< Back to Spotlight Family Page
Each quarter we’ll introduce a school family so they can share what they love about being a part of the St. Catharine School community. Whenever we can learn more about each other, the circle of faith and fellowship in our school grows! If you are interested in being a Spotlight Family, please email info@stcathschool.com.
Every year SPICE (Special People in Catholic Education) aims to raise awareness and funds for the students of St. Catharine with our annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, which is co-chaired by Justin & Marin Santorsola. This spring we would like spotlight the Santorsola Family: Justin, Marin, Pete (5th) Genevieve (2nd), Vivian (pre-k), Augie (3 years), and Evelyn (1 year)
| Q. How long has your family been a part of the St Catharine community?
A. We joined St. Catharine parish in 2010, the same year our oldest started at the preschool. |
| Q. What brought you to St Catharine parish/school?
A. After moving to Columbus in 2005, we tried a few different parishes—St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s when we lived downtown, St. Matthew’s because they had a nursery—but eventually we just wanted to be a part of the parish closest to our home. As luck would have it, we stumbled into the most wonderful parish and school community in the city! As for the school, after doing Kindergarten at Bexley Pete started at the school in 2013. |
| Q. Explain what role SPICE has played in your children’s education?
A. For us, the biggest role of SPICE is the cultural impact it brings to our school. Inclusion has become a buzzword in recent years, but really it represents what we are all called to do by God: Find a need and meet it. By supporting all children’s learning needs (both culturally and through funding resources like summer tutoring, enrichment materials, OT equipment, etc.) SPICE helps us remember, and provides a platform to remind our children, that God never said life would be easy—instead He told us we would never be alone in our challenges. |
| Q. What are your favorite school/parish activities?
A. All of them! Our kids love participating in CAP clubs and sports. Of course we all love FunFest, but also the first-day-of-school breakfast (also known as Independence Day!), the always fun Home & School fall fundraiser, school Masses, the Christmas concert, the Santa Breakfast, and of course the SPICE ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER! |
| Q. How has your family life benefited from being a part of the St Catharine Community?
A. For Justin and I especially, as two people who didn’t grow up here, it’s given us the feeling of a home away from home. For our children, we see the confidence they have to try new things that comes from having roots and being a part of a supportive community. It can be intimidating, but the best way to feel a part of things is to find your niche and jump in as a volunteer. My sister and her family (The Springers—Matt, Ginna, Cate-6th, Jack-2nd and Libby-K) moved here three years ago not knowing anyone but us, and now she’s the Home & School president. There’s plenty of room and need for everyone to be involved |