She must have been very thirsty, that Samaritan woman.  

She lived in a culture that was strictly segregated by gender, so she was where she didn’t belong – women only went to the well in the morning or evening, not in the heat of the middle of the day.  And she approached the well even though there was a man already there.

A woman and a man talking at a well doesn’t seem shocking to us, but in the culture of the time, this would have been a scandal.  It’s a way for the gospel writer to tell us, yet again, that things are different, the old rules don’t apply.  When you follow Jesus, you have to look at the world through different eyes.

So, this thirsty Samaritan woman is taught about truth, about eternal life, by Jesus himself.  Their exchange, which consists of 7 statements by Jesus and responses by the Samaritan woman, is one of the longest catechetical sessions recorded in the new testament. She starts out as an outcast, someone totally discounted and disconnected from society, and she ends up as an evangelist, someone who leads others to the truth. That’s a pretty amazing encounter, isn’t it?

But first, she was thirsty.

And when her thirst drove her to the well, Jesus was there, waiting for her.  Waiting to teach.  Waiting to love.  Waiting to give new life.

The Israelites, too, must have been very thirsty.  “If God is really with us”, they asked, “then why are our throats dry?”  Moses had led them through the sea into the desert; they received manna, bread from heaven.  They were totally dependent on God.  But they were thirsty. So when they complained to Moses, God was there, waiting for them.  Waiting to provide.  Waiting to satisfy.

God has placed a thirst deep inside each of us.  It is one of those interesting conundrums of our faith: God is both the source and what we seek. If we allow it, the thirst that God gave us to experience the divine can move us to seek God, who longs to be discovered and can totally satisfy us.  

But first, we must be thirsty.

God bless!
-Deacon Mark

Summer Camp 2026

We are thrilled to offer summer options for our families.

• We will hold our traditional summer camps for registered Saint Andrew students during the first two weeks of the summer break. Registration is on Wednesday, March 11 at 9am. (Protip: make sure your account is updated prior to registration.)

• The parish is offering Totus Tuus in June. Totus Tuus, open to all children, is a summer, week-long Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith. Registration for grades 1-6 is open.

• Saint Andrew Summer Adventure Camp will be offered for the majority of the remaining summer weeks. Adventure Camp Registration for SA students, their friends, and neighbors in the community is open. 

Baby Bulldogs 

Our Baby Bulldogs program is gearing up for a fun and energetic spring session! Beginning January 22 through April 30, families with infants and toddlers are invited to join us every Thursday from 9:00–9:45am for a morning of connection and play. Each class includes free play followed by joyful music and movement that little ones love. (Please note: no class on March 19.) We meet in the Saint Andrew School Gymnasium, located at the northeast corner of Addison and Paulina. Registration is ongoing.  Come be part of the fun with our littlest Bulldogs!

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School! 

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially. At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. Experience our vibrant campus, where every student is known, loved, and challenged to grow. Choose Saint Andrew School today and invest in a brighter future for your child. Enroll now and join our family! Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 25-26 can be found here: New Student Application