5/28/21 Senior Chapel
All middle and upper school students, faculty, and staff gather on Zoom together to honor the Class of 2021. Senior Emma Solomon offered thoughts on reaching this milestone with this class in this time at Priory. English Teacher Jim Hatzopoulos was nominated to deliver a talk to the seniors, sixth graders offer life advice, class representatives lead prayers, and Fr. Martin blesses the class of 2021.
5/18/21 Senior Pearls of Wisdom Chapel
Seniors Emily Stanger, Emma Solomon, Bobby Youstra, and Luke Currier offer lessons they learned throughout their time as students at Priory. Their reflections offer wisdom and humor.
5/11/21 Talent (Video)
Drama Teacher John Sugden shares humorous and inspiring stories about his teenage years, finding his people, and devoting ample amounts of hard work to his gymnastics team. He surpassed the people who simply cruised on their talent. He also shares life lessons that his coach taught him and he continues to live throughout his personal and professional lives now.
5/4/21 The Journey
Choral Teacher Albee Mabeza gives a talk about his unexpected journey to Priory. He reflects on how the future plans and expectations for ourselves are often derailed in one way or another and that we are all right where we are meant to be.
4/27/21 Heritage Day Chapel
Sonia Kulasooriya, Ryan Nayebi, and Matthew Lee share openly about their cultural heritage and what that has meant for them growing up and what it means to them now. Each offers unique and powerful experiences and challenge each of us to develop curiosity about our own heritage and those of others.
4/20/21 Earth Day Chapel
Sustainability Club Co-President Brooke Allison gives a talk on how she developed a passion for our earth and treating it with love. She invites listeners to reflect on their own memories with and connections to our world.
4/13/21 Easter Mass (Video)
Fr. Matthew celebrates Easter Mass for the community. In his homily, he highlighted Doubting Thomas and came to the conclusion that maybe we should call him "Seeking Thomas" and that we all carry a bit of this man's tendencies in our own faith life.
3/30/21 The Cross
Fr. Matthew sends Priory to Easter Break with a Holy Week chapel talk. He offers images of Christ on the cross throughout centuries then ends with one image of Jesus in a glass case and explains that Jesus is trying so hard to get across to us, but sometimes we keep him in a glass case to revere him rather than opening the case and welcoming him into our own lives to accompany us on our own difficult journey.
3/23/21 St. Benedict's Feast Day Chapel
This week we celebrate our beloved St. Benedict. Sixth graders Alyssa Hong and Otu Ituh read The Holy Twins by Kathleen Norris and Tomie dePaula and our ASB Representatives shared a video about places on campus that remind them of our Benedictine values, history, and tradition.
3/16/21 Journeying through the Darkness: A Reflection One year into the Pandemic
Theology Teacher and Campus Ministry Bo Kim shares a bit about her faith journey throughout the year of the pandemic. She realizes that when St. Mother Theresa says that God only gives us what we can handle, she thinks this means that God only gives US what we can handle, as a community, as creation, not just individuals.
3/10/21 Stations of the Cross Chapel (Video)
Priory's Retreat Team guides the community through a Stations of the Cross service, paralleling people and situations throughout the pandemic with Jesus' last moments before death.
3/2/21 What Did We Learn? (Recording)
Assistant Dean of Residential Life, Coach, Outdoor Ed Teacher, Campus Dad, Master of All Trades Myles Somerville delivers a fitting talk for the first day students return to campus for classes. He asks the community, "What did we learn?" He highlights the extraordinary ways students have used their time throughout distance learning and suggests there are many lessons from this past year that we should carry with us forward.
2/23/21 Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
Molly Buccola, Fr. Martin, and Fr. Matthew give talks on the three pillars of Lent. They encourage the Priory community to fast from things that hinder their ability to serve God and others throughout the season of Lent.
2/9/21 Mass for Peace
Fr. Matthew celebrates mass and guides Priory in prayers for peace throughout the world. Mary Carroll and eighth graders organized, facilitated, and led the student body.
2/2/21 Black History Month Chapel
This year's Black History Month Chapel, Aniyah, Tayo, Jaden, and Stephanie shared passionate, creative, reflective, curious, and motivating talks from their perspectives. We honor and celebrate black individuals, history, and culture while challenging each individual to develop curiosity, listen, and learn about race matters. It also sets the stage for ways Priory aims to celebrate Black History Month this year.
1/26/21 Impressions of Hello
This week, David Lazo, Priory’s Admissions Director gave a chapel talk sharing stories about first impressions, yearning to be part of a group and his struggle to develop confidence to reach out to others.
1/20/21 MLK Chapel
Shannon Vanderpol, Priory's Director of Equity and Inclusion, shares profound and troubling questions from her young daughters as they try to make sense of growing up black in the United States. She offers her own ponderings and wisdom from Martin Luther King, Jr.
1/12/21 Carry Your Own Weather
Art Teacher Shawn Matson shares stories from growing up. He became aware that he was cultivating a "victim" mindset and found ways to change his outlook and mental habits. He shares practical tips on how the audience can shift thought processes too.
1/5/20 Kings Day Chapel
Jose Maria Zertuche-Valcarcel and Adam Zwaanstra share the significance of Kings Day throughout Latin America and offer ways the journey the Magi took was a difficult journey illuminated by faith and hope and that we each have gifts to offer Jesus here and now. Christ is within each person we meet and our strengths and talents can be used to serve others and better our world.
12/8/20 Advent Mass
During our last Chapel of 2020, Fr. Martin celebrates Advent Mass. He reminds us that Advent is a season to prepare ourselves for the the coming of the Christ. It is a time where God's light overthrows the darkness. In 2020, we are ready for God's light. We pray that we prepare ourselves to share God's love in a world that so greatly needs love.
12/1/20 When I was Hungry, You Fed Me
Barrie Carson from Second Harvest Food Bank speaks about his passion for addressing food insecurity in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
11/24/20 Thanksgiving Chapel (Video)
Priory students from each class shared reflections in light of the school's mission during 2020's unique Thanksgiving Season.
11/17/20 Dia De Los Muertos Chapel
This week in Chapel, the AP Spanish students and Mr. Mejia Torres led us through a Dia de los Muertos Celebration and that it was. Dia de los Muertos is a time to celebrate loved ones who have passed with story-telling, music, food, and dancing. It's rooted in ancient religious traditions of Mesoamerica’s indigenous population.
11/10/20 Founders Day Chapel (Video)
Father Maurus, Fr. Matthew, and Fr. Martin share stories about the history of the monks who founded the Priory along with the "unexpected bumps" that led them to devote their lives to God, each other, and students. They explained that each of us have "unexpected bumps" in our lives and are guided by the Holy Spirit, as the monks who founded our school. We are part of the Priory's present, future, and past.
1/3/20 Be Water
Freshman Nate Chen shares stories about his physically-distanced summer that surprised him with fun, laughter, and life lessons. He invites listeners to "be water" and adapt to whatever life throws our way.
10/27/20 All Saints Day Mass
This week during chapel we celebrate All Saints Day Mass. Fr. Matthew speaks about the saints as people with whom we can relate. They also struggle with obstacles and pressures that come with being human yet choose to follow the ways of Jesus. Saints open their minds and hearts to the love of God so that they may then go out to serve a world in need of hope, love, peace, and justice. November we remember all those who have passed away and how they have touched our lives for the better.
10/20/20 Recognize, Revise, and Renew
Seventh Grader Madeleine Schor delivers a reflective and insightful talk on signs in our lives that offer opportunities to recognize ways the Spirit moves, revise thoughts and actions, then renew our way of life. She inspires us to practice "awareflectness" a term she coined that combines reflection and awareness.
10/6/20 Everything I’ve learned about how to be a good guy, I learned from My Dogs
Hovey Clark, Sustainability Director and AP Environmental Science Teacher shares comical and thought-provoking stories about relationships with his dogs over the years and how he strives to be the type of person and friend that his dog believes him to be.
9/29/20 Home: It's Complicated
Dean of Students Kate Johansen shares a talk about her many homes and how it is complicated when one asks, "Where is your home?" She parallels this question to the common greeting, "How are you?" Here in this new place, her new home, she invites individuals to share themselves and how they really are, with each other and with her.
9/22/20 Toolkit: How to Make the Most of a Situation (Video)
Freshman George Holmes offers four tools that help us make any situation better. His reminders are applicable to almost every situation and helpful in this time of COVID and wildfires.
9/15/20 Embracing Embarrassment
Priory English Teacher Charlie Dorf shares embarrassing moments in his life and suggests that they offer us moments of humility and ultimately embarrassing moments help us connect with others in their humanity too.
9/9/20 Keep the Priory Love Going
Priory students, Vikram Raghav, William Day, Josh Oh, Ronan Byrne, Freya Allen give reflections on what they love about Priory and how they intend to "keep that going" during this time of Distance Learning.
9/1/20 The Journey (Video)
Residential Faculty Member and Priory Alum Maia Thielen frames her dream and passion to become a professional musician in the construct of Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey." She reminds us that life often takes unexpected turns and that perfection may not be all it's cracked up to be. She also notes that Priory has always been her "home" and is thankful for the community here.
8/27/20 Senior Sunset Chapel (Video)
Seniors gather for a socially-distanced chapel on the front field. Mr. Ruff and Father Martin offer their words of wisdom on life in this time and blessed the seniors.
8/25/20 Mass of the Holy Spirit
Fr. Martin celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit to invite the Spirit to work in us, through us, and for us throughout our 2020-2021 school year.
8/19/20 All About Me: KRAFT Macaroni and Cheese
Campus Minister Molly Buccola tells a childhood story about when she hoarded Mac and Cheese boxes and wouldn't share with her siblings. She uses this as an opportunity to talk about Benedictine life as a communal life. Benedictines are called to serve God and each other.
8/17/20 Orientation Chapel
Patrick Ruff, Fr. Martin, Fr. Matthew, and Class Reps bless the unique school year with our Orientation Chapel.
6/1/20 Senior Chapel
All middle and upper school students, faculty, and staff gather on Zoom together for the first time since Shelter in Place to honor the Class of 2020. Head of the Upper School Brian Schlaak was nominated to deliver a talk to the seniors, sixth graders offer life advice, class representatives lead prayers, and Fr. Martin blesses the class of 2020.
5/26/20 Unexpected Turns To Growth
In this week's chapel talk, Priory Alum Sergio Calderon shares about his relationship with loneliness and silence when his senior year took an unexpected turn and pulled him away from his classmates. He challenges us to "really feel our feelings", embrace silence, reflect on our true values, then grow into the people we hope we can be.
5/19/20 Senior Pearls of Wisdom
This week in Chapel, seniors Ava Rust, Matthew Covington, Zoe Verma, and Grace Beriker share pearls of wisdom with the rest of the community. These are brief reflections on lessons they wish they would have learned earlier in their Priory lives.
5/12/20 On Solitude and Community
Residential Faculty Member, Coach, and Psychology Teacher CJ Gomez shares stories about times he's felt alone and at points of time, like an outcast. He also offers ideas on community and reflections on that Benedictine value in this time of social distancing. He challenges us to use this time to grow our sense of community and value our time alone too.
5/5/20 Everything's Fine
Senior Libby Lye shares this week's chapel talk entitled, "Everything's Fine." She openly talks about her battle with anxiety and depression. She offers that it can be scary to ask for help but ultimately it's a huge relief and beneficial to understand that people can help relieve the burden.
