Join St. Joseph's teachers, students and parents at an open house from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Feb. 15.
Learn about the school's programs, take a tour and talk to parents about the school.
Call the office for more details: 342-4909.
Every year during National Catholic Schools Week, students at St. Joseph's School in Boise celebrate "Dress as your favorite saint day."
CECILIA DURCAN, FIRST GRADE, ST. CECILIA
Durcan wants to be "an animal doctor" when she grows up and chose to dress as St. Cecilia, her namesake. "Cecilia is the patron saint of music. She always played the piano or the organ," Durcan said.
Important parts of St. Cecilia's costume: A belt made out of rope and a rosary borrowed from Durcan's aunt Bridget; a halo from Durcan's sister's Halloween angel costume.
CLAIRE CAULFIELD, SEVENTH GRADE, ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
"St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment. He's my favorite saint because I'm a vegetarian and I chose him because he's awesome," Caulfield said.
Transforming a seventh-grader into a saint: Caulfield said it took 10 minutes. "I have a creative mom. We cut a hole in a pillowcase to make my skirt. My belt is from an old bathrobe, and the animals are from my excessive beanie collection."
BAILIE SIRHALL, SECOND GRADE, ST. CATHERINE
"St. Catherine was helping people when the plague came. She brought food and clothing to the poor. She was killed because when people wanted to get rid of the pope, he blamed her and gave her a crown of thorns," Sirhall said.
Sirhall carried roses and a cross: "I think she wore the roses for decoration. She carried a cross because she saw a vision of Jesus when she was only seven."
NICHOLAS MURDOCK, SIXTH GRADE, ST. LUKE
"St. Luke was born when Jesus was around. He was a fisherman and is the patron saint of art and doctors. His symbol for art is the ox. The reason for that is a mystery to us. His doctor symbol? I guess it's the stethoscope," Murdock said.
Important parts of St. Luke's costume: A white doctor's coat owned by Murdock's dad, a real rubber hammer for testing reflexes and a real stethoscope. "My dad gave it to my littlest brother," Murdock said. "We found it in the toy box."
ANDY SKINNER, EIGHTH GRADE, POPE ST. PIUS X
"St. Pius said that to live a Christian life is to live a simple life and have a humble heart," Skinner said. "You don't have to have a complex life."
One reason Skinner is a fan of Pope St. Pius X: Pope Pius lowered the age at which children could take communion - from 12 or 14, to 7.
MEGAN MARCUS, EIGHTH GRADE, ST. BASIL OF ANCYRA
"St. Basil believed in God and spread the word of God. He got skinned because of his beliefs. I chose him because his feast day is March 22, my birthday. He built a famous temple in Turkey. I find him really inspiring. This is the second year I've dressed as him," Marcus said.
Marcus' favorite part of her costume: The blue robe. "Blue is a royal color. St. Basil was born into a royal family but left to become a preacher," she said.
LUKE SHIRLEY, SIXTH GRADE, ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
"I think St. John the Evangelist was cool," Shirley explained, "though people get him mixed up with St. John the Baptist. He stayed with Jesus after Jesus was crucified and became Mary's caretaker."
The best part of the St. John costume: "The hair. Everyone looked like Jesus back then."
Anna Webb: 377-6431
