From the moment he arrived, Bishop Burbidge was warmly received by students, faculty, and staff. His visit began with the celebration of Mass, where the beauty and reverence of the liturgy, accompanied by Oakcrest’s talented liturgical choir, set the tone for the day. Msgr. Tom Bohlin, vicar general of Opus Dei in the United States and Canada, and Oakcrest’s chaplain, Fr. John Agnew, concelebrated Mass with Bishop Burbidge. During his homily, Bishop Burbidge called upon students to “rejoice in knowing that we are so blessed with fantastic Catholic educators and leadership in the classroom, and we thank them for their vocation and the yes that they give to that call every day…rejoice in the love of your parents, who make sacrifices so that you can attend this beautiful school.” Bishop Burbidge described it as a joy and a privilege to celebrate Mass at Oakcrest. 

Throughout the day, Bishop Burbidge visited classrooms, met with students and faculty, and experienced the rhythm of daily life at Oakcrest. In conversations with students, he invited thoughtful questions and engaged them in meaningful dialogue, encouraging them to reflect on their education and formation. In one memorable exchange, Bishop Burbidge asked a student to describe Oakcrest in a short phrase. The junior thoughtfully replied, “Faithful education,” a phrase that captures the integration of faith and learning at the heart of the school.

Bishop Burbidge expressed particular admiration for Oakcrest’s mentoring program. In one class he visited, a student asked him, “Have you heard about our mentoring program? It is one of the best parts of Oakcrest.” After hearing her explanation and with the chance to ask the class questions about mentoring, he later described mentoring as a “priceless gift.” He was impressed that, since its founding, Oakcrest has had a strong mentoring program, accompanying each student through a deeply personal approach to growth and formation. Bishop Burbidge also noted his love for the intentional structure of the school day, which balances academic rigor with time for prayer, rest, and community, fostering a thoughtful and less hurried pace.

As Oakcrest celebrates its 50th anniversary, having grown from a small founding class of 22 students into a thriving school community, the Bishop’s visit highlighted the enduring strength of its mission. He observed the genuine joy students have for their school, their teachers, and one another, and he praised the faculty and staff for their dedication to serving families and forming young women of character and conviction.

Before departing, Bishop Burbidge expressed his gratitude to the entire Oakcrest community and assured them of his continued prayers. His visit was both a celebration of all that Oakcrest has been over the past 50 years and a meaningful encouragement as the school looks ahead to the future, continuing its work of forming young women prepared to lead lives of faith, virtue, and service.