4/28/20 Canceled: Now What?
Junior Bobby Youstra offers our Chapel Talk this week. Initially, he was deeply disappointed when the Robotics competition was canceled. Then little by little, it seemed as if everything else was too. Throughout his talk, Bobby walks the audience through opportunities that arose when his free time increased and challenges us to see this time as an opportunity too.
4/21/20 Finding Our Way Through Loss
This week, Theology Teacher Ryanne DeGood offers a fitting chapel talk in which she offers guidance and resources for identifying, sitting with, and addressing grief and practices that help her work through difficult seasons of life.
4/12/20 Easter Mass Homily
The monks close Easter Break with an Easter Mass celebration! Fr. Martin shares a homily about God's light always overcoming the darkness.
3/31/20 Stations of the Cross Chapel
In chapel during Lent each year, Priory Theology students walk the community through Jesus' last moments on earth while offering modern parallels to His suffering. This year, Fr. Matthew steps up to offer a video of his latest reflections on the Stations of the Cross. He talks about people who are suffering throughout this pandemic and those who are reaching to others on this difficult journey.
3/24/20 St. Benedict's Feast Day Chapel
Molly Buccola connects St. Benedict's day with current events. Just after the Roman Empire fell, people experienced injustice, mass migration, political instability, and a big economic divide. Systems were breaking down. This talk shares stories about St. Benedict's approach to the events of his time and offers lessons for our day.
3/17/20 Let Your Soul Sparkle
After a cancelled Chapel and a few days of "remote learning" due to Coronavirus, Molly Buccola delivers a Chapel talk remotely with three reasons she has hope throughout this difficult and uncertain time.
3/3/20 Wild Laundry Adventure
Nate Chen (8th Grade) delivers shares a story about a surprisingly adventurous part of his family trip to Japan. He overcomes obstacles with the help and hospitality of others. Nate's reflections challenge the Priory community to "raise our level of hospitality" each day.
2/26/20 Ash Wednesday
The whole Priory community launches the Lenten Season with a talk from Fr. Matthew on the importance of this religious season. He challenges us to draw closer to God and each other through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As a school, we read the Parable of the Talents in hopes of raising money for Rebuilding Together.
2/25/20 The Multifacedness of Blackness
Bineta, Tayo, Ria, and Aniyah offer stories, poems, and reflections to honor the "multifacedness of blackness."
2/11/20 Mass for Peace
Fr. Martin celebrates mass and guides Priory in prayers for peace throughout the world. The eighth graders organized, facilitated, and led the student body.
2/4/20 The Mysterious Carpenter
Physics teacher Paul Trudelle shares a story about two brothers, their argument, difficulties, and forgiveness.
1/28/20 Jubilee of Monastic Profession - Renewal of Vows
The Priory community witnesses Fr. Matthew renewing his monastic vows after fifty years! Molly Buccola opens the Chapel by talking about the specific vows Benedictines take when joining a monastic community, then offers descriptions of the ceremony that follows. The applause after the ceremony was almost as profound as the ceremony itself. We love Fr. Matthew and and are thankful for his guidance, care, and support.
1/21/20 MLK Chapel
The Priory community commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by watching the last part of his "The Other America" speech he delivered at Stanford about a year before he was assassinated. After watching the speech of believe, faith, hope, and call to action, we watched a TED Talk by Poet and Teacher Clint Smith. Clint Smith spoke about the importance of listening to what is not said and using our voices to speak in the face of injustice.
1/14/20 We Find Strength and Purpose in Supporting One Another
The monastic community shares stories about ways Tim Molak has supported Priory people and the school's mission throughout the past twenty-five years. They also noted his efforts to create community among Benedictine secondary schools throughout the country and world. These talks challenge us to dream big, persevere through ups and downs, and devote ourselves to something greater. We are here to lift others, as Tim Molak humbly does.
1/7/20 Traveling Toward an Epiphany
English Teacher Amy Payne delivers a chapel talk on little epiphanies she has experienced on her life journey. She notes the importance of faith, intuition, courage, hope, and listening with the ear of the heart.
12/10/19 Advent Mass
The monks celebrate Advent Mass with our school community, reminding us that Advent is a time to stay awake and in tune with ways God may come into our lives. God is present in our relationships, in situations, in nature, and each human heart.
12/3/19 Food Drive Chapel
Jeremy Loader, a representative from Second Harvest Food Bank, shares personal stories on what motivates him to devote his life and work to making food available for those in need in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
11/26/19 Thanksgiving Chapel
Students from each grade (Annika Vaughan, Mishal George, Gwen Spencer, Peter Ren, Emilia Hsu,
Augie Schlaak, Victor Arroyo-Villa) offer their Thanksgiving reflections for ways our Benedictine Values are at work in our daily lives.
11/19/19 Lessons of Brotherhood
Seniors Jake and Charlie Gainey give a talk on lessons they've learned from growing up twins. Using wit and goofy stories, they offer advice for all people navigating life today.
11/12/19 Envision The Priory: Founders Day 2019
Head of School Tim Molak walks us down memory lane, speaking about the founders of Woodside Priory and ways our school has grown over the years.
11/5/19 Lessons from China
Ms. Kelly, Ansa Schmulbach, and Colby Cheung share reflections from Priory's trip to China. Ansa shares stories about exploring her identity as "happa" and Colby about connecting with others regardless of differences and language barriers.
10/29/19 All Saints' Day Mass
Priory gathers to celebrate All Saints’ Day Mass. Catholics honor all the saints on November 1st each year. Fr. Matthew reminds us that saints were people who struggled with sorrow, ridicule, illness, exile, uncertainty, even torture at times. They were also people of deep faith, hope, love, compassion, and perseverance. He invited us to follow their example and act as guides for others too.
10/22/19 Benedictine Wisdom: Under the Southern Cross
Priory's representatives to the International Benedictine Educators Conference share their experience and lessons from meeting with leaders from Benedictine schools throughout the world. A particular take-away was the focus on connection between native spiritual traditions and Benedictine spiritual traditions.
10/8/19 How Culture Shapes Me: Who I am Right Now
Teacher Yvonne Faisal shares about her roles and relationships and how various cultures have shaped her perception of how to embody those roles and navigate those relationships.
10/1/19 Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Chapel
Students Carmen Akamine-Alvarez, Genaro Flores, Victor Arroyo-Villa, Jimena Fajardo-Sepulveda, Stephanie Suchite share family stories that highlight what "being Latinx" means to them. They are all part of "Latinxs Unidos de Priory" a student-driven club that strives to empower Hispanic and Latino students, celebrate diversity and culture, and cultivate awareness and intersectionality.
Video Recording Here
9/24/19 Held in the Light
Dean of Students Micah Morris tell personal stories about how he moved from living from an internal place of shame to an internal place of love. He offers that our cracks in our "armor" offer an opportunity for the Light to shine in.
9/17/19 A Plea for Humanity
Community Service Coordinator Charlie Dorf shares personal stories from his high school years that sparked his life on a journey to serve others.
9/10/19 Even Jesus Farted
Theology Teacher Mary Carroll shares embarrassing moments and offers ways to approach those times when we are awkward, clumsy, or less than our presentable selves. She suggests that Christ was human and understands our "human-y" moments. These are also moments we can be patient and compassionate with ourselves and others.
9/3/19 Exploring New Spaces: Cambodia Trip Reflections
Those who ventured on Priory's Cambodia trip last year share stories about how their concept of space was broadened mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
8/27/19 Mass of the Holy Spirit
Fr. Martin celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit. It is a Catholic school tradition to begin each school year with Mass of the Holy Spirit to invite God to work in us, through us, and for us.
8/20/19 Benedictine Way
Molly Buccola delivers a talk highlighting St. Benedict's call to "live in a way different than the world's way." She shares stories offering that love surrounds us all day, every day and that with a shift of perspective, we can invite the pure light to inspire.
8/19/19 Orientation Chapel
Mr. Molak, Fr. Matthew, and Fr. Martin welcome the community and the Class Reps light their class candles with prayers for the year.
5/24/19 Senior Chapel
Math Teacher Andrew Lee offers his talk to the seniors on the importance of opening to unconditional love that surrounds and Senior Olivia Treynor gives her perspective on growth over the years.
5/14/19 Struggle and Growth
Junior Colby Cheung shares his journey after suffering from eight concussions. He talks about his thoughts and feelings throughout and the skills he developed in growing through the difficult moments.
5/7/19 Senior Pearls of Wisdom Chapel
Seniors Annie Boyle, Anna Barton, Stephanie Sanchez, Claire Kim, Kensy Ponterio, and Billy Youstra share talks on lessons they wish they understood earlier in their Priory career.
4/30/19 Lifelong Journey to Cultural Identity
Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher Kyle Utsumi shares stories about questioning, hiding, avoiding, and ultimately embracing his cultural identity. He also launched Asian Pacific American Heritage Month here at Priory.
Video Link Here
4/23/19 Earth Day Chapel
Charlie Gainey and Brad Schoenthaler deliver talks on how they developed their love of the earth and passion for sustainable life. They also challenge the audience to think of their own relationship with nature and offer simple ways to adopt earth-conscious habits.
4/9/19 Easter Mass
This week in Chapel, our community celebrates Easter Mass! For Christians, Easter is the most important holiday, so we chose to celebrate as a together before venturing off to Easter break.
4/2/19 Stations of the Cross Chapel
Luke Adams and Priory Theology students walked the community through Jesus' last moments on earth while offering modern parallel's to His suffering. This is a powerful Priory tradition when student's offer new personal reflections on a long-standing historical practice.
3/26/19 Service Week Chapel
Upper School Students share reflections about what they learned and how they shifted their perspectives throughout service week.
3/19/19 Benedictine Schools Week Chapel
The middle school celebrates Benedictine Schools week while the upper school is away on service week. They learn more about St. Benedicts life, the history of monasticism, and the life of a monk by watching part of Bishop Robert Barron’s “St. Benedict: The Monk" then pray for Benedictine communities throughout the world.
3/12/19 Finding Self-Love
Senior Cristy Rosario-Perez shares a talk about being bullied as a child and loosing self confidence then gradually learning how to love herself again over the years. Her courage and self-awareness was key to the process.
3/6/19 Ash Wednesday Service
Students meet to honor the beginning of our Lenten Season.
3/5/19 Dealing with Death
Myles Sommerville, Assistant Dean of Residential Life, shares stories about his first job at a funeral home. He explores the concept of death with respect and humor while exploring ways different people and cultures approach the passing of loved ones.
2/26/19 We Will Be Your Fight Song
Sophomore Julianne Lempert delivers a captivating talk about long-standing struggles with illness and the revelation that honesty with herself and others was the first step to building a community who could help carry the heavy load.
2/12/19 Mass for Peace
This week in Chapel, we celebrate our annual Mass for Peace. Fr. Martin and an eighth grade Theology class guides us through the ceremony as we offer prayers for peace throughout our world and in our hearts.
2/5/19 The how of happiness: Hunt the good stuff and start living your best life now
Adam Siler, Dean of the Residential Community, shares a humorous and pointed talk highlighting points from his Positive Psychology class and life experience.
1/29/19 Catholic Schools Week Chapel
This week's chapel celebrates Catholic Schools Week with talks from Fr. Martin, Fr. Maurus, and Fr. Matthew about life experiences that led them to join the monastic community and why they continue to trust in their faith journey.
