On Friday, February 13, as students began their well-earned winter break, Ursuline employees gathered on campus for a meaningful tradition: Employee Serviam Day, a day dedicated to prayer, reflection, and service.

The morning began with breakfast and a retreat, led by Madison Williams, Retreat Coordinator and Theology teacher, centered on the theme “Verso l’alto,” an Italian phrase meaning “toward the heights,” famously used by St. Pier Giorgio Frassati to signify a life striving for spiritual greatness and holiness. Through this lens, faculty and staff reflected on their individual callings at Ursuline and how each role, whether in the classroom, office, or behind the scenes, advances the Academy’s mission.

Andrea Pujol, Junior Grade Dean and Math teacher, then shared how she “seeks & guides” in her work, offering both humorous and heartfelt examples from her daily interactions with students and colleagues. Her stories were a reminder that living the mission often happens in small, faithful moments.

The retreat concluded with a teacher panel featuring Rachel Clark, Sophomore Grade Dean and Science teacher, Molly O’Sullivan, Visual Arts teacher, and George Rodriguez, English teacher, who spoke candidly about what it means to embody the Ursuline mission in their classrooms each day. Their reflections sparked meaningful conversations during small-group “AMA” time, where employees processed insights from the morning and shared how they strive to live Serviam in their own work.

The community then gathered for Mass before concluding the day with hands-on service. Partnering with Rise Against Hunger, employees packed 10,000 pounds of food in under two hours, a powerful, tangible expression of the day’s theme and the Ursuline commitment to serving others.

From reflection to fellowship to action, Employee Serviam Day was a true embodiment of Serviam, always striving verso l’alto, toward the heights.