’s goodness and love. Ultimately, when we live in the way God has designed us to be, we become the examples of God’s nature, revealing God’s love and revealing God’s goodness in the world. We truly become instruments.”
DiRocco established how everyone, student or teacher, can become fully alive.
Upon reflection, DiRocco outlined three ways in which everyone can become fully alive: prayer, presence and participation.
“Work on developing your relationship with God,” DiRocco said. “Start by saying thank you for all God has already blessed you with. Do this every morning when you wake up, do it at night when you go to bed, and do it throughout the day as you recognize the blessings in your life. Ask God for direction and guidance in your life, and then, say ‘Yes.’”
“When God points you in that direction that God wants you to move, do what God says to you. God has designed us and knows what fulfills us and makes us more. If we do this, we will cultivate a life that is happy, healthy, and holy.”
For presence and participation, DiRocco urged everyone to show respect by being in attendance and being attentive to the needs of others.
“It’s nearly impossible to participate in the life of the community when you’re not here,” DiRocco said. “Prioritize good school attendance. Your attendance shapes your academic journey. Remember, good attendance leads to good outcomes academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Happy. Healthy. Holy. Highly Prepared.”
“When you show up, be fully engaged and be completely invested in the moment before you like you are right now, listening, reflecting, thinking. Pay attention in class. Put your heart in your service. Show the proper reverence for the prayer moment in front of you.”
Following the explanation of how to become fully alive, DiRocco addressed each of the classes personally, starting with the freshmen in the Class of 2029.
“Embrace and tackle the challenges and the teachings of this year,” DiRocco said. “Learn and grow. Learn about the Bruin way. Be yourself. Get involved. Join a club. Listen to and follow the example of your courageous and wonderful student leaders.”
“Learn why Christmas For Others is so important, and participate in CFO to the best of your ability. Sing and respond with the broad spirit of the masses in some ways, and become the best class and the best version of yourself that you can be. You have so many opportunities before you.”
Then, DiRocco thanked the sophomores for their work in living up to last year’s theme of “Elevate.” He reminded the second-year Padua students they will be moving into roles of leadership, be it in the school, on the fields of play or in the community.
“More opportunities will be coming your way,” DiRocco said. “As you mature and develop as young men and women, as you become the voices, the captains, the starters and the leaders, you will rise in stature, and more will be asked of you. Pay special attention.”
For the juniors, DiRocco outlined the major events that will signify their rise to become upperclassmen.
From Junior Ring Mass to the Kairos retreats and National Honor Society induction, the 2025-2026 school year will be one of change and excitement for Padua’s Class of 2027.
“My challenge and hope for you is that you will embrace being fully alive by investing yourself in your coursework, this junior year of studies,” DiRocco said. “Say yes to the opportunities to lead and to serve.”
“At least half of the school building is looking to you for your leadership and your words. My team and I are certainly watching for the great things you do. You are the Class of 2027, and I am thrilled to watch you this year because this is your chance to be fully alive and fully engaged.”
DiRocco then spoke directly to the seniors, who experienced their last first day of high school on Thursday.
Coupled with the locker selection day earlier in August and the “Senior Sunrise” breakfast before classes began Thursday, the Class of 2026 will experience their last Homecoming, as well as their final Christmas For Others, among many other events. He implored them to “make the best of every moment.”
“Cherish the relationships you formed, continue to lead the way for the rest of our community,” DiRocco said. “Fair warning, the closer you get to the end of this part of the journey, the faster it goes.”
“Please do yourself a favor and take some time to appreciate what’s going on around you. I have no doubt that you will continue to be a great example. I pray and hope that you have the most wonderful senior year. This is your chance to be fully alive and fully engaged, and to help this entire family here to be fully alive together.”
Before ending the assembly with a school-wide rendition of “Lean On Me,” DiRocco shared one final message of encouragement about the story Padua can tell by having “a year filled with learning, love, laughter, your generosity, and your service.”
“I want you to imagine what you will do and what we will do together,” DiRocco said. “Imagine how this Bruin family is going to be fully alive and fully engaged in the story of this school because it is a story. It’s a narrative.”
“We’re connected to each other because we share a chapter in the story of how things are. Be proud, be brave.”