1/22/19 Martin Luther King Jr. Chapel
Priory gives thanks for the many who have fought, in a non-violent manner, for civil rights in the United States. This chapel is a call to prayer and non-violent action. May we strive for love, peace, and equity.
1/15/19 Different Wheels, Same Car
English Teacher, James Hazopolus, offers stories about himself, his mom, and his family car, and ponders how we can be our same selves throughout our whole lives even though all the cells in our bodies have been replaced with new ones, we look different, and are in very different circumstances than when we were younger.
1/8/19 Epiphany Chapel
Campus Minister, Molly Buccola shares about a journey in the desert and imagines traveling with the Magi to give gifts to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Maybe our own lives are our gifts to God?
12/11/18 Advent Mass
The monks celebrate Advent Mass with our school community, reminding us that Advent is a time to stay awake and in tune with ways God may come into our lives. God is present in our relationships, in situations, in nature, and each human heart.
12/4/18 Appreciating Small Gifts
Freshman John Max Byrne shares conversations and experiences that have led him to appreciate and give thanks for small things in life. He found that doing so shifts his mindset to one of optimism. He views his life-long journey with cochlear implants as a blessing and is thankful for everyone who has supported him along the way.
11/27/18 When I Was Hungry, You Fed Me
Alum Anthony Shu returns to speak about his Priory memories and finding his passion to serve those in need through food and nutrition.
11/20/18 Thanksgiving Chapel
A small group of seniors share short talks of gratitude, a small group of musicians perform songs expressing thanks, and a small group of poets read their pieces offering appreciation.
11/13/18 Founders' Day Chapel
The school views clips of Being Benedictine which sets the scene for Benedictine monks fleeing Hungry and eventually founding the school in Portola Valley. Fr. Maurus, Fr. Matthew, and Fr. Martin also share stories about the early years of Woodside Priory School.
11/6/18 Let Your Freak Flag Fly
Student Body President, Daniel Klein speaks about his relationship with Judaism and his journey as a person of faith. At first he disliked being from a Jewish family, now he has learned to embrace and celebrate his family and faith tradition while calling on others to do so themselves in this difficult time.
10/30/18 All Saints' Day Mass
Priory gathers to celebrate All Saints’ Day Mass. Catholics honor all the saints on November 1st each year. Fr. Martin reminds us that saints were people who struggled with sorrow, ridicule, illness, exile, uncertainty, even torture at times. They were also people of deep faith, hope, love, compassion, and perseverance. He invited us to follow their example and act as guides for others too.
10/23/18 Humor, Dignity Pie, and the Still Small Voice
English Teacher Amy Payne gives a vulnerable talk about the power of words, the small voice within, and humor. Her honest, loving tone invites each individual to live with a sense of awareness while honoring the dignity of each individual we meet.
10/16/18 Owning Your Own Power and Accomplishing Anything for Dummies
Senior Genevieve Chiu-Schaepe shares images and lessons from her semester at the High Mountain Institute. She instructs the audience step out of everyday life and question expectations others place on them. She suggests that if we're in situations we can't get out of, that we should dive fully into them. She offers that fun can be found anywhere. She describes a life-view that she shed and one she acquired during her time away.
10/2/18 Articulation
Senior Olivia Treynor gives a talk on reasons descriptive words fall short of describing who she is deep down. She offers wise rules of thumb when trying to articulate who we are to ourselves and the world.
9/25/18 Neopets, Pokemon and Unicorns, Oh My!
Kaitlin Bonfliglio, Alumni, Teacher, and Residential Faculty Member gives a talk on individuality. She shares times where she hid herself from others and then found that loving all parts of herself is a way to ultimately celebrate all parts of other people and give thanks for grace in many forms.
9/18/18 Listen to Your Dreams
Brian Schlaak, Head of the Upper School, shares stories about his life and ways he trusted and didn't trust his soul when encountering life decisions. He describes humorous and symbolic dreams that helped lead the way.
9/11/18 Benedictine Belonging
Art Teacher Reed Sullivan talks about the first time she realized that she truly belonged with the Priory community. She also ensures each other person that they belong here too. She explains the history behind the senior tiles, a tradition started by her sister who was also a Priory art teacher. She explores categories of messages left for future Priory students.
9/4/18 Father - Daughter Chat
Matt McWright, Priory's Director of the Counseling Department, and his senior daughter Maisy McWright share a Chapel talk on mental health. They offer statistics, data, warning signs, and ways to find support or help someone in need.
8/28/18 Fr. Matthew, OSB celebrated Mass of the Holy Spirit with the whole school community, thanking God for our many opportunities and calling on the Holy Spirit to bless your new year.
8/21/18 Lessons from Daraja
Students who ventured to Kenya's Daraja Academy over the summer share stories about lessons they learned from the young women living and learning in community.
8/14/18 In her talk entitled "I Have Called You By Name" Ms. Buccola shares stories about her experience with a monastic community in Patagonia and emphasized that we have all been called to be part of this Benedictine community. We are blessed to have an opportunity to join something greater than ourselves and work to serve a world in need of our gifts.
8/13/18 Mr. Molak and Fr. Martin welcome the community in our Orientation Chapel. Class reps lit their class candles and offered prayers for our school and our world.
5/1/18 I'm Lost
Matt Lai walks the community along his life path. He has never really felt like he's on the right path, even though he went to big name schools, became a lawyer with a high paying job in New York City, etc. He always did what he was "supposed to do" yet it never felt right. He felt lost, unhappy, unfulfilled. When he really started listening to himself and following doors that opened to him, he then found his way. He found that feeling lost is an important path to finding fulfillment.
4/24/18 Stewarding Stewardship
Hovey Clark offers a talk about serving the world through preserving the sacred throughout generations. He references art, culture, nature, and our Benedictine tradition as elements so sacred that they are foundations for us as a people and offer a space for the Holy Spirit to breathe through generations.
4/17/18 Losing a Friend
Dr. Owens shares stories about ways he's lost friends over the years and what he learned from those experiences. He shares stories of sadness, laughter, and deep faith.
4/10/18 Easter Mass
This week in Chapel, our community celebrates Easter Mass! For Christians, Easter is the most important holiday, so we chose to celebrate together launching the Easter Season and last part of the school year.
3/27/18 Service Week Chapel
Representatives from each Upper School class share short reflections of their time serving the community throughout service week. They share connections with our Benedictine Values and offer stories about their lasting interactions with others.
3/20/18 Saint Benedict's Feast Day Chapel
Priory's tradition is that the sixth grade Theology class plans our Saint Benedict's Feast Day Chapel each year. This year, during Benedictine Schools week (March 19th - 23rd) we celebrate with a week of service. The whole upper school leaves campus during the school days to serve with local organizations. The 6th graders planned an engaging Chapel service for the middle school.
3/13/18 Discovering Our Common Humanity
Carmen Barsody, OSF speaks to our students about playing the fool in society. She shares that throughout centuries the "fools" have often been the ones who live with the common people, ask questions, and listen to people from all walks of life. She shares a bit about her work with the Faithful Fools in San Francisco's Tenderloin and offers suggestions for students throughout their service week.
3/6/18 Stations of the Cross Chapel
Joseph Calderone and Priory Theology students walked the community through Jesus' last moments on earth while offering modern parallel's to His suffering. This is a powerful Priory tradition when student's offer new personal reflections on a long-standing historical practice.
2/27/18 Moroccan Marvels
Ms. Buccola, Evan Hughes, Zach Brousseau, Matthew Ring, Livie Carusi, Kieran Ruder, Will (Eva) El Fishawy, and Mr. Somerville offer special memories and lessons from Priory's Morocco trip.
2/13/18 Mass for Peace
This week in Chapel, we celebrate our annual Mass for Peace. Fr. Martin and an eighth grade Theology class guides us through the ceremony as we offer prayers for peace throughout our world and in our hearts.
2/6/18 The Courage Treadmill
Paul Trudelle challenges our community to step onto the "Courage Treadmill" noting that acts of courage need to be practiced and that regular training is necessary. He offers stories from his own middle and high school years when he wishes he would have spoken out courageously.
1/30/18 Black History Month
Nate Spears, Nonso Elelleh, Naka Elelleh, Anysa Gray, Amaya Gray, and Britta Brown give powerful talks on the importance of awakening ourselves to many diverse ways African Americans have contributed to our culture and continue to do so. Together, we begin the celebration of Black History Month.
1/23/18 Gifts of Benedictine Education
Marcus Stromeyer speaks about how his Priory education serves as a guide for decisions in the workplace and beyond. He shares how our Learning Competencies ultimately help him live the Benedictine Values.
1/16/18 Time Travel
Damian Cohen gives the community a small peek into his sabbatical semester. He shares stories about students in the refugee camp in Greece where he worked. He offers interesting thoughts on the way Cardinal Virtues ask us to push the limits to create justice and peace for all.
1/9/18 Memorial Chapel for Joe Montero
Molly Buccola, Andrew Daniel, J.R. Brandin, and Tatiana Reese share stories about our beloved teacher, coworker, mentor, coach, and friend Joe Montero who passed away suddenly on the last day of finals week. Together, Priory honors Joe Montero's long-standing commitment to the community.
12/12/17 Building Bridges
Eboo Patel, Founder of Interfaith Youth Core and Member of President Obama's inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships, speaks about turning points in his high school carrier that pointed him down a unique life path. His stories stress the importance of understanding and appreciating religious traditions while more deeply living our own faith.
12/5/17 Advent Mass
Fr. Martin celebrates Advent Mass with our school community, reminding us that Advent is a time to stay awake and in tune with ways God may come into our lives. God is present in our relationships, in situations, in nature, and each human heart.
11/28/17 When I Was Hungry...You Fed Me
Mimi Mornell from Second Harvest Food Bank shares stories about her childhood and her draw to volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank. She offers thoughts about the disparity between wealth and poverty right here in Silicon Valley.
11/21/17 Thanksgiving Chapel
Head of School Tim Molak delivers his annual Attitude of Gratitude talk highlighting our blessed Benedictine tradition, the monks who founded our school, interesting points in our history, accomplishments our current student body, and a look into our future buildings on campus. We are truly blessed and thankful.
11/14/17 Founders' Day Chapel
After a few seniors from the Retreat Team read blurbs from Priory's history, Alum Fr. Piers Lahey offers our Founders Day Chapel talk. He recalls many thoughtful and often humorous memories of his time as a student on campus here. He leaves the audience with the quote, "What you are is God's gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God."
11/7/17 Embrace Your Inner Nerd
Coach and Teacher David Moseley tells stories about his middle and high school years as a "nerd" and explains that embracing our inner nerd could actually assist us in breaking down barriers and honoring each other as we really are.
10/31/17 All Saints' Day Mass
Priory gathers to celebrate All Saints’ Day Mass. Catholics honor all the saints on November 1st each year. Fr. Martin reminds us that saints were people who struggled with sorrow, ridicule, illness, exile, uncertainty, even torture at times. They were also people of deep faith, hope, love, compassion, and perseverance. He invited us to follow their example and act as guides for others too.
10/24/17 The Value of Differences
Priory Alum Marie Trudelle returned to deliver a talk on her path from Priory to her current position as a teacher at California School for the Blind. She shares about feeling lost and describes experiences that opened her ears to a clear calling. She challenges us to remain open to opportunities and reminds us that the best way to find a friend is to be a friend.
