Justin-Siena Names New Principal

A Bay Area native, Brother Christopher was first introduced to the De La Salle Christian Brothers as a student at San Francisco’s Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. From there he completed his undergraduate work at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga earning a BA in Education and went on to earn a Master’s in Administration from the University of San Francisco. He has had the pleasure of serving at a number of Lasallian schools in his teaching and administrative tenure, including Principal at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco and De La Salle High School in Concord, and La Salle High School in Pasadena. He has deep connections with the Justin-Siena community in Napa as he also served as Dean of Students and as a Religion and History teacher here from 1979 to 1983.  Seems appropriate that Homecoming is the day he re-joins the Justin-Siena family.

Brother Christopher Brady remembers his time at Justin-Siena with great fondness and maintains today many relationships formed during that time. “As a De La Salle Christian Brothers, the virtue of Providence has struck again,” he shared upon receiving the invitation to serve and immediately accepting. “I have always said with real fondness, it was a blessing in my life to serve at Justin-Siena. For me it was four wonderful years—terrific students, great families, and talented faculty.”

Br. Donald, in his letter, reminded all of us that, although times of transition are challenging, they also present opportunities. While the school acknowledges the community concerns regarding this leadership transition, they are committed to moving forward with student growth and learning and in their motto of “Sempre Avanti”—to always move forward. Principal Brother Christopher Brady understands the challenges and embraces this opportunity. “I ask for your prayers as the school community needs healing not only for this transition, but as it continues to recover from the devasting wildfires. I once again say with pride, Go Braves!”

Brother Donald, the Visitor of the Lasallian District of San Francisco, shared with families in a letter about the recent transition in school leadership, “For more than 50 years, the Brothers and Partners of Justin-Siena have cared for the youth in the Napa Valley and beyond by giving to them the human and Christian education that, for more than three centuries, has been the hallmark of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. School communities through the decades are stories of dedication, of perseverance, and ultimately of love. I invite us to practice these tenets of love and compassion during this time, for I trust that the entire Justin-Siena family will be strengthened by our common bond of faith in God and in each other.”

Letter from Br. Donald Johanson