What makes Sacred Heart Villa unique from other childcare facilities? Some people try to express it as a feeling or a sense of welcoming. Families have said it feels like they are “embraced in love.” This intangible “thing” is called a charism in the church. It is an extraordinary power given to people of faith by the power of the Holy Spirit for the good of the church and the people of God. Blessed Clelia Merloni, the foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was gifted by God with a particular charism: to share the love of the Heart of Christ. This sharing of Clelia’s charism is the heartbeat, so to speak, of Sacred Heart Villa. It is what makes The Villa “the little school with the big heart.”
The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Sisters who minster here, believe it is absolutely vital to the mission of their schools that the lay personnel receive training to understand Blessed Clelia’s charism. Each summer an opportunity is offered to our lay staff to learn about the life, words, work and charism of Blessed Clelia. From June 13 – 15, 2022 two of our lay members will be attending The Clelian Institute. Ms. Ashley and Ms. Aly will be joining other lay staff from Cor Jesu Academy and other St. Louis area ministries where they will be immersed in this charism. The aim of this institute is to empower lay coworkers to share the love and compassion of Christ in their ministries with the Sisters so the charism of Blessed Clelia is upheld and enriched.
Almost every month, our school partners with a local restaurant for our Dining with Donors campaign. The Villa promotes a local eatery and the business owners in turn give a portion of the day’s sales to Sacred Heart Villa. On June 15 from 11am – 11pm, we will be partnering with Milo’s Bocce Garden at 5201 Wilson Avenue at the corner of Wilson and Marconi Avenue. You can dine inside, on the patio, or carry out. Visit their website for further information and a link to order online: https://www.milosboccegarden.com/
The owners of Milo’s, Joe and Sue Vollmer, are neighbors to the Villa. Take a break from cooking and enjoy some great food from Milo’s, while supporting a local business and our school!