10/17/17 Uncertainty: A Collection of Nows
Senior Miranda Prince-Figuereo shares about a moment she experienced "pure, unadulterated happiness" and ponders how she reached that space, time, and woke to mental and spiritual bliss. She also discusses that life is composed of uncertainty, hope, and faith.
10/3/17 What's in Your Heart?
Sandy Martignetti, Director of Guidance and Counseling, delivers a chapel talk entitled “What’s in your heart?” Difficult moments led her to self reflection, unique outlets, caring people, unexpected turns, and ultimately a path of service to others. Her experiences and relationships called her to listen to that which is, and always has been, in her heart.
9/26/17 Who Helps You Carry Life's Burdens?
Micah Morris, Dean of Students, shares a talk about the people who guided and supported him throughout his hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. He parallels his talk with the need to seek guides and support when carrying heavy burdens in our own lives.
9/19/17 Hispanic Heritage Chapel
Tatiana, Alondra, Armando, Adrian, Genaro, and Miranda share reflections on identity and heritage. Their original poems, spoken word pieces, and family stories emphasized the variety of unique traditions amongst Latin American countries while celebrating their commonalities as well.
9/12/17 Scar Stories
Kelly Sargent, Director of Communications, delivers a chapel talk entitled “Scar Stories.” She shares memories behind her own scars while noting that each person has unique scars, seen and unseen, and that each scar is accompanied by a story of suffering, hope, and transformation.
9/5/17 Off the Grid and In the Moment
Senior Eva El Fishawy and Junior Annie Boyle share about developing relationships with themselves and others at summer camp. They reflect upon their time "off the grid" and temptations we face each day, with phones at our fingertips.
8/29/17 Singing Praise: Choir's Spain Trip
Daniel Klein, Vivian Chang, and Xenia Gonikberg deliver "Singing Praise: Choir's Spain Trip" noting insights from their choir trip in Europe last summer. They share ways the Benedictine tradition breathed their experience, ways their academics prepared them for cultural immersion, and ways they stepped out of their comfort zones.
8/22/17 Fr. Martin celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit, blessing the students, faculty, and staff as we begin a new year together.
8/15/17 The World Needs Us - Molly Buccola delivers a talk on ways our Benedictine Education is so important in the complicated world. It is a call to listen and stand for peace and justice.
8/14/17 Orientation Chapel - Mr. Molak and Fr. Martin welcome the community back to school and tell stories of our founding and sacred traditions. Class reps light class candles while praying for ways our community will embody the Benedictine values throughout the year.
5/16/17 Senior Pearls of Wisdom
This week in Chapel, seniors share pearls of wisdom with the rest of the school. These are brief reflections on lessons they wish they would have learned earlier in their Priory lives.
5/9/17 Resilience in the Face of Illness and Loss
This week in Chapel, Barbara M. Sourkes Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, shares stories about her experiences with children in the Kriewall-Haehl Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. While sharing art pieces by children, she dabbles in lessons of resilience, empathy, uncertainty, hope, decision-making, and faith. This talk also launches the Healing Hearts exhibit – children’s artistic expression of their experience of illness and loss which is on display in the Kriewall-Haehl PAC Lobby at Priory.
5/2/17 Lessons from China
This week in Chapel, Senior Rachael Goines and Junior Kieran Pandey give talks on lessons they learned from the China trip. They share stories about overcoming stereotypes and connecting on a human level.
4/25/17 Earth Day Chapel
This week in Chapel, Devin Schinski, Noah Willis, and Hovey Clark tell powerful stories highlighting our interconnectedness. They emphasize importance of daily choices and relationships with each other and nature.
4/18/17 Blessing of the Track and Field
This week during Chapel, we gather at the track and field for a ceremony with our extended community. Our monks bless the new track and field and we will celebrate!
4/4/17 Easter Mass
This week in Chapel, our community celebrates Easter Mass! For Christians, Easter is the most important holiday, so we chose to celebrate as a together before venturing off to Easter break.
3/28/17 Stations of the Cross Chapel
Throughout the past couple weeks, Theology classes have reflected upon a station of the cross and how the suffering Jesus endured at that station somehow parallels a social justice issue in today's world. This Chapel highlights student reflections, current events, and Jesus' journey to the cross.
3/21/17 Benedictine Schools Week
Mrs.Benz, Ms. Statsny, and the 6th Grade Theology classes arrange a special Chapel for St. Benedict's Feast Day. They celebrate with Benedictine readings, prayers and even a skit about Saint Benedict visiting Priory today.
3/14/17 Serving a World in Need of Our Gifts: New Orleans
Tim Molak, Fr. Martin, Britta Brown and students from the New Orleans service trip share stories, lessons, and photos from their winter break experience. They talk about the people, work, and culture while drawing personal connections and reflections.
3/7/17 Shared History: Common Vision
Students from Saint Anselm College: School of Education share ways Benedictine tradition supports them as individuals living within a college community. They talk about about how their monks and classmates offer strength for living in our world today.
3/1/17 Ash Wednesday
During break on Wednesday, the whole Priory community meets in the Chapel for a short Ash Wednesday service where we welcome the Lenten Season. Throughout Lent Christians usually focus on three acts. The first is renewing relationships with God through prayer. The second, fasting from that which we don’t need. The third is giving time and resources to others.
During the service, we launch our annual Lenten Talents Drive. We read the Parable of the Talents, then each individual receives a dollar and are asked to multiply that dollar (raise money) throughout the forty-day Lenten Season. As a school, we donate the money to Rebuilding Together. The juniors and seniors will help restore a house with the organization in April.
2/28/17 Always We Begin Again
This week in Chapel, Molly Buccola and Fr. Martin will give talks on recommitting to our best selves and our relationships with each other and God. They will talk about how our Benedictine Catholic tradition supports this idea and offers a support for the community before launching into the Lenten Season on Wednesday.
2/14/17 Mass for Peace
This week in Chapel, we celebrate our annual Mass for Peace. Fr. Martin and an eighth grade Theology class guides us through the ceremony as we offer prayers for peace throughout our world and in our hearts.
2/7/17 We are All Smart
Senior Francesca Cohn gives a talk highlighting that "we are all smart." More often than not, it takes time and patience to uncover our unique path. She shares painful stories that have led her to this conclusion, offering courage and hope for those struggling.
1/31/17 Strategies for the Hard Things: Functional Delusion-Faith-Family-Friends
This week in Chapel, Mr. Sugden delivers a talk entitled "Strategies for the Hard Things: Functional Delusion-Faith-Family-Friends" in which he shares what he has found works in times of extreme hardship and loss.
1/24/17 Service Week Reflections
In Chapel this week, student representatives from the Upper School share short service week reflections. We offer prayers for those we served and ask for strength to continue helping those in need.
1/17/17 MLK Chapel
In Chapel this week, Rene Jimenez, Assistant Director of High School Programs at Peninsula Bridge, shares stories about his family's experience as an immigrant family in Menlo Park. He highlights relationships and people who have motivated and inspired him and challenges us to be our best selves.
1/10/17 What Would Happen If...
This week in Chapel, senior Addie Vogt gives a talk on the importance of celebrating our own unique gifts and knowing and loving our true selves. She also invites her talented band to perform the reflection song.
12/13/16 Advent Mass
In Chapel this week, Fr. Piers Lahey celebrates Advent Mass. In his homilies, he often shares stories about his time as a Priory student years ago. We are happy to welcome him back to celebrate such a special school Mass.
12/6/16 The Chosen One
This week in Chapel, Theology Teacher Ryanne Saddler delivers a talk grounded in Advent themes. She shares about a low point in her life that actually was a profound moment of grace and insight. She talks about parallel's between Mary's Immaculate Conception and our lives.
11/29/16 Hunger
In Chapel this week, Bernadette White from Second Harvest Food Bank speaks about inspiring points the led to her position working for the non-profit and serving those in need. She will share stories about her experiences with people suffering from hunger here and in India.
11/22/16 Thanksgiving Chapel
In Chapel this week, Mr. Morris, Elise Rust, Joseph Calderon, Carmen Akamine-Alvarez, Billy Youstra, Ethan Veghte, Vivi Gilbert, and Summer Shapero deliver short talks sharing reasons they're thankful for our Priory community. Also, as a school we send prayers to those suffering during this time.
11/15/16 Founders Day Chapel
In Chapel this week, we celebrate our Founders Day. We watch a clip of our "Being Benedictine: The Monks of Woodside Priory" documentary before Tim Molak gives his talk on our past, present, and hopes for the future. We celebrate the seven brave Hungarian monks who dedicated their lives to planting a seed that has grown into our beautiful school community. - Stories from Priory Archives
11/8/16 The Truth as I See It
Click to see video
This week in Chapel, Brian Schlaak will deliver a talk entitled, "The Truth as I See It" where he will share his truths on the meaning of life and the soul's purpose. Hopefully this will initiate family conversations on such important topics.
11/1/16 All Saints Day Mass
This week in Chapel we celebrate All Saints Day Mass. November 1st is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation, meaning Catholics usually attend mass that day to celebrate the lives of the saints that have lived as examples of faith, hope, and love. This is also a day that we remember our loved ones who have passed away as they are saints to us. We remember ways in which they served as examples of faith, hope, and love too.
10/25/16 How I met Guo Liping
In Chapel this week, Kathleen O'Rourke will give a talk on listening to her call to something greater than herself. She will talk of doubt, twists, opportunity, guidance, hope, faith, and ultimately finding her uniquely fitting path.
10/11/16 Dream Your Reality
In Chapel this week, Greer Hoffmann will share a talk about breaking a monstrous dream into smaller, manageable goals. Throughout her journey, there were setbacks but she will invite the audience to dream and offer ways to scaffold the journey.
10/4/16 It's Never All About You
In Chapel this week, Yvonne Faisal will give a talk entitled, "It's Never All About You." She will share perspective shifting stories from her life while emphasizing difficulties when expectations are squashed by life's twists and turns.
9/27/16 Welcoming the Stranger
In Chapel this week, Theology Teacher Mary Carroll will give a talk entitled, "Welcoming the Stranger." She will share her experience transitioning from St. Lawrence Academy to Priory and the difficult thoughts, feelings, and interactions that accompanied her along the way.
9/20/16 Hispanic Heritage Chapel
In Chapel this week Mr. LaValle, Brenda Uribe, Miranda Prince-Figuereo, and Alondra Manriquez will share reflections on Hispanic Heritage as a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
9/13/16 Compassionately Embracing Brokenness
In Chapel this week, Allison Burzio will talk about living as a victim of abuse and the importance of treating ourselves and others with compassion while seeking healthy outlets, and reaching for trusted ones in the community. She stresses the idea that we never know what may be in the minds and hearts of others and it's important to live, love, and serve with compassion.
9/6/16 - One Step at a Time
In Chapel this week, ASB President Konstantin Larin will speak about his journey stepping out of his comfort zone one step at a time.
8/30/16 - Belonging
In Chapel this week, Mr. Lai will talk about his experience growing up in Kansas. He will talk about little racist comments (microaggressions) that may have seemed off-handed and humorous to some but actually spread harmful, long-lasting effects.
8/23/16 Mass of the Holy Spirit
In Chapel this week, Fr. Martin will celebrate Mass of the Holy Spirit to bless the faculty, staff, and students in beginning a new school year.
8/16/16 - Benedictine Balance
In Chapel this week, Molly Buccola will give a talk on St. Benedict's approach to life balance.
