Chaplains Word

My name is Sarah Kates and this is my sixth year serving as the Chaplain of St. Luke’s Episcopal School. Before this job, I worked at St. David’s Episcopal Church & School in San Antonio for twelve years serving as the Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries. It is my vocation to teach and talk to children about God and faith. This high calling is not taken lightly and I am honored to help lay the faith foundation for our children's lives.

I was invited to write an article about the chaplaincy in a featured article series on the National Association of Episcopal Schools website: Faces of Chaplaincy

Tuesday morning prayer time in the chapel at 7:50am. Need prayers for a test, a sick family member or struggling with a friendship, you are invited to come pray with Chaplain Kates on Tuesday mornings in the chapel.

Middle Schoolers only! Join Mrs. Kates and Mrs. Stoker in the Parlor on the first school Monday of the month at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast, a short devotional, and chapel voice rehearsal. Donuts & Devo is a chance for students in grades 5-8 to build community, grow in faith, and develop leadership skills while preparing to lead worship through song. Come fill your bellies and your hearts with food, the Word, and song!

With big and willing hearts the 3rd graders diligently worked to sort and pack boxes of food and drink at The Food Bank for those families in need across the city. Here are some reflections they wrote afterwards.

When I was sorting through foods I noticed everyone was working together very smoothly, it was then that I realized when people work together to accomplish something good everything seems to go your way. When the trip ended I felt proud because helping others is cool -Ellie

I think the Food Bank helps the community by bringing food to either people who don't have a lot of money or who live in a food desert. I learned that the food bank needs our help to help others. It takes a lot of work to help others but it is a lot of fun.

--Campbell

The Food Bank is very important to the community but also to me. This experience changed the way I thought about others. It really filled me with joy to pack the bags and that was my experience at the Food Bank -Pippa

On Wednesdays, 1st - 8th grade chapel will be led by a St. Luke’s Church clergy member and take the form of Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Communion. Although St. Luke’s School is an Episcopal school, we acknowledge that our students come from various religious traditions. The religious diversity of our school community is something we value very much. During the service, when it comes time to offer the Sacrament of Holy Communion to the congregation, everyone present will have the opportunity to come forward for a blessing or to receive the sacrament.

Click below for notes to consider sharing with your child about Holy Eucharist and for the full letter from Father Irv Cutter & Chaplain Kates

Sign up to volunteer to help set the altar for Wednesday Eucharists. It is a big help to the chaplain and the priests if someone is there to help prepare for this special service.

Episcopal schools are created to be communities that honor, celebrate, and worship God as the center of life. At St. Luke’s Episcopal School, we embody the conviction that the Christian life is lived out and practiced in community. Our Episcopal identity is expressed through a foundation of curiosity, reverence, and love for God. We provide our students with meaningful opportunities to serve others and love their neighbors, and we celebrate and cherish every family, regardless of background. We honor the journey of each unique child of God, as they learn to live out our school’s mission and follow the St. Luke’s Way.

As an Episcopal school, belonging is at the core of who we are. We desire for all of our families to know your family’s faith and traditions matter to us. Rest assured your family belongs here. Please help us get to know your family & faith practices by filling out the "Your Faith Matters" Google Form. Even if you have filled it out before, please do so again.