ST. FRANCIS HOUSE SYSTEM

Blessed Sacrament School introduced the Saint Francis House System during the 2015-2016 school year.  The Saint Francis House System is an organizational structure that offers each middle school student the opportunity to grow spiritually, academically, and socially within a smaller community of students and faculty. The mission of the Saint Francis House System is to foster a strong middle school community where students, in the pursuit of truth, will be consistently encouraged to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ through strengthened community, leadership, sanctity, scholarship, and service.

At the start of each school year, new students in grades 6-8 are assigned to one of six houses. House assignments remain consistent throughout a student’s middle school experience and, in most cases, siblings are assigned to the same house. Each house is led by two 8th grade House Captains chosen by the middle school faculty. The house leadership team is responsible for leading bi-weekly meetings, coordinating service projects and special events, providing mentorship to students in our lower grades, and promoting a school environment where respect, character and integrity are at the forefront.

The Saint Francis House System is supported by five pillars of excellence: community, leadership, sanctity, scholarship, and service.  Throughout the year, students engage in various activities grounded in these five pillars.  Our goal is to create a strong community in our middle school where all students feel welcomed, valued and supported by their peers.  As a member of one of six houses, students promote community and foster positive friendships with students in each of the middle school grades, while also providing leadership and mentorship to all other students in the BSS community. As servants of the Lord, students participate in various service learning experiences organized by each house.  Finally, as scholars, members of each house support one another as they further their academic growth.

BSS Leadership Houses:

House Bosco 

In honor of Saint John Bosco, an Italian Roman Catholic priest and educator.  Saint John Bosco dedicated his adult life to the betterment of disadvantaged youth.  He wanted to create a better education system for street children and juvenile delinquents.  He founded many organizations to carry out his mission.  Saint John Bosco is the patron saint of schoolchildren.

House Clare 

In honor of Saint Clare of Assisi, one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi.  As the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, Saint Clare of Assisi was the first woman to write a monastic rule of life.

House Ignatius 

In honor of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish knight who founded the Society of Jesus.  Saint Ignatius of Loyola abandoned his military lifestyle for a life of devotion to God after a serious injury in the Battle of Pamplona.  He followed the life teaching of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Saint Ignatius of Loyola is the patron saint of educators and education.

House JP II 

In honor of Pope Saint John Paul II, the second longest-serving pope in modern history.  Pope Saint John Paul II helped end communism in his home country of Poland and preached much about our universal call to holiness.  He is the patron saint of families and young Catholics.

House Seton 

In honor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native born U.S. citizen to be canonized.  Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the first Catholic school in our nation and is the patron saint of Catholic schools.

House Therese 

In honor of Saint Therese of Liseux, a French Decalced Carmelite nun.  Saint Therese of Lisieux became a nun at the age of 14 and died ten years later of tuberculosis.   She is the patron saint of missionaries.