All middle and upper school students, faculty, and staff gather on Zoom together to honor the Class of 2021. Senior Emma Solomon offered thoughts on reaching this milestone with this class in this time at Priory. English Teacher Jim Hatzopoulos was nominated to deliver a talk to the seniors, sixth graders offer life advice, class representatives lead prayers, and Fr. Martin blesses the class of 2021.
5/18/21 Senior Pearls of Wisdom Chapel
Seniors Emily Stanger, Emma Solomon, Bobby Youstra, and Luke Currier offer lessons they learned throughout their time as students at Priory. Their reflections offer wisdom and humor.
5/11/21 Talent (Video)
Drama Teacher John Sugden shares humorous and inspiring stories about his teenage years, finding his people, and devoting ample amounts of hard work to his gymnastics team. He surpassed the people who simply cruised on their talent. He also shares life lessons that his coach taught him and he continues to live throughout his personal and professional lives now.
5/4/21 The Journey
Choral Teacher Albee Mabeza gives a talk about his unexpected journey to Priory. He reflects on how the future plans and expectations for ourselves are often derailed in one way or another and that we are all right where we are meant to be.
4/27/21 Heritage Day Chapel
Sonia Kulasooriya, Ryan Nayebi, and Matthew Lee share openly about their cultural heritage and what that has meant for them growing up and what it means to them now. Each offers unique and powerful experiences and challenge each of us to develop curiosity about our own heritage and those of others.
4/20/21 Earth Day Chapel
Sustainability Club Co-President Brooke Allison gives a talk on how she developed a passion for our earth and treating it with love. She invites listeners to reflect on their own memories with and connections to our world.
4/13/21 Easter Mass (Video)
Fr. Matthew celebrates Easter Mass for the community. In his homily, he highlighted Doubting Thomas and came to the conclusion that maybe we should call him "Seeking Thomas" and that we all carry a bit of this man's tendencies in our own faith life.
3/30/21 The Cross
Fr. Matthew sends Priory to Easter Break with a Holy Week chapel talk. He offers images of Christ on the cross throughout centuries then ends with one image of Jesus in a glass case and explains that Jesus is trying so hard to get across to us, but sometimes we keep him in a glass case to revere him rather than opening the case and welcoming him into our own lives to accompany us on our own difficult journey.
3/23/21 St. Benedict's Feast Day Chapel
This week we celebrate our beloved St. Benedict. Sixth graders Alyssa Hong and Otu Ituh read The Holy Twins by Kathleen Norris and Tomie dePaula and our ASB Representatives shared a video about places on campus that remind them of our Benedictine values, history, and tradition.
3/16/21 Journeying through the Darkness: A Reflection One year into the Pandemic
Theology Teacher and Campus Ministry Bo Kim shares a bit about her faith journey throughout the year of the pandemic. She realizes that when St. Mother Theresa says that God only gives us what we can handle, she thinks this means that God only gives US what we can handle, as a community, as creation, not just individuals.
3/10/21 Stations of the Cross Chapel (Video)
Priory's Retreat Team guides the community through a Stations of the Cross service, paralleling people and situations throughout the pandemic with Jesus' last moments before death.
3/2/21 What Did We Learn? (Recording)
Assistant Dean of Residential Life, Coach, Outdoor Ed Teacher, Campus Dad, Master of All Trades Myles Somerville delivers a fitting talk for the first day students return to campus for classes. He asks the community, "What did we learn?" He highlights the extraordinary ways students have used their time throughout distance learning and suggests there are many lessons from this past year that we should carry with us forward.
2/23/21 Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
Molly Buccola, Fr. Martin, and Fr. Matthew give talks on the three pillars of Lent. They encourage the Priory community to fast from things that hinder their ability to serve God and others throughout the season of Lent.
2/9/21 Mass for Peace
Fr. Matthew celebrates mass and guides Priory in prayers for peace throughout the world. Mary Carroll and eighth graders organized, facilitated, and led the student body.
2/2/21 Black History Month Chapel
This year's Black History Month Chapel, Aniyah, Tayo, Jaden, and Stephanie shared passionate, creative, reflective, curious, and motivating talks from their perspectives. We honor and celebrate black individuals, history, and culture while challenging each individual to develop curiosity, listen, and learn about race matters. It also sets the stage for ways Priory aims to celebrate Black History Month this year.
1/26/21 Impressions of Hello
This week, David Lazo, Priory’s Admissions Director gave a chapel talk sharing stories about first impressions, yearning to be part of a group and his struggle to develop confidence to reach out to others.
1/20/21 MLK Chapel
Shannon Vanderpol, Priory's Director of Equity and Inclusion, shares profound and troubling questions from her young daughters as they try to make sense of growing up black in the United States. She offers her own ponderings and wisdom from Martin Luther King, Jr.
1/12/21 Carry Your Own Weather
Art Teacher Shawn Matson shares stories from growing up. He became aware that he was cultivating a "victim" mindset and found ways to change his outlook and mental habits. He shares practical tips on how the audience can shift thought processes too.
1/5/20 Kings Day Chapel
Jose Maria Zertuche-Valcarcel and Adam Zwaanstra share the significance of Kings Day throughout Latin America and offer ways the journey the Magi took was a difficult journey illuminated by faith and hope and that we each have gifts to offer Jesus here and now. Christ is within each person we meet and our strengths and talents can be used to serve others and better our world.
12/8/20 Advent Mass
During our last Chapel of 2020, Fr. Martin celebrates Advent Mass. He reminds us that Advent is a season to prepare ourselves for the the coming of the Christ. It is a time where God's light overthrows the darkness. In 2020, we are ready for God's light. We pray that we prepare ourselves to share God's love in a world that so greatly needs love.
12/1/20 When I was Hungry, You Fed Me
Barrie Carson from Second Harvest Food Bank speaks about his passion for addressing food insecurity in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
11/24/20 Thanksgiving Chapel (Video)
Priory students from each class shared reflections in light of the school's mission during 2020's unique Thanksgiving Season.
11/17/20 Dia De Los Muertos Chapel
This week in Chapel, the AP Spanish students and Mr. Mejia Torres led us through a Dia de los Muertos Celebration and that it was. Dia de los Muertos is a time to celebrate loved ones who have passed with story-telling, music, food, and dancing. It's rooted in ancient religious traditions of Mesoamerica’s indigenous population.
11/10/20 Founders Day Chapel (Video)
Father Maurus, Fr. Matthew, and Fr. Martin share stories about the history of the monks who founded the Priory along with the "unexpected bumps" that led them to devote their lives to God, each other, and students. They explained that each of us have "unexpected bumps" in our lives and are guided by the Holy Spirit, as the monks who founded our school. We are part of the Priory's present, future, and past.
1/3/20 Be Water
Freshman Nate Chen shares stories about his physically-distanced summer that surprised him with fun, laughter, and life lessons. He invites listeners to "be water" and adapt to whatever life throws our way.
10/27/20 All Saints Day Mass
This week during chapel we celebrate All Saints Day Mass. Fr. Matthew speaks about the saints as people with whom we can relate. They also struggle with obstacles and pressures that come with being human yet choose to follow the ways of Jesus. Saints open their minds and hearts to the love of God so that they may then go out to serve a world in need of hope, love, peace, and justice. November we remember all those who have passed away and how they have touched our lives for the better.
10/20/20 Recognize, Revise, and Renew
Seventh Grader Madeleine Schor delivers a reflective and insightful talk on signs in our lives that offer opportunities to recognize ways the Spirit moves, revise thoughts and actions, then renew our way of life. She inspires us to practice "awareflectness" a term she coined that combines reflection and awareness.
10/6/20 Everything I’ve learned about how to be a good guy, I learned from My Dogs
Hovey Clark, Sustainability Director and AP Environmental Science Teacher shares comical and thought-provoking stories about relationships with his dogs over the years and how he strives to be the type of person and friend that his dog believes him to be.
9/29/20 Home: It's Complicated
Dean of Students Kate Johansen shares a talk about her many homes and how it is complicated when one asks, "Where is your home?" She parallels this question to the common greeting, "How are you?" Here in this new place, her new home, she invites individuals to share themselves and how they really are, with each other and with her.
9/22/20 Toolkit: How to Make the Most of a Situation (Video)
Freshman George Holmes offers four tools that help us make any situation better. His reminders are applicable to almost every situation and helpful in this time of COVID and wildfires.
9/15/20 Embracing Embarrassment
Priory English Teacher Charlie Dorf shares embarrassing moments in his life and suggests that they offer us moments of humility and ultimately embarrassing moments help us connect with others in their humanity too.
9/9/20 Keep the Priory Love Going
Priory students, Vikram Raghav, William Day, Josh Oh, Ronan Byrne, Freya Allen give reflections on what they love about Priory and how they intend to "keep that going" during this time of Distance Learning.
9/1/20 The Journey (Video)
Residential Faculty Member and Priory Alum Maia Thielen frames her dream and passion to become a professional musician in the construct of Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey." She reminds us that life often takes unexpected turns and that perfection may not be all it's cracked up to be. She also notes that Priory has always been her "home" and is thankful for the community here.
8/27/20 Senior Sunset Chapel (Video)
Seniors gather for a socially-distanced chapel on the front field. Mr. Ruff and Father Martin offer their words of wisdom on life in this time and blessed the seniors.
8/25/20 Mass of the Holy Spirit
Fr. Martin celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit to invite the Spirit to work in us, through us, and for us throughout our 2020-2021 school year.
8/19/20 All About Me: KRAFT Macaroni and Cheese
Campus Minister Molly Buccola tells a childhood story about when she hoarded Mac and Cheese boxes and wouldn't share with her siblings. She uses this as an opportunity to talk about Benedictine life as a communal life. Benedictines are called to serve God and each other.
8/17/20 Orientation Chapel
Patrick Ruff, Fr. Martin, Fr. Matthew, and Class Reps bless the unique school year with our Orientation Chapel.
6/1/20 Senior Chapel
All middle and upper school students, faculty, and staff gather on Zoom together for the first time since Shelter in Place to honor the Class of 2020. Head of the Upper School Brian Schlaak was nominated to deliver a talk to the seniors, sixth graders offer life advice, class representatives lead prayers, and Fr. Martin blesses the class of 2020.
5/26/20 Unexpected Turns To Growth
In this week's chapel talk, Priory Alum Sergio Calderon shares about his relationship with loneliness and silence when his senior year took an unexpected turn and pulled him away from his classmates. He challenges us to "really feel our feelings", embrace silence, reflect on our true values, then grow into the people we hope we can be.
5/19/20 Senior Pearls of Wisdom
This week in Chapel, seniors Ava Rust, Matthew Covington, Zoe Verma, and Grace Beriker share pearls of wisdom with the rest of the community. These are brief reflections on lessons they wish they would have learned earlier in their Priory lives.
5/12/20 On Solitude and Community
Residential Faculty Member, Coach, and Psychology Teacher CJ Gomez shares stories about times he's felt alone and at points of time, like an outcast. He also offers ideas on community and reflections on that Benedictine value in this time of social distancing. He challenges us to use this time to grow our sense of community and value our time alone too.
5/5/20 Everything's Fine
Senior Libby Lye shares this week's chapel talk entitled, "Everything's Fine." She openly talks about her battle with anxiety and depression. She offers that it can be scary to ask for help but ultimately it's a huge relief and beneficial to understand that people can help relieve the burden.
4/28/20 Canceled: Now What?
Junior Bobby Youstra offers our Chapel Talk this week. Initially, he was deeply disappointed when the Robotics competition was canceled. Then little by little, it seemed as if everything else was too. Throughout his talk, Bobby walks the audience through opportunities that arose when his free time increased and challenges us to see this time as an opportunity too.
4/21/20 Finding Our Way Through Loss
This week, Theology Teacher Ryanne DeGood offers a fitting chapel talk in which she offers guidance and resources for identifying, sitting with, and addressing grief and practices that help her work through difficult seasons of life.
4/12/20 Easter Mass Homily
The monks close Easter Break with an Easter Mass celebration! Fr. Martin shares a homily about God's light always overcoming the darkness.
3/31/20 Stations of the Cross Chapel
In chapel during Lent each year, Priory Theology students walk the community through Jesus' last moments on earth while offering modern parallels to His suffering. This year, Fr. Matthew steps up to offer a video of his latest reflections on the Stations of the Cross. He talks about people who are suffering throughout this pandemic and those who are reaching to others on this difficult journey.
3/24/20 St. Benedict's Feast Day Chapel
Molly Buccola connects St. Benedict's day with current events. Just after the Roman Empire fell, people experienced injustice, mass migration, political instability, and a big economic divide. Systems were breaking down. This talk shares stories about St. Benedict's approach to the events of his time and offers lessons for our day.
3/17/20 Let Your Soul Sparkle
After a cancelled Chapel and a few days of "remote learning" due to Coronavirus, Molly Buccola delivers a Chapel talk remotely with three reasons she has hope throughout this difficult and uncertain time.
3/3/20 Wild Laundry Adventure
Nate Chen (8th Grade) delivers shares a story about a surprisingly adventurous part of his family trip to Japan. He overcomes obstacles with the help and hospitality of others. Nate's reflections challenge the Priory community to "raise our level of hospitality" each day.
2/26/20 Ash Wednesday
The whole Priory community launches the Lenten Season with a talk from Fr. Matthew on the importance of this religious season. He challenges us to draw closer to God and each other through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As a school, we read the Parable of the Talents in hopes of raising money for Rebuilding Together.
2/25/20 The Multifacedness of Blackness
Bineta, Tayo, Ria, and Aniyah offer stories, poems, and reflections to honor the "multifacedness of blackness."
2/11/20 Mass for Peace
Fr. Martin celebrates mass and guides Priory in prayers for peace throughout the world. The eighth graders organized, facilitated, and led the student body.
2/4/20 The Mysterious Carpenter
Physics teacher Paul Trudelle shares a story about two brothers, their argument, difficulties, and forgiveness.
1/28/20 Jubilee of Monastic Profession - Renewal of Vows
The Priory community witnesses Fr. Matthew renewing his monastic vows after fifty years! Molly Buccola opens the Chapel by talking about the specific vows Benedictines take when joining a monastic community, then offers descriptions of the ceremony that follows. The applause after the ceremony was almost as profound as the ceremony itself. We love Fr. Matthew and and are thankful for his guidance, care, and support.
1/21/20 MLK Chapel
The Priory community commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by watching the last part of his "The Other America" speech he delivered at Stanford about a year before he was assassinated. After watching the speech of believe, faith, hope, and call to action, we watched a TED Talk by Poet and Teacher Clint Smith. Clint Smith spoke about the importance of listening to what is not said and using our voices to speak in the face of injustice.
1/14/20 We Find Strength and Purpose in Supporting One Another
The monastic community shares stories about ways Tim Molak has supported Priory people and the school's mission throughout the past twenty-five years. They also noted his efforts to create community among Benedictine secondary schools throughout the country and world. These talks challenge us to dream big, persevere through ups and downs, and devote ourselves to something greater. We are here to lift others, as Tim Molak humbly does.
1/7/20 Traveling Toward an Epiphany
English Teacher Amy Payne delivers a chapel talk on little epiphanies she has experienced on her life journey. She notes the importance of faith, intuition, courage, hope, and listening with the ear of the heart.
12/10/19 Advent Mass
The monks celebrate Advent Mass with our school community, reminding us that Advent is a time to stay awake and in tune with ways God may come into our lives. God is present in our relationships, in situations, in nature, and each human heart.
12/3/19 Food Drive Chapel
Jeremy Loader, a representative from Second Harvest Food Bank, shares personal stories on what motivates him to devote his life and work to making food available for those in need in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
11/26/19 Thanksgiving Chapel
Students from each grade (Annika Vaughan, Mishal George, Gwen Spencer, Peter Ren, Emilia Hsu,
Augie Schlaak, Victor Arroyo-Villa) offer their Thanksgiving reflections for ways our Benedictine Values are at work in our daily lives.
11/19/19 Lessons of Brotherhood
Seniors Jake and Charlie Gainey give a talk on lessons they've learned from growing up twins. Using wit and goofy stories, they offer advice for all people navigating life today.
11/12/19 Envision The Priory: Founders Day 2019
Head of School Tim Molak walks us down memory lane, speaking about the founders of Woodside Priory and ways our school has grown over the years.
11/5/19 Lessons from China
Ms. Kelly, Ansa Schmulbach, and Colby Cheung share reflections from Priory's trip to China. Ansa shares stories about exploring her identity as "happa" and Colby about connecting with others regardless of differences and language barriers.
10/29/19 All Saints' Day Mass
Priory gathers to celebrate All Saints’ Day Mass. Catholics honor all the saints on November 1st each year. Fr. Matthew reminds us that saints were people who struggled with sorrow, ridicule, illness, exile, uncertainty, even torture at times. They were also people of deep faith, hope, love, compassion, and perseverance. He invited us to follow their example and act as guides for others too.
10/22/19 Benedictine Wisdom: Under the Southern Cross
Priory's representatives to the International Benedictine Educators Conference share their experience and lessons from meeting with leaders from Benedictine schools throughout the world. A particular take-away was the focus on connection between native spiritual traditions and Benedictine spiritual traditions.
10/8/19 How Culture Shapes Me: Who I am Right Now
Teacher Yvonne Faisal shares about her roles and relationships and how various cultures have shaped her perception of how to embody those roles and navigate those relationships.
10/1/19 Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Chapel
Students Carmen Akamine-Alvarez, Genaro Flores, Victor Arroyo-Villa, Jimena Fajardo-Sepulveda, Stephanie Suchite share family stories that highlight what "being Latinx" means to them. They are all part of "Latinxs Unidos de Priory" a student-driven club that strives to empower Hispanic and Latino students, celebrate diversity and culture, and cultivate awareness and intersectionality.
Video Recording Here
9/24/19 Held in the Light
Dean of Students Micah Morris tell personal stories about how he moved from living from an internal place of shame to an internal place of love. He offers that our cracks in our "armor" offer an opportunity for the Light to shine in.
9/17/19 A Plea for Humanity
Community Service Coordinator Charlie Dorf shares personal stories from his high school years that sparked his life on a journey to serve others.
9/10/19 Even Jesus Farted
Theology Teacher Mary Carroll shares embarrassing moments and offers ways to approach those times when we are awkward, clumsy, or less than our presentable selves. She suggests that Christ was human and understands our "human-y" moments. These are also moments we can be patient and compassionate with ourselves and others.
9/3/19 Exploring New Spaces: Cambodia Trip Reflections
Those who ventured on Priory's Cambodia trip last year share stories about how their concept of space was broadened mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
8/27/19 Mass of the Holy Spirit
Fr. Martin celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit. It is a Catholic school tradition to begin each school year with Mass of the Holy Spirit to invite God to work in us, through us, and for us.
8/20/19 Benedictine Way
Molly Buccola delivers a talk highlighting St. Benedict's call to "live in a way different than the world's way." She shares stories offering that love surrounds us all day, every day and that with a shift of perspective, we can invite the pure light to inspire.
8/19/19 Orientation Chapel
Mr. Molak, Fr. Matthew, and Fr. Martin welcome the community and the Class Reps light their class candles with prayers for the year.
5/24/19 Senior Chapel
Math Teacher Andrew Lee offers his talk to the seniors on the importance of opening to unconditional love that surrounds and Senior Olivia Treynor gives her perspective on growth over the years.
5/14/19 Struggle and Growth
Junior Colby Cheung shares his journey after suffering from eight concussions. He talks about his thoughts and feelings throughout and the skills he developed in growing through the difficult moments.
5/7/19 Senior Pearls of Wisdom Chapel
Seniors Annie Boyle, Anna Barton, Stephanie Sanchez, Claire Kim, Kensy Ponterio, and Billy Youstra share talks on lessons they wish they understood earlier in their Priory career.
4/30/19 Lifelong Journey to Cultural Identity
Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher Kyle Utsumi shares stories about questioning, hiding, avoiding, and ultimately embracing his cultural identity. He also launched Asian Pacific American Heritage Month here at Priory.
Video Link Here
4/23/19 Earth Day Chapel
Charlie Gainey and Brad Schoenthaler deliver talks on how they developed their love of the earth and passion for sustainable life. They also challenge the audience to think of their own relationship with nature and offer simple ways to adopt earth-conscious habits.
4/9/19 Easter Mass
This week in Chapel, our community celebrates Easter Mass! For Christians, Easter is the most important holiday, so we chose to celebrate as a together before venturing off to Easter break.
4/2/19 Stations of the Cross Chapel
Luke Adams and Priory Theology students walked the community through Jesus' last moments on earth while offering modern parallel's to His suffering. This is a powerful Priory tradition when student's offer new personal reflections on a long-standing historical practice.
3/26/19 Service Week Chapel
Upper School Students share reflections about what they learned and how they shifted their perspectives throughout service week.
3/19/19 Benedictine Schools Week Chapel
The middle school celebrates Benedictine Schools week while the upper school is away on service week. They learn more about St. Benedicts life, the history of monasticism, and the life of a monk by watching part of Bishop Robert Barron’s “St. Benedict: The Monk" then pray for Benedictine communities throughout the world.
3/12/19 Finding Self-Love
Senior Cristy Rosario-Perez shares a talk about being bullied as a child and loosing self confidence then gradually learning how to love herself again over the years. Her courage and self-awareness was key to the process.
3/6/19 Ash Wednesday Service
Students meet to honor the beginning of our Lenten Season.
3/5/19 Dealing with Death
Myles Sommerville, Assistant Dean of Residential Life, shares stories about his first job at a funeral home. He explores the concept of death with respect and humor while exploring ways different people and cultures approach the passing of loved ones.
2/26/19 We Will Be Your Fight Song
Sophomore Julianne Lempert delivers a captivating talk about long-standing struggles with illness and the revelation that honesty with herself and others was the first step to building a community who could help carry the heavy load.
2/12/19 Mass for Peace
This week in Chapel, we celebrate our annual Mass for Peace. Fr. Martin and an eighth grade Theology class guides us through the ceremony as we offer prayers for peace throughout our world and in our hearts.
2/5/19 The how of happiness: Hunt the good stuff and start living your best life now
Adam Siler, Dean of the Residential Community, shares a humorous and pointed talk highlighting points from his Positive Psychology class and life experience.
1/29/19 Catholic Schools Week Chapel
This week's chapel celebrates Catholic Schools Week with talks from Fr. Martin, Fr. Maurus, and Fr. Matthew about life experiences that led them to join the monastic community and why they continue to trust in their faith journey.
1/22/19 Martin Luther King Jr. Chapel
Priory gives thanks for the many who have fought, in a non-violent manner, for civil rights in the United States. This chapel is a call to prayer and non-violent action. May we strive for love, peace, and equity.
1/15/19 Different Wheels, Same Car
English Teacher, James Hazopolus, offers stories about himself, his mom, and his family car, and ponders how we can be our same selves throughout our whole lives even though all the cells in our bodies have been replaced with new ones, we look different, and are in very different circumstances than when we were younger.
1/8/19 Epiphany Chapel
Campus Minister, Molly Buccola shares about a journey in the desert and imagines traveling with the Magi to give gifts to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Maybe our own lives are our gifts to God?
12/11/18 Advent Mass
The monks celebrate Advent Mass with our school community, reminding us that Advent is a time to stay awake and in tune with ways God may come into our lives. God is present in our relationships, in situations, in nature, and each human heart.
12/4/18 Appreciating Small Gifts
Freshman John Max Byrne shares conversations and experiences that have led him to appreciate and give thanks for small things in life. He found that doing so shifts his mindset to one of optimism. He views his life-long journey with cochlear implants as a blessing and is thankful for everyone who has supported him along the way.
11/27/18 When I Was Hungry, You Fed Me
Alum Anthony Shu returns to speak about his Priory memories and finding his passion to serve those in need through food and nutrition.
11/20/18 Thanksgiving Chapel
A small group of seniors share short talks of gratitude, a small group of musicians perform songs expressing thanks, and a small group of poets read their pieces offering appreciation.
11/13/18 Founders' Day Chapel
The school views clips of Being Benedictine which sets the scene for Benedictine monks fleeing Hungry and eventually founding the school in Portola Valley. Fr. Maurus, Fr. Matthew, and Fr. Martin also share stories about the early years of Woodside Priory School.
11/6/18 Let Your Freak Flag Fly
Student Body President, Daniel Klein speaks about his relationship with Judaism and his journey as a person of faith. At first he disliked being from a Jewish family, now he has learned to embrace and celebrate his family and faith tradition while calling on others to do so themselves in this difficult time.
10/30/18 All Saints' Day Mass
Priory gathers to celebrate All Saints’ Day Mass. Catholics honor all the saints on November 1st each year. Fr. Martin reminds us that saints were people who struggled with sorrow, ridicule, illness, exile, uncertainty, even torture at times. They were also people of deep faith, hope, love, compassion, and perseverance. He invited us to follow their example and act as guides for others too.
10/23/18 Humor, Dignity Pie, and the Still Small Voice
English Teacher Amy Payne gives a vulnerable talk about the power of words, the small voice within, and humor. Her honest, loving tone invites each individual to live with a sense of awareness while honoring the dignity of each individual we meet.
10/16/18 Owning Your Own Power and Accomplishing Anything for Dummies
Senior Genevieve Chiu-Schaepe shares images and lessons from her semester at the High Mountain Institute. She instructs the audience step out of everyday life and question expectations others place on them. She suggests that if we're in situations we can't get out of, that we should dive fully into them. She offers that fun can be found anywhere. She describes a life-view that she shed and one she acquired during her time away.
10/2/18 Articulation
Senior Olivia Treynor gives a talk on reasons descriptive words fall short of describing who she is deep down. She offers wise rules of thumb when trying to articulate who we are to ourselves and the world.
9/25/18 Neopets, Pokemon and Unicorns, Oh My!
Kaitlin Bonfliglio, Alumni, Teacher, and Residential Faculty Member gives a talk on individuality. She shares times where she hid herself from others and then found that loving all parts of herself is a way to ultimately celebrate all parts of other people and give thanks for grace in many forms.
9/18/18 Listen to Your Dreams
Brian Schlaak, Head of the Upper School, shares stories about his life and ways he trusted and didn't trust his soul when encountering life decisions. He describes humorous and symbolic dreams that helped lead the way.
9/11/18 Benedictine Belonging
Art Teacher Reed Sullivan talks about the first time she realized that she truly belonged with the Priory community. She also ensures each other person that they belong here too. She explains the history behind the senior tiles, a tradition started by her sister who was also a Priory art teacher. She explores categories of messages left for future Priory students.
9/4/18 Father - Daughter Chat
Matt McWright, Priory's Director of the Counseling Department, and his senior daughter Maisy McWright share a Chapel talk on mental health. They offer statistics, data, warning signs, and ways to find support or help someone in need.
8/28/18 Fr. Matthew, OSB celebrated Mass of the Holy Spirit with the whole school community, thanking God for our many opportunities and calling on the Holy Spirit to bless your new year.
8/21/18 Lessons from Daraja
Students who ventured to Kenya's Daraja Academy over the summer share stories about lessons they learned from the young women living and learning in community.
8/14/18 In her talk entitled "I Have Called You By Name" Ms. Buccola shares stories about her experience with a monastic community in Patagonia and emphasized that we have all been called to be part of this Benedictine community. We are blessed to have an opportunity to join something greater than ourselves and work to serve a world in need of our gifts.
8/13/18 Mr. Molak and Fr. Martin welcome the community in our Orientation Chapel. Class reps lit their class candles and offered prayers for our school and our world.
5/1/18 I'm Lost
Matt Lai walks the community along his life path. He has never really felt like he's on the right path, even though he went to big name schools, became a lawyer with a high paying job in New York City, etc. He always did what he was "supposed to do" yet it never felt right. He felt lost, unhappy, unfulfilled. When he really started listening to himself and following doors that opened to him, he then found his way. He found that feeling lost is an important path to finding fulfillment.
4/24/18 Stewarding Stewardship
Hovey Clark offers a talk about serving the world through preserving the sacred throughout generations. He references art, culture, nature, and our Benedictine tradition as elements so sacred that they are foundations for us as a people and offer a space for the Holy Spirit to breathe through generations.
4/17/18 Losing a Friend
Dr. Owens shares stories about ways he's lost friends over the years and what he learned from those experiences. He shares stories of sadness, laughter, and deep faith.
4/10/18 Easter Mass
This week in Chapel, our community celebrates Easter Mass! For Christians, Easter is the most important holiday, so we chose to celebrate together launching the Easter Season and last part of the school year.
3/27/18 Service Week Chapel
Representatives from each Upper School class share short reflections of their time serving the community throughout service week. They share connections with our Benedictine Values and offer stories about their lasting interactions with others.
3/20/18 Saint Benedict's Feast Day Chapel
Priory's tradition is that the sixth grade Theology class plans our Saint Benedict's Feast Day Chapel each year. This year, during Benedictine Schools week (March 19th - 23rd) we celebrate with a week of service. The whole upper school leaves campus during the school days to serve with local organizations. The 6th graders planned an engaging Chapel service for the middle school.
3/13/18 Discovering Our Common Humanity
Carmen Barsody, OSF speaks to our students about playing the fool in society. She shares that throughout centuries the "fools" have often been the ones who live with the common people, ask questions, and listen to people from all walks of life. She shares a bit about her work with the Faithful Fools in San Francisco's Tenderloin and offers suggestions for students throughout their service week.
3/6/18 Stations of the Cross Chapel
Joseph Calderone and Priory Theology students walked the community through Jesus' last moments on earth while offering modern parallel's to His suffering. This is a powerful Priory tradition when student's offer new personal reflections on a long-standing historical practice.
2/27/18 Moroccan Marvels
Ms. Buccola, Evan Hughes, Zach Brousseau, Matthew Ring, Livie Carusi, Kieran Ruder, Will (Eva) El Fishawy, and Mr. Somerville offer special memories and lessons from Priory's Morocco trip.
2/13/18 Mass for Peace
This week in Chapel, we celebrate our annual Mass for Peace. Fr. Martin and an eighth grade Theology class guides us through the ceremony as we offer prayers for peace throughout our world and in our hearts.
2/6/18 The Courage Treadmill
Paul Trudelle challenges our community to step onto the "Courage Treadmill" noting that acts of courage need to be practiced and that regular training is necessary. He offers stories from his own middle and high school years when he wishes he would have spoken out courageously.
1/30/18 Black History Month
Nate Spears, Nonso Elelleh, Naka Elelleh, Anysa Gray, Amaya Gray, and Britta Brown give powerful talks on the importance of awakening ourselves to many diverse ways African Americans have contributed to our culture and continue to do so. Together, we begin the celebration of Black History Month.
1/23/18 Gifts of Benedictine Education
Marcus Stromeyer speaks about how his Priory education serves as a guide for decisions in the workplace and beyond. He shares how our Learning Competencies ultimately help him live the Benedictine Values.
1/16/18 Time Travel
Damian Cohen gives the community a small peek into his sabbatical semester. He shares stories about students in the refugee camp in Greece where he worked. He offers interesting thoughts on the way Cardinal Virtues ask us to push the limits to create justice and peace for all.
1/9/18 Memorial Chapel for Joe Montero
Molly Buccola, Andrew Daniel, J.R. Brandin, and Tatiana Reese share stories about our beloved teacher, coworker, mentor, coach, and friend Joe Montero who passed away suddenly on the last day of finals week. Together, Priory honors Joe Montero's long-standing commitment to the community.
12/12/17 Building Bridges
Eboo Patel, Founder of Interfaith Youth Core and Member of President Obama's inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships, speaks about turning points in his high school carrier that pointed him down a unique life path. His stories stress the importance of understanding and appreciating religious traditions while more deeply living our own faith.
12/5/17 Advent Mass
Fr. Martin celebrates Advent Mass with our school community, reminding us that Advent is a time to stay awake and in tune with ways God may come into our lives. God is present in our relationships, in situations, in nature, and each human heart.
11/28/17 When I Was Hungry...You Fed Me
Mimi Mornell from Second Harvest Food Bank shares stories about her childhood and her draw to volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank. She offers thoughts about the disparity between wealth and poverty right here in Silicon Valley.
11/21/17 Thanksgiving Chapel
Head of School Tim Molak delivers his annual Attitude of Gratitude talk highlighting our blessed Benedictine tradition, the monks who founded our school, interesting points in our history, accomplishments our current student body, and a look into our future buildings on campus. We are truly blessed and thankful.
11/14/17 Founders' Day Chapel
After a few seniors from the Retreat Team read blurbs from Priory's history, Alum Fr. Piers Lahey offers our Founders Day Chapel talk. He recalls many thoughtful and often humorous memories of his time as a student on campus here. He leaves the audience with the quote, "What you are is God's gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God."
11/7/17 Embrace Your Inner Nerd
Coach and Teacher David Moseley tells stories about his middle and high school years as a "nerd" and explains that embracing our inner nerd could actually assist us in breaking down barriers and honoring each other as we really are.
10/31/17 All Saints' Day Mass
Priory gathers to celebrate All Saints’ Day Mass. Catholics honor all the saints on November 1st each year. Fr. Martin reminds us that saints were people who struggled with sorrow, ridicule, illness, exile, uncertainty, even torture at times. They were also people of deep faith, hope, love, compassion, and perseverance. He invited us to follow their example and act as guides for others too.
10/24/17 The Value of Differences
Priory Alum Marie Trudelle returned to deliver a talk on her path from Priory to her current position as a teacher at California School for the Blind. She shares about feeling lost and describes experiences that opened her ears to a clear calling. She challenges us to remain open to opportunities and reminds us that the best way to find a friend is to be a friend.
10/17/17 Uncertainty: A Collection of Nows
Senior Miranda Prince-Figuereo shares about a moment she experienced "pure, unadulterated happiness" and ponders how she reached that space, time, and woke to mental and spiritual bliss. She also discusses that life is composed of uncertainty, hope, and faith.
10/3/17 What's in Your Heart?
Sandy Martignetti, Director of Guidance and Counseling, delivers a chapel talk entitled “What’s in your heart?” Difficult moments led her to self reflection, unique outlets, caring people, unexpected turns, and ultimately a path of service to others. Her experiences and relationships called her to listen to that which is, and always has been, in her heart.
9/26/17 Who Helps You Carry Life's Burdens?
Micah Morris, Dean of Students, shares a talk about the people who guided and supported him throughout his hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. He parallels his talk with the need to seek guides and support when carrying heavy burdens in our own lives.
9/19/17 Hispanic Heritage Chapel
Tatiana, Alondra, Armando, Adrian, Genaro, and Miranda share reflections on identity and heritage. Their original poems, spoken word pieces, and family stories emphasized the variety of unique traditions amongst Latin American countries while celebrating their commonalities as well.
9/12/17 Scar Stories
Kelly Sargent, Director of Communications, delivers a chapel talk entitled “Scar Stories.” She shares memories behind her own scars while noting that each person has unique scars, seen and unseen, and that each scar is accompanied by a story of suffering, hope, and transformation.
9/5/17 Off the Grid and In the Moment
Senior Eva El Fishawy and Junior Annie Boyle share about developing relationships with themselves and others at summer camp. They reflect upon their time "off the grid" and temptations we face each day, with phones at our fingertips.
8/29/17 Singing Praise: Choir's Spain Trip
Daniel Klein, Vivian Chang, and Xenia Gonikberg deliver "Singing Praise: Choir's Spain Trip" noting insights from their choir trip in Europe last summer. They share ways the Benedictine tradition breathed their experience, ways their academics prepared them for cultural immersion, and ways they stepped out of their comfort zones.
8/22/17 Fr. Martin celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit, blessing the students, faculty, and staff as we begin a new year together.
8/15/17 The World Needs Us - Molly Buccola delivers a talk on ways our Benedictine Education is so important in the complicated world. It is a call to listen and stand for peace and justice.
8/14/17 Orientation Chapel - Mr. Molak and Fr. Martin welcome the community back to school and tell stories of our founding and sacred traditions. Class reps light class candles while praying for ways our community will embody the Benedictine values throughout the year.
5/16/17 Senior Pearls of Wisdom
This week in Chapel, seniors share pearls of wisdom with the rest of the school. These are brief reflections on lessons they wish they would have learned earlier in their Priory lives.
5/9/17 Resilience in the Face of Illness and Loss
This week in Chapel, Barbara M. Sourkes Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, shares stories about her experiences with children in the Kriewall-Haehl Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. While sharing art pieces by children, she dabbles in lessons of resilience, empathy, uncertainty, hope, decision-making, and faith. This talk also launches the Healing Hearts exhibit – children’s artistic expression of their experience of illness and loss which is on display in the Kriewall-Haehl PAC Lobby at Priory.
5/2/17 Lessons from China
This week in Chapel, Senior Rachael Goines and Junior Kieran Pandey give talks on lessons they learned from the China trip. They share stories about overcoming stereotypes and connecting on a human level.
4/25/17 Earth Day Chapel
This week in Chapel, Devin Schinski, Noah Willis, and Hovey Clark tell powerful stories highlighting our interconnectedness. They emphasize importance of daily choices and relationships with each other and nature.
4/18/17 Blessing of the Track and Field
This week during Chapel, we gather at the track and field for a ceremony with our extended community. Our monks bless the new track and field and we will celebrate!
4/4/17 Easter Mass
This week in Chapel, our community celebrates Easter Mass! For Christians, Easter is the most important holiday, so we chose to celebrate as a together before venturing off to Easter break.
3/28/17 Stations of the Cross Chapel
Throughout the past couple weeks, Theology classes have reflected upon a station of the cross and how the suffering Jesus endured at that station somehow parallels a social justice issue in today's world. This Chapel highlights student reflections, current events, and Jesus' journey to the cross.
3/21/17 Benedictine Schools Week
Mrs.Benz, Ms. Statsny, and the 6th Grade Theology classes arrange a special Chapel for St. Benedict's Feast Day. They celebrate with Benedictine readings, prayers and even a skit about Saint Benedict visiting Priory today.
3/14/17 Serving a World in Need of Our Gifts: New Orleans
Tim Molak, Fr. Martin, Britta Brown and students from the New Orleans service trip share stories, lessons, and photos from their winter break experience. They talk about the people, work, and culture while drawing personal connections and reflections.
3/7/17 Shared History: Common Vision
Students from Saint Anselm College: School of Education share ways Benedictine tradition supports them as individuals living within a college community. They talk about about how their monks and classmates offer strength for living in our world today.
3/1/17 Ash Wednesday
During break on Wednesday, the whole Priory community meets in the Chapel for a short Ash Wednesday service where we welcome the Lenten Season. Throughout Lent Christians usually focus on three acts. The first is renewing relationships with God through prayer. The second, fasting from that which we don’t need. The third is giving time and resources to others.
During the service, we launch our annual Lenten Talents Drive. We read the Parable of the Talents, then each individual receives a dollar and are asked to multiply that dollar (raise money) throughout the forty-day Lenten Season. As a school, we donate the money to Rebuilding Together. The juniors and seniors will help restore a house with the organization in April.
2/28/17 Always We Begin Again
This week in Chapel, Molly Buccola and Fr. Martin will give talks on recommitting to our best selves and our relationships with each other and God. They will talk about how our Benedictine Catholic tradition supports this idea and offers a support for the community before launching into the Lenten Season on Wednesday.
2/14/17 Mass for Peace
This week in Chapel, we celebrate our annual Mass for Peace. Fr. Martin and an eighth grade Theology class guides us through the ceremony as we offer prayers for peace throughout our world and in our hearts.
2/7/17 We are All Smart
Senior Francesca Cohn gives a talk highlighting that "we are all smart." More often than not, it takes time and patience to uncover our unique path. She shares painful stories that have led her to this conclusion, offering courage and hope for those struggling.
1/31/17 Strategies for the Hard Things: Functional Delusion-Faith-Family-Friends
This week in Chapel, Mr. Sugden delivers a talk entitled "Strategies for the Hard Things: Functional Delusion-Faith-Family-Friends" in which he shares what he has found works in times of extreme hardship and loss.
1/24/17 Service Week Reflections
In Chapel this week, student representatives from the Upper School share short service week reflections. We offer prayers for those we served and ask for strength to continue helping those in need.
1/17/17 MLK Chapel
In Chapel this week, Rene Jimenez, Assistant Director of High School Programs at Peninsula Bridge, shares stories about his family's experience as an immigrant family in Menlo Park. He highlights relationships and people who have motivated and inspired him and challenges us to be our best selves.
1/10/17 What Would Happen If...
This week in Chapel, senior Addie Vogt gives a talk on the importance of celebrating our own unique gifts and knowing and loving our true selves. She also invites her talented band to perform the reflection song.
12/13/16 Advent Mass
In Chapel this week, Fr. Piers Lahey celebrates Advent Mass. In his homilies, he often shares stories about his time as a Priory student years ago. We are happy to welcome him back to celebrate such a special school Mass.
12/6/16 The Chosen One
This week in Chapel, Theology Teacher Ryanne Saddler delivers a talk grounded in Advent themes. She shares about a low point in her life that actually was a profound moment of grace and insight. She talks about parallel's between Mary's Immaculate Conception and our lives.
11/29/16 Hunger
In Chapel this week, Bernadette White from Second Harvest Food Bank speaks about inspiring points the led to her position working for the non-profit and serving those in need. She will share stories about her experiences with people suffering from hunger here and in India.
11/22/16 Thanksgiving Chapel
In Chapel this week, Mr. Morris, Elise Rust, Joseph Calderon, Carmen Akamine-Alvarez, Billy Youstra, Ethan Veghte, Vivi Gilbert, and Summer Shapero deliver short talks sharing reasons they're thankful for our Priory community. Also, as a school we send prayers to those suffering during this time.
11/15/16 Founders Day Chapel
In Chapel this week, we celebrate our Founders Day. We watch a clip of our "Being Benedictine: The Monks of Woodside Priory" documentary before Tim Molak gives his talk on our past, present, and hopes for the future. We celebrate the seven brave Hungarian monks who dedicated their lives to planting a seed that has grown into our beautiful school community. - Stories from Priory Archives
11/8/16 The Truth as I See It
Click to see video
This week in Chapel, Brian Schlaak will deliver a talk entitled, "The Truth as I See It" where he will share his truths on the meaning of life and the soul's purpose. Hopefully this will initiate family conversations on such important topics.
11/1/16 All Saints Day Mass
This week in Chapel we celebrate All Saints Day Mass. November 1st is a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation, meaning Catholics usually attend mass that day to celebrate the lives of the saints that have lived as examples of faith, hope, and love. This is also a day that we remember our loved ones who have passed away as they are saints to us. We remember ways in which they served as examples of faith, hope, and love too.
10/25/16 How I met Guo Liping
In Chapel this week, Kathleen O'Rourke will give a talk on listening to her call to something greater than herself. She will talk of doubt, twists, opportunity, guidance, hope, faith, and ultimately finding her uniquely fitting path.
10/11/16 Dream Your Reality
In Chapel this week, Greer Hoffmann will share a talk about breaking a monstrous dream into smaller, manageable goals. Throughout her journey, there were setbacks but she will invite the audience to dream and offer ways to scaffold the journey.
10/4/16 It's Never All About You
In Chapel this week, Yvonne Faisal will give a talk entitled, "It's Never All About You." She will share perspective shifting stories from her life while emphasizing difficulties when expectations are squashed by life's twists and turns.
9/27/16 Welcoming the Stranger
In Chapel this week, Theology Teacher Mary Carroll will give a talk entitled, "Welcoming the Stranger." She will share her experience transitioning from St. Lawrence Academy to Priory and the difficult thoughts, feelings, and interactions that accompanied her along the way.
9/20/16 Hispanic Heritage Chapel
In Chapel this week Mr. LaValle, Brenda Uribe, Miranda Prince-Figuereo, and Alondra Manriquez will share reflections on Hispanic Heritage as a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
9/13/16 Compassionately Embracing Brokenness
In Chapel this week, Allison Burzio will talk about living as a victim of abuse and the importance of treating ourselves and others with compassion while seeking healthy outlets, and reaching for trusted ones in the community. She stresses the idea that we never know what may be in the minds and hearts of others and it's important to live, love, and serve with compassion.
9/6/16 - One Step at a Time
In Chapel this week, ASB President Konstantin Larin will speak about his journey stepping out of his comfort zone one step at a time.
8/30/16 - Belonging
In Chapel this week, Mr. Lai will talk about his experience growing up in Kansas. He will talk about little racist comments (microaggressions) that may have seemed off-handed and humorous to some but actually spread harmful, long-lasting effects.
8/23/16 Mass of the Holy Spirit
In Chapel this week, Fr. Martin will celebrate Mass of the Holy Spirit to bless the faculty, staff, and students in beginning a new school year.
8/16/16 - Benedictine Balance
In Chapel this week, Molly Buccola will give a talk on St. Benedict's approach to life